Bike for Books Saturday Oct. 10 (Columbus Day Weekend)

Fall Foliage mountain bike tour of the Valley
The North Conway Public Library will hold its 8th annual Bike for Books fundraiser on Saturday, October 10th, 2009.

Bike for Books is a scenic mountain bike tour of the Mount Washington Valley during the fall foliage season – it is a TOUR, not a race.

Bike for Books will start and end at the John Fuller School in North Conway and will have different tour options with various degrees of difficulties for children and for novice to experienced mountain bikers. Every participant can choose their own route and own pace- since this is a TOUR and not a race. The trails will be well marked so that nobody can get lost even if in the area for the very first time.

The shorter 5-mile option is a tour through Whitaker Woods, perfectly suited for beginners and children.

The standard 20-mile base loop is for novice to intermediate riders. This scenic route will pass through Whitaker Woods and historic Redstone. At the Swift River Covered Bridge in Conway, the half-way point, refreshments will be served (juice, water, fruit, and snacks) before the tour continues through the National Forest and Echo Lake State Park back to the starting point.

For experienced mountain bikers, several more challenging loops will be added to the 20-mile base loop so that it becomes a 30-mile tour overall.

All participants and volunteers are invited to a free pizza lunch with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, provided by Elvio’s Pizzeria and Abbott’s Ice Cream, and will receive a bike bottle and a book. Valley bookstores, bike shops, restaurants and other establishments have donated items and gift certificates to be given away on a random draw basis.

The registration fee is $20 for individuals, $30 for couples, $35 for families, and $10 for students 17 and under; $5 off for pre-registration by October 4th. Registration forms may be picked up at the North Conway Public Library or click here to download . Registration on the day of the event will be held at the John Fuller School from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.

The tour will begin between 8:30 and 10:30 a.m. (individual starts) and is expected to conclude by early to mid afternoon. Helmets are required.

For more information please call the Library at 603-356-2961or email ncpl@myfairpoint.net .

TGIF Book Group

 The TGIF book group meets every first Friday of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the library to discuss fiction and nonfiction books. Everybody is welcome, whether you are a library member or not.

On Sept. 11 (2nd Friday!) we will discuss “The Places in Between” by Rory Stewart; a very engaging account of his 16-month walk through Afghanistan in 2002, shortly after the Taliban were ousted.

On Oct. 2, we will discuss “The Double Bind” by Chris Bohjalian, as part of the “One Book One Valley Program.”

One Book One Valley – Annual Valley-wide reading program

 This year’s book choice is “The Double Bind” by Chris Bohjalian. All libraries in the Mount Washington Valley and many book groups will be reading and discussing this book. On October 29th, Chris Bohjalian will visit the area for a presentation and discussion.

For more information, check out http://onebookonevalley.wordpress.com

The North Conway Public Library ~ Route 16 ~ North Conway, NH 03860 ~ (603) 356-2961 ~ ncpl@myfairpoint.net