Dear AdventuRiders,
This is looking like another sterling weather week, except possibly Wednesday. So I am planning to start Monday's and Friday's ride in Sterling, MA.
On Monday, we will meet at the Mass Central Rail Trail in Sterling Center for a couple of beautiful rides to West Boyleston. Lunch will be at Village Pizza & More. The weather forecast is for Sunny and around 60 degrees, low humidity and light breezes in the morning and still Sunny and around 70 degrees in the afternoon.
On Monday, September 17th - Sterling - MCRT
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 Center - PortaPotty equipped.
- 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 equal to 19 flat, smooth miles.
11:30 AM - Lunch will be at Village Pizza & More in Sterling.
The Afternoon Recreation Ride will cover the same parts of the MCRT, but will also visit the Old Stone Church in West Boylston.
- The afternoon Recreation Ride will leave at 12:30 PM.
- We should be back by 2:30 PM.
- Starting Point Map - Sterling Center - PortaPotty equipped.
- Route Map - Sterling - MCRT
- Distance - 17 1/2 miles
- Elevation Gain - 420 feet (moderate)
- Unpaved - 8 1/2 - but it doesn't really count
- Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained, bike will work.
AR Index = roughly equal to 21 flat, smooth miles.
On Wednesday, September 19th - TBD
The weather forecast says 80% chance of rain, but its still a long way off.
On Friday, September 21st - Meadowbrook Orchards
I haven't figured out the exact route, but this is what we did this Spring.
- 9:30 AM Start time.
- 12:30 PM Return time.
- Starting Point Map - Meadowbrook Orchards.
- Route Map - Meadowbrook- Sterling - MCRT
- Distance - 26 Miles.
- Elevation Gain - 750 feet (just 1 challenging category 5 hill).
- Unpaved - 5 miles of beautiful, smooth, crush rock on the MCRT.
- Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
AR Index - Roughly equal to 33 flat, paved miles.
Hope to see you there,
Bill and Carole