Rest of the Week - West Groton - Townsend

Dear AdventuRiders,

After two fabulous rides today (its hard to have a bad ride in perfect weather) I have decided what to do the rest of the week.

On Wednesday, September 14th, - West Groton -> Pepperell = Swimming?

It may be our last chance for a swimming ride this year. Its supposed to be "hot" on Wednesday and we can go visit Heald Pond in Pepperell for an optional refreshing dip in a crystal clear pond and then stop at the Bertozzi WMA for another (probably even more refreshing) dip in the Squannacook River. Afterwards we can go to Clover Farm Store and have a picnic lunch across the street on the river. You might want to bring mosquito repellent if you are not planning to swim.

• The Exploration Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 12:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Cutler Field, West Groton - PortaPotty equipped
• Route map - West Groton -> Pepperell
• Distance = 17 miles
• Elevation Gain = 400 feet (moderate)
• Unpaved = 1 mile
• Equipment - There is some civilized off road, but I will be bringing my road bike anyway.

AR Index = roughly 21 flat, paved miles.

On Friday, September 16th - Townsend - Greenville - Mason

This is one of my favorite rides, but it is not for the faint of heart. There is a considerable amount of UPHILL riding to get to Greenville and a bit more to get to the spectacular views of the Nashoba Valley to the East , Uncanoonuc Mountains to the North and Boston skyscrapers on the horizon. Trust me, its worth the effort! From there we will cruise DOWNHILL on the Mason Rail Trail back to Massachusetts.

WARNING: There is a Cat 3 hill (middle category - mostly because its 5 miles long) and a Cat 5 hill (easiest category) on this ride.

Bring a snack and we will have a picnic at the Mill Pond on the Souhegan River.

There is a (beautiful) paved shortcut back to Massachusetts for those who want to miss out on the unpaved Mason Rail Trail.

• The Fitness Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We could be back by 1:30 PM using the shortcut.
• Starting Point Map - West Townsend
• Route Map - Townsend - Greenville - Mason
• Distance = 27 miles
• Elevation Gain = 1000 feet
• Unpaved = 5 miles (Mason Rail Trail)
• Equipment = I LOVE my road bike and I'm going to use it anyhow.

AR Index = roughly 36 flat, paved miles using the shortcut.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Its A Beautiful Day!

See you in East Pepperell Center.

This Week - East Pepperell Center - TBD - TBD

Dear AdventuRiders,

We had a GREAT ride on Friday to start off our 16th season of AdventuRides, and the weather for Monday looks promising, although perhaps Mostly Cloudy.

You can register for the Fall 2011 season at any of these local recreation departments:

• Acton Recreation - Program #137
• Littleton Recreation - Page 8
• Pepperell Recreation
• Roudenbush Community Center

You don't need to register before your first ride, but for insurance purposes, please register soon. Thanks!

The morning Recreation Ride will feature the Nashua River Rail Trail north to New Hampshire with a visit to the rapids on the Nashua River in Hollis. On the way back, we will ride the scenic back roads of Dunstable before heading back on the Rail Trail.

Lunch will be at the NEW Pepperell Spa Cafe. After 70 years the Bozicas family has sold the Spa to a new owner. They have a bathroom on the first floor now!

The afternoon Recreation Ride is "Rail Trail Free" and we will explore along the Nissitissit River to Brookline NH and back.

On Monday September 12th

• The Morning Recreation Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• Starting Point Map - We will meet at the gravel rail trail parking lot at the end of Main Street at Groton Road.
• Route Map - Pepperell - Dunstable.
• Distance - 14 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 200 feet (easy).
• Unpaved - none,
• Equipment - I plan to bring my HYBRID bike.

AR Index = roughly 14 flat, paved miles.

On Monday September 12th

• The Afternoon Recreation Ride will leave at 12:30 AM.
• Starting Point Map - We will meet at the gravel rail trail parking lot at the end of Main Street at Groton Road.
• Route Map - Pepperell - Brookline.
• Distance - 14 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 250 feet (moderate).
• Unpaved - 1/2 mile - reasonably smooth.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my HYBRID bike.

AR Index = roughly 16 flat, paved miles.

On Wednesday September 14th

TBD, although I will tell you that we have a very special guest rider.

On Friday September 16th

TBD

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - It's a beautiful day!

See you in Groton Center.

Reminder - Fitness Ride - Groton Center Tomorrow

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, it looks like we'll get a break in the rain tomorrow. It may be mostly cloudy, but it beats tropical downpours.

