GO - Beverly - The Big End

Reminder - Beverly - The Big End

Dear AdventuRiders,

YAY, they've taken any mention of rain out of the forecast!!! It will still be warmish, humidish, and windyish, but it should be mostly SUNNY. It will be cooler along the coast than inland, so overall a very nice forecast.

On Wednesday, June 18th - Beverly - Hammond Castle

This will be "The Big End" for the 21st season of AdventuRides. All of our riders, past, present, and future are invited to join us on an EPIC journey to Beverly, the North Shore, and Hammond Castle in Gloucester.

Did you know that the only person with more patents than John Hays Hammond, Jr. is Thomas Edison? I have never actually been inside Hammond Castle, but my son Milo will be along to make me take the tour and see the organ. Be aware though that Hammond Castle doesn't allow bike cleats, so bring $0.98 Walmart flip flops if you want to do the tour. Admission is $10.

So the plan is to meet in Beverly at the soccer fields on Cross Lane and ride along the coast to Gloucester. We will stop at Lynch Park and ride through Endicott College in Beverly, go to Tuck's Point and Singing Beach in Manchester, and tour some beautiful coastline in Gloucester. I haven't checked out our usual LUNCH stop in Magnolia yet, but we'll find something special.

Here is the starting point map. We meet at 10:00 AM to avoid the traffic.

Here is a route map, its about 25 miles, but basically flat.

If you need to get back early, follow route 127 to Pride's Crossing and then follow this map. Its quite easy and I will have a view copies on hand.

• 10:00 AM - We will leave from the Curve Lane Soccer Field.
  
• 12:30 PM- ish - Lunch at Magnolia House of Pizza.
• 3:30 PM - We should be back, unless the museum is too interesting.
• Starting Point Map - Curve Lane Soccer Field.
• Route Map - Beverly - Manchester - Magnolia.
  
• Distance - 25 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet - pretty flat actually.
• Unpaved - None.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 29 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 - Acton Center

This Week - Acton Center - The Big End - Summer

Dear AdventuRiders,

The weather is looking really nice tomorrow. It should be much like today, but a bit warmer.

The morning Recreation Ride will feature a stop at Isaac Davis' house, the llamas and Nagog Hill Orchards.

To honor Captain Isaac Davis, who was the first officer killed in the revolutionary war, we will retrace his path to Olde North Bridge on the afternoon Fitness Ride.

The Monday rides use a new starting point that has PORCELAIN, Picnic Tables, and a Pizza Joint! The library opens at 9:00 AM and has porcelain to the left as you walk in the front door. Please park away from the library entrance and down toward the playground.

LUNCH will be a BYOL Picnic at the playground. You can buy lunch at the Acton House of Pizza on the other side of the library.

On Monday, June 16th - Acton Center

• 9:30 AM - The Recreation Ride will leave.
• 11:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Acton Center - Behind the Library
• Route Map - Acton Center - Littleton Llamas
• Distance - 13 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet.
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index = Roughly equal to 18 flat, paved miles.

LUNCH - BYOL Picnic - Or Acton House of Pizza

• 12:30 PM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Acton Center - Behind the Library
• Route Map - Acton Center - Isaac Davis
  
• Distance - 14 1/2 miles
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet.
• Off Road - a bit.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 19 flat, smooth miles.

On Wednesday, June 18th - Beverly - Hammond Castle

This will be "The Big End" for the 21st season of AdventuRides. All of our riders, past, present, and future are invited to join us on an EPIC journey to Beverly, the North Shore, and Hammond Castle in Gloucester.

Did you know that the only person with more patents than John Hays Hammond, Jr. is Thomas Edison? I have never actually been inside Hammond Castle, but my son Milo will be along to make me take the tour and see the organ. Be aware though that Hammond Castle doesn't allow bike cleats, so bring $0.98 Walmart flip flops if you want to do the tour. Admission is $10.

So the plan is to meet in Beverly at the soccer fields on Cross Lane and ride along the coast to Gloucester. We will stop at Lynch Park and ride through Endicott College in Beverly, go to Tuck's Point and Singing Beach in Manchester, and tour some beautiful coastline in Gloucester. I haven't checked out our usual LUNCH stop in Magnolia yet, but we'll find something special.

