GO - Groton Center

SummeRides - Let's Try Hollis Again

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well it looks like we have one more day before the heat returns. Tomorrow is supposed to be SUNNY, low 70s when we leave, near 80 when we return, a head wind in the morning, and low humidity. Possibly a TOP 10 day.

So how 'bout a ride to Hollis, NH on scenic backroads through West Groton and Pepperell. We'll have a break / snack at the common in Hollis before heading back. I usually avoid numbered roads, but Route 122 is smooth, generally downhill, and relatively wide. This will get us back to Pepperell and we can either take the Rail Trail or back roads to Groton. We can go to Filho's for lunch afterwards!

On Thursday, June 28th - Groton Center

• 9:30 AM - We will leave for Hollis.
• 12:30 PM - We should be back.
• LUNCH at Filho's when we get back?
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center.
• Route Map - Groton - Hollis - Nashua Road
• Distance - 26 1/2 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet (moderate)
• Unpaved - 2 miles generally smooth dirt / gravel.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 32 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill, but not Carole :-(

STOP - The Wednesday Ride is POSTPONED

Another SummeRide on Wednesday

Dear AdventuRiders,

We had such a nice ride today, I'm planning to do another one tomorrow, Wednesday, June 27th. We did a bit of extra exploring and ended up riding almost 30 miles.

The weather is looking Partly Cloudy and mid 60s in the morning and low 70s in the afternoon. The rain should hold off until 1:00 at least.

So, how about a ride from Groton Center to Hollis via West Groton and lunch at Hollis Country Kitchen if anybody is interested. Then its a straight shot down freshly paved Route 122 to Pepperell and we can take either Nashua Road or the Rail Trail back to Groton.

On Wednesday, June 27th - Groton Center

• 9:30 AM - We will leave for Hollis
• 11:30 AM - Lunch at Hollis Country Kitchen?
• 2:00 PM - We will be back if we stop for lunch - 12:30 ish otherwise.
• Starting Point - Groton Center.
• Route Map - Groton - Hollis - Nashua Road
• Distance - 29 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet.
• Unpaved - 2 miles smooth dirt.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

Hope to see you there,

Bill, but not Carole :-(

GO - Groton Center

I Just Gotta Ride!

Dear AdventuRiders,

It looks like we might have a window tomorrow morning that is neither too bloody HOT, nor too THUNDERY. Thursday is also looking good, but first things first. How about a 20 - 25 mile ride from Groton Center with lunch at Filho's afterwards?

On Tuesday, June 26th - Groton Center.

• 9:30 AM we will leave.
• 12:30 PM we should be back
• LUNCH at Filho's
• Starting Point - Groton Center.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

Hope to see you there,

Bill, but not Carole :-(

Save the Date - Human Powered Vehicle Festival - Sept 9th, 2012

Dear AdventuRiders,

The Human Powered Vehicle Festival will return for a third year at the Ayer end of the Nashua River Rail Trail on Sunday, September 9th. You never know what kind of pedal contraption you may see and / or be able to ride there. I'm planning to bring my upgraded "Spinout Tricycle" and perhaps one of my microbikes. Last year there was a whymcycle and a bicycle with a pivot in the middle as well as unicycles, 2 story bicycles, trikkes, choppers, and who knows what else???

In addition there will be a 15 - 20 mile (semi-serious) ride, sponsored by AdventuRides.

Save the date and stay tuned for more information.

Bill and Carole

THANKS + RiverFest + SummeRides

Dear AdventuRiders,

THANKS for a great season, we couldn't do it without you! We did 34 rides and 725 miles total in spite of some weather challenges.

So, now that I have acclimated / acquiesced to Summer let's get the FREE SummeRides season started. 

First up is RiverFest on Sunday, June 24th. We will be leading 2 rides that day. The first ride from 10:30 AM until noon is a "Family Ride" from Groton Center to Pepperell on the Rail Trail to explore the Nashua and Nissitissit Rivers. The second ride is an "Adult and Teen Ride" from Noon to 1:00 PM and covers the same territory. None of this will be new to seasoned AdventuRiders, but its a good way to get to RiverFest since you will need to take a bus from Deluxe (NEBS) parking lot if you plan to drive.

As a reminder to new riders, 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. Sorry, no unaccompanied minors are allowed.

