GO - Leominster State Forest

Friday: Leominster State Forest

Dear AdventuRiders,

Now that you are (hopefully) in a turkey coma, its a good time to remind you to work off the gluttony tomorrow :-)

The weather even looks good, Mostly Sunny and 40 degrees in the morning and about 50 when we get back.

We will meet at the composting toilet equipped parking area for Leominster State Forest on Route 31 just a couple miles south of Route 2. Look for the "Entering Princeton" sign on the left.

From there. we will ride south to Holden. Those of you who came on the Meadowbrook Orchards Fitness Ride will recognize the beautiful rolling farmland and forests. Then its UP, UP, UP with great views from Sholan Farms and Grand View Country Club before we get back to Leominster State Forest. A couple miles of unpaved fire road will take us past Rocky Pond to the starting point.

LUNCH? - I'm open for suggestions. There is always The Old Mill Restaurant for an "early bird special", but throughly unique and rustic New England experience.

On Friday, November 23rd - Leominster State Forest

• 9:30 AM - the Bright Friday Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - we should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Leominster State Forest.
• Route Map - Leominster State Forest.
• Distance - 25 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 850 feet (more challenging).
• Unpaved - 2.5 miles (reasonably smooth fire road)
• Equipment - I will probably bring my road bike.

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

Hope to see you there,

Bill (and maybe Carole)

THANKS + Bright Friday Ride

Dear AdventuRiders,

Thanks again for a wonderful season. We couldn't do it without you!

 

I've never understood what was good about "Black Friday". Why would I care that the retailer's profits finally made it into the black? Wasn't it "Black Tuesday" when the stock market crashed in 1929?

Anyhow, the weather is looking VERY nice for Friday, mostly SUNNY, 50s, light winds, so I've mapped out a new ride far away from the shopping malls at Leominster State Forest. The ride starts at 9:30 AM, so you'll have plenty of time to trample little old ladies at Walmart to get to that $19.95 DVD Player. Just stay the hell out of my way :-)

We will meet at the composting toilet equipped main parking area for Leominster State Forest on Route 31 just a couple miles south of Route 2. From there. we will ride south to Holden. Those of you who came on the Meadowbrook Orchards Fitness Ride will recognize the beautiful rolling farmland and forests. Then its UP, UP, UP with great views from Sholan Farms and Grand View Country Club before we get back to Leominster State Forest. A couple miles of unpaved fire road will take us past Rocky Pond to the starting point.

LUNCH? - I'm open for suggestions. There is always The Old Mill Restaurant for an "early bird special", but throughly unique and rustic New England experience.

On Friday, November 23rd - Leominster State Forest

• 9:30 AM - the Bright Friday Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - we should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Leominster State Forest.
• Route Map - Leominster State Forest.
• Distance - 25 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 850 feet (more challenging).
• Unpaved - 2.5 miles (reasonably smooth fire road)
• Equipment - I will probably bring my road bike.

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

Hope to see you there,

Bill (and maybe Carole)

GO - Bobbie's House

GO - Elm Street Playground, West Acton

Friday: Elm Street Playground, West Acton

Dear AdventuRiders,

What a dilemma! Loon Mountain opens tomorrow and lift tickets are only $29. Oh well, there is only one trail open top to bottom...

Anyhow, I have an interesting ride planned for tomorrow. We will ride to Bolton, past the Stow golf courses, along the future Assebet River Rail Trail, through the Assebet River National Wildlife Refuge, and around the old mill buildings in Maynard. Whew! BTW, the PortaPotty is still at the starting point as of this afternoon.

The route is about 29 miles and relatively flat. The weather you ask? My best guess is Partly Cloudy, light North breeze, and about 40 degrees when we leave and mid 40s when we get back.

Idylwilde Farms took their picnic tables away, so I guess they are out for lunch. Our fearless great lunch place finder is back from NYC, and I found a place in West Acton called "The Local Table".

On Friday, November 16th - Elm Street Playground, West Acton

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 12:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - 7 Elm Street, West Acton, MA.
• Route Map - Acton - ARNWR - Maynard.
• Distance - 29 1/2 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 550 feet (easy).
• Unpaved - 8 miles - mostly smooth.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 33 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

Wachusett - Last Chance to Save $100

Dear AdventuRiders,

Ralph's Run is not quite skiable yet, but they are working in it!

MIDNIGHT TONIGHT is the deadline for buying a cheap season pass! 

Go HERE and pick your pass. Use ADVENTURIDES as your group name. 

See you on the slopes,

Bill (and hopefully Carole)

GO - But You May Be The Only One

Wednesday : DIY - Bedford - Somerville

Dear AdventuRiders,

The good news is that it's supposed to quit raining tomorrow. The bad news is that I broke a tooth and the dentist ripped it out today, so I will be laying low tomorrow :-(

However, this route is pretty self-explanatory so I'm sure our intrepid AdventuRiders can soldier on without me (or Carole).

If you are planning to come, RSVP so I can assure that more than one person is going.

The weather for tomorrow looks Sunny, 40s and a bit breezy (head wind going back).

Note the 10:00 AM starting time. BTW, the bathrooms at the starting point parking lot were open on Sunday, but there are no guarantees. The route is about 22 miles, all paved, and essentially flat. Its a good way to rack up some miles without killing ourselves, and we get delicious sandwiches from Dave's Fresh Pasta.

On Wednesday, November 14th, we will meet in Bedford at the Minuteman Bikeway Parking.

• At 10:00 AM - The Exploration Ride will leave from the Minuteman Rail Trail Parking in Bedford. Here is a map.
• At 11:30 AM - LUNCH at Dave's Fresh Pasta in Somerville.
• At 12:30 PM - We will head back to Bedford.
• At 2:30 PM - We should be back to the Minuteman Rail Trail Parking.

Hope to see you there,

not Bill and not Carole

GO - Beverly Soccer Field

This Week - Beverly - Somerville - West Acton

Dear AdventuRiders,

Even though Monday is a school holiday, I have scheduled an awesome ride! It's not fully "cooked", so there may be a bit more adventure than usual, but the North Shore from Beverly to Magnolia is tough to be anything but magnificent!

Our starting point is the same soccer field in Beverly as the Salem ride and it is still PortaPotty equipped (as of today at least). We will also revisit Lynch Park before heading north to Gloucester. We will stop at a bunch of beaches, including Singing Beach in Manchester-By-The-Sea, on the way.

I haven't figured out lunch yet, but I think we will find a place in Beverly after the ride, so bring a snack to refresh yourself along the way.

On Monday, November 12th - Beverly Beach Bonanza

• 8:15 AM - Carpool from Shaw's in Groton.
• 9:30 AM - We will leave from the Curve Lane Soccer Field.
• 12:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Curve Lane Soccer Field.
• Route Map - Beverly - Manchester - Magnolia.
  
• Distance - 27 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 500 feet - pretty flat actually.
• Unpaved - None, but there is some sand from past storms.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

LUNCH - TBD

On Wednesday, November 14th - Minuteman to Somerville.

We will ride the Minuteman Bikeway from Bedford to Somerville for our usual "Last Exploration Ride of the Season" trip to Dave's Fresh Pasta in Davis Square for LUNCH.

On Friday, November 16th - West Acton - Assebet River

This ride will start at the Elm Street Playground near Idylwilde Farms in West Acton. It features 8 miles of traffic free riding on the future Assebet River Rail Trail and in the Assebet River National Wildlife Refuge.

LUNCH is a picnic at Idylwilde Farms.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

We Will Be Riding Monday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Even though Monday is Veterans Day, the weather forecast is simply too nice to pass up. I haven't figured it out yet, but the plan is to do an extended Recreation Ride in the morning and then go for lunch.

Stay Tuned,

Bill

Wachusett Ski Pass Deadline

Dear AdventuRiders,

Now that we have had a taste of snow, it's time to buy your Wachusett Mountain Ski Pass. The deadline is Wednesday, November 14th.

