Dear AdventuRiders,
It would be hard to top the weather and scenery from yesterday's Cape Ann ride, but we'll give it a try tomorrow. How does Sunny and mid 60s when we leave and Partly Cloudy and mid 70s when we return sound?
We'll be trading the ocean views and traffic of yesterday for scenic backroads and distant views in Central Massachusetts. Oh, and there are GOATS too!
I added a couple of miles to the "normal" ride so we could ride the new mid-state trail bridge through a gorgeous meadow. I hope you appreciate it, I got to talk to a couple of Hubbardston's Finest who wanted to know what the hell I was doing at the end of a very muddy road with my sports car.
BTW, to get to the starting point, get off Route 2 (exit 25) and take Route 2A into Westminster. When you see the red "Westminster Cracker" building, turn left just BEFORE the building and drive up the hill to the gazebo. Oh, and the last time I checked there was a PortaPotty and it was unlocked.
On Friday, June 21st - Westminster
Get ready for a gorgeous ride around Mount Wachusett. It's a bit outside our 30 minute starting point radius around Groton, but Route 2 is pretty quick.
The Fitness Ride will take us west to the Mount Wachusett region. We will start in Westminster, climb UP toward the west shoulder of Mount Wachusett on some scenic backroads before zooming DOWN to beautiful views at Princeton. From there we ride to Gardner passing many lakes before turning back to Westminster. There are a couple of significant hills at the beginning of the ride including a Cat 5 (easiest category) as we pass the mountain. From there it is rolling hills back to Westminster.
- 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
- 1:00 PM - We should be back.
- Starting Point Map - Westminster Bandshell
- Route Map - Westminster - Princeton
- Distance - 25 miles
- Elevation Gain - 800 feet (more difficult)
- Unpaved - 2 miles - a few very rough spots
- Equipment - I plan to bring my ROAD bike.
AR Index - roughly equal to 34 flat, smooth miles.
Lunch - TBD
Hope to see you there,
Bill and Carole