GO - Groton Center

Reminder - Groton Center on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

I hope you are ready for summer. It's going to be HOT tomorrow, but don't worry, Fearless Leader has the solution! Alex and I discovered a few years ago that you could ride comfortably in near 100 degree temps simply by jumping into every river or pond along the way. I also discovered that taking your bike in for a swim merely fills up the rims with water, and "water resistant" GPS watches will not be happy.

Here is a list of the wet possibilities:

• @ 6.5 miles - Squannacook River at Bertozzi.
• @ 13 miles - Nissitissit River at Bohanon Bridge.
• @ 18 miles - Potanipo Pond in Brookline.
• @ 22 miles - Nissitissit River at NH - MA state line.
• @ 25 miles - Nissitissit River at Mill Street in Pepperell.

BTW, I was originally going to go UP Wallace Hill, but it is closed for paving so we will take a slightly longer, but flatter, detour.

You may want to bring two bottles of water. I will bring a few ZipLock bags to keep the electronics dry. 

On Friday, May 31st - Groton - Potanipo - Swimming Holes

• 9:30 AM - We will leave for Brookline.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center
• Route Map - Groton - Potanipo - Swimming Holes
• Distance - 30 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 550 feet (typical N.E. rolling terrain).
• Off Road - 1/2 mile.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike and my SWIMMING GEAR.

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

We could have LUNCH somewhere in Pepperell or at Filho's Cucina in Groton Center.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - The Exploration Ride is POSTPONED

Reminder - Beverly Tomorrow

Dear AdventuRiders,

Sigh, ... it looks like another rainy Wednesday :-(

I'll make the call before 8:00 AM tomorrow morning.

On Wednesday, May 29th -Beverly Beach Bonanza

• 10:00 AM - We will leave from the Curve Lane Soccer Field.
  
• 12:30 PM- ish - Lunch at Magnolia House of Pizza.
• 3:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Curve Lane Soccer Field.
• Route Map - Beverly - Manchester - Magnolia.
  
• Distance - 30 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet - pretty flat actually.
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

LUNCH - Magnolia House of Pizza. The plan is to buy lunch there and go across the street to the Magnolia Town Landing / Park for a picnic.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Rutland

This Week - Rutland - Beverly - Groton

Dear AdventuRiders,

So, its supposed to be very nice weather on Monday, showers (###!!!) on Wednesday, and HOT on Friday.

A few of notes about the Rutland ride.

• The elevation gain isn't as bad as it looks. The first Cat 5 hill is like Oak Hill in Harvard, not particularly steep, but long. We can avoid the last Cat 5 hill completely by spotting a car just down the hill from the Starting Point.
• The new mile and a half of the MCRT before Barre is a bit rough, so I may bring my hybrid bike for comfort reasons.
• The route is a figure 8 sort of thing, so you could do just the first 12 miles with AltaVista Farm, the scenic farms of Mushopauge Road, plus a bit of the MCRT.
• ... and you could continue on the MCRT and turn around whenever you want.
• PS - There is a Dunkin Donuts and a PortaPotty at the Starting Point.

For those of you who have ridden the Mass Central Rail Trail around Sterling and West Boyleston, you know how beautiful it is. Now imagine continuing to Barre on the same trail. It's so nice in fact, that we will return on the trail as far as Rutland.

We will have lunch at the Kozy Kabin Restaurant in Barre or the NEW Heavy Evie's Happy Kitchen in Rutland. 

On Monday, May 27th - Rutland

• The BONUS Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We will return by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Rutland Naquag Elementary School.
• Route Map - Rutland - MCRT - Barre.
• Distance = 26 miles.
• Elevation Gain = 900 feet (challenging).
• Unpaved = 14 miles (smooth crushed rock).
• Equipment = Any sturdy, well maintained bike will work. I am planning to bring my hybrid bike.

AR Index = Roughly equal to 35 flat, paved miles. 

<copy> <paste> <one last time before moving on ...>

On Wednesday, May 29th -Beverly Beach Bonanza

• 10:00 AM - We will leave from the Curve Lane Soccer Field.
  
• 12:30 PM- ish - Lunch at Magnolia House of Pizza.
• 3:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Curve Lane Soccer Field.
• Route Map - Beverly - Manchester - Magnolia.
  
• Distance - 30 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet - pretty flat actually.
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

LUNCH - Magnolia House of Pizza. The plan is to buy lunch there and go across the street to the Magnolia Town Landing / Park for a picnic.

On Friday, May 31st - Groton - Brookline, NH

The Fitness Ride will leave Groton bound for Brookline, NH.

