Help from the Nomadic Mainers

[patmahoney]

I am going to be making a trip from South of Boston up to Dexter ME in a couple of weeks any suggestions on the best route? I am pretty suwah I can get theyah from heyah I will not be in a rush so I guess I am looking for the best riding route, ya know comfortable, scenic, as much time as possible off of 95.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[tomm]

Hi Patrick,
If it was me and I had the time, I would head up Route 16 in NH (exit 4?? off of 95 north in Portsmouth) and work my way to Route 2 east, either in Gorham, NH or through Freyburg, ME and north to Bethel. Then east to Canaan and north from there to Dexter. Or if you really have plenty of time, just follow 16 all the way through the NH Great North Woods to Rangeley to Dexter.
Ridden up in there many times and it is some of my favorite riding in New England. Just keep a sharp watch for moose and deer and don't ride during their active times.
Be sure to stop at the base of the Mt Washington Auto Road for coffee if you go that way. And take the back road through Conway.
Other nice ride is 4 to 202 to 35? to 104 (or is it 114) to Naples on Sebago Lake. Then back roads north to Farmington (Route 2) and northeast from there to Dexter.
Stay away from the Maine coast and Route 1 this time of year. Too much traffic, especially south of Portland.
Tom

[patmahoney]

Thanks Tom,

After looking at the maps and plotting the routes out in Mapquest I think I will be taking one of two routes 93N up to 3 then 302 to 16 to 2 then 7 into Dexter. Second choice would be 95N to Portsmouth then cut over to 16N and take that up to 2 and finish off the same as before.

Does 16N get backed up with traffic around North Conway?

[tomm]

Hi Patrick,
Yes. 16 can be really slow through Conway / North Conway. Two ways around it. The scenic way is to turn left onto the Kanc (Route 112) just before Conway. About 15 minutes down the road, turn right onto Bear Notch Road. Nice windy road. That will take you to 302. Turn right on 302 until it joins back up with 16 north of North Conway. Turn left onto 16 north to Route 2.

Other way is head into Conway. About a mile or so after the intersection with the Kanc, there will be a traffic light at the top of a short rise. Route 153 goes to the right. Nice alternate route south instead of 16 incidentally. Anyway, you will turn left at that light. Follow that road all the way to the end. It parallels Route 16. When you get to the end. Turn right. When you get to the light, turn left onto Route 16 north, just north of all the shops and traffic. Follow it to route 2.

If it was me, I'd do Bear Notch.
Tom