What we’re about
Welcome. The Granite State Wheelers has been New Hampshire's most active adult recreational bicycling club since 1971. Volunteer-run, we offer our members organized weekday, weekend, and multi-day rides for road and off-road enthusiasts of all experience levels at many venues throughout the state. As of September 2024, GSW has organized and sponsored 50 years of the widely-known New Hampshire Seacoast Century ride.
Group rides encourage improving riding skills and safety, and creates new cycling friendships. Group rides can be a great way to spend time with friends and other cyclists, even if it is just chatting about cycling. Cycling with others is a smart way to combine your social life with fresh air and exercise.
Joining this GSW MeetUp group does not constitute GSW club membership. You do not have to be a GSW club member to participate in GSW organized rides. GSW memberships support club activities, including providing cyclists with this MeetUp event scheduling service. Membership perks include mileage tracking on GSW rides, access to the Ride With GPS club account with its library of ride routes, and discounts at many local bike shops on parts and services.
Become a GSW member! Sign-up at www.GSWheelers.org.
GSW Ride Guidelines:
- The use of Sign-in Sheets is mandatory for every GSW ride. Each rider, GSW member or not, must print and sign their own name on the GSW Sign-in Sheet before the ride begins. Ride Sign-in Sheets serve as an insurance liability release as well as input to the mileage tracking system.
- Approved bicycling helmets are required on all GSW rides.
- All GSW rides are conducted in compliance with the rules of the road and with common courtesy displayed between bicyclists and motorists. GSW supports the “shared roadway” concept and attempts to set a good example to the public and other bicyclists.
- All levels of riding ability are invited to GSW rides. Ride event descriptions and ride organizers will give you guidance as to participants expected cycling abilities.
- You don't need to know how to change a flat tire, but all riders are advised to carry a spare tube for their own bike!
- Changes to posted rides due to weather or cancellation can be posted any time to inform those riders planning to attend.
- Rides are held departing from specified locations in public places with ample parking.
- Ride organizers and leaders are provided with the complete GSW Ride, Mileage, and Leader Guidelines which is also available to all GSW members on the members only page of www.GSWheelers.org.
We hope you enjoy your rides with the Granite State Wheelers!
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- UV Slow Spokes – Park & Picnic - 9:30 am StartWadleigh State Park, New Hampshire, NH
24 mile loop ride from Wadleigh State Park at Kezar Lake to Potter Place via Shaker Road, and back on Kearsarge Valley Rd.
NOTE: According to the website, parking at Wadleigh State Park is FREE for over-65 NH residents. Younger and/or out-of-state riders can park at the beach for free.
** Please send a message through Meetup if you are parking at the beach – we will pick you up and sign you in at the beginning of the ride.
- BRING A PICNIC LUNCH TO ENJOY AFTER THE RIDE AT THE PARK PICNIC TABLES BY THE SHORE
- Swimming at the shore by the tables is refreshing on a hot day – restrooms & changing rooms should be available
- No-drop ride of 24 miles at about 10 mph average speed
- Normal New Hampshire terrain and mostly paved roads with a few dirt sections
- Parking at Wadleigh State Park – 0.3 mi beyond the normal Kezar beach parking
- Bring water, snacks, helmet, lights, and Road ID.
- DON’T FORGET YOUR LUNCH FOR AFTER THE RIDE.
- Rain cancels
Safety First!!
- Consideration. Consistency. Communication.
- Please Click Here for Ten Tips for Safe Group Riding.
Planned Route:
Wadleigh Park to Potter Place
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/52062104 - S&W Wednesday Night RidesS&W Sports (lot across the street), Concord, NH
Expect an accommodating (no drop) to moderate/brisk 28 + mile rides.
(no drop... While the ride is considered "no drop," riders are expected to make a reasonable effort to maintain the published pace to avoid significantly disrupting the group flow.)
Ride Leaders:
16+ mph - Lynn Durand (moderate/brisk)11-12+ mph - Bernie F (accommodating newcomers and distance)
If you have an interest in leading a different speed for this ride, please PM me or contact the GSW ride coordinator.
Newcomers do not think you are the only ones attending. Regulars hardly respond to meetup.
Rain cancels.
See www.GSWheelers.org for club info.
- N89ers - Chester, Saxons River, Grafton, VTCobleigh St Recreation area, Chester, VT
Join the N89ers for 27 miles of moderate to more challenging biking (4.6 miles of dirt with option to avoid). About 1500' elevation gain with one very steep, possibly walking, pitch after lunch.
Great Vermont scenery.
We will stop at the Grafton Village Store which has sandwiches, salads, soups, etc., and also sells Grafton Cheese. Time to relax and explore the village before the last leg back to Chester.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: NH 11/103 west to Claremont. Then NH 12 south to Lovers Lane. Cross Connecticut River to continue on VT 11 through Springfield to Chester. (Last good comfort station at McDonald’s in Springfield or at Jiffy Mart in Chester just before turning onto Main Street in Chester.)
Park at the recreation area off Cobleigh Street on the left beyond the west end of the green (no toilets). Driving distance from New London 43 miles. Time 85 minutes.
Ride departs at 9:30 AM.
SAFETY FIRST!
- This is a no-drop ride. Average pace will be 10-12 mph. While the ride is considered "no drop," riders are expected to make a reasonable effort to maintain the published pace to avoid significantly disrupting the group flow. We will stop frequently for water breaks.
- Bring a snack, water and of course your helmet, lights, and Road ID.
- Rain cancels.
- Please click here for 10 Tips for Safe Group Riding.
- Please click here to download bike safety poster.
CUE SHEET:
0.0 From Cobleigh Street go RIGHT on VT 11 /Main Street.
0.7 LEFT on VT 11 back towards Springfield.
1.4 RIGHT onto Green Mountain Turnpike (unsigned) at cross roads after the RR tracks. Dirt. Beware of farm vehicles hauling liquid manure.
3.2 LEFT through farmyard. (If you miss the turn you come to the RR tracks.) Paved at 4.5 miles.
4.9 BEAR RIGHT at a T intersection to continue through Bartonsville, over bridge, and across RR tracks to stop sign.
5.7 LEFT on VT 103 for 0.2 miles.
5.9 LEFT CAREFULLY onto Williams Road. Dirt again. Road become paved at 7.4 miles.
7.5 RIGHT across concrete bridge on unsigned paved road. Continue up hill to VT 103.
7.9 LEFT on VT 103 to good group rest spot at next turn.
8.1 RIGHT on Pleasant Valley Road toward Saxtons River for long gradual climb.
Road ends with short STEEP down grade to stop sign. Best group gathering spot is just before that last pitch, in the shade of a tree.12.8 VERY SHARPLY RIGHT at stop sign onto VT 121. (Village of Saxtons River is to the left). Continue a long gradual up hill through Cambridgeport to stop sign at VT 35.
15.7 RIGHT at T junction where VT 121 joins VT 35.
19.7 LEFT in Grafton on road signed for Townsend just before the Old Tavern.
19.8 STOP at Grafton Village Store for leisurely lunch.
20.2 After lunch/rest reverse and go LEFT on VT 35 towards Chester. CLIMB for ½ mile, and then more gradually for two miles.
25.2 Start of final downhill into Chester.
27.2 LEFT in Chester on VT 11.
27.3 LEFT onto Cobleigh Street at end of the green and back to cars.Option to avoid the dirt roads: stay on VT 103, a modern fast highway with a wide shoulder. Fairly heavy traffic.
Ride w/GPS:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36108588