• 9:30 AM - We will leave for Brookline.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center
• Route Map - Groton - Potanipo - Swimming Holes
• Distance - 28 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 650 feet.
• Off Road - 1/2 mile.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

We could have LUNCH somewhere in Pepperell or at Filho's Cucina in Groton Center.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

BONUS Ride on Monday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, after all this crappy weather, it looks like Monday (Memorial Day) will be a top 10 day. To avoid holiday traffic, let's ride the Mass Central Rail Trail from Rutland out to the new bridge over the Ware River in Barre.

For those of you who have ridden the Mass Central Rail Trail around Sterling and West Boyleston, you know how beautiful it is. Now imagine continuing to Barre on the same trail. It's so nice in fact, that we will return on the trail as far as Rutland.

We will have lunch at the Kozy Kabin Restaurant in Barre or the NEW Heavy Evie's Happy Kitchen in Rutland. 

On Monday, May 27th - Rutland

• The BONUS Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We will return by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Rutland Naquag Elementary School.
• Route Map - Rutland - MCRT - Barre.
• Distance = 26 miles.
• Elevation Gain = 900 feet (challenging).
• Unpaved = 14 miles (smooth crushed rock).
• Equipment = Any sturdy, well maintained bike will work. I am planning to bring my hybrid bike.

AR Index = Roughly equal to 35 flat, paved miles. 

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - The Fitness Ride is POSTPONED

Reminder - Groton Center on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, our weather fortunes have certainly turned. Tomorrow forecast is for wet, wet, wet, so it will probably be sunny :-) Anyhow, I'll wait until tomorrow morning to make the call.

BTW, I have to pick up kids at noon tomorrow, so I am leaving my car at Devens and riding to Groton before the ride.

On Friday, May 24th - Groton Center

• 9:30 AM - The Exploration Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center.
• Route Map - Groton - Lake Shirley - Devens.
• Distance - 26 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 575 feet (moderate).
• Off Road - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

LUNCH - Markoh's on Main in Ayer or Filho's Cucina in Groton.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - The Beverly Ride is POSTPONED

Thunderstorms + Bicycle = Bad

Beverly on Wednesday or BUST!

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, the time has come to go to Beverly on Wednesday and have a marvelous ride no matter what! Surprisingly, the weather is looking better too, with partly cloudy skies and temps around 70. We will be right along the coast, so the weather could be cooler / windier, so be prepared.

To peak your interest, here is a partial list of where we are going:

• Lynch Park (beautiful oceanfront gardens)
• Endicott College
• West Street Beach
• Tuck's Point Yacht Club
• Some Other Beach
• Magnolia
• Hammond Castle
• Stage Fort Park

If you are interested in carpooling, RSVP and I will try to connect you up.

On Wednesday, May 22th -Beverly Beach Bonanza

• 10:00 AM - We will leave from the Curve Lane Soccer Field in Beverly.
  
• 12:30 PM- ish - Lunch at Magnolia House of Pizza.
• 3:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Curve Lane Soccer Field.
• Route Map - Beverly - Manchester - Magnolia.
  
• Distance - 30 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet - pretty flat actually.
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

LUNCH - Magnolia House of Pizza. The plan is to buy lunch there and go across the street to the Magnolia Town Landing / Park for a picnic.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - West Acton

This Week - West Acton - Beverly - Devens

Dear AdventuRiders,

After many weeks of perfect bicycling weather, it looks like the pattern is changing :-( The weatherpersons are changing their minds constantly, so I will leave it to the morning of the ride to call it. Generally this week it should be near 60 when we leave and near 70 when we return with or without clouds / rain / thunder. Let's hope for the best.

On Monday, May 20th - West Acton

• 9:30 AM - The Morning Recreation Ride will leave.
• 11:30 AM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Elm Street Playground, West Acton
• Route Map - West Acton - Maynard - ARNWR
• Distance - 14.5 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 215 feet (easy).
• Unpaved - 1/2 mile - may be a bit rough.
• Equipment - I may bring my hybrid, but any well maintained bike will work.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 17 flat, smooth miles.

11:30 AM Lunch at Idylwilde Farms.

• 12:30 PM - The Afternoon Beginner Ride will leave.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Elm Street Playground, West Acton.
• Route Map - West Acton - Littleton.
• Distance - 13 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 225 feet (easy).
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I may bring my hybrid, but any well maintained bike will work.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 15 flat, smooth miles.

<copy> <paste><hope for good weather>

On Wednesday, May 22th -Beverly Beach Bonanza

• 10:00 AM - We will leave from the Curve Lane Soccer Field.
  