It's the best deal around, and Wachusett Mountain has 3 high speed quad chair lifts (including one for the bunny hill!) and phenomenal snow making and grooming. If you show up on weekdays at 9:00 AM, it's like having your own personal ski area.

You only need to use your pass 5 times to save money. The best part is that you never have to wait in ticket lines. 

After skiing, we've been known to go upstairs to the Black Diamond Restaurant for some surprisingly good and inexpensive food while soaking up some sun. Another favorite activity is to get a beer at the Coppertop Lounge and sink into one of the Adirondack chairs on the deck.

If you are interested, go to Group Sales and save $110 by using the name ADVENTURIDES as the group name. Personally, I have a Silver Pass so I can ski early and late season weekends. 

See you on the slopes!

Bill (and hopefully) Carole

GO - Andres Art Institute

Friday - Change of Plans

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, now what? All this slop is supposed to freeze tonight making bicycling a treacherous business. It's supposed to be SUNNY tomorrow and staying inside is not an option.

So, let's go for a HIKE at Andres Art Institute in Brookline, NH. They have over 60 sculptures on 140 acres at the old Big Bear Mountain Ski Area. It's all free and the views from the top of the mountain are especially nice. Bring good hiking boots / shoes / ski poles since some of the trails are steep and rocky and could be slippery.

LUNCH is at Chrysanthi's Restaurant just up the road from Andres. I had the Ruben last week and it was outstanding!

On Friday, November 9th - Andres Art Institute - Brookline, NH

• 9:30 AM - Let's hike!
• 12:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Andres Art Institute - Brookline, NH
• Trail Map - Andres Art Institute.

LUNCH at Chrysanthi's Restaurant.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - The Exploration Ride is Postponed

Wednesday - Change of Plans

Dear AdventuRiders,

Cloudy, windy, cold, showers, and/or snow are not words to describe good biking weather :-( Its not worth a trip to Jefferson, but if by some wild chance the forecast is wrong, I have a backup plan for a ride from Groton Center.

On Wednesday, November  7th - Groton Center

This ride travels along the Squannacook River toward Townsend, passes the Cowdry Nature Center and Hickory Hills Lake in Lunenburg before stopping to visit the Alpacas. From there we will ride past Lake Shirley to the old Fort Devens for a short tour and then to the Nashua River Rail Trail back to Groton.

Lunch is at Filho's Cucina.

• 9:30 AM - the Exploration ride will leave.
• 12:30 PM - we should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center.
• Route Map - Groton - Lunenburg - Ayer.
• Distance - 26 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 500 feet (moderate).
• 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

Wachusett Dam Video

Dear AdventuRiders,

For those of you who braved the sleet on this "sunny" day, here is a video that I did with my son Keaton a few year ago.

Enjoy,

Bill

PS. OK, so I exaggerated a bit on the ride today, it's still a REALLY BIG structure :-)

GO - Meadowbrook, Sterling

Bring your warm gear. 

GO - Beverly Soccer Field

Its quite a ways past the Salem exit on 128. 

This Week - Meadowbrook - Mass Central - West Acton

Dear AdventuRiders,

We seem to have turned the corner from Fall into Winter. The temperature is starting to drop, but we don't have any pesky Frankenstorms to deal with.

The Monday ride will feature a nice, warm, porcelain, coffee and cider donut equipped starting point. Yes, I'm talking about Meadowbrook Orchards in Sterling.

The morning Recreation Ride will feature a ride along the Wachusett Reservoir and a visit to the dam. We will also visit the currently defunct Atlantic Union College and currently defunct Maharishi Ayurveta Health Center.

The afternoon Recreation Ride will go past Davis Farm and currently defunct Mega Maze, ride a bit of the Mass Central Rail Trail, and visit the permanently defunct Old Stone Church. Hmmmm, seems to be a theme here :-)

On Monday, November 5th - Meadowbrook Orchards, Sterling

• 9:30 AM - The Morning Recreation Ride will leave.
• 11:30 AM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Meadowbrook Orchards, Sterling.
• Route Map - Meadowbrook - Lancaster.
• Distance - 15 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 400 feet (one cat 5 hill).
• Unpaved - 1 mile (smooth).
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

LUNCH - Meadowbrook Orchards - Yummy!

