New Hampshire seacoast Greenway Inauguration a Great Success!

Thousands of bicyclists converged on the Seacoast the weekend of September 20^th, 2008. It was magnificent to see the throngs of Tri-State Seacoast Century riders pedaling their way through New Hampshire and back on their way to completing one hundred miles. The professional riders of the Portsmouth Criterium were also stunning as they transformed the streets of Portsmouth into a high-speed raceway. The kids even had a chance to race! You may also have seen a group of recumbent bicyclists that were displaying their laid back riding style. Amidst this hectic and beautiful weekend was the opening of the New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway, held at Strawbery Banke on Saturday, September 20.

The New Hampshire Seacoast Greenway is the first marked on road border to border urban trail along the 15-state East Coast Greenway running 2500 miles from Key West, Florida to the Canadian border. My friend and fellow SABR board member Nels Tyring envisioned a grand event to celebrate this achievement and to increase public awareness and legislative support to complete the off-road portion of this route. Through incredible support from Doug Bates at the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce, Michelle Firmbach of Aqua Communications and Scott Bogle of the Rockingham County Planning Commission we were able to make Nels' vision happen. The NH Seacoast Greenway signs are up from Seabrook to Portsmouth along Route 1A and some portions through the scenic village of Rye. 

The event began with a choice of two rides along the Seacoast Greenway and a walk. It culminated with a ribbon cutting at Strawbery Banke with both Transportation Commissioner George Campbell and Health and Human Services Commissioner Nick Toumpas participating in both the ride and the celebration. Attending from the political ranks were Carol Shea-Porter, Martha Fuller Clark, David Borden and Portsmouth Mayor Tom Ferrini.

This event was presented by the NH Seacoast Greenway Advisory Committee, Seacoast Area Bicycle Routes (SABR), Rockingham County Planning Commission, East Coast Greenway Alliance, WalkNH, National Park Service Rivers and Trail Program and the Greater Portsmouth Chamber of Commerce.

We hope to continue this celebration in the years to come to support both on road and off road

venues for alternative transportation.

Debra Chase

SABR

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P.O. Box 765 Portsmouth, NH 03802

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