Back way to Lyme

 Activity Date: April 19, 2024

Ann I drove down to Wallingford, CT last night to see Judas Priest in concert and we got back to Hanover at a little over 3 in morning. I slept in while she went to work and then headed out on another exploratory ride, this time staying east of the Connecticut River. I found some commentary on various routes in the Hanover and Lebanon area, and one talked about Eta Road and how much less traffic was on it.

Leaving the hotel, I headed over to Mount Support Road, which parallel's Rt 120 and probably was the original Rt 120 before the road was turned into a 4 lane thoroughfare. I think you can imagine that is a road to be avoided. 

It's a fast descent down to a four way intersection and a stop sign. Not my ideal way to go but I had to turn left onto Old Etna Road anyway. Old Etna Road crosses over Rt 120 and becomes Etna Road. It runs through a business park/Industrial area and there were a few more cars initially but then the traffic slackens once you are out of the congested area. The first two miles on Etna Road is kind of flat with a few rollers and then the fun begins with a 6 mile, 3% average grade climb to Lord's Hill.

Then there is a lovely 3 mile descent down to Lyme Road with a few little rollers in between. Once on Lyme Road, you are still descending for another 3 miles but it's more gradual and it's busy as it is Route 10 and the only road this side of the Connecticut River to Lyme, especially since the bridge is closed at East Thetford. 

In New England, there are only two states that have towns named Lyme. The most famous one, not for the best reasons, is obviously Lyme, CT, where Lyme Disease for first discovered.  Then there is Lyme, NH.  There are two other towns in the US named Lyme, one in New York and another in Ohio.  I find Ohio ironic because in the early, early days, Ohio was actually was apart of Connecticut, called the Western Reserve.

Lyme, New Hampshire, is a historic, scenic town along the Connecticut River (10 miles from Hanover) known for its well-preserved 18th-century common, the longest continuous line of antique horse sheds in the US, and a strong commitment to conservation. There's a cool Civil War Monument in the center of the green: "In Memory of the Volunteer Soldiers and Sailors of Lyme 1861 - 1865."

The Waltly was riding really nice, new spoke, trued wheels (Omer & Bob's trued the front wheel, too) and the new pedals were really solid. 

Turning west and heading towards the Connecticut River it was a nice rolling descent.

Here's the closed bridge that connects to East Thetford.

Probably could walk it after hours.

Turning south, on River Road, and riding along the Connecticut River

and learning the hard way that RWGPS surface classifications are not always accurate.

At least the road was pretty smooth and I could maintain a good pace without having worry about rocks and the potential for a pinch flat.

Pretty gloomy day but great temperature for cycling.

Rode back through Hanover and the back way around the hospital where Ann works.