Last September, the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust (ASLPT) and the New Hampshire Cycling Club partnered together for the inaugural Kearsarge Klassic (K2) Bike Event. Participant feedback was so overwhelmingly positive that we decided to repeat this recreational event in 2013. We encourage you to view the “Somerville Trio” blog at TinyURL.com/KearsargeKlassic to whet your appetite.

The bike ride has been planned to entice all levels of riders to take part. There is a family-friendly route (approximately 25 miles, on more pavement than dirt), a more aggressive 60-mile route, and for the avid, serious cyclist, an 86-mile route (with options to expand this route even farther). Rest stops and a lunch stop will occur along all routes with a homemade chili and cornbread treat offered at the end of the ride.

Following is the description of the K2 Bike Event in the words of the New Hampshire Cycling Club:

“The Kearsarge Klassic (K2) Bike Event is a mostly dirt loop in central New Hampshire. The route traverses the towns of Bradford, Sutton, Warner, Webster, Andover, Danbury, Alexandria, Enfield, Springfield, and New London and includes some of the most scenic roads in New Hampshire.

“Although the roads are well maintained dirt roads, a cyclo cross bike or a bike with wider tires is highly recommended. The route goes by a number of properties conserved by the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust. No prizes will be offered, and the event will not be timed.

“The event is a fundraiser for the Ausbon Sargent Land Preservation Trust, and it is hoped that proceeds from this event will contribute to its efforts to preserve and protect land in a spectacularly beautiful part of New Hampshire, the Mount Kearsarge/Lake Sunapee Region.”

Registration will be pre-registration only – no “day-of” registration. The event is limited to 200 participants. Riders may register for the event at TinyURL.com/K2-Reg-2013.

The event will begin and end at the New London Historical Society, 179 Little Sunapee Road, New London. Avid cyclists will love the longer routes, but the 25-mile scenic loop is very moderate and designed for families and recreational riders.

The Kearsarge Klassic is open to the public. This is a wonderful way to see our beautiful area and support the work of the land trust. Please join us.

If you would be willing to volunteer to help at one of our stops or offer help preparing the food, please contact Nancy Smith at 526-6555 or NSmith@nullAusbonSargent.org.