• 12:30 PM- ish - Lunch at Magnolia House of Pizza.
• 3:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Curve Lane Soccer Field.
• Route Map - Beverly - Manchester - Magnolia.
  
• Distance - 30 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet - pretty flat actually.
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

LUNCH - Magnolia House of Pizza. The plan is to buy lunch there and go across the street to the Magnolia Town Landing / Park for a picnic.

On Friday, May 24th - Devens

I need to pick up kids at noon, so by necessity the ride will be close to Devens.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Lunenburg

Reminder - Lunenburg Tomorrow

Dear AdventuRiders,

The BEAUTIFUL weather continues! Tomorrow it should be SUNNY and about 60 degrees when we leave and still SUNNY and near 70 degrees when we return.

The ride I originally planned was rather challenging with a long category 4 hill, but one of the roads is under construction and there is no good detour. So, I went back to the tried and true Lake Shirley - Pearl Hill route. It's still a somewhat challenging route, but the views make everything worthwhile.

We will ride to Whalom Lake, then DOWN (mostly) to Lake Shirley. Then it's back UP to the alpacas and Hickory Hills Lake. From there it is UP to Bayberry Hill before zooming down to Pearl Hill State Park. Then it's smooth sailing on new asphalt for about 4 miles. After a final UP to the golf course we will cruise back to Lunenburg Center.

On Friday, May 17th - Lunenburg

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Lunenburg Center.
• Route Map - Lunenburg - Pearl Hill.
• Distance - 26 1/2 miles
• Elevation Gain - 700 feet
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

Lunch at the Bangkok Hill Restaurant.

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

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Groton Center

Change of Plans :-( Groton Center on Wednesday

Dear AdventuRiders,

NOOOOOOOO, it's happened again! The weather for tomorrow looks too iffy to spend the time driving to / from Beverly.

So, let's meet in Groton Center and have a nice ride to historic Shirley Center and the Storybook House, the new movie studio in Devens, and Mirror Lake. We can have a yummy lunch at Filho's when we get back!

On Wednesday, May 15th - Groton Center

• 9:30 AM - The Exploration Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center.
• Route Map - Groton - Shirley - Devens.
• Distance - 24 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 500 feet (moderate).
• Off Road - 1/2 mile of dirt / gravel.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 28 flat, smooth miles.

LUNCH - Filho's Cucina - YUM!!!

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Harvard Track

This Week - Harvard - Beverly - Lunenburg

Dear AdventuRiders,

The weather gods have certainly been smiling on us! The weather looks GREAT all week and especially Monday with Sunny skies and temps in the 50s.

BTW, you will be MUCH, MUCH, MUCH, ... MUCH happier on a well fitting, well maintained bike. For example, if it's your kid's bike that doesn't work properly and has flat tires, YOU WILL STRUGGLE to keep up, and that's no fun! I can probably fix the flat tire problem before we leave, but the rest is up to you.

On Monday, May 13th - Harvard Track

The Morning Recreation Ride features the Shaker Villages and Shaker "lollipop" Cemetery. No trip around Harvard would be complete without riding UP Oak Hill, yes, its a category 5 hill, but its not that steep, just long. This is the famous (infamous?) "roller coaster" ride that seems to be more downhill thrills than uphill work.

The Afternoon Beginner Ride features the beautiful mountain views from Prospect Hill, although there is a category 5 hill (the easiest category) getting up to the view. We will also stop and see lots and lots of goats on our way to Bare Hill Pond. We will also stop at the beach and hopefully we won't get thrown out :-)

• The Morning Recreation Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should return by 11:30 AM.
• Starting Point Map - Harvard Track.
• Route Map - Harvard - Shaker Villages.
• Distance = 15 miles.
• Elevation Gain = 500 feet (more difficult).
• Unpaved = 1/2 mile.
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained bike will work.

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

11:30 AM - LUNCH will be at Sorrento's. We can either drive over or ride over on some back road with just a little time spent on Route 110.

• The Afternoon Beginner Ride will leave at 12:30 PM.
  
• We should return by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Harvard Track.
• Route Map - Harvard - Bare Hill Pond.
• Distance = 12 miles.
• Elevation Gain = 300 feet (moderate) - one short cat 5 hill.
• Unpaved = 1.5 mile - generally smooth.
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained bike will work.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 15 flat, smooth miles.

On Wednesday, May 15th -Beverly Beach Bonanza

• 10:00 AM - We will leave from the Curve Lane Soccer Field.
  
• 12:30 PM- ish - Lunch at Magnolia House of Pizza.
• 3:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Curve Lane Soccer Field.
• Route Map - Beverly - Manchester - Magnolia.
  
