Update: Carlisle on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Our intrepid rider, Jane (THANKS JANE!!!), pointed out that the ride descriptions are reversed for morning and afternoon, D'OH!

The morning ride is the FITNESS RIDE and this is the updated route map.

The afternoon ride is the RECREATION RIDE and this is the updated route map.

Fearless (and Fallible) Leader,
Bill

Reminder - Carlisle Center on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, if you liked the weather today, you'll like tomorrow too! Its supposed to be sunny / cloudy / chilly / warmer / etc. I've given up on predicting the future.

Anyhow, the Morning Fitness Ride will take us to the Olde North Bridge and beautiful Monument Street. Porcelain bathrooms at ONB.

The Afternoon Recreation Ride will take us to Heart Pond, Genuine porcelain bathrooms at Great Brook Farm and back through scenic Carlisle.

On FridayMay 1st - Carlisle

Starting Point
  • Name - Center Park
  • Address - Lowell Street
  • Town - Carlisle, MA 01741
  • Navigation - Google - Waze
  • Parking - at Center Park just up the street from Fern's - Please DO NOT PARK at FERN'S.
  • Facilities - Fern's outback PortaPotty, or buy something at Fern's.

On Friday, May 1st - Carlisle Center

9:30 AM - The Morning Recreation Ride will leave.
    • Route Map - Carlisle - Old North Bridge.
    • Distance - 15 1/4 miles.
    • Elevation Gain - 275 feet (average)
    • Unpaved - a little bit.
    • Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike (as usual).
    • AR Index - Roughly equal to 21 flat, paved miles.
    11:30 AM - We are scheduled to be back.

    11:30 AM - Lunch Time


    12:30 PM - The Afternoon Fitness Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Carlisle - GBFSP.
      • Distance - 12 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 230 feet, 2 noticeable hills.
      • Unpaved - none.
      • Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 15 flat, paved miles.
      2:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.

      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      STOP - The Wednesday Ride is POSTPONED

      Fearless Leader is feeling crappy :-(

      Bill

      Reminder - Hudson on Wednesday

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      It sure is a nice day today! Unfortunately tomorrow is supposed to be more like Monday with Partly Cloudy and mid 50s when we leave and around 60 and Cloudy when we return. At least it shouldn't be too windy.

      The ride will take us on a tour of Hudson, Bolton, Berlin, Northboro, and Marlboro. We will return to Hudson on the Assabet River Rail Trail.

      PS. I may change part of the route to hit Westboro and Southboro, so we can at least have a 4 Boro Tour.

      We will have lunch AFTER the ride at the Rail Trail Flatbread Company in Hudson

      On Wednesday, April 29th -Hudson

      Starting Point
      • Name - Horseshoe Pub Parking
      • Address - 29 South Street
      • Town - Hudson, MA 01749
      • Navigation - Google - Waze
      • Parking - Park at the back of the lot.
      • Facilities - NONE.

      9:30 AM - The Fearless Leader's Choice Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Hudson - ARRT
      • Distance - 21 miles
      • Elevation Gain - 1200 feet (more challenging)
      • Unpaved - none
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 30 flat smooth miles.

      1:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.

      1:30 PM - Lunch Time



      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      GO - West Acton

      On Monday, April 27th - West Acton

      Starting Point

      Reminder - Elm Street Playground, West Acton on Monday

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      Here are the details I promised earlier today:

      On Monday, April 27th - West Acton

      Starting Point

      9:30 AM - The Morning Recreation Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - West Acton - Boxboro
      • Distance - 11 1/2 miles
      • Elevation Gain - 650 feet (moderate)
      • Unpaved - none
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 16 flat smooth miles.
      11:30 AM - We are scheduled to be back.

      11:30 AM - Lunch Time

      Idylwilde Farms - Picnic tables and tents available.

      12:30 PMThe Afternoon Fitness Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - West Acton - Littleton.
      • Distance - 14 1/2 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 850 feet.
      • Unpaved - 1/2 mile.
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 21 flat smooth miles.
      2:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.

      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      This Week - Acton - Hudson - Carlisle

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      I hope you all had a nice vacation week despite the weather. 