On Sunday, June 24th - RiverFest

• 10:30 AM - We will leave for Pepperell.
• Noon - We should be at RiverFest.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center.
• Route Map - RiverFest.
• Distance - 9 1/2 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 85 feet.
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

Lunch - maybe later :-)

There will be food for sale at RiverFest.

• Noon - We will leave for Pepperell (again from Groton Center).
• 1:00 PM - We should be at RiverFest.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center.
• Route Map - RiverFest.
• Distance - 9 1/2 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 85 feet.
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Elm Street Playground, Acton

This Week - Elm Street Playground, Acton - Summer Tour de Ponds?

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, the party may be over (thanks again Alex!), but we haven't turned out the lights yet. We have two more "official" rides this season on Monday. 

We plan to keep riding during the rest of June and July until I go to Bar Harbor in August, stay tuned. Its supposed to be in the mid 90s in the middle of the week, so perhaps a "Tour de Ponds" Ride?

The Monday forecast looks delightful! Its supposed to be Mostly Sunny and around 60 in the morning, and Sunny and around 70 in the afternoon.

The morning ride features Alpacas, Long Pond, Nagog Hill, and Captain Isaac Davis and his Privates.

The afternoon ride will cross the Assebet River a couple of times and we will ride a piece of the future Assebet River Rail Trail.

On Monday, June 18th - West Acton - Elm Street Playground

• 9:30 AM - The morning Recreational Ride will leave.
• 11:30 AM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Elm Street Playground, West Acton.
• Route Map - Acton - Littleton.
• Distance - 16 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 300 feet (easy).
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 18 flat, smooth miles.

11:30 AM - Lunch at Idylwilde Farms

• At 12:30 PM - The afternoon Recreation Ride will leave.
• At 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Elm Street Playground - West Acton.
• Route Map - West Acton - ARRT
• Distance - 17 1/4 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 300 feet.
• Unpaved - 1 mile (rutted dirt),
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 19 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

Father's Day Idea

Dear AdventuRiders,

If anyone is looking for something to do tomorrow, here is an idea.

The Collings Foundation is having an Open House where you can see over 95 classic automobiles and aircraft. They are only open to the public three times a year, so take advantage of this opportunity. $15 adults, $10 children.

Bill

GO - Carole's House

Reminder - Ride + End of Season Party

Dear AdventuRiders,

Check your email for details.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Groton Center

Groton Center on Thursday, PARTY on Friday.

Dear AdventuRiders,

How about a ride tomorrow (Thursday)? The weather is supposed to clear up and it should be Partly Cloudy and around 70 degrees.

On Thursday, we will meet in Groton Center and ride to Brookline, NH. The route will be about 24 miles long and somewhere around 600 feet elevation gain. Most of the elevation gain is on Wallace Hill Road getting up to the ridge in Townsend with beautiful views of the mountains of Central Mass and Southern NH. We can have lunch afterwards at Filho's. I may bail out on lunch since I will have 2 hungry teens at home.

On Thursday, June 14th - Groton Center.

• 9:30 AM - the Substitute Ride will leave.
• 12:30 PM - we should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center.
• Route Map - Groton Center - Wallace Hill - Pepperell.
• Distance - 24 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet.
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 30 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - The Wednesday Ride is POSTPONED

Change of Plans on Wednesday - PARTY on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

I have good news and bad news for you. 

The good news is that Alex volunteered to host our End Of Season PARTY on Friday, and the weather is looking excellent. The plan is to meet at Alex's house in Groton at 9:30 AM on Friday and do a relatively easy ride through Groton and Dunstable of about 25 miles. We should be back by 12:30 PM and the potluck party can begin!

I will open up the AdventuRides mailing list so you can reply to this email with your lunch contributions. I will provide the refreshments both adult and otherwise.

The bad news is that it happened again. The weather tomorrow is looking distinctly wet. The forecast calls for mid 60s and a 70% chance of rain. So, the Providence ride is POSTPONED once again and I will schedule a Groton ride just in case the weatherman is wrong.

On Wednesday, June 13th - Groton Center.

• 9:30 AM - the Substitute Ride will leave.
• 12:30 PM - we should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center.
• Route Map - Groton Center - Wallace Hill - Pepperell.
• Distance - 24 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet.
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 30 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Carlisle Center

This Week - Carlisle - Providence - PARTY

Dear AdventuRiders,

So, this is the last full week of the Spring 2012 AdventuRides season :-( Monday, June 18th is our last official day.

