Maine Bicycle Coalition Women's Ride, 62 hilly miles!

I've wanted to do the Maine Bicycle Coaltion's Women's Ride ever since I first found out about it; not only is it for a good cause, but I always enjoy the comraderie of women of all ages.  I've never wanted to register for it beforehand as I no longer will bike in rain and/or crappy weather!  So, although I really hadn't trained for this ride (I'd ridden 9 miles the previous Sunday), I woke up to bright sunny blue skies and ideal temps in the 60's and low 70's...so off I went to Freeport to register! We rode from Freeport to Pownal and then up New Gloucester (Pineland), before heading back.

I ended up riding most of the time with these women from northern Maine; they were good company.

Our first rest stop was I believe at 11 or 12 miles!

ugh, lots of hills! 

but very pretty, quiet roads with amazing views of the countryside

All done!  

Hiking Hancock North & South Peaks

We weren't planning on hiking these two 4,000 footers, but after a couple of hours, I realized that I we weren't headed in the right direction to Mt. Moriah, and we just happened to drive by and see that these trails were readily accessible.  Although these two peaks don't have views on the peaks, you can see that there were some amazing views along the way, and it was a perfect day for a long hike (I think this one is about 10 miles altogether).

This is what we did, the Hancock Loop Trail, first going up to North Peak and then down South, the latter is steeper!

I'd have to say, this wasn't one of my favorite hikes in NH, I doubt that I'll ever bother to do it again.  It's quite gradual for the first few miles, and then BANG!, total rocky, steep uphill!  Although there were some good views, I prefer a peak with 180 & 360 degree views for all that effort.

Dogwood?

Here we've reached the top of North Peak, actually this is not the peak!  It's a ledge with the amazing view just around the bend from the actual peak, make sure to check it out!

I think that this was the view on the ledge right before we got to South Peak (which again, had no view!)...

This is pretty much what you'll get on the way down, had to watch the ground the entire time and boy, was I happy to be wearing my Crest hiking boots (Gortex!)..