      Speaking of weather, Monday isn't looking so nice :-( I will try to get a morning ride in, but the afternoon

      ​might be
       a washout.
      ​ ​
      We will be starting at the Elm Street playground near Idylwilde Farms. The portapotty is back, and there are picnic tables and tents at Idylwilde for
      ​LUNCH
      .

      On Wednesday, I am planning to ride from Hudson to Berlin then Marlboro and return downhill on the Assebet River Rail Trail. LUNCH will be afterwards at Rail Trail Flatbread.

      Friday we will meet in Carlisle Center for our usual beautiful rides to Great Brook Farm or the Olde North Bridge. LUNCH will be at Fern's Country Store.


      ​I want to send this out now so you can plan for tomorrow and the rest of the week. I will fill in the route details later this evening. Stay tuned.

      On MondayApril 27th - Acton

      Starting Point

      9:30 AM - The Morning Recreation Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - 
      • Distance - 
      • Elevation Gain -
      • Unpaved - 
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to XX flat smooth miles.
      11:30 AM - We are scheduled to be back.

      11:30 AM - Lunch Time

      Idylwilde Farms

      12:30 PMThe Afternoon Fitness Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - 
      • Distance - 
      • Elevation Gain -
      • Unpaved - 
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to XX flat smooth miles.
      2:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.


      ​Hope to see you there,

      ​Bill and Carole

      School Vacation - NO Rides This Week

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      Unfortunately we have no rides scheduled for this week due to school vacation. The weather isn't looking particularly nice either. If I don't go to Bar Harbor, I may be inspired to do something Wednesday or Friday though. Stay tuned!

      Bill and Carole

      STOP - All Friday Rides are Postponed


      Reminder - Carlisle Center on Friday

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      After near perfect rides on Monday and an especially perfect ride on Wednesday to Portsmouth, the forecast for Friday is 90% chance of rain :-(

      I spent a uber perfect day today at the Worcester Art Museum (high culture in Central MA???), instead of checking bike routes. I admit I did a total cut and paste from last year below. The current forecast shows rain from 3:00 AM to 1:00 PM, let's hope they are wrong as usual.


      On Friday, April 17th - Carlisle Center
      • 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
      • 11:30 AM - We should be back.
      • Starting Point Map - Carlisle Center - Please DO NOT park at Fern's.
      • Route Map - Carlisle - Old North Bridge.
      • Distance - 15 1/4 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 275 feet (average)
      • Unpaved - a little bit.
      • Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike (as usual).
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 17 flat, paved miles.
      LUNCH is at Fern's Country Store.

      • 12:30 PM - The afternoon Recreation Ride will leave.
      • 2:30 PM - We should be back.
      • Starting Point Map - Carlisle Center - Please DO NOT park at Fern's.
      • Route Map - Carlisle - GBFSP.
      • Distance - 12 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 230 feet, 2 noticeable hills.
      • Unpaved - none.
      • Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 14 flat, paved miles.

      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      GO - Hampton North Beach @ 9:30 AM

      Not to be confused with North Hampton Beach.

      We would really like to leave Hampton North Beach at 9:30 AM! Please plan accordingly.

      On Wednesday, April 15th - Hampton North Beach

      Starting Point
      • Name - Hampton North Beach.
      • Address - 930 Ocean Blvd.
      • Town - Hampton, NH.
      • Navigation - Google - Waze
      • Parking - It could cost $2.00 / hour.
      • Facilities - Yes - Porcelain!!!
      9:30 AM - The "Fearless Leader's Choice" Ride will leave Hampton North Beach.

      Reminder - Portsmouth on Wednesday

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      The weather for Wednesday's "Fearless Leader's Choice" ride to Portsmouth is looking perfect. It should be SUNNY, mid 50s when we leave and about 60 degrees when we return. The winds should be light in the morning with a tailwind / crosswind on the way back.

      We will start at Hampton North Beach, ride along the coast and out to NewCastle for the required picture frame picture. Then we will cross the new bridge to Kittery, Maine for a moment before lunch.

      After lunch, it's a 12 mile ride slightly inland (out of the wind) before returning to the coast for the final few beautiful miles.