We are planning a PARTY for Friday, stay tuned :-)

Currently, the Monday forecast calls for Partly Cloudy, mid 60s in the morning, mid 70s in the afternoon. Finally, good weather on Monday!

The Morning Recreation Ride will travel to Chelmsford and cruise part of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Then we will ride past the Cranberry Bog on the way to Great Brook Farm State Park, and finally some quiet backroads in Carlisle.

The Afternoon Recreation Ride will also explore some quiet Carlisle backroads on our way to the Old North Bridge in Concord. 

On Monday, June 11th - Carlisle Center

• 9:30 AM - The Morning Recreation 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 - Heart Pond - GBFSP.
• Distance - 16 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 300 feet (average)
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 18 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 - Old North Bridge.
• Distance - 16 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 300 feet (average).
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 18 flat, paved miles.

On Wednesday, June 13th - Providence, RI

We only have 1 more Exploration Ride this season :-( With any luck we will have decent weather to ride the East Bay Bike Path and have lunch at Redlefsen's in Bristol, RI.

On Friday, June 15th - PARTY!!!

We will do a morning ride and have a PARTY in the afternoon. Stay tuned for more details.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Lake Potanipo, Brookline, NH

Reminder - Lake Potanipo, Brookline, NH on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

The weather is looking very nice tomorrow morning. Its supposed to be Sunny, near 70 degrees, and light winds! There could be rain in the afternoon, but we should be back before then.

We will start at Lake Potanipo (just past South Brookline on Route 13 then left at the blinking yellow light). From there we will ride through Brookline Village, UP to Rocky Hill Road and a visit to Rocky Hill Pond. Then we will ride to Silver Lake before turning back UP on Federal Hill Road. Once we get to the ridge, we will visit the ghost town of Monson Center and enjoy the mountain views on our way DOWN to see cute farm animals at Grand View Farm.

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.

There are 2 category 5 hills on this ride, but if you survived last Friday's ride, you will find this ride to be about the same level of difficulty.

On Friday, June 8th - Lake Potanipo, Brookline, NH.

• 9:30 AM - We will leave for Milford, NH.
• 12:30 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 - Shirley Center

Change of Plans - Shirley Center on Wednesday

Dear AdventuRiders,

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, its just not worth driving to Providence for clouds and drizzle. We can have clouds and drizzle right here! Actually the forecast calls for Partly Cloudy, around 60 degrees, and light winds in the morning before the showers move back in just after noon.

So I have changed the ride to start in Shirley Center and ride to Shirley Village, Lake Shirley, the recently shorn alpacas in Lunenburg, Hickory Hills Lake, and Townsend Harbor.

We can have lunch at the Bull Run in Shirley.

On Wednesday, June 6th - Shirley Center

• 9:30 AM - The Exploration Ride will leave.
• 12:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Shirley Center.
• Route Map - Shirley Center - Townsend.
• Distance - 24 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet (moderate).
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 29 flat, paved miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - All Monday Rides Are POSTPONED

This Week - Carlisle - Providence, RI - Milford, NH

Dear AdventuRiders,

After having glorious weather on the Friday ride, the Monday forecast isn't looking so good :-(

Currently, the Monday forecast calls for showers, low 50s, and a chilly NNE wind. Let's hope things change before Monday.

The Morning Recreation Ride will travel to Chelmsford and cruise part of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Then we will ride past the Cranberry Bog on the way to Great Brook Farm State Park, and finally some quiet backroads in Carlisle.

The Afternoon Recreation Ride will also explore some quiet Carlisle backroads on our way to the Old North Bridge in Concord. 

On Monday, June 4th - Carlisle Center

• 9:30 AM - The Morning Recreation 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 - Heart Pond - GBFSP.
• Distance - 16 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 300 feet (average)
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 18 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 - Old North Bridge.
• Distance - 16 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 300 feet (average).
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 18 flat, paved miles.

On Wednesday, June 6th - Providence, RI

We only have 2 more Exploration Rides this season :-( With any luck we will have decent weather to ride the East Bay Bike Path and have lunch at Redlefsen's in Bristol, RI.

On Friday, June 8th - Milford, NH

We will visit the ghost town of Monson Center and have lunch at Chrysanthi's in Brookline.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Meadowbrook Orchards, Sterling