Dear AdventuRiders,
The ride starts at 9:45 AM since its farther than our normal 1/2 hour drive from Groton. According to Google Maps, it is 38 minutes from Groton Center to Westminster. Please plan accordingly.
The weather tomorrow morning looks to continue the marvelous weather we have been having. It should be SUNNY and mid 60s when we leave and still sunny and mid 70s when we get back with low humidity and light breezes!
The PortaPotty at the Starting Point was locked :-( last time I checked, so ease up on the coffee and/or take advantage of the Dunkin Donuts in Westminster Center before the ride. There is a porcelain potty stop at about the 10 mile mark at the Wachusett Meadows Audubon Refuge on the ride.
Carole suggested a better lunch alternative, so we will be going to Joseph's Bistro & Pub in Westminster Center instead of the Old Mill.
On Friday, September 14th -Westminster
Get ready for a gorgeous ride around Mount Wachusett. Its a bit outside our 30 minute starting point radius around Groton, but Route 2 is pretty quick and I adjusted the starting time accordingly.
The Fitness Ride will take us west to the Mount Wachusett region. We will start in Westminster, climb UP toward
the west shoulder of Mount Wachusett on some scenic backroads before zooming DOWN to beautiful views at Princeton. From there we ride to Gardner passing many lakes before turning back to Westminster. There are a couple of significant hills at the beginning of the ride including a Cat 5 (easiest category) as we pass the mountain. From there it is rolling hills back to Westminster.
- 9:45 AM - The Exploration Ride will leave.
- 1:00 PM - We should be back.
- Starting Point Map - Westminster Bandshell
- Route Map - Westminster - Princeton - Audubon
- Distance - 25 miles
- Elevation Gain - 800 feet (more difficult)
- Unpaved - 1/2 mile - some rough spots
- Equipment - I plan to bring my ROAD bike.
AR Index = roughly 35 flat, smooth miles.
Hope to see you there,
Bill and Carole