Good, long (200+ mi) route from the north shore to NH?

[schleppy]

A friend of mine is picking up a new car on Friday, and we decided we want to take a nice long back road trip from the north shore as far north as we can, taking all "fun roads". We'll probably start with a loop going around the north shore (bev > manchester > gloucester > rockport etc), then head back and go north.

Can anyone recommend a route from the Beverly area north? Any roads we should hit up in particular?

Thanks in advance!

[OreoGaborio]

yeah, you need to come riding w/ us sometime this summer. May even make you fall in love w/ the North Shore all over again


Where in NH do you wanna go? West towards the white mountains (where the good stuff is) or east along the coast?

[schleppy]

My love for the north shore has never been in question I adore the whole 127 loop, Gloucester/Essex back roads (as poorly paved as they are), but am always up for learning new spots. I'm sure you guys know about some areas I don't.

As far as Friday goes, I don't really care which direction. I would say I'd prefer to take back roads the whole way up, but always be within 20 or so miles of a major highway (in case we have to go home for whatever reason). Any of the nice windy, sweeping roads in NH would be great.

[RandyO]

there are no "fun" roads this time of year, unless you consider frost heaves fun

[tsanto]

Once you get past hampton beach in NH, Rt 1A up thru North hampton and Rye is a good route. There are some ridiculous houses right on the water up there.

[schleppy]

there are no "fun" roads this time of year, unless you consider frost heaves fun

I'll be in a car, so we won't be as concerned with road surface. And we're breaking the car in, so there won't be any 10/10ths driving.

[The Crashing Tomato]

I've done hundreds of variations of this scenic route up the coast




from:rockport ma to:RT-127/Washington St @42.661700, -70.671000 to:RT-127A/South St @42.647510, -70.598670 to:Farrington Ave @42.596090, -70.651480 to:RT-127/Western Ave @42.584240, -70.717510 to:Concord St @42.637314, -70.711713 to:Eastern Ave/RT-13

[schleppy]

Thanks for that link, that's the kind of thing I'm looking for!

[tsanto]

Just a heads up, Rt. 1a between rowley and newbury is closed. If you're coming up from gloucester on 133, you'll have to go Rt. 1 to get north.

[schleppy]

Thanks for the heads up! I drove out there not long ago and it was closed. Are they ever going to finish that damn bridge?

[RandyO]

I'll be in a car, so we won't be as concerned with road surface. And we're breaking the car in, so there won't be any 10/10ths driving.

you like giving your shocks a workout

[tsanto]

I heard it wasnt going to be finished until summer of 2009. Which sucks because that little stretch of 1A is a nice ride, and it gets you rite out to plumb island.

[schleppy]

^ I really hope that isn't true. That is one of my favorite stretches to cruise around in the summer. That detour is such a PITA...

[loridin64]

Once you get past hampton beach in NH, Rt 1A up thru North hampton and Rye is a good route. There are some ridiculous houses right on the water up there.

Ive been up that way quite a few times. Excellent views in the summer and the houses are unbelievable +1

[OreoGaborio]

you like giving your shocks a workout

Randy, it's not the Kank, the roads aren't that bad.