Here is the starting point map. We usually meet at 10:00 AM to avoid the traffic.

Here is a route map, its about 25 miles, but basically flat.

Mark your calendars!

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - Today's Rides are POSTPONED

The Big End - Hammond Castle

Dear AdventuRiders,

My son's school has a tradition that the last day of school culminates in "The Big End" where I am usually recruited to burn the hot dogs while the rest of the school feasts on black bean veggie burgers.

Anyhow, next Wednesday, June 18th will be "The Big End" for the 21st season of AdventuRides. All of our riders, past, present, and future are invited to join us on an EPIC journey to Beverly, the North Shore, and Hammond Castle in Gloucester.

Did you know that the only person with more patents than John Hays Hammond, Jr. is Thomas Edison? I have never actually been inside Hammond Castle, but my son Milo will be along to make me take the tour and see the organ. Be aware though that Hammond Castle doesn't allow bike cleats, so bring $0.98 Walmart flip flops if you want to do the tour. Admission is $10.

So the plan is to meet in Beverly at the soccer fields on Cross Lane and ride along the coast to Gloucester. We will stop at Lynch Park and ride through Endicott College in Beverly, go to Tuck's Point and Singing Beach in Manchester, and tour some beautiful coastline in Gloucester. I haven't checked out our usual LUNCH stop in Magnolia yet, but we'll find something special.

Here is the starting point map. We usually meet at 10:00 AM to avoid the traffic.

Here is a route map, its about 25 miles, but basically flat.

Mark your calendars! More details to follow next week.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

Reminder - Lancaster on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

The Friday forecast is looking terrible at this point, but since I screwed up on Monday, I will ride if at all possible. I didn't spend much time on this email since we did these rides before in 2010, but they are still beautiful rides!

We only have 1 week left in our Spring 2014 season. Many of our riders, including Carole, are going to be away tomorrow, so I am counting on everyone to get out and enjoy our last few Spring rides.

 We will meet in South Lancaster at Atlantic Union College (NOT the baseball field in Lancaster that we used last time). Here is a map. The college is KAPUT, so we shouldn't have a parking problem

The morning Fitness Ride will feature up close views of Wachusett Mountain, a short ride on the Mass Central Rail Trail, and scenic views of the Nashoba River Valley. The route is a little over 18 miles and very hilly with almost 700 feet vertical. It is all on road except the extremely civilized MCRT. I plan to bring my road bike. Here is a map.

The afternoon Recreation Ride will feature the beautiful farms on George Hill and Davis' Farmland on our way to the Wachusett Reservoir. We will ride along the reservoir on a civilized gravel / dirt path and visit the impressive Wachusett Dam (largest hand built dam in the world) and enjoy the fountain. The route is 14 1/2 miles with one significant hill and a little over 400 feet vertical. I plan to bring my road bike. Here is a map.


On Friday, June 13th, we will meet at Atlantic Union College in South Lancaster. Here is a map.

• At 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave for Sterling. Here is a map.
• At 11:30 AM - Lunch will be BYOL, or at Trolley Stop Pizzaria (a couple blocks away).
• At 12:30 PM - The Recreation Ride will leave for the Wachusett Dam. Here is a map.
• At 2:30 PM - We will be back.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Westminster Bandshell

Reminder - Westminster on Wednesday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, the forecast is for Mostly Cloudy and cool tomorrow with no mention of rain.

We will go around Wachusett Mountain and enjoy the beautiful views all the way to Boston. After a stop in Princeton to admire their library, we will visit the goats on the way back to Westminster.

LUNCH is AFTER the ride at The Angler. I will probably have to leave to go pick up Milo at driver's ed. instead of lunch :-(

On Wednesday, June 11th - Westminster

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 1:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Westminster Bandshell
• Route Map - Westminster - Princeton
• Distance - 26 miles
• Elevation Gain - 850 feet (more difficult)
• Unpaved - 2 miles - a few very rough spots
• Equipment - I plan to bring my ROAD bike.
• AR Index - roughly equal to 35 flat, smooth miles.

