August 10th, 2024 | by Ellin Booras
The Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail (xNHAT) is an 83 mile bicycle route established in 2019. It is the first mostly off-road mixed terrain cross state route in New Hampshire, weaving through forests and fields and traveling on dirt trails and paved back roads.
The trail would never have been developed without the vision and inspiring leadership of one New Hampshire based woman: Marianne Borowski.
Today's Quench'd guest is Ellin Booras, and she gives us some insight into Marianne's passion and fierce dedication to the xNHAT.
Her contributions to the cycling community are vast. After retiring from her job as a biochemist in Cambridge, MA, she cycled across the country in 2002. Since then, she has pedaled in 48 of the 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. She has cycled several rail trails throughout the country and has traversed multiple states.
Now based in the Mount Washington Valley of New Hampshire, Marianne is well known and highly respected. For 19 years, she served as the ride leader for the Mt. Washington Valley Bicycling Club, organizing weekly road rides as well as dirt and pavement rides each week.
The Cross New Hampshire Adventure Trail (xNHAT) is an 83 mile bicycle route established in 2019. It is the first mostly off-road mixed terrain cross state route in New Hampshire, weaving through forests and fields and traveling on dirt trails and paved back roads.
The trail would never have been developed without the vision and inspiring leadership of one New Hampshire based woman: Marianne Borowski.
Today's Quench'd guest is Ellin Booras, and she gives us some insight into Marianne's passion and fierce dedication to the xNHAT.
Her contributions to the cycling community are vast. After retiring from her job as a biochemist in Cambridge, MA, she cycled across the country in 2002. Since then, she has pedaled in 48 of the 50 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. She has cycled several rail trails throughout the country and has traversed multiple states.
Now based in the Mount Washington Valley of New Hampshire, Marianne is well known and highly respected. For 19 years, she served as the ride leader for the Mt. Washington Valley Bicycling Club, organizing weekly road rides as well as dirt and pavement rides each week.
Marianne’s Thursday rides became legendary, as she developed a large following of riders who marked their calendars and blocked out Thursdays. The rides took us on spectacular routes beginning each season with familiar terrain in the valley and expanding to longer routes which included steep climbs in northern New Hampshire where we would touch the border sign to Canada.
Often when I would arrive home after a glorious day of cycling on quiet, rambling roads and climbing hills with Marianne’s group in northern NH and Vermont, my husband would read my endorphin-fueled smile and say, “where was your adventure today”? I would simply say, “I honestly don’t know. We just followed Marianne on these spectacular country roads.” His response: “I never worry if you are all with Marianne. She always gets you home!”
Marianne’s Thursday rides became legendary, as she developed a large following of riders who marked their calendars and blocked out Thursdays. The rides took us on spectacular routes beginning each season with familiar terrain in the valley and expanding to longer routes which included steep climbs in northern New Hampshire where we would touch the border sign to Canada.
Often when I would arrive home after a glorious day of cycling on quiet, rambling roads and climbing hills with Marianne’s group in northern NH and Vermont, my husband would read my endorphin-fueled smile and say, “where was your adventure today”? I would simply say, “I honestly don’t know. We just followed Marianne on these spectacular country roads.” His response: “I never worry if you are all with Marianne. She always gets you home!”
Marianne first dreamed up the xNHAT after trips to the Cross Vermont Trail, a trail that spans across Vermont, following the Winooski River Valley and the Wells River Valley. Marianne had ridden many parts of it, and, every time she went back home to New Hampshire, she was sad to see that the trail ended, always wondering ‘who is working on taking the trail through New Hampshire?’ It turns out, no one was.
So Marianne took it upon herself to develop the trail across New Hampshire (and get rid of those pesky Bike Lane 'End' signs that once signaled end of the Cross Vermont Trail!). With a lot of hard work, advocacy, relationship-building, and a team of dedicated board members, she was successful. The xNHAT begins right where the Cross Vermont Trail leaves off, and it winds across the Granite State, passing through 11 towns in New Hampshire and even 2 in Maine.