• Distance - 30 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet - pretty flat actually.
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

LUNCH - Magnolia House of Pizza. The plan is to buy lunch there and go across the street to the Magnolia Town Landing / Park for a picnic.

On Friday, May 17th - Lunenburg

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Lunenburg Center.
• Route Map - Lunenburg - Ashby.
• Distance - 26 miles
• Elevation Gain - 1150 feet
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

Lunch at the Bangkok Hill Restaurant.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 40 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Hudson

Reminder - Hudson on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well we did get a bit wet on Wednesday, but it was relatively warm and we had a nice lunch at Idylwilde Farms.

Here is the mandatory picture at Newcastle on our Portsmouth ride. Thanks (other) Bill!

The forecast for Friday is, in a word, "delightful". It should be mid 60s and Mostly Sunny when we leave and Sunny and mid 70s when we return. Lunch on the deck anyone?

BTW, there are no restroom facilities at the starting point. There is a McDonald's on Route 85 just across the river from South Street.

On Friday, May 10th - Hudson

Orchards and Vineyard of Bolton - Beautiful views from Old Bay Road - Old Church / New Community Center renovation in Berlin - Wachusett Aquaduct in Northboro - DOWNHILL on ARRT from Marlboro to Hudson.

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Hudson - Horseshoe Pub.
• Route Map - Hudson - Berlin - ARRT
• Distance - 23 1/2 miles
• Elevation Gain - 750 feet - 1 Cat 5 hill.
• Unpaved - 1/2 mile - very smooth.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 31 flat, smooth miles.

LUNCH afterwards at Horseshoe Pub with 80 beers on tap.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - West Acton

CHANGE OF PLANS - West Acton on Wednesday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, I know I have been terribly spoiled by the weather of the last few weeks! It looks like tomorrow will be Mostly Cloudy with a chilly on-shore wind at the coast in the morning and a Few Showers after noon. I actually doubt that it will rain significantly before 4:00 PM tomorrow, but I would like to wait for better weather before driving an hour plus each way to Beverly and back.

So, let's meet at the Elm Street Playground in West Acton tomorrow and ride UP Oak Hill (not steep, but long) followed by a 4 mile scenic ridge ride and cruise DOWN to Delaney Pond.

We can get LUNCH afterwards at Idylwilde Farms.

On Wednesday, May 8th - West Acton

• 9:30 AM - The Exploration Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Elm Street Playground, West Acton
• Route Map - West Acton - Oak Hill - Delaney
• Distance - 23 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 650 feet (only 1 cat 5 hill).
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

1:00 PM Lunch at Idylwilde Farms.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Carlisle Center

This Week - Carlisle - Beverly - Hudson

Dear AdventuRiders,

The great biking weather continues! On Monday, it should be SUNNY and mid 50s in the morning and near 70 in the afternoon.

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

The Afternoon Beginner Ride will ride past the Cranberry Bog on the way to Great Brook Farm State Park, and finally some quiet backroads in Carlisle.

On Monday, May 6th - 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 - Old North Bridge.
• Distance - 15 1/4 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 275 feet (average)
• Unpaved - a little bit.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my hybrid bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 17 flat, paved miles.

LUNCH is at Fern's Country Store.

• 12:30 PM - The Afternoon Beginner 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 - GBFSP.
• Distance - 12 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 230 feet, 2 noticeable hills.
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my hybrid bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 14 flat, paved miles.

On Wednesday, May 8th -Beverly Beach Bonanza

• 9:30 AM - We will leave from the Curve Lane Soccer Field.
  
• 2:30 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.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

LUNCH - TBD

On Friday, May 10th - Hudson

Orchards and Vineyard of Bolton - Beautiful views from Old Bay Road - Old Church / New Community Center renovation in Berlin - Wachusett Aquaduct in Northboro - DOWNHILL on ARRT from Marlboro to Hudson.

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Hudson - Horseshoe Pub.
• Route Map - Hudson - Berlin - ARRT
• Distance - 23 1/2 miles
• Elevation Gain - 750 feet - 1 Cat 5 hill.
• Unpaved - 1/2 mile - very smooth.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

AR Index - Roughly equal to 31 flat, smooth miles.

LUNCH afterwards at Horseshoe Pub with 80 beers on tap.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Brookline, NH

It could be chilly.

Reminder - Brookline, NH on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Another perfect biking day?!? We are really getting spoiled here. It should be mid 50s and SUNNY when we leave and low 60s when we get back.

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, May 3rd - Lake Potanipo, Brookline, NH.

• 9:30 AM - We will leave for Milford, NH.
• 1:00 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 - Hampton North Beach

It could be chilly at the coast.