We rode our bikes several times on the Penstock back in early '60's. From the beginning, to High Bridge. About mid way there was a large Collar or joint that stood up maybe a foot above the actual pipe and someone had built a ramp with boards so you could ride up and over it... or carry the bike over it. Then there was the one picture showing the fairly high drop....15 to probably 20' below to rocks in the Souhegan-- some of us rode over, some walked that part. I don't recall the extreme bend in the pipe as depicted in one picture but it was mentioned that that appeared to be "newer" construction from when we were there.
I did the same. Most of the time I walked it. One time I met an older 'friend' who challenged me to get by him on the section over the river. He ended up in the river.
My brother William Niemi and his young sisters in the 1950's walk this pipe in Highbridge, we're it was much higher and sometimes slippery. I can't tell if any of these photos depict that area were we would get on.
We used to walk the Penstock in the 1970's. At that time high pressured water still flowed through from Water Loom Pond which caused huge streams of cold water to shoot out 10-20 feet through the rusted holes in the pipe. Walking the penstock in the summer was like being at a water park for us.
We rode our bikes several times on the Penstock back in early '60's. From the beginning, to High Bridge. About mid way there was a large Collar or joint that stood up maybe a foot above the actual pipe and someone had built a ramp with boards so you could ride up and over it... or carry the bike over it. Then there was the one picture showing the fairly high drop....15 to probably 20' below to rocks in the Souhegan-- some of us rode over, some walked that part. I don't recall the extreme bend in the pipe as depicted in one picture but it was mentioned that that appeared to be "newer" construction from when we were there.
I did the same. Most of the time I walked it. One time I met an older 'friend' who challenged me to get by him on the section over the river. He ended up in the river.
Great photos and information on the penstock. I'd like to check it out. Very sweet diary entry.
My brother William Niemi and his young sisters in the 1950's walk this pipe in Highbridge, we're it was much higher and sometimes slippery. I can't tell if any of these photos depict that area were we would get on.
We used to walk the Penstock in the 1970's. At that time high pressured water still flowed through from Water Loom Pond which caused huge streams of cold water to shoot out 10-20 feet through the rusted holes in the pipe. Walking the penstock in the summer was like being at a water park for us.
I walked the pipes many times
So did I. Also rode my bike on it. Also saw the 'ice sculptures' during the winter from leaks.