This Week - Harvard - Portsmouth - Bolton

Dear AdventuRiders,

The excellent bicycling weather is forecast to continue this week. Monday morning is supposed to be SUNNY and mid 60s rising to about 70 degrees in the afternoon.

On Monday, September 22nd - Harvard Center

The morning ride will feature Bare Hill Pond, Still River, Prospect Hill, and of course GOATS.

• The MORNING RECREATION ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 11:30 AM.
• Starting Point Map - Harvard Center.
• Route Map - Harvard - Bare Hill Pond
• Distance - 11 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 700 feet.
• Unpaved - 1/2 mile smooth gravel.
• AR Index - roughly equal to 16 flat smooth miles.

LUNCH - 11:30 AM - Harvard General Store.

The afternoon ride will feature the Shaker stone barn, cemetery, and the center village. We will also ride UP Oak Hill and check out the apple orchards. Then it's the roller coaster ride back to town.

• The AFTERNOON FITNESS ride will leave at 12:30 PM.
• We should be back by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Harvard Center.
• Route Map - Harvard - Shaker Village
• Distance - 15 1/2 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 950 feet.
• Unpaved - none.
• AR Index - roughly equal to 22 flat smooth miles.

On Wednesday, September 24th - Portsmouth

Beautiful seacoast ride!!!

• The FEARLESS LEADER'S CHOICE ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Hampton North Beach.
• Route Map - Hampton - Portsmouth.
• Distance - 35 Miles.
• Elevation Gain - 700 feet.
• Unpaved - none.
• AR Index - roughly equal to 35 flat smooth miles

LUNCH - 11:30 AM - Portsmouth Brewery.

On Friday, September 26th - Bolton Center

• The MORNING FITNESS ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 11:30 AM.
• Starting Point Map - Bolton Center.
• Route Map - Bolton - Berlin.
  
• Distance - 13 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 900 feet
• Unpaved - none.
• AR Index - roughly equal to 19 flat smooth miles

LUNCH - 11:30 AM - BYOL Picnic

• The AFTERNOON RECREATION ride will leave at 12:30 PM.
• We should be back by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Bolton Center.
• Route Map - Bolton - Harvard.
• Distance - 13 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 750 feet.
• Unpaved - none.
• AR Index - roughly equal to 18 flat smooth miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Sterling

It's a bit chilly this morning.

Reminder - Sterling Center on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, if you believe the weatherman, Friday looks like a TOP 10 sort of day with bright blue skies and temperatures from the low 50s to the low 60s! So, I've planned a couple of rides featuring the Mass Central Rail Trail starting in Sterling, MA.

As you are traveling through Sterling Center on Route 62 West, when you see this view out your windshield,

turn LEFT and follow the rail trail signs.

On Friday, September 19th

The Morning Fitness Ride will take us on a bit of the Mass Central Rail Trail , the true story of "Mary Had A Little Lamb" and a visit to the Wachusett Dam.

• The Morning Fitness Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 11:30 AM.
• Starting Point Map - Sterling.
• Route Map - Sterling - Wachusett - Clinton.
• Distance - 15 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 700 feet (more difficult).
• Unpaved - 2 miles - very smooth crushed rock.
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained, bike will work.
• AR Index = roughly 19 flat, paved miles.

Lunch will be at Village Pizza & More in Sterling.

The Afternoon Recreation Ride will explore the Mass Central Rail Trail to Holden and we will return the same way since it is such a nice trail.

• The Afternoon Recreation Ride will leave at 12:30 PM.
• We should be back by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Sterling.
• Route Map - Sterling - MCRT.
• Distance - 16 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 500 feet (easy).
• Unpaved - 8 1/2 - but it doesn't really count.
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained, bike will work.
• AR Index = roughly 18 flat, paved miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Westminster

Reminder - Westminster on Wednesday

Dear AdventuRiders,

The forecast calls for getting rid of the rain and clouds and replacing them with sunny and seasonable. It should be a GREAT ride, complete with goats. I did a quick PortaPotty check at the starting point this afternoon and I would rate it at least a "10".

On Wednesday, September 17th -Westminster

The Wednesday Fearless Leader's Choice 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. I'm planning to do the whole ride with just a couple of snack breaks and then have lunch afterwards. Lunch will be at The Angler or someplace else...

• The Fearless Leader's Choice Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 1:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Westminster Bandshell
• Route Map - Westminster - Wachusett *** possible tweaking involved ***
• Distance - 27 miles
• Elevation Gain - 800 feet (more difficult)
• Unpaved - 1 mile - some rough spots
• Equipment - I plan to bring my ROAD bike.
• AR Index = roughly 36 flat, paved miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Carlisle Center

It's pretty chilly right now, but it should warm up by 9:30.

This Week - Carlisle - Westminster - Sterling + Seacoast Century

Dear AdventuRiders,

The great biking weather continues! On Monday, it should be SUNNY and mid 50s in the morning and near 70 in the afternoon.

The Morning Recreation Ride will ride past the Cranberry Bog on the way to Great Brook Farm State Park, and finally some quiet backroads in Carlisle.

The Afternoon Fitness Ride will explore some quiet Carlisle backroads on our way to the Old North Bridge in Concord. 

On Monday, September 15th - Carlisle Center

• 9:30 AM - The Morning Recreation Ride will leave.
• 11:30 AM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Carlisle Center - Please DO NOT park at Fern's.
• Route Map - Carlisle - GBFSP.
• Distance - 12 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 230 feet, 2 noticeable hills.
• Unpaved - maybe a bit.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 14 flat, paved miles

LUNCH is at Fern's Country Store.

• 12:30 PM - The Afternoon Fitness Ride will leave.
• 2:30 PM - We should be back.
• Starting Point Map - Carlisle Center - Please DO NOT park at Fern's.
• Route Map - Carlisle - Old North Bridge.
• Distance - 15 1/4 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 275 feet (average)
• Unpaved - a little bit.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.
• AR Index - Roughly equal to 17 flat, paved miles.

On Wednesday, September 17 - Westminster

Around Wachusett Mountain and GOATS! Yummy lunch afterwards at The Angler. Stay tuned for more details.

On Friday, September 19th - Sterling - MCRT

Mass Central Rail Trail Ride. Yummy lunch at Village Pizza. Stay tuned for more details.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole