Reminder - Chelmsford Center on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

I totally enjoyed the ride in the cold rain yesterday, so I'm really looking forward to riding in the "warm" rain tomorrow :-)

If the weatherman is 100% wrong, (he was only 80% wrong yesterday) we'll have a spooky ride, otherwise we'll just have to have a good day indoors.

 I'll send out a GO / STOP email before 8:00 AM tomorrow.

On Friday, November 1st -Chelmsford Center.

• 9:30 AM - We will leave for the Lowell Cemeteries.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Chelmsford Center.
• Route Map - Chelmsford - Lowell
• Distance - 26 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 350 feet.
• Off Road - a little bit (and very walk-able).
• 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

GO - Beverly

Bring your warm stuff. 

Reminder - Beverly on Friday - Salem Halloween Spooktacular

Dear AdventuRiders,

It's going to be clear, cloudy, rainy, cool, cold, windy, calm, breezy  tomorrow, except, of course, at the coast where it will be different.

The best I can tell is that it will be Cloudy and low 40s when we leave and Mostly Cloudy and mid 50s when we return. It could be a little breezy, but it looks like a dry ride.

I plan to bring by Bumble Bee costume.

On Wednesday, October 30th - Salem Halloween 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.

• 10:00 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.
• Unpaved - 1 mile (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

GO - Sterling Center - Rail Trail Parking

This Week - Sterling - Beverly - Chelmsford

Dear AdventuRiders,

This week we will ride part of the beautiful Mass Central Rail Trail on Monday, visit Salem the day before Halloween (starting in Beverly to avoid some of the chaos), and tour the cemeteries of Lowell and Chelmsford on Friday.

The weather on Monday is looking seasonable with temps in the mid 40s in the morning with SUNNY skies and mid 50s with mostly SUNNY skies in the afternoon. The weatherman is bound to get it right some time or another.

On Monday, October 28th - Sterling - MCRT

The Morning Recreation Ride will explore the Mass Central Rail Trail to Holden and we will also visit the Old Stone Church in West Boylston.

• The Morning Recreation Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 11:30 AM.
• Starting Point Map - Sterling Center - PortaPotty equipped.
• Route Map - Sterling - MCRT - Recreation.
• Distance - 17 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 400 feet (noticeable).
• Unpaved - 8 1/2 - but it doesn't really count.
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained, bike will work.
• AR Index - roughly equal to 20 flat, smooth miles.

11:30 AM - Lunch will be at Village Pizza & More in Sterling.

The Afternoon Beginner Ride will cover the same parts of the MCRT, but will take a shorter and flatter route.

• The afternoon Beginner Ride will leave at 12:30 PM.
• We should be back by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Sterling Center - PortaPotty equipped.
• Route Map - Sterling - MCRT - Beginner
• Distance - 14 1/2 miles
• Elevation Gain - 280 feet (moderate)
• Unpaved - 8 1/2 - but it doesn't really count
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained, bike will work.
• AR Index = roughly equal to 17 flat, smooth miles.

On Wednesday, October 30th - Salem Halloween 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.

• 10:00 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.
• Unpaved - 1 mile (smooth).
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 33 flat, smooth miles.

On Friday, November 1st - Chelmsford - Smashed Pumpkin Tour

We will visit the cemeteries of Lowell and Chelmsford. TBD.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Harvard - Depot Road Soccer Fields

It's chilly!

Reminder - Harvard - Depot Road on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

The weather for tomorrow is looking nice but chilly! The forecast says "Widespread Frost" for tonight so it will be cold in the morning. By the time we leave it should be around 40 degrees and SUNNY and near 50 when we return. It will not be as windy as today, but it could still be a bit breezy.

We will climb a small hill first thing to warm up, and them enjoy a smooth mostly downhill run to Littleton Depot. Then it's UP Oak Hill to Carlson Orchards before a 2 mile DOWNHILL run to Delaney Pond. Then we climb back UP to Harvard.

LUNCH will be at Sorrento's.

On Friday, October 25th - Harvard - Depot Road

• The Fitness Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We will return by 1:00 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Harvard - Depot Road Soccer Fields (PortaPotty equipped).
• Route Map - Harvard - Littleton - Bolton.
• Distance - 23 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 800 feet (hilly).
• Rough Surface - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 31 flat, smooth miles.

LUNCH - 1:00 PM - Sorrento's.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

Fwd: GPS Passes On Sale Now

Dear AdventuRiders,

Get your Wachusett Mountain Ski passes today before the price goes up. The Bronze Pass (non-holiday weekdays and every night) is only $239. It pays for itself if you only ski 5 times.

Use the group name ADVENTURIDES and the coordinator's name WILLIAM BRANDT.

Think Snow (after the biking season),

Bill

Buy Your Pass For More Fun This Winter

To view this email as a web page, go here.

GO - Harvard Soccer Fields on Depot Road

Bring your warm stuff.

Reminder - Harvard to Horseshoe Pub on Wednesday - (Harvard again on Friday).

Dear AdventuRiders,

The weather for tomorrow is looking better! It should be low 40s and Mostly SUNNY when we leave and low 50s and cloudy when we return. Lunch is a the Horseshoe Pub in Hudson at about the 20 mile mark.

We will climb a small hill first thing to warm up, and them enjoy a smooth mostly downhill run to Littleton Depot. Then it's UP to Hill Road and DOWN to Boxboro Center. After another hill in Stow, we will take the Assebet River Rail Trail to Hudson. After lunch we will ride around Delaney Pond before climbing back UP to Harvard.

On Wednesday, October 23rd - Harvard - Depot Road

• The Fearless Leader's Choice Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We will return by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Harvard - Depot Road Soccer Fields (PortaPotty equipped).
• Route Map - Harvard - Horseshoe Pub.
• Distance - 30 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 750 feet (hilly).
• Rough Surface - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 37 flat, smooth miles.

LUNCH - 11:30 to 12:30 - Horseshoe Pub.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Harvard - Depot Road Soccer Fields

Not at the Harvard Track.

This Week - Harvard - Harvard - Harvard

Dear AdventuRiders,

This week is (obviously) Harvard Week! On my weekly cruise around to find routes for this week, I was struck by how beautiful the foliage (and hills) around Harvard were. Never fear though, every day has a different lunch spot and generally different routes. All the rides this week start at the Soccer Fields on Depot Road.

There is a cooling trend this week, so now is a good time to dig out another layer of clothing, full finger gloves, and by the end of the week, some foot warming gear.

BTW, here is a picture of the cranberry bog from Friday's ride:

A quick synopsis of the week includes:

• Monday Morning Recreation Ride - The "Rollercoaster" route with seemingly more downs than ups and NEW asphalt in Littleton.
  
• Monday Afternoon Beginner Ride - A less hilly route around Bare Hill Pond with a visit to two beaches.
• Wednesday Fearless Leaders Choice Ride - To Hudson for "OktoberFest" lunch at the Horseshoe Pub.
• Friday Fitness Ride - An even more "Rollercoaster-y" ride to Boxboro, Stow, and Bolton. Lunch at Sorrento's.

On Monday, October 21st - Harvard - Depot Road

The weather is looking very nice for Monday with SUNNY skies but a chilly start in the upper 40s. By afternoon the temps will be in the low 60s.

• The Recreation Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We will return by 11:30 AM.
• Starting Point Map - Harvard - Depot Road Soccer Fields (PortaPotty equipped).
• Route Map - Oak Hill Rollercoaster.
• Distance - 11 1/2 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 425 feet (mostly climbing Oak Hill).
• Rough Surface - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 16 flat, smooth miles.

LUNCH - 11:30 to 12:30 - Harvard General Store.

• The Beginner Ride will leave at 12:30 PM.
• We will return by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Harvard - Depot Road Soccer Fields (PortaPotty equipped).
• Route Map - Bare Hill Pond - Prospect Hill
• Distance - 9 1/2 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 300 feet (mostly climbing Prospect Hill).
• Rough Surface - 1 mile.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 13 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Carlisle Center

Reminder - Carlisle Center on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

The great biking weather (hopefully) continues! On Friday, it should quit raining by 7:00 AM and be Sunny and mid 50s when we leave and mid 60s when we return for lunch.

The Fitness Ride will explore some quiet Carlisle backroads on our way to the Old North Bridge in Concord.  Then we will ride past the Cranberry Bog on the way to Great Brook Farm State Park, and finally some more quiet backroads in Carlisle.

On Friday, October 18th - Carlisle Center

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 1:00 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Carlisle Center - Please DO NOT park at Fern's.
• Route Map - Carlisle - Old North - Cranberry.
• Distance - 27 1/2 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 450 feet (easy).
• Unpaved - a little bit.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 30 flat, paved miles.

LUNCH is at Fern's Country Store.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Groton Center

CHANGE OF PLANS - Groton Center Wednesday

Dear AdventuRiders,

The weather is looking Cloudy tomorrow and probably not worth the drive to Providence. Its supposed to be mid 50s and Cloudy when we leave and mid 60s and Cloudy when we return.

So, how about a ride from Groton Center to Hollis via West Groton and lunch at Hollis Country Kitchen. Then it's a straight shot down freshly paved Route 122 to Pepperell and we can take either Nashua Road or the Rail Trail back to Groton.

On Wednesday, October 16th - Groton Center

• 9:30 AM - We will leave for Hollis
• 11:30 AM - Lunch at Hollis Country Kitchen?
• 2:30 PM - We will be back.
• Starting Point - Groton Center.
• Route Map - Groton - Hollis - Nashua Road
• Distance - 29 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet.
• Unpaved - 2 miles smooth dirt.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

This Week - Columbus Day - Providence EBBT - Carlisle

Dear AdventuRiders,

I hope you have been out enjoying this lovely fall weather. I am in Bar Harbor right now so there won't be any rides tomorrow on Columbus Day.

If the weather holds, I'm planning to ride from Providence, RI to Bristol, RI on the East Bay Bicycle Trail on Wednesday. Stay tuned for more information.

On Friday we will ride from Carlisle to the Olde North Bridge and potentially trespass on closed federal property. Its kind of ironic that the Revolutionary War started at the Olde North Bridge, just saying ...

More information when I get back to Groton.

Bill and Carole

GO - Hudson, Horseshoe Pub

Reminder - Hudson Tomorrow

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, the weather is not looking the best for tomorrow :-( We did get a bit wet last Friday, but the foliage was spectacular!

On Friday, October 11th - 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.

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.

• 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 - Hubbardston

It's chilly.

CHANGE of Plans - Hubbardston on Wednesday

Dear AdventuRiders,

I was exploring in the rain and wind yesterday and figured out a route that takes in much of the Mass Central Rail Trail but starts considerably closer in Hubbardston. Google claims it's about 45 minutes from Groton. Take Route 2 to Route 68 in Gardner and then south on 68.

It should be around 50 degrees when we leave and near 60 when we return, all under Partly Cloudy skies and bright foliage.

In addition to the MCRT we will visit Barre Falls Dam and ride some occasionally rough dirt roads through the Ware River Watershed Reservation.

I haven't figured out lunch yet, bring a snack.

On Wednesday, October 9th - Hubbardston

• The Fearless Leader's Choice Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We will return by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Hubbardston.
• Route Map - Hubbardston - MCRT.
• Distance = 24 miles.
• Elevation Gain = 700 feet (challenging).
• Unpaved = 10 miles (smooth crushed rock) some not so smooth.
• Equipment = Any sturdy, well maintained bike will work. Hybrid recommended.
• AR Index = Roughly equal to 35 flat, paved miles. 

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - All Monday rides are POSTPONED

This Week - Sterling - Rutland - Hudson

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, the weather is not looking the best for tomorrow :-( We did get a bit wet on Friday, but the foliage was spectacular!

On Monday, October 7th - Sterling - MCRT

The Morning Recreation Ride will explore the Mass Central Rail Trail to Holden and we will also visit the Old Stone Church in West Boylston.

• The Morning Recreation Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 11:30 AM.
• Starting Point Map - Sterling Center - PortaPotty equipped.
• Route Map - Sterling - MCRT - Recreation.
• Distance - 17 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 400 feet.
• Unpaved - 8 1/2 - but it doesn't really count.
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained, bike will work.
• AR Index = roughly equal to 20 flat, smooth miles.

11:30 AM - Lunch will be at Village Pizza & More in Sterling.

The Afternoon Beginner Ride will cover the same parts of the MCRT, but will take a shorter and flatter route.

• The afternoon Beginner Ride will leave at 12:30 PM.
• We should be back by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Sterling Center - PortaPotty equipped.
• Route Map - Sterling - MCRT - Beginner
• Distance - 14 1/2 miles
• Elevation Gain - 280 feet (moderate)
• Unpaved - 8 1/2 - but it doesn't really count
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained, bike will work.
• AR Index = roughly equal to 17 flat, smooth miles.

On Wednesday, October 9th - Rutland

• The Fearless Leader's Choice Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We will return by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Rutland - TBD.
• Route Map - Rutland - TBD.
• 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. 

On Friday, October 11th - 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.

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.

• 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 - Lancaster - Meadowbrook Orchards

We could get wet,...

Reminder - Lancaster Tomorrow

Dear AdventuRiders,

Sorry for the late reminder. I just got back from class.

On Friday, October 4th -Lancaster

A YUMMY lunch awaits us at Meadowbrook Orchards.

Please park away from the building so their regular customers aren't inconvenienced.

• 9:30 AM Start time.
• 1:00 PM Return time.
• Starting Point Map - Meadowbrook Orchards.
• Route Map - Meadowbrook- Sterling - MCRT
• Distance - 26 Miles.
• Elevation Gain - 700 feet (just 1 challenging category 5 hill).
• Unpaved - 5 miles of beautiful, smooth, crush rock on the MCRT.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 33 flat, paved miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - East Pepperell Center

Reminder - East Pepperell Center on Wednesday

Dear AdventuRiders,

I'm still enduring the horrors of Bar Harbor, but never fear, my favorite Sweep will be leading the ride to Nashua tomorrow. The weather in Bar Harbor is stunning, and the weather in Nashua looks equally stunning.

There is quite a bit of smooth off road through Mine Falls Park, and lunch should be wonderful.

On Wednesday, October 2nd - East Pepperell Center

We can have lunch at Martha's Exchange (a brew pub) in Nashua before heading back. If the weather is nice enough we can have lunch outside on Main Street. 

• The Exploration Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - East Pepperell Center Rail Trail Parking.
• Route Map - Pepperell - Nashua - Martha's.
• Distance - 28 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 550 feet (moderate).
• Unpaved - 8 miles - it sounds worse than it is.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly 34 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

(Bill) and Carole