GO - Forge Pond, Westford

Bring a coat, it's chilly.

This Week - Westford - East Pepperell - Brookline

Dear AdventuRiders,

Monday looks like another top 10 day! It should be mid 50s when the morning ride leaves and near 70 when we get back from the afternoon ride. Sunny skies, low humidity, and light breezes complete the picture.

As a reminder, you MUST have an approved bicycle helmet, and you MUST pump up your tires! You will also need to initial and sign our Release and Waiver of Liability.

On Monday, September 9th -Westford, Forge Pond Beach

• 9:30 AM -  the Morning Recreation Ride will leave.
• 11:30 AM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Forge Pond Beach, Westford.
• Route Map - Westford - Cow Pond.
• Distance - 14 miles
• Elevation Gain - 250 feet (medium)
• Unpaved - 2 miles.
• Equipment - Any well maintained bike will work.

AR Index = Roughly 16 flat, paved miles.

11:30 AM - LUNCH Pizzeria Presti. We can have a picnic at the beach.

• 12:30 PM -  the Afternoon Beginner Ride will leave.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Forge Pond Beach, Westford.
• Route Map - Westford - Nabnasset - Stone Arch.
• Distance - 12 miles
• Elevation Gain - 200 feet (easy)
• Unpaved - 1 mile.
• Equipment - Any well maintained bike will work.

AR Index = Roughly 14 flat, paved miles.

On Wednesday, September 11th - East Pepperell Center

We can have lunch at Martha's Exchange (a brew pub) in Nashua before heading back. If the weather is nice enough we can have lunch outside on Main Street. 

• The Exploration Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - East Pepperell Center Rail Trail Parking.
• Route Map - Pepperell - Nashua - Martha's.
• Distance - 28 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 550 feet (moderate).
• Unpaved - 8 miles - it sounds worse than it is.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly 34 flat, smooth miles.

On Friday, September 13th - Lake Potanipo, Brookline, NH.

We will cross the 100 year old suspension bridge over the Souhegan in Milford and pass the Granite Town Rail Trail (not very bikeable) before stopping for lunch at Chrysanthi's Restaurant. If you want to skip lunch, its just a couple of miles straight down Route 13 back to the start.

• 9:30 AM - We will leave for Milford, NH.
• 1:00 PM - Non-lunching people should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Lake Potanipo, Brookline, NH.
• Route Map - Potanipo - Silver - Milford.
• Distance - 23 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 760 feet - 2 Category 5 hills.
• Unpaved - 4 miles - mostly smooth.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 31 flat, paved miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Westminster

Bring a coat!

Reminder - Westminster on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

I thought we had great weather on our Wednesday seacoast ride!

But on Friday ... How does low 50s when we leave (bring a coat) and low 60s when we return, all under bright blue SUNNY skies and light breezes sound?

Lunch will be at The Angler in Westminster. I'm told the fish is fresh and very tasty and I've found the Grilled Black Angus Burger to be good as well, especially with the sweet potato fries.

BTW, to get to the starting point, get off Route 2 (exit 25) and take Route 2A into Westminster. When you see the red "Westminster Cracker" building, turn sharp left just BEFORE the building and drive up the hill to the gazebo. Oh, and the last time I checked there was a PortaPotty and it was unlocked.

Don't worry about registering yet, some of the Recreation Departments haven't got their Fall schedules posted yet.

As a reminder, you MUST have an approved bicycle helmet, and you MUST pump up your tires! You will also need to initial and sign our Release and Waiver of Liability.

On Friday, September 6th - Westminster

Get ready for a gorgeous ride around Mount Wachusett. It's a bit outside our 30 minute starting point radius around Groton, but Route 2 is pretty quick.

This ride has everything, goats, mountains, lakes, rivers, views, swimming holes, and a yummy lunch afterwards. If only I could fit an ocean into this ride ...

There are a couple of Category 5 hills on the ride, but we've never really noticed the first one and the second is reasonably short (and there is no shame in walking).

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Westminster Bandshell
• Route Map - Westminster - Princeton - Hubbardston
• Distance - 26 miles
• Elevation Gain - 850 feet (more difficult)
• Unpaved - 2 miles - a few very rough spots
• Equipment - I plan to bring my ROAD bike.

AR Index - roughly equal to 35 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Hampton North Beach

Portsmouth Tomorrow + Carpool

Dear AdventuRiders,

Did you catch the beautiful sunset, blue sky, and cool dry breeze tonight? Tomorrow should be beautiful!

So I've had a lot of interest in carpooling, let's meet at the Shaw's parking lot in Groton at 119 and 225. We need to LEAVE at 8:45, so let's meet at 8:30 AM and we can divvy up bikes, riders, and drivers.

On Wednesday, September 4th - Hampton North Beach

• 9:45 AM - We will meet at Hampton North Beach (porcelain and everything!)
• 10:00 AM - We will leave for Newcastle and Portsmouth.
• Starting Point Map - Hampton North Beach.
• Route Map - Hampton - Portsmouth - Kittery.
• Distance - 32 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 300 feet (easy).
• Off Road - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

• 12:30 PM - LUNCH at Portsmouth Brewery.
• 3:00 PM - We will be back to Hampton North Beach.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 32 flat, smooth miles

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

This Week - Portsmouth on Wednesday and Westminster on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

If you believe the forecast, it should be SUNNY and near 70 degrees with low humidity when we leave for our seacoast ride from Hampton North Beach to Portsmouth (and Kittery, ME) on Wednesday. It should be near 80 and Sunny on the way back with a slight sea breeze headwind on the way back!

Don't worry about registering yet, some of the Recreation Departments haven't got their Fall schedules posted yet.

As a reminder, you MUST have an approved bicycle helmet, and you MUST pump up your tires! You will also need to initial and sign our Release and Waiver of Liability.

In addition to our normal spectacular ocean view ride, I have added a short loop to Kittery, ME to try out the new Memorial Bridge.

RSVP if you are interested in carpooling. I will send out the list to the interested parties.

On Wednesday, September 4th - Hampton North Beach

• 9:45 AM - We will meet at Hampton North Beach (porcelain and everything!)
• 10:00 AM - We will leave for Newcastle and Portsmouth.
• Starting Point Map - Hampton North Beach.
• Route Map - Hampton - Portsmouth - Kittery.
• Distance - 32 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 300 feet (easy).
• Off Road - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

• 12:30 PM - LUNCH at Portsmouth Brewery.
• 3:00 PM - We will be back to Hampton North Beach.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 32 flat, smooth miles

On Friday, September 6th - Westminster

Get ready for a gorgeous ride around Mount Wachusett. It's a bit outside our 30 minute starting point radius around Groton, but Route 2 is pretty quick.

This is a somewhat different ride that the usual Westminster ride. New places to explore!

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Westminster Bandshell
• Route Map - Westminster - Princeton
• Distance - 25 miles
• Elevation Gain - 800 feet (more difficult)
• Unpaved - 2 miles - a few very rough spots
• Equipment - I plan to bring my ROAD bike.

AR Index - roughly equal to 34 flat, smooth miles.

Lunch - TBD

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole