N89ers - Chester, Saxons River, Grafton, 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.

This is a no drop ride at a 10-12 mph average ride pace and 12-14 mph level ground rolling speed. 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.

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!

• 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