After 8 years, NH rail bike business prepares for its last ride - NBC Boston

Final Weekend Approaches for Concord Rail Bikes

Fall foliage tours in Concord, New Hampshire, are rolling toward their final weekend as Scenic RailRiders prepares to close its doors after eight years in business, according to NBC Boston. The closure marks the end of a unique recreational venture that allowed visitors to pedal custom rail bikes past open grasslands, local farms, and peak autumn colors.

From Decade-Old Idea to Reality

What began as an idea nearly a decade ago turned into a hands-on reality for owner Gary LeBlanc, who noted that establishing the specialized operation required immense dedication. Riders navigated a scenic two-mile stretch of track that is now slated for a complete overhaul as the city moves ahead with plans to redevelop the rail corridor into a traditional multi-use path.

The transition follows a municipal purchase of the underlying infrastructure earlier this year.

Municipal Purchase Triggers Corridor Overhaul

“The city ended up buying the railroad tracks from the railroad company this past spring, They’re going to flatten it, and they want to pave it and make a bike path out of it.”
— Gary LeBlanc, Owner, Scenic RailRiders

LeBlanc fought to preserve the tracks, even going so far as to commission an independent study to explore whether a separate walking path could be constructed safely alongside the existing rails. A private rail-trail builder inspected the two-mile corridor, confirmed that adequate space existed, and provided a comprehensive financial estimate. LeBlanc offered to shoulder the entire cost of building the auxiliary path himself, but city officials ultimately rejected the proposal.

City Officials Reject Compromise Proposal

In a letter shared with local media, the town manager outlined the municipal perspective, explaining why a shared-use arrangement proved unfeasible following the property transfer. While acknowledging the company’s efforts to reach a compromise, the city emphasized the logistical challenges facing continued rail bike operations alongside the planned conversion.

Holiday Lights Tour Marks Final Chapter

Despite the winding down of daytime seasonal excursions, the enterprise is not quite finished yet. Scenic RailRiders has scheduled a holiday lights tour to run from November 20 to December 20, offering a final operational chapter before the tracks are permanently removed and paved over.

Worth a look