Lunch will be at The Angler in Westminster.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - Today's Rides are POSTPONED

Update - Acton Center on Monday

Dear AdventuRiders,

After having some fun with Isaac Davis and his obelisk, I did some research and he was a real deal patriot, not the nut cases that call themselves "patriots" these days.

So to honor Captain Isaac Davis, who was the first officer killed in the revolutionary war, we will retrace his path to Olde North Bridge on the afternoon Fitness Ride.

The morning Recreation Ride will feature a stop at Isaac Davis' house, the llamas and Nagog Hill Orchards.

The Monday rides use a new starting point that has PORCELAIN, Picnic Tables, and a Pizza Joint! The library opens at 9:00 AM and has porcelain to the left as you walk in the front door. Please park away from the library entrance and down toward the playground.

LUNCH will be a BYOL Picnic at the playground. You can buy lunch at the Acton House of Pizza on the other side of the library.

On Monday, June 9th - Acton Center

• 9:30 AM - The Recreation Ride will leave.
• 11:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Acton Center - Behind the Library
• Route Map - Acton Center - Littleton Llamas
• Distance - 13 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet.
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index = Roughly equal to 18 flat, paved miles.

LUNCH - BYOL Picnic - Or Acton House of Pizza

• 12:30 PM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Acton Center - Behind the Library
• Route Map - Acton Center - Isaac Davis
  
• Distance - 14 1/2 miles
• Elevation Gain - 600 feet.
• Off Road - a bit.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 19 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

This Week - Acton Center - Westminster - Lancaster

Dear AdventuRiders,

Sorry for all the "TBD" entries. I have actually been social this weekend and it has taken a heavy toll on my introverted nature and my driving around in the convertible looking for good bike routes time.

The weather is also a mystery at this point with some saying "Mostly Sunny" and others saying "Few Showers". I'll figure it out tomorrow morning.

The Monday rides use a new starting point that has PORCELAIN, Picnic Tables, and a Pizza Joint! It's right across the street from the Acton Center phallic symbol where Isaac Davis AND his Privates are buried :-) No disrespect intended, but it's interesting how language and symbology has changed in the last 200 years. 

The library opens at 9:00 AM and has porcelain to the left as you walk in the front door. Please park away from the library entrance and down toward the playground.

Anyhow, I haven't figured out which route will be most beautiful with the least traffic, but I'll have something nice planned by tomorrow morning.

LUNCH will be a BYOL Picnic at the playground. You can buy lunch at the Acton House of Pizza on the other side of the library.

On Monday, June 9th - Acton Center

• 9:30 AM - The Recreation Ride will leave.
• 11:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Acton Center - Behind the Library
• Route Map - TBD
• Distance - TBD
• Elevation Gain - TBD
• Unpaved - TBD
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index = Roughly equal to TBD flat, paved miles.

LUNCH - BYOL Picnic - Or Acton House of Pizza

• 12:30 PM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Acton Center - Behind the Library
• Route Map - TBD
  
• Distance - TBD
• Elevation Gain - TBD
• Off Road - TBD
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to TBD flat, smooth miles.

On Wednesday, June 11th - Westminster

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 1:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Westminster Bandshell
• Route Map - Westminster - Princeton
• Distance - 26 miles
• Elevation Gain - 850 feet (more difficult)
• Unpaved - 2 miles - a few very rough spots
• Equipment - I plan to bring my ROAD bike.
• AR Index - roughly equal to 35 flat, smooth miles.

Lunch will be at The Angler in Westminster.

On Friday, June 13th -Lancaster.

• 9:30 AM - We will leave.
• 11:30 AM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map -  TBD
• Route Map - TBD
• Distance - TBD
• Elevation Gain - TBD
• Off Road - TBD
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to TBD flat, smooth miles.

LUNCH - TBD

• 12:30 PM - We will leave.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - TBD
• Route Map - TBD
• Distance - TBD
• Elevation Gain - TBD
• Off Road - TBD
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to TBD flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Chelmsford Center

Reminder - Chelmsford Center on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

The weather is looking MUCH better for tomorrow. It should start out in the 60s and warm up to the 70s with decreasing clouds.