• 12:30 PM - The Afternoon Recreation Ride will leave.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map -  Meadowbrook Orchards - Sterling.
• Route Map - Meadowbrook - Old Stone Church.
• Distance - 16 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 450 feet.
• Unpaved - 2 miles (very smooth).
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 20 flat, smooth miles.

On Wednesday, November 7th - Jefferson - MCRT - Barre

• 9:30 AM - The Exploration Ride will leave.
• 12:30 PM - LUNCH at Heavy Evie's Happy Kitchen in Rutland.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Jefferson Church.
• Route Map - Jefferson - MCRT - Heavy Evie's.
• Distance - 27 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 950 feet.
• Unpaved - 15 miles (smooth).
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 36 flat smooth miles.

On Friday, November 9th - West Acton

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 12:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Elm Street Playground, West Acton.
• Route Map - West Acton - ARNWR.
• Distance - 27 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 450 feet.
• Unpaved - 8 miles (mostly smooth).
• 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

SUNDAY Salem Spooktacular Tomorrow

Dear AdventuRiders,

DON'T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCKS BACK 1 HOUR TONIGHT. And change your smoke / CO detector batteries too.

The weather is looking very nice for this time of year, but chilly. Bring your warm stuff! It should be SUNNY and about 40 degrees when we leave and SUNNY and 50 degrees when we return. It will be a bit breezy, so be sure to bring a wind layer.

On Sunday, November 4th - Salem Spooktacular.

As I was was scouting out this ride, I ended up wanting to yell "Enough with the beautiful ocean vistas already, I get it!". Along with the history and Halloween madness of Salem, this promises to be a EPIC ride. Lunch is at Cap't Waterfront Grill & Pub. One of my friends works there and she claims it's the best place in town.

• 8:15 AM - Carpool from Shaw's in Groton.
• 9:30 AM - We will leave from Beverly.
• 12:30 PM - Lunch at Cap't Waterfront Grill & Pub.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back to Beverly.
• Starting Point Map - Beverly, Cross Lane Soccer Field.
• Route Map - Beverly - Salem - Marblehead.
• Distance - 31 miles (mostly flat).
• Elevation Gain - 400 feet (easy).
• Unpaved - 1 mile (smooth).
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike (as usual).

AR Index - Roughly equal to 33 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and maybe Carole

GO - Lake Potanipo, Brookline, NH

Good News - The SUNDAY Salem Ride is ON!

Dear AdventuRiders,

We have a quorum of riders and a decent weather forecast for a rescheduled Salem Spooktacular ride on SUNDAY, November 4th.

I am going to move the starting time back to our normal 9:30 AM since we won't have to deal with rush hour traffic.

On Sunday, November 4th - Salem Spooktacular.

As I was was scouting out this ride, I ended up wanting to yell "Enough with the beautiful ocean vistas already, I get it!". Along with the history and Halloween madness of Salem, this promises to be a EPIC ride. Lunch is at Cap't Waterfront Grill & Pub. One of my friends works there and she claims it's the best place in town. Stay tuned for more info.

• 8:15 AM - Carpool from Shaw's in Groton.
• 9:30 AM - We will leave from Beverly.
• 12:30 PM - Lunch at Cap't Waterfront Grill & Pub.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back to Beverly.
• Starting Point Map - Beverly, Cross Lane Soccer Field.
• Route Map - Beverly - Salem - Marblehead.
• Distance - 31 miles (mostly flat).
• Elevation Gain - 400 feet (easy).
• Unpaved - 1 mile (smooth).
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike (as usual).

AR Index - Roughly equal to 33 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

Reminder - Lake Potanipo - Hollis - Milford on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

The weather is looking much better tomorrow, but chilly. Its supposed to be Partly Cloudy, low 40s and light winds when we leave, low 50s when we return. Dress warmly!

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, November 2nd - 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