Join me for an easy 22-mile (round trip) pedal on the contiguous Salem, Windham, and Derry Rail Trails, located in southern New Hampshire. At 11 miles, these connected trails comprise the longest paved abandoned rail bed in New Hampshire. The scenic trails pass though beautiful, shaded ledges and two pond marshes, and are predominately wooded. There's also a decent amount of shade, assuming the trees along the trail are in bloom. The Salem trailhead is about an hour from the Boston area.

Bring snacks and/or lunch, plenty of fluids, a helmet, and sunscreen. Though insects shouldn't be an issue, also consider bringing repellant. We'll stop for lunch at the end point of the trail. The temperature could be brisk, so dress accordingly. Layers that you can add or shed as necessary are always a good bet.

Please check your bike a few days before the trip. Make sure your brakes are working and fill your tires if they're low. Check the tires for bulges or other signs of damage. A bulge may mean a weak spot in the tire and/or tube, and an impending flat. In fact, even if your tires seem fine, pack an extra tube if you have one.

If you all are well-behaved, we may make an ice cream stop along the way. :)

Note: This event is being co-listed with the Chiltern Mountain Club.

We’ll meet at the Salem Municipal Parking Lot, at the corner of Main and Central Streets in Salem, NH.

From Boston and points south: Take the second NH exit off I-93 north—NH-38/NH-97/Salem. (Exit number was 2, but interstate exits are being renumbered. So don’t rely on that.) Bear right at the end of the exit ramp, and **follow Pelham Rd. about .4 mi. Continue onto Main St. for another .4 mi. Turn right on Central St. The lot will be on your right.

From points north/Nashua/Merrimack: Take I-93 south to the NH-38/NH-97/Salem exit (possibly exit 2, but don’t count on it!). Bear left at the end of the ramp, following signs for NH-38/NH-97/Salem. Then follow directions from ** above.

Note: The municipal lot is relatively small. If it’s full, park at the NH State Employment Dept., 29 S. Broadway. To get there from the municipal lot, go back up Central St. to Main St. Turn right, and then immediately right again onto S. Broadway. (Salem Cooperative Bank is on the corner.) The employment office is a short distance down Broadway on your left. Look for a “New Hampshire Works” sign in front. Meet the group at the municipal lot.