Seacoast History Ride - 80 Miles

This is a world class ride along the seacoast of Maine and New Hampshire that includes many glimpses of American History (Martin Pring, 1606). The ride starts near the Damm Garrison in Dover, NH (settled 1623). The Damn Garrison is one of the few remaining original Garrison Houses (Built in 1675).

From there you ride to the southern most tip of the New Hampshire seacoast for a piece of old fashioned thin crust sheet pizza. Then follow the NH coast through Hampton Beach, along the bike lane past stately homes perched above the rocks at Little Boar’s Head through Rye to historic

New Castle, NH In New Castle, you ride past Wentworth by The Sea, a restored old Resort to Fort Constitution. Fort Constitution is where the first action of the Revolution occurred and where Colonists got the powder and guns that would be used at Bunker Hill. The route wanders along the back streets in New Castle so you can see the Revolutionary Period Houses and how close they gathered. Stop at the Lobster Pound if you fel like a Lobster Roll. Warning, Lobster Roll is not the best biking food if plan to complete this ride in one day.

Then across the bay to historic Portsmouth, NH(1623) where you will ride past the John Paul Jones House and have a latte in Market Square in the shadow of beautiful North Church.

You can keep riding or enjoy the rest of the day wandering amoung historic building, visiting Straberrry Banks (the Old Name for Portsmouth and now a collection of Revolutionary Period Buildings), or see a Gundalow at Prescott Park. Portsmouth is also filled with cute shops and good resturants. The night life is fairly active in the summer.

 

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Route Alternative

It is only 10 miles back to your starting point from downtown Portsmouth if you follow the Bike Path to Pease, a former Air Base, and then Spur Road into Dover.

If you turn North instead of South at Little Boar’s Head and then return to Dover through Pease, the ride is just under 50 miles. 

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From there it is across the Piscataqua River to Kittery, Maine. You ride past the Portsmouth Navy Yard where The Ranger was built and that now services nuclear subs.

Then along the Maine Coast to York passing Fort McClary. York is famous for Nubble Light and it’s historic Old Village Buildings. If you have time wander amoung these historic buildings for a feel of what life was like in the 1700s.

The ride closes with a return to Dover along quietly beautiful Maine Roads.

The route is quite flat until you cross into Maine. There you will encounter some rolling hills and a few short climbs.

This is a great one day ride or a one week ramble if you want to explore the lighthouses, forts, and historic buildings along the way.

Resources:

Garmin MapQuest File

Streets & Trips File

Cue Sheet