Marianne first dreamed up the xNHAT after trips to the Cross Vermont Trail, a trail that spans across Vermont, following the Winooski River Valley and the Wells River Valley. Marianne had ridden many parts of it, and, every time she went back home to New Hampshire, she was sad to see that the trail ended, always wondering ‘who is working on taking the trail through New Hampshire?’ It turns out, no one was.
So Marianne took it upon herself to develop the trail across New Hampshire (and get rid of those pesky Bike Lane 'End' signs that once signaled end of the Cross Vermont Trail!). With a lot of hard work, advocacy, relationship-building, and a team of dedicated board members, she was successful. The xNHAT begins right where the Cross Vermont Trail leaves off, and it winds across the Granite State, passing through 11 towns in New Hampshire and even 2 in Maine.
For example, she joined a snowmobile club that frequents corridors on the xNHAT. As a dues paying member, she increased the impact of her advocacy and enhanced the credibility of her efforts.
I felt the impact of these efforts in February of 2021, when 4 Nordic skiers including Marianne skied the length of the 83-mile xNHAT. On a blustery winter day, I was fortunate to ski a section with them. We lined up in pace line formation, and I began leading from the front when a groomer appeared on the trail right in front of me, waved and groomed a fresh trail for us. I had the sublime good fortune of leading the group through perfectly packed fresh powder. When I asked Marianne who that was, she smiled and answered, “The snowmobile club does a great job grooming the trail for all to enjoy!” The groomed trails couldn’t have been better.
For example, she joined a snowmobile club that frequents corridors on the xNHAT. As a dues paying member, she increased the impact of her advocacy and enhanced the credibility of her efforts.
I felt the impact of these efforts in February of 2021, when 4 Nordic skiers including Marianne skied the length of the 83-mile xNHAT. On a blustery winter day, I was fortunate to ski a section with them. We lined up in pace line formation, and I began leading from the front when a groomer appeared on the trail right in front of me, waved and groomed a fresh trail for us. I had the sublime good fortune of leading the group through perfectly packed fresh powder. When I asked Marianne who that was, she smiled and answered, “The snowmobile club does a great job grooming the trail for all to enjoy!” The groomed trails couldn’t have been better.
In addition to completing two multi day bike trips from start to finish on the xNHAT, I joined many of our bike club members who rode with Marianne on regular treks on the Presidential Rail Trail, a stunning and popular section of the xNHAT.
I cannot remember a day when we did not meet folks who were eager to learn more about the trail and its founder, or we met riders who already knew her. It was so much fun seeing their expressions when we said, “This is Marianne!” It became a regular practice to line up on a scenic deck in Pondicherry to have our snacks, and to take a group photo.
One day, on that deck, we were chatting with a gentleman who happened to be on Marianne’s lab team when she worked as a biochemist in Boston 20 years ago! There are dozens of stories of serendipitous moments like that.
Marianne is always working on maintaining and improving the trail and she loves connecting with folks who have cycled sections or the whole route. Riders who finish the route end-to-end and let Marianne know, receive a Celebratory Embroidered End-to-Ender Patch!
In addition to completing two multi day bike trips from start to finish on the xNHAT, I joined many of our bike club members who rode with Marianne on regular treks on the Presidential Rail Trail, a stunning and popular section of the xNHAT.
I cannot remember a day when we did not meet folks who were eager to learn more about the trail and its founder, or we met riders who already knew her. It was so much fun seeing their expressions when we said, “This is Marianne!” It became a regular practice to line up on a scenic deck in Pondicherry to have our snacks, and to take a group photo.
One day, on that deck, we were chatting with a gentleman who happened to be on Marianne’s lab team when she worked as a biochemist in Boston 20 years ago! There are dozens of stories of serendipitous moments like that.
Marianne is always working on maintaining and improving the trail and she loves connecting with folks who have cycled sections or the whole route. Riders who finish the route end-to-end and let Marianne know, receive a Celebratory Embroidered End-to-Ender Patch!
Thanks to Marianne Borowski for all images
Thanks to Marianne Borowski for all images
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