      RSVP if you are planning to go and we can try to arrange carpools if desired.

      On WednesdayApril 15th - Hampton North Beach

      Starting Point
      • Name - Hampton North Beach.
      • Address - 930 Ocean Blvd.
      • Town - Hampton, NH.
      • Navigation - Google - Waze
      • Parking - It could cost $2.00 / hour.
      • Facilities - Yes - Porcelain!!!

      9:30 AM - The Fearless Leader's Choice Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Hampton North Beach - Portsmouth.
      • Distance - 32 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 750 feet (basically flat).
      • Unpaved - none.
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 33 flat smooth miles.
      11:30 AM - Lunch Time


      2:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.


      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      GO - Groton Center

      On Monday, April 13th - Groton Center

      Starting Point

      This Week - Groton - PORTSMOUTH - Carlisle

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      I hope you got out to enjoy the weather the last few days. It looks like we finally turned the corner into Spring. Speaking of that, you may want to bring sunscreen tomorrow. The sun angle is the same as the end of August, and we are all pale skinned from the Winter and the trees have no leaves.

      The weather is looking even nicer tomorrow! It should be SUNNY and mid 50s (break out the shorts!) when we leave and near 70 when we get back. It will be breezy, particularly in the afternoon.

      Another note: This probably won't affect you, but they are going to start milling Route 119 tomorrow, but they claim it will be night work.

      We will start in Groton Center on Monday with a delicious lunch at Filho's Cucina. The Rail Trail will probably be wet and there could be small patches or snow, we'll find out.

      The Morning Recreation Ride is a new creation of mine that visits the new Fitch Bridge, East Pepperell Center and the Nashua River Rail Trail.

      The Afternoon Fitness Ride is one of my favorites and goes to the StoryBook House, Shirley Center, and Fitch Bridge.

      On Monday, April 13th - Groton Center

      Starting Point
      9:30 AM - The Morning Recreation Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Groton - East Pepperell
      • Distance - 13 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 350 (easy)
      • Unpaved - some
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 15 flat smooth miles.
      11:30 AM - We are scheduled to be back.

      11:30 AM - Lunch Time


      12:30 PM - The Afternoon Fitness Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Groton - Story Book House
      • Distance - 15 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 700 feet.
      • Unpaved - 1/2 mile - it could be rough.
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 20 flat smooth miles.
      2:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.


      On Wednesday, April 15th - PORTSMOUTH!!!

      Also a beautiful looking day to go with the spectacular scenery along the NH coastline. We will go and see the new Memorial Lifting Bridge and go into Maine. LUNCH of course will be at Portsmouth Brewery.

      Starting Point
      • Name - Hampton North Beach
      • Address - 
      • Town - 
      • Navigation - Google - Waze
      • Parking - It could cost $2.00 / hour.
      • Facilities - Yes - Porcelain even!

      On Friday, April 17th - Carlisle



      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      Next Week - Groton - PORTSMOUTH!!! - Carlisle

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      Not only are the weather and roads against us :-( this morning Gmail decided not to work :-( I managed to update the website manually :-) and you probably received multiple "STOP" emails, but too late :-(

      Anyhow, I'm not sure how to "fix" the technical problems, but I have set up a Yahoo account that will reflect all my emails, so I can tell if things go haywire. 

      Next week looks BEAUTIFUL at this point, so I am scheduling some of my favorite rides! I will send out more details this weekend, but I wanted to give everyone a heads-up for PORTSMOUTH.

      On Monday, April 13th - Groton Center

      On Wednesday, April 15th - PORTSMOUTH
      Leave your tax troubles behind :-)

      On Friday, April 17th - Carlisle Center


      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      Fwd: STOP - All Friday Rides are Postponed

      Some people didn't get the STOP notice this morning.

      ---------- Forwarded message ----------
      From: Bill Brandt <bill.brandt@gmail.com>
      Date: Fri, Apr 10, 2015 at 7:40 AM
      Subject: STOP - All Friday Rides are Postponed
      To: AdventuRides <adventurides@googlegroups.com>


      Next week looks MUCH better!


      STOP - All Friday Rides are Postponed

      Next week looks MUCH better!

