Candia is the kind of New Hampshire town where the main attractions are a road, a church and a view of fields. It sits in Rockingham County, a short drive east of Manchester, on gently rolling land of old farms, orchards and woodlots, divided by stone walls laid by farmers who cleared the glacial rocks from their fields two centuries ago. There is no grand sight and no crowd, and that is why it makes a fine place to start a ride.
The countryside here belongs to the Lamprey River watershed. The river runs southeast to the coast, its upper reaches threading through swamp, woodland and small ponds, and the state has protected much of its length, which makes it a pleasant place for canoeists and anglers. Lake Massabesic, a large reservoir a few miles west in Auburn, supplies Manchester's water and its shoreline roads are lovely, with wide views over blue water. The area is also dotted with orchards and farm stands, selling apples, cider and pumpkins in autumn, and the roadside maple trees blaze in October.
For a rider, the pleasure is in the back roads. Route 43 and Route 27 cross the town, but it is the unnumbered lanes that reward you, narrow and winding, shaded by oaks and maples, with the occasional steep rise and a view across a hayfield. Surfaces vary from smooth to patched, and frost heaves in spring can be sharp, so check your speed near crests and watch for gravel. Cyclists and horse riders use the same lanes, and wild turkeys and deer cross without warning.
Services are modest. Candia has a small store and a couple of places to eat, and the nearest larger supermarkets and fuel are in Auburn, Raymond and Manchester, so fill the tank before heading out on a long loop. The best seasons are spring, with apple blossom and fresh leaf, and the first half of October. Midweek mornings are almost empty, and summer weekends are busy but friendly. The town also hosts the sort of local fairs and church suppers that make a ride into a small cultural outing, if you time it right.