Cycling the Monadnock Back Roads
For cyclists, the Monadnock Region is a quiet paradise of rolling terrain, low-traffic lanes, and village-to-village loops that string together country stores, covered bridges, and long mountain views. It is the kind of riding that reminds you why you took up the sport.
Road Riding
The region’s network of secondary roads carries little traffic once you leave the main routes. Classic loops connect Peterborough with Hancock, Dublin, Harrisville, and Jaffrey, rolling past stone walls, working farms, and pristine village greens. The terrain is genuinely hilly — there are no flat centuries here — but the climbs are rewarded with descents and with views of Monadnock from a dozen different angles.
Gravel & Dirt
New Hampshire still maintains hundreds of miles of unpaved town roads, and the Monadnock Region is prime gravel-riding country. These hard-packed dirt lanes wind through forest and past hidden ponds, carrying almost no cars. A gravel or cyclocross bike opens up a whole second network of routes and is arguably the best way to experience the region’s backcountry on two wheels. The region has become a quiet favorite for gravel events precisely because the road mileage is so vast and so lightly traveled.
Sample Loops
- Villages loop: A moderate ride linking several historic town centers, ideal for a half-day with a lunch stop.
- Harrisville circuit: Rolling roads around one of the best-preserved mill villages in America, with mill-pond reflections of Monadnock.
- Gravel explorer: A dirt-road route for riders who want solitude and are comfortable off pavement.
E-Bikes & Family Riding
The hills that challenge road racers can be a barrier for casual riders, and this is where e-bikes have opened the region up. An electric-assist bike flattens the climbs and lets riders of mixed ability tour together, turning a demanding loop into a joyful one. Quiet dirt roads and rail-trail segments also give families with children safer, gentler places to ride away from traffic.
Riding Safely on Rural Roads
Country roads are peaceful but narrow, with blind curves, sandy shoulders, and the occasional logging truck. Ride single file where needed, use lights and bright clothing, and carry what you need to fix a flat — services are sparse between villages. Cellphone coverage can be patchy, so tell someone your route. The League of American Bicyclists offers good primers on safe road cycling worth reviewing before you set out.
Making a Day of It
The pleasure of cycling here is as much about the stops as the miles: a swim in a cold pond, a pie at a farm stand, a coffee on a village green. Combine a ride with our visitor guide and turn a training day into an unforgettable tour of the region. In the colder months, the same roads and trails become terrain for winter recreation.