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