Dear AdventuRiders,
What a GREAT ride we had on Friday! Despite the forecast of cloudy and chilly, it was sunny and comfortable. The moral of this story is "Never Believe the Weatherman".
Anyhow, the Recreation and Beginner rides will start from Groton Center on Monday of this week. There were still large patches of snow on the rail trail north of Groton on Friday, but I'm going assume that they will melt this weekend or we may have to walk our bikes a short distance.
The Recreation Ride will ride a bit of the rail trail before turning east toward Dunstable and riding some scenic backroads on the way to Baddacook Pond before returning to Groton Center.
The Beginner Ride will travel the rail trail to East Pepperell Center and take a small side trip across the covered bridge to the banks of the Nissitissit River where I will regale you with tales of the river's cleanliness.
On Monday, April 8th - Groton Center
- 9:30 AM - The Recreation Ride will leave.
- 11:30 AM - We should be back.
- Starting Point Map - Groton Center.
- Route Map - Groton - Dunstable - Martin's Pond.
- Distance - 14.5 miles.
- Elevation Gain - 250 feet (easy).
- Off Road - 1/2 mile of dirt / gravel.
- Equipment - I plan to bring my hybrid bike.
AR Index - Roughly equal to 16 flat, smooth miles.
LUNCH - Filho's Cucina - YUM!!!
- 12:30 PM - The Beginner Ride will leave for Pepperell.
- 2:30 PM - We should be back.
- Starting Point Map - Groton Center.
- Route Map - Groton - Pepperell.
- Distance - 10.5 Miles.
- Elevation Gain - 150 feet (easy).
- Off Road - none.
- Equipment - I plan to bring my hybrid bike.
AR Index - Roughly equal to 11 flat, smooth miles.
On Wednesday, April 10th - Woonsocket, RI - Blackstone River Bikeway
Another new ride you ask? Yup, it's also well outside out 1/2 hour drive from Groton "rule", but it's worth it. Because some people will need to get back for kid duty, we will have (optional) LUNCH after the ride. Bring a snack.
The Exploration Ride will leave Woonsocket, RI bound for at least Central Falls and maybe Providence.
- 10:00 AM - We will leave for Providence.
- 2:00 PM - We should be back.
- Starting Point Map - Woonsocket RI.
- Route Map - Blackstone River Bikeway.
- Distance - 21+ miles.
- Elevation Gain - 300+ feet
- Off Road - none.
- Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
AR Index - Roughly equal to 23+ flat, smooth miles.
On Friday, April 12th - East Pepperell Center
I haven't finished planning this one, but the idea is to start in East Pepperell and wander the hills of Pepperell before heading to Devens and then riding the NRRT back to East Pepperell.
I have to pick up kids at Parker Charter School in Devens at noon, so my plan is to leave my car in Devens and ride to East Pepperell and meet everyone at 9:30 AM. After riding around for 2 1/2 hours, I will leave you in the capable hands of Carole for the ride on the NRRT back to Pepperell.
LUNCH - TBD.
Hope to see you there,
Bill and Carole