As you will notice the rides seem quite similar in difficulty, and indeed they are. The morning ride will probably be a bit faster with fewer stops, it just depends on how much fun we are having.

If you are having trouble deciding which ride to do:

1. Do BOTH
   
2. The Morning Ride features PORCELAIN!
   
3. The Afternoon Ride features T-cows.
   

On Friday, June 6th -Chelmsford Center.

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave for Great Brook Farm State Park.
• 11:30 AM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Chelmsford Center.
• Route Map - Chelmsford - GBFSP - BFRT
• Distance - 14 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 550 feet (moderate).
• Off Road - a little bit (and very walk-able).
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 18 flat, smooth miles.

11:30 - LUNCH - Brickhouse Center Sports Grill.

• 12:30 PM - The Recreation Ride will leave for Nabnasset Pond.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Chelmsford Center.
• Route Map - Chelmsford - Nabnasset
• Distance - 13.5 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 650 feet (not as hard as it sounds)
• Off Road - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 18 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - Today's Ride is POSTPONED

Reminder - Westminster on Wednesday

Dear AdventuRiders,

The weather for tomorrow looks pretty wet :-(

I'll make the GO/STOP decision before 8:00 tomorrow morning.

This ride is one of my favorites as we explore both uphill and downhill runs with scenic vistas around Wachusett Mountain.

On Wednesday, June 4th - Westminster 9:30 AM - The Fearless Leader's Choice Ride will leave. 1:30 PM - We should be back. Starting Point Map - Westminster Bandshell Route Map - Westminster - Princeton Distance - 26 miles Elevation Gain - 850 feet (more difficult) Unpaved - 2 miles - a few very rough spots Equipment - I plan to bring my ROAD bike. AR Index - roughly equal to 35 flat, smooth miles. Lunch will be at The Angler in Westminster. Hope to see you there, Bill and Carole

GO - Bolton Center Baseball Diamonds

It's going to be a great day.

This Week - Bolton - Westminster - Chelmsford

Dear AdventuRiders,

Tomorrow's weather looks to be as nice as today and a bit warmer. 

The Morning Recreation Ride will ride through Bolton Center, visit the new park in Stow, and ride through a bit of Hudson.

LUNCH will be a BYOL Picnic at the Baseball Fields.

The Afternoon Fitness Ride will ride UP a couple of Cat 5 hills to gorgeous views and thrilling downhill runs.

On Monday, June 2nd - Bolton Center

• 9:30 AM - The Recreation Ride will leave.
• 11:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Bolton Center Baseball Diamonds (PortaPotty equipped).
• Route Map - Bolton - Harvard.
• Distance - 13 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 500 feet.
• Unpaved - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index = Roughly equal to 17 flat, paved miles.

LUNCH - BYOL Picnic

• 12:30 PM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Bolton Center Baseball Diamonds (PortaPotty equipped).
• Route Map - Bolton - Berlin.
  
• Distance - 15 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 950 feet (challenging).
• Off Road - none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 23 flat, smooth miles.

On Wednesday, June 4th - Westminster

• 9:30 AM - The Fitness Ride will leave.
• 1:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Westminster Bandshell
• Route Map - Westminster - Princeton
• Distance - 26 miles
• Elevation Gain - 850 feet (more difficult)
• Unpaved - 2 miles - a few very rough spots
• Equipment - I plan to bring my ROAD bike.
• AR Index - roughly equal to 35 flat, smooth miles.

Lunch will be at The Angler in Westminster.

On Friday, June 6th -Chelmsford Center.

• 9:30 AM - We will leave for Great Brook Farm State Park.
• 11:30 AM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Chelmsford Center.
• Route Map - Chelmsford - GBFSP - BFRT
• Distance - 14 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 250 feet (moderate).
• Off Road - a little bit (and very walk-able).
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 15 flat, smooth miles.

LUNCH - Brickhouse Center Sports Grill.

• 12:30 PM - We will leave for the Cranberry Bogs.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Chelmsford Center.
• Route Map - Chelmsford, BFRT, Cranberry.
• Distance - 10 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 150 feet (easy)
• Off Road - maybe a little at the cranberry bogs.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 11 flat, smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole