Discover the beauty of New Hampshire’s rail trails by bike: A National Bike Month Celebration!
Since May is National Bike Month, Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire has collaborated with the Granite State Wheelers and the New Hampshire Rail Trails Coalition, to provide a series of guided bicycle tours along the breathtaking rail trails of the Granite State.
Whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or new or returning to biking, these weekend tours are designed to ignite your sense of adventure and showcase the natural beauty of New Hampshire’s rail trail system.
Each weekend throughout May, a different rail trail will be highlighted, allowing participants to explore various landscapes and historical sites. These guided tours are perfect for those new to cycling, uncertain about rail trails, or just want to get out with a fun group of cyclists! These rides will provide a safe and supportive environment to learn about cycling, trail etiquette, and the rich history of these scenic routes.
NOTE: The dates below are for May 2024. Stay tuned for updates in May of 2025!
Here’s a glimpse of what you can expect from these guided rail trail tours:
Scenic Routes: From rolling hills to serene lakeshores, each rail trail offers its unique charm. Discover hidden gems and breathtaking views as you pedal through New Hampshire’s diverse landscapes.
History: Our tours are not just about cycling but also about learning. Discover the rich history of the railroads that once traversed these trails. Knowledgeable guides will share fascinating stories about the evolution of these routes, enriching your understanding of the region’s past.
Welcoming: These tours are all about inclusivity and welcoming cyclists of all ages, backgrounds, and experience levels. Whether you’re riding solo, with friends, or with the whole family, there’s something for everyone to enjoy and feel a part of the cycling community.
Supportive Environment: Don’t worry if you’re new to cycling or haven’t been on a bike in years. Experienced guides will provide tips on bike handling, safety practices, and making the most of the rail trail experience.
Community Partnerships: Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire is proud to partner with organizations like the Granite State Wheelers and the New Hampshire Rail Trails Coalition to promote cycling and outdoor recreation in our communities. Together, we’re creating opportunities for people to connect with nature and lead active, healthy lifestyles.
So join in for a celebration of National Bike Month as we pedal our way through the beauty of New Hampshire’s rail trails. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely ride or a new adventure, these guided tours promise unforgettable experiences and lasting memories. Let’s celebrate the joy of cycling together!
Space is limited, and registration is required for these free rides. For additional information and to register, click the links below.
Cycles Etc has donated adult Giro Register MIPS helmets that will be raffled off to registered participants at the first four rail trail rides!
FREE “Tour de New Hampshire” t-shirts to each registered participant participating in our ride series throughout May!
NOTE: ***SIGN-UP AND HELMETS ARE REQUIRED FOR THESE RIDES!***
Tour de New Hampshire Ride Schedule
Saturday, May 4, 2024 – Northern Rail Trail (10:00am ride start)
Presented by Friends of the Northern Rail Trail
Our first bicycle ride will be a short section of New Hampshire’s longest rail trail. We will depart from the historic Potter Place Train Depot and head north on the Northern Rail Trail to the Danbury Country Store, where the group will have time for snacks and souvenirs before heading back at a leisurely pace, allowing participants to soak in the wilderness. Your expert guide for this trip will be Lindy Heim, a local historian and Co-President of the Friends of the Northern Rail Trail.
Ride info: The ride is approximately 22 miles (round trip) on mostly compact gravel. A hybrid, gravel, Class 1 e-bike, or mountain bike is recommended. Due to washouts, there may be sections that require walking bikes.
Click here to register for the Northern Rail Trail ride. *LIMITED AVAILABILITY*
Saturday, May 11th, 2024 – The Rail Trails of the Queen City: Manchester, NH (10:00am ride start)
Presented by Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire.
New Hampshire’s largest city is also home to more rail trails than any other community in the State. The ride will explore parts of the Goffstown Rail Trail, the Piscataquog Rail Trail, the Riverwalk, the Heritage Trail, and the newly extended South Manchester Rail Trail. Riders will use unique bike/ped bridges, including the longest in New Hampshire (The Hands Across the Merrimack Bridge) and a newly restored historic train trestle converted into a rail trail crossing. We will also stop to admire the numerous street art and murals installed along the trails and learn about the role cycling plays in an urban environment. Riders will also learn about plans to add more trails to the existing network. The ride will start and end in Manchester’s Historic Millyard, providing access to many bars and restaurants for post-ride activities! Your guides for this ride will be local citizens Don Waldron and Tammy Zamoyski. Don is a Board Member of Bike-Walk Alliance and Chairman of the Manchester Conservation Commission. Tammy is a leading cycling advocate having attended cycling seminars around the world, and is a local planner for the Southern NH Planning Commission.
Ride info: The ride is about 20 miles and is mostly on paved surfaces. Most of the ride will be on bike/ped paths; however, there will be some street riding to connect trails. Most street riding will be on low-traffic roadways. Road, gravel, class 1 e-bikes, or hybrid bikes are recommended. Helmets are required, and lights are recommended.
Click here to register for the Queen City trail ride. *LIMITED AVAILABILITY*
Saturday, May 18, 2024 – The Rail Trails of the White Mountains: Presidential Rail Trail and the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail (10:00am start time)
Presented by the NH Rail Trails Coalition and the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail.
Experience the beauty of the northern White Mountains on this gently compacted gravel rail trail. Marianne Borowski, the founder of the Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail, will be our guide on this trip through the beautiful White Mountain National Forest. We will visit the scenic Pondicherry National Refuge and be treated to some great photo ops of Mount Washington!
The ride is about 18 miles (round trip). The trail surface is primarily compact gravel. Gravel, hybrid, class 1 E-bike, or mountain bike recommended.
Click here to register for the Presidential Rail Trail ride.
Sunday, May 26, 2024 – The Rail Trails of the Elm City: Keene, NH (11:00am ride start)
Presented by Pathways for Keene and the Monadnock Cycling Club.
Come see the City that New Hampshire Magazine named “Best New Hampshire City for Bicycling” in 2021. The College Town of Keene, New Hampshire, includes numerous shops and restaurants in its welcoming, charming downtown. The tour will depart
downtown and visit the Cheshire Rail Trail and the Ashuelot Rail Trail, traversing urban and wooded trails while exploring bridges along the way. Local cycling experts will guide this ride! After the ride, participants are encouraged to visit the downtown businesses to get a drink or a little lunch! Ride description: The ride will be on a mix of paved and gravel trails, mostly flat or gentle slopes. A minimal amount of street riding will also be included on mainly low-density roads. The total length will be about 15 miles (round trip) at a leisurely pace.
Click here to register for the Elm City rail trail ride. *LIMITED AVAILABILITY*
Friday, May 31, 2024 – The Trails of Bethlehem: Bethlehem, NH (4:00pm ride start)
Presented by the Bethlehem Trails Association
Click here to register for the Bethlehem trail ride.
A note about children: These rides will be all-inclusive, family-friendly rides. While children riders are welcome, a few things to consider: Insurance requires that ALL riders must wear helmets, and an adult must accompany any rider under 18. We also ask parents to consider their children’s riding abilities. These rides will be in groups of up to 25 riders. You should consider if your child can ride responsibly and predictably so as not to create a hazard for other cyclists on the trip. If a rider leader feels that your child may be causing risk to other riders (zig-zagging, stopping abruptly, etc) they may request that you and your child ride towards the back of the group. We will have “support cyclists” on each ride to ensure no riders are left behind. Some rides may also have segments of street riding. Don’t hesitate to contact us through the Meet-up chat tool if you have any questions about bringing a child on the ride.
Child transport devices such as bike-mounted car seats, trailers, and “MacRide” or similar devices are generally accepted and not considered an issue. However, we advise you to consider the riding surfaces; depending on recent weather conditions, some trails may be muddy and/or rough, and there may be small but prolonged grades. Please note the Bethlehem ride includes some narrow trails.
