Dear AdventuRiders,
It looks like the nice weather will continue on Wednesday. The forecast calls for partly cloudy and mid 70s in the morning and low 80s in the afternoon. Check out the picture of the fountain at the Wachusett Dam.
Since we didn't ride on Monday, I shortened up this ride a bit so everyone can enjoy the beautiful views of the Nashua River Valley. Think of it as a fitness ride (at a recreational pace) in the morning, a unique lunch opportunity (in a good way), and a 4 mile jaunt back to the start. Lancaster isn't that far away either. According to Google, its 30 minutes from Groton, 14 minutes from Harvard, 22 from Boxboro, 31 from Sudbury, 25 from Shrewsbury, ... you get the picture.
This weeks Exploration Ride will start in Lancaster and visit Sterling, Wachusett Reservoir, and Clinton. Along the way, we will ride past Atlantic Union College, Maharishi Ayurveda Health Center, and historic Lancaster Center. We will also ride parts of the Mass Central Rail Trail on our way to the Wachusett Reservoir. Much of the route is through rolling orchards and corn fields.
We can eat, drink, and be merry at the Old Timer Restaurant in Clinton since its only 4 miles back to Lancaster.
The route is about 22 miles with some hilly terrain (about 1200 feet vertical). There is also some offroad on the MCRT and along Wachusett Reservoir, but it is highly civilized. I plan to bring my road bike.
On Wednesday June 2nd, we will meet in Lancaster at the baseball diamonds just down Packard Street from the center of town. Park near the street instead of going inside the gates. Here is a map.
* At 9:30 AM - We will leave for Sterling and the Wachusett Reservoir. Here is a map.
* At Noonish - We will have lunch at the Old Timer Restaurant in Clinton.
* At 2:15 PM - We will be back to Lancaster.
On Friday, June 4th, we will meet at the soccer fields in Harvard on Depot Road. Here is a map.
* At 9:30 AM - The Recreational ride will leave.
* At 11:30 AM - We will have a BYOL picnic at the soccer field.
* At 12:15 PM - The Fitness ride will leave.
* At 2:15 PM - We will be back.
Hope to see you there,
Bill and Carole
This Week - Lancaster and Harvard
Takin' Care of Business + Videos
Several AdventuRiders are planning to do the Seacoast Century ride this September 25 - 26. Its a two day event that rides along the coasts of MA, NH, and ME. There are 25, 50, 62, and 100 mile routes. It only costs $35 for a fully supported weekend. The ride is limited to 1600 bikers and it does sell out. Its a fundraiser for the Granite State Wheelmen, so it goes to a good cause even if it rains.
Two years ago, a bunch of us made a weekend of it and stayed overnight at Hampton. On Saturday we rode 50 miles (mostly flat) with a leisurely lunch stop at the Portsmouth Brew Pub. On Sunday we started in New Castle, NH and rode 50 miles to Ogunquit, ME and back with a lunch stop at Cape Neddick and the Nubble lighthouse.
Let me know if you're interested.
Also, here are a few recent videos from Alex. Thanks Alex!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w80qTjJHngc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWhAbmpnNW4
Bill
Reminder - West Groton Tomorrow
Dear AdventuRiders,
It looks like ANOTHER Top 10 day tomorrow! Sunny, mid 60s, low humidity, light breezes in the morning. mid 70s in the afternoon.
NOTE: We are meeting at Cutler Field in West Groton, NOT the Water Department. Here is a map.
The morning Recreation Ride will travel (on the road) to the Bertozzi Wildlife Management Area for an off road visit to the Squannacook River. From there we will climb Oak Hill in West Pepperell and enjoy the views and have a breezy ride down before climbing another hill for more views on the our way to Fitch Bridge. Some gravel roads and a bit of old rail line will take us back to West Groton. The route is almost 14 miles and 600 feet vertical. Here is a map. I am planning to bring my hybrid bike.
The afternoon Fitness Ride will visit historic Shirley Center and the Holdenwood gardens on our way to nice views from Flat Hill. Then we're off to Hickory Hills Lake and Townsend Harbor. A short ride on the future Squannacook Rail Trail will avoid some unpleasant riding on Route 119 on the way back. The route is almost 18 miles and 700 feet vertical. Here is a map. Its do-able on a road bike, but a hybrid / mountain bike would work better on the future rail trail.
On Friday, May 28th, we will meet at Cutler Field in West Groton. Here is a map.
* At 9:30 AM. The Recreation Ride will leave for the Bertozzi WMA and West Pepperell. Here is a map.
* At 11:30 AM. We will have lunch at Clover Farm Store in West Groton.
* At 12:15 PM. The Fitness Ride will leave for Shirley Center and Townsend Harbor. Here is a map.
* At 2:15 PM. We will be back.
Hope to see you there,
Bill and Carole
Forge Pond Tomorrow
The planned route is about 20 miles with 900 feet vertical. Here is a map.
Don't forget your sunscreen and (optional) swimming attire. I tend to just dive in, shoes and all ...
Bill
Dear AdventuRiders,
Tomorrow is going to be too hot for a strenuous ride in the hills, so ...
We will meet at Forge Pond Beach in Westford and ride around to other beaches, including Nabnasset Pond, Burgess Pond, Knops Pond, Keyes Pond, etc. I'm thinking the ride portion will be around 20 miles with a picnic lunch stop somewhere in the middle.
On Wednesday, May 26th, we will meet at Forge Pond Beach in Westford. Here is a map.
* At 9:30 AM, we will leave for other beaches, the route is TBD.
* At Noonish, we will have a picnic lunch somewhere.
* At 2:15 PM, we will be back.
Hope to see you there,
Bill and Carole
Change of Plans - Forge Pond Tomorrow
Dear AdventuRiders,
Tomorrow is going to be too hot for a strenuous ride in the hills, so ...
We will meet at Forge Pond Beach in Westford and ride around to other beaches, including Nabnasset Pond, Burgess Pond, Knops Pond, Keyes Pond, etc. I'm thinking the ride portion will be around 20 miles with a picnic lunch stop somewhere in the middle.
On Wednesday, May 26th, we will meet at Forge Pond Beach in Westford. Here is a map.
* At 9:30 AM, we will leave for other beaches, the route is TBD.
* At Noonish, we will have a picnic lunch somewhere.
* At 2:15 PM, we will be back.
Hope to see you there,
Bill and Carole