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