It may be early October already (where did the summer go?!) but there's still plenty of good bike riding--both on road and off--to go before winter arrives.

Cool, invigorating weather, blue skies, colorful highways, byways and trails, yes, fall is a great time to get outside and ride!

Given that, you'll want to pick up a copy the newly minted 2nd edition of the White Mountain Ride Guide authored by bicycling adventurer extraordinaire Marty Basch (and speaking of, Marty will be the guest speaker at tonight's meeting of the Maine Outdoor Adventure Club in Portland).

Image courtesy Marty Basch/Top of the World Communications

The guide chronicles 42 terrific rides through the Mount Washington Valley, and the northern and western Whites for road riders and mountain bikers alike; from easy pedals of a few short hours and miles to heart-pumping, thigh-cramping advanced all-day pulls.

Check out the scenic back roads of Tamworth west of Route 16 on the Chocurua Lake Loop, an easy 12-miler. Step it up a notch, so to speak, with the Bear Notch Boogie, a 39-mile intermediate loop connecting the Saco and Swift River Valleys through Bear Notch. Test your meddle on the big one, the White Mountain Triple Notch Century, and grind up and over Kacamangus Pass, Franconia Notch and Crawford Notch through some spectacular mountain scenery on your way to tallying 112 miles in the saddle. Riders of all abilities, and families in particular, will be smiling on the Wild River Road, an 11-miler following the Wild River along the Maine-New Hampshire border.

Each of the rides is well-described and includes a high-quality route map. The general location, riding surfaces, starting point, and food stops are noted up front, followed by a brief introduction summarizing the highlights of the ride. Ride details by major mile markers will help to keep you on track as you go.

The White Mountain Guide is an excellent resource for anyone--from the novice to seasoned bicyclist--interested in exploring the natural beauty of our nearby White Mountains.

And come join Marty Basch at MOAC tonight. Should be a fun show!