Double-take on a big lake

The mission was simple: Combine a bicycle ride with the M/S Mount Washington, which cruises to various ports around the state's largest lake. Bike some. Boat some.

Credit for a bike-and-boat adventure goes to my partner, Jan Duprey. About a decade ago, we did a couple of multiday spring tandem rides around ski areas, pulling skis and snowboards behind us. After two frosty rides, Jan informed me we were switching to summer B&Bs. Tandem means a lot of togetherness, so this time we took a road bike each for the 30-mile spin from the summer resort town of Wolfeboro to the tourist kitsch of Weirs Beach. Board the boat to placid Alton Bay, then pedal the remaining 12 miles back to Wolfeboro.

Lake Winnipesaukee, ringed by the Ossipee Mountains, Sandwich Range, and Belknap Mountains, covers some 72 square miles and has over 200 islands. It is a summer playground filled with motorboats, sailboats, and jet skis. The beauty of the boat is seeing what was missed from a bicycle seat.

With the goal of a 12:30 p.m. Weirs Beach boat, the cycling started early from Wolfeboro's Back Bay. Solitary runners and walkers were out as we pedaled south on Route 28 (Main Street). Three wide-eyed golfers were already putting on a green. The morning sun lighted the white South Wolfeboro Meetinghouse, giving it a stately appearance. The moderately hilly route, with varying shoulder widths, was no place for novice cyclists, but fine for seasoned riders. Route 28 was wonderfully wide as it took us up to look down on the lake. But better vistas awaited.

Tiny shops like the East Village General Store made it easy to stop for cold drinks. And the 4 miles along the deliciously shaded Route 28A to Alton Bay were largely a downhill delight, though a bit bumpy at times. The road had all the signs of summer: cottages, steps to the lake, Adirondack chairs, stone walls, docks, cramped parking, and a sandy beach.