Dear AdventuRiders,
Well, if you believe the weatherman, Monday looks like a TOP 10 sort of day with bright blue skies and temperatures from the mid 50s to the mid 60s! So, I've planned a couple of rides featuring the Mass Central Rail Trail starting in Sterling, MA.
On Monday, September 19th
The Morning Recreation Ride will explore the Mass Central Rail Trail to Holden and we will return the same way since it is such a nice trail.
- The Morning Recreation Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
- We should be back by 11:30 AM.
- Starting Point Map - Sterling.
- Route Map - Sterling - MCRT.
- Distance - 16 1/2 miles.
- Elevation Gain - 300 feet (easy).
- Unpaved - 8 1/2 - but it doesn't really count.
- Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained, bike will work.
AR Index = roughly 19 flat, paved miles.
Lunch will be at Village Pizza & More in Sterling.
The Afternoon Recreation Ride will take us on a bit of the Mass Central Rail Trail and will then explore the hills of Lancaster and the true story of "Mary Had A Little Lamb".
- The Afternoon Recreation Ride will leave at 12:30 PM.
- We should be back by 2:30 PM.
- Starting Point Map - Sterling.
- Route Map - Sterling - Lancaster.
- Distance - 13 1/2 miles.
- Elevation Gain - 375 feet (more difficult).
- Unpaved - 2 miles - very smooth crushed rock.
- Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained, bike will work.
AR Index = roughly 17 flat, paved miles.
On Wednesday, September 21st
We will meet at Lake Potanipo in Brookline, NH and ride to the ghost town of Monson on our way to views from Federal Hill and lunch in Milford, NH. We may ride a bit of the Potanipo Rail Trail on the way back.
On Friday, September 23rd
We will meet in Bolton Center and ride to Marlboro and return by way of the Assebet River Rail Trail to Hudson. If it is nice day, we can drive back to Hudson and have lunch with one (or more) of the 80 beers on tap at the Horseshoe Pub.
Hope to see you there,
Bill and Carole