      I Changed My Mind - Groton Center on Friday

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      Okay, I officially give up trying to forecast the weather! I actually took Meteorology 101 in college many years ago and I consult multiple sources of weather information, but my predictions have been disappointing so far this season.

      Anyhow, I am recycling the Monday Groton rides for this Friday. The morning forecast doesn't look so good, so I am leaving one of my favorite rides for the afternoon. Its a bit long for a Recreation ride, but well worth the effort.

      On Friday, April 10th - Groton Center

      Starting Point
      9:30 AM - The Morning Fitness Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Groton - Dunstable
      • Distance - 18 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 850 (more difficult)
      • Unpaved - 1/2 mile
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 23 flat smooth miles.
      11:30 AM - We are scheduled to be back.

      11:30 AM - Lunch Time


      12:30 PM - The Afternoon Recreational Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Groton - Story Book House
      • Distance - 15 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 700 feet.
      • Unpaved - 1/2 mile - it could be rough.
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 19 flat smooth miles.
      2:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.


      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      STOP - Wednesday's Ride is POSTPONED

      Fearless Leader doesn't like cloudy / windy / cold / ...



      Reminder - Hudson on Wednesday

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      Well, I was wrong about Monday's weather, at least in the afternoon. Tomorrow's forecast is somewhat less uncertain, but I'll wait until tomorrow morning to decide.

      Assuming the weather is not cloudy, the windchill is not below freezing, and there isn't a stiff breeze out of the NE, we will meet in the parking lot behind The Horseshoe Pub in Hudson.

      The ride will take us on a tour of Hudson, Bolton, Northboro, and Marlboro. The Assabet River Rail Trail is mostly clear and we will return to Hudson using the trail.

      We will have lunch AFTER the ride at the Rail Trail Flatbread Company in Hudson. 

      On Wednesday, April 8th - Hudson

      Starting Point
      • Name - Horseshoe Pub Parking
      • Address - 29 South Street
      • Town - Hudson, MA 01749
      • Navigation - Google - Waze
      • Parking - Park at the back of the lot.
      • Facilities - NONE.

      9:30 AM - The Fearless Leader's Choice Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Hudson - ARRT
      • Distance - 21 miles
      • Elevation Gain - 1200 feet (more challenging)
      • Unpaved - none
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 30 flat smooth miles.

      1:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.

      1:30 PM - Lunch Time



      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      STOP - All Monday Rides are POSTPONED

      I don't know if the snow will actually get here, ...

      This Week - Groton - Hudson - Acton

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      We managed to get 3 rides and 2 great lunches in last week despite the weather and road conditions. 

      The roads are in somewhat better shape this week, but the weather still isn't looking good. Monday morning is forecast to be cloudy and perhaps rainy. Stay tuned!

      This week, we will start in Groton Center on Monday with a delicious lunch at Filho's Cucina. The Rail Trail will probably still be impassable, so I have gotten more creative.

      On Wednesday we will start in Hudson and have a delicious lunch at Rail Trail Flatbread Co. On Friday we will start in Acton.


      On MondayApril 6th - Groton Center

      Starting Point
      9:30 AM - The Morning Recreation Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - TBD
      • Distance - 13 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 500 (moderate
      • Unpaved - some
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 16 flat smooth miles.
      11:30 AM - We are scheduled to be back.

      11:30 AM - Lunch Time


      12:30 PMThe Afternoon Fitness Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Groton - Story Book House
      • Distance - 15 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 700 feet.
      • Unpaved - 1/2 mile - it could be rough.
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 20 flat smooth miles.
      2:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.


      On WednesdayApril 8th - Hudson

      Starting Point
      • Name - Horseshoe Pub Parking
      • Address - 29 South Street
      • Town - Hudson, MA 01749
      • Navigation - Google - Waze
      • Parking - Park at the back of the lot.
      • Facilities - NONE.

      On FridayApril 10th - Acton



      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      "GO" email this morning (or lack thereof)

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      Apparently many of you did not receive my "GO" email this morning. I don't know what happened, but my guess would be "stupid" Google email servers.

      Anyhow, if you expect GO / STOP email from me before 8:00 on ride days and you don't receive it, check www.AdventuRides.com. I can't tell if you received the email, but I always check AdventuRides.com to make sure it is updated.

      BTW, if you click on the Navigation links for Google or Waze on your smartphone, you should get turn by turn voice navigation to the starting point. You're welcome :-)

      Bill


      GO - Pepperell ROTARY


      On Friday, April 3rd - Pepperell Rotary.

      Starting Point
      • Name - Pepperell Recreation Department
      • Address - 4 Hollis Street
      • Town - Pepperell, MA 01463
      • Navigation - GoogleWaze
      • Parking - Please park away from the building.
      • Facilities - None - Unless the Rec Dept is open.

      Reminder - Pepperell ROTARY on Friday

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      OK, here is the scoop for tomorrow's rides. The weather is supposed to be Mostly Cloudy and warm with mid 50s when we leave and mid 60s when we return.

      We will meet at the Pepperell ROTARY, NOT at the Rail Trail Parking in East Pepperell Center.

      Hopefully we can have a picnic lunch and we can get food at C&S Pizza across the rotary from our meeting spot.


      On Friday, April 3rd - Pepperell Rotary.

      Starting Point
      • Name - Pepperell Recreation Department
      • Address - 4 Hollis Street
      • Town - Pepperell, MA 01463
      • Navigation - GoogleWaze
      • Parking - Please park away from the building.
      • Facilities - None - Unless the Rec Dept is open.
      9:30 AM - The Morning Fitness Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Pepperell Rotary - Potanipo
      • Distance - 15 1/2 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 700 feet (moderate).
      • Unpaved - none.
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 20 flat smooth miles.
      11:30 AM - We are scheduled to be back.

      11:30 AM - Lunch Time

      C&S Pizza - or BYOL - picnic lunch

      12:30 PM - The Afternoon Recreation Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Peperell Rotary - Hollis, NH.
      • Distance - 12 miles.
      • Elevation Gain - 650 feet (moderate).
      • Unpaved - A couple miles.
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to 16 flat smooth miles.
      2:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.

      Hope to see you there,
      Bill and Carole

      Pepperell ROTARY on Friday.

      Dear AdventuRiders,

      I've spent the day appreciating fine art in New Hampshire (who knew?), so I'm a bit behind in bike routing.

      I wanted to give you a heads up on where we are going to start tomorrow before I figure out all the details. We will meet at the Pepperell ROTARY, NOT at the Rail Trail Parking in East Pepperell Center.

      Hopefully we can have a picnic lunch and we can get food at C&S Pizza across the rotary from our meeting spot.

      My goal is to find a Fitness ride that goes to Lake Potanipo in Brookline, NH and follows the Nissitissit back to Pepperell. In the afternoon, my goal is to find a Recreation ride that goes to Hollis, NH and also follows the Nissitissit River. 

      Stay tuned.

      On FridayApril 3rd - Pepperell Rotary.

      Starting Point
      • Name - Pepperell Recreation Department
      • Address - 4 Hollis Street
      • Town - Pepperell, MA 01463
      • Navigation - Google
      • Parking - Please park away from the building.
      • Facilities - None - Unless the Rec Dept is open.
      9:30 AM - The Morning Fitness Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Brookline, NH.
      • Distance - 16-ish miles.
      • Elevation Gain -
      • Unpaved - maybe
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to XX flat smooth miles.
      11:30 AM - We are scheduled to be back.

      11:30 AM - Lunch Time

      C&S Pizza - Picnic lunch

      12:30 PMThe Afternoon Recreation Ride will leave.
      • Route Map - Hollis, NH.
      • Distance - 13-ish miles.
      • Elevation Gain -
      • Unpaved - probably
      • AR Index - Roughly equal to XX flat smooth miles.
      2:30 PM - We are scheduled to be back.
       


      GO - Bedford Depot

      On Wednesday, April 1st - Bedford Depot

      Starting Point
      • Name - Depot Park
      • Address - 120 South Road
      • Town - Bedford, MA, 01730
      • Navigation - Google Maps
      • Parking - By the old rail car.
      • Facilities - Still closed for the season.


      APRIL FOOLS from Carlisle last year.

      Bill and Carole

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