• If you haven't signed our WAIVER this year, you can print a copy here and bring it with you. We will also have copies if you need one.
• Be sure to parallel park facing away from Birmingham Bus. The Groton Precision Parking Police may still be lurking around.
• PUMP UP YOUR TIRES!!! You will enjoy the ride much more with properly inflated tires
• Don't forget your HELMET.
• Get ready for fun, adventure, companionship, fresh air, and even some exercise.

On Friday, September 9th - Groton Center

We will meet in Groton Center at the Nashua River Rail Trail parking lot. Here is the starting point map.

• The route will take us down Martin's Pond Road to Baddacook Pond, over to Massapoag Pond. From there we will ride to UP to a beautiful views in Dunstable.

• We can have a snack / potty stop at Larter Field.

• Then we cruise the backroads to Sand Hill Road and catch the rail trail back to the Center. The route is about 25 1/2 miles with about 500 feet vertical (moderate). Here is a route map. There is a bit of dirt / gravel but I'm planning to bring my road bike.

• The Fitness Ride leaves at 9:30 AM. Please arrive a few minutes early to get the paperwork done.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center
• Route Map - Groton - Dunstable
• Distance - 25.5 Miles
• Elevation Gain - 500 feet (moderate)
• Unpaved - 1/2 mile
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index = roughly 30 flat, paved miles.

Here is the schedule:

• At 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• Snack at Larter Field
• At 12:30 PM - We will be back.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

This Week - Fitness Ride - Groton Center on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable summer and are ready for some AdventuRides Fall 2011 fun!

Our first ride of the season is a Fitness Ride that starts in Groton Center. Check it out!

On Friday, September 9th - Groton Center

We will meet in Groton Center at the Nashua River Rail Trail parking lot. Here is the starting point map.

• The route will take us down Martin's Pond Road to Baddacook Pond, over to Massapoag Pond. From there we will ride to UP to a beautiful views in Dunstable.

• We can have a snack / potty stop at Larter Field.

• Then we cruise the backroads to Sand Hill Road and catch the rail trail back to the Center. The route is about 25 1/2 miles with about 500 feet vertical (moderate). Here is a route map. There is a bit of dirt / gravel but I'm planning to bring my road bike.

• The Fitness Ride leaves at 9:30 AM. Please arrive a few minutes early to get the paperwork done.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center
• Route Map - Groton - Dunstable
• Distance - 25.5 Miles
• Elevation Gain - 500 feet (moderate)
• Unpaved - 1/2 mile
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index = roughly 30 flat, paved miles.

Here is the schedule:

• At 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• Snack at Larter Field
• At 12:30 PM - We will be back.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

A Few Gentle Safety Reminders

Dear AdventuRiders,

With the AdventuRides Fall 2011 season starting on Friday (09/09/2011), I thought I would send out some gentle safety reminders.

Bill

Helmets.

• A CPSC approved helmet in good condition is required on all of our rides.
• All bicycle helmets sold in this country since 1999 are CPSC approved.
• Helmets should be replaced at least every 10 years since the materials deteriorate over time.

Lane Usage. OK, I admit it. I am probably the worst offender here, but here are the guidelines we will follow.

• NEVER ride on the wrong side of the road. The are enough blind corners and silent Priuses to cause a serious accident. Even if there is no yellow line, we should always leave enough room for oncoming traffic to easily pass us.
• On busy roads we should ride single file as close to the right side as safe.
• On quiet roads we should generally ride only two abreast. Traffic coming around blind corners behind us don't expect the whole lane to be filled with bikes.
• The exception to all this is when we are turning left or on a very narrow road when we want to "control the lane" to prevent cars from trying to squeeze past us.
• In general we want to share the road and not surprise other users.
• Remember, "Dress to be visible, ride like you're invisible".

Parked Cars. 

• DO NOT ride near a parked car. 
• When passing a parked car, move left at least 6 feet. This is an example of controlling the lane.
• Hitting a car door that swings out in front of you is bad.
• Instinctively swerving left into traffic is worse.

Hand Signals.

• When turning right, I use my right arm to point to where I am going rather than the traditional left arm signal. That 17 year old driver will know exactly what you mean.
• When stopping, I raise one or the other arm like I'm going to ask the teacher a question. This is "Bike New York" style and it is more visible than the tradition arm down signal.

Courtesy. We find that drivers are generally very courteous to us and we need to return the favor.

• When we stop along the road, we should stay in line rather than bunching up and blocking the lane.
• When a driver is courteous to us, its always nice to acknowledge it with a friendly wave.

Speed. Again, I am one of the worst offenders. I'm not going to play cop, but keep this in mind:

• Yes, it is fun to see how fast you can charge down a hill.
• The laws of physics tell us that falling off a bike at 30 MPH will hurt 4 times as much as falling off at 15 MPH.