Rockingham Recreational Trail Portsmouth Branch

This is a 30 mile out and back round trip (average speed 10-13 mph) on the Rockingham Recreational Rail Trail.

This 25 mile trail runs from Manchester to Newfields. It begins at Page Street in Manchester and ends at Ash Swamp Road in Newfields.

We will be starting out of the Newfields location, and going out about 15 miles, then turning around.

This trail traverses through scenic small towns, forest lands and diverse wetlands.

Lake Massabesic, the renovated Raymond Depot and historic Rockingham Depot at Rockingham Junction are the jewels of this trail.

We will take breaks at various points along the way. We can decide as a group to stop and have lunch someplace.

RECOMMENDED BIKE TYPE(s):

This rail trail (though flat) is mostly Crushed Stone, Dirt, Grass, Gravel, Sand. A hybrid bike, a "10 speed" style gravel bike with at least 35mm tires, or a mountain bike is recommended for this ride.

It is NOT recommended to use a traditional "10 speed" style thin tired road bike for this ride.

NOTE 1: In order to take advantage of as much daylight riding as possible (especially as we get closer to September/October), the posted ride time is the START/DEPARTURE TIME of the ride time, NOT the "show up at the meeting location" time. The ride will depart at the start time regardless of who is not there at that time.

You must arrive ahead of time to prepare and make any last minute adjustments to your bike as early as you think you need (the earlier the better) to be ready to leave at the start time.

NOTE 2: You MUST have a helmet, a working rear light attached to the back of your bike (either on your bike bag (see further on), your seat post, the rear of your bike frame or the rear of your helmet), and a bike bag containing:

-at least one spare tube in case you get a flat
-a patch repair kit or CO2 cartridge(s) and inflator (or have a small bike tire pump on your bike)
-tire removal tool(s)

You should know how to either repair a flat or replace the tube.

It also is highly recommended you have at least one front light in case it gets dark

NOTE 3: You must have some type of GPS on your bike to be able to ride the route turn by turn (in case for whatever reason you get dropped or lost somehow). If you don't have a GPS, you must have some type printed cue sheet you can refer to. Riders who don't have these will not be allowed to ride the event.

NOTE 4: As a condition of attending this Meetup event, you agree to hold harmless, and indemnify the organizers and their relations and heirs, and all members and participants of the Meetup group from any and all claims for injury, illness, death, and/or property damage including those caused by negligence, ignorance, inexperience and other reasons. You also agree to assume all mental, physical, financial, and/or other risk associated with this meetup. Cycling poses inherent risks and dangers. Participation is voluntary and dependent upon your own personal judgment. As organizers, we make no claims regarding any expertise for this outing. This is not a guided tour.

NOTE 5: Rain or threat rain or other bad weather may require cancellation and possibly rescheduling this event. I will keep attendees posted as the event date gets closer.

If you need to reach me, call or text me at (913) 669-1842, or message in the comment section of the event on Meetup.