Cider and Ice Cream and All Things Nice

Haven't you always wondered about that bike path next to I-89 as you're approaching Concord or heading up to the Whites? Here's an opportunity to find out where that trail goes and then go on a cider and ice cream gambol through the surrounding hills. The bike trail is pretty short, but this exploration is interestingly diverse. Park for this ride in the parking lot for the Audubon Society of New Hampshire at 84 Silk Farm Rd., in Concord, off exit 2 from I-89. Depart the Audubon Society parking lot and turn left on Silk Farm Rd. Very soon, before crossing under the interstate, the bike trail departs to the left. Snuggled in between I-89 and farm fields, the trail becomes a pleasant tunnel through overhanging pines and oaks. After crossing the channel that connects Turkey and Little Turkey Ponds, the bike trail ends and you continue straight on Stickney Hill Rd. Yes, there's a bit of a hill, but you're passing through a beautiful old farm and elegant old colonial homes. It feels far out in the country even though you're only a couple miles from the gold dome of the New Hampshire capitol. At the next intersection turn right on Farrington Rd. Eighteenth- and 19th-century architecture is slowly replaced by 20th-century homes as you steadily climb about 200 feet until you take a right on Jewett Rd. Cross the interstate, take a left on Rt. 202 for your first short stretch of highway biking. Glance left at this intersection for a good view of Pat's Peak to the west — a popular ski mountain for Concord families. It's a nice, mostly downhill cruise into the stately village of Hopkinton. Just past the Town Hall, bear left at the triangle staying on Rt. 202 and in a tenth of a mile bear right onto Old Putney Hill Rd. Gear down. This is your first short, steep hill with a grade approaching 11%. Turn right at the top on Putney Hill Rd. It's worth the climb. Now that you're on the ridge, you're treated to well-preserved homes and expansive views. Cross the road between the villages of Hopkinton and Contoocook onto Gould Hill Rd. and climb gradually until you come upon a sprawling slopeside orchard — Gould Hill Farm and Contoocook Cidery. Fun to come upon it by surprise. Orchards are located on the slopes of ridges to facilitate the drainage of water away from the tree roots and because heavy cold air also drains down the slope making for a longer growing season. The cidery is at the top of the ridge and the orchard spills down the slopes in front of you. Hard to resist getting a glass of sparkly amber. Continue past the cidery down a steep slope (note the cute pond with island bench) and take a right on paved Penacook Rd. at the bottom. Relaxation is fleeting as you soon turn right up Briar Hill Rd. for another ridgetop amble with more lovely homes and meadows. After your descent, take a left on Patch Rd. for the longest, steep climb of the ride. At the top, take a right on Beech Hill Rd. The payoff for all your hard work this time takes two forms — a mile-long downhill and the Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn with 75 flavors! It's a cheery scene with cute, pettable animals, a farm store, hanging plants, rock outcroppings for kids to scramble around on, a corn maze — the whole kit and kaboodle. It's hard to resist the ice cream; I particularly like the Coconut Almond Bar flavor. Continue past the farm to a left on Currier Rd. More payoff as you drift slowly downhill for almost a couple of miles. Take a left on busy Rt. 202 for about one quarter of a mile, get a temporary reprieve from traffic by taking a left on Loop Rd, then left onto Rt. 202 for another half mile. Take a right on Dunbarton Rd. and you've passed through the portal into Fantasy Campus World. Take a quick right on Rectory Rd. and try not to gape at the eye candy architecture as you drift through the campus of St. Paul's School. The campus is drop-dead gorgeous, and the brick and stone buildings are sophisticatedly swanky. Every building is more stunning than the last. I turned down the opportunity to give a sermon in the chapel here about five years ago and have rued that decision ever since. It's hard not to get seduced by how the 1% lives. But all fantasies must fade. At the end of Rectory Rd. take a left on Sawmill Rd., a right on Dunbarton Rd. and another quick left on Silk Farm Rd. This is a dead-end road, so you'll have it to yourself; abandoned meadows on the right, forested cross-country trails on your left. It's a dreamy way to end the ride. Cross under the interstate and you'll soon be back at the Audubon Society parking lot. For a digital map of this ride see: ridewithgps.com/routes/48652999 Mid-Ride or Après Velo Yankee Magazine identified Gould Hill Farm and Contoocook Cidery as one of the most beautiful apple orchards in New England. I completely agree. The views stretch north to the White Mountains and west over towards Vermont. And it's best to arrive there on bike, having earned your cider with all that hard work. The ciders here range from bone dry to pleasantly sweet. Using more than 100 plus varieties of apples, the Basset and the Strader families make unique blends from some of these long forgotten heirloom apples and even one variety you can only find here. They strive to mix flavors to allow the apples to dominate the flavor of their ciders. All the ciders are minimally processed and balance the acids, sugars and tannins to express the true character of the apples and fruits. The Summer Daze made from early season apples has a crisp dry finish. I like my hard cider sweet, so I like the Contoocook Blend made with heirloom apples such as Golden Russet, Yellow Newtown Pippins and Chestnut Crabs. It's sparkly and refreshing with a caramel sweetness. The food is simple and appealing. Hot pretzels with mustard, cheese and charcuterie plates, an array of handmade pizzas. It's a delightful scene sitting outside sipping cider and nibbling tart cheddar with autumn colors and a tint of chill in the air. Turn by Turn: Concord and Hopkinton, NH 0 miles &emsp;&emsp;Park at Audubon Society of New Hampshire on Silk Farm Rd. in &emsp;&emsp; &emsp;&emsp; &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp; Concord. Exit parking and turn left. 0.2 miles&emsp;&emsp;Turn left onto bike trail. 1.5 miles Bike trail ends. Continue straight onto Stickney Hill Rd. 2.7 miles&emsp;&emsp;Right on Farrington Corner Rd. 4.8 miles&emsp;&emsp;Right on Jewett Rd. 5.4 miles&emsp;&emsp;Left on Rt. 202/Hopkinton Rd. 6.5 miles&emsp;&emsp;At triangle, bear left to stay on Rt. 202, and then quickly bear right &emsp;&emsp; &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp; onto Old Putney Hill Rd. 7.4 miles&emsp;&emsp;Right on Putney Hill Rd. 8.0 miles&emsp;&emsp;Cross Hopkinton Rd. and continue onto Gould Hill Rd. 9.2 miles&emsp;&emsp;Arrive Gould Hill Farm/Contoocook Cidery. Continue past cidery. 9.9 miles&emsp;&emsp;Right on Penacook Rd. 10.5 miles Right on Briar Hill Rd. 12.6 miles Left on Patch Rd. 14.0 miles Right on Beech Hill Rd. 15.0 miles Arrive Beech Hill Farm and Ice Cream Barn. Continue Beech Hill Rd. 15.2 miles Left on Currier Rd. 17.1 miles Left on Rt. 202/Hopkinton Rd. &emsp;&emsp; 17.4 miles Left on Loop Rd. 17.8 miles Left again on Rt. 202/9. 18.3 miles Right on Dunbarton Rd. Enter St. Paul's School. Immediate right &emsp;&emsp; &emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp;&emsp; on Rectory Rd. 18.9 miles Left on Sawmill Rd. 19.0 miles Right on Dunbarton Rd and then quick left on Silk Farm Rd. 20.0 miles Arrive back at Audubon Society of NH parking.