Reminder - Potanipo Pond, Brookline, NH Tomorrow

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, I hope you haven't gotten used to the weather of the last few days :-( The forecast for tomorrow is Cloudy with temps in the mid 50s to about 60 degrees. The winds will be light out of the east.

This route starts on the Nissitissit River where it leaves Potanipo Pond. We will follow a tiny bit of the Potanipo Rail Trail on our way to the old train station and Brookline Center. From there we encounter our first Cat 5 hill (freshly paved!) and with any luck we can stop by John Weidman's sculpture studio. Then we will cruise past Rocky Pond on our way to Federal Hill where we encounter our last Cat 5 hill (gravel and dirt). At the top of the hill we will stop at the ghost town of Monson Center which has been partially restored.

From there we will enjoy beautiful views from Federal Hill Road on our way to Lunch at Amigos Mexican Cantina in Milford. There was a bit of fall colors on our Monday ride in NH.

After crossing a 120 year old pedestrian suspension bridge over the Souhegan River we will head back to Potanipo. There is about a mile and a half of fairly civilized Potanipo Rail Trail on the way back that we may explore.

On Wednesday, October 12th - Potanipo Pond, Brookline, NH

• The Exploration Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We will return by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Brookline - Lake Potanipo
• Route Map - Brookline - Potanipo - Milford.
• Distance - 21 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 700 feet (more difficult). Including 2 Cat 5 (easiest category) hills.
• Unpaved - 4 miles.
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained bike will work. I will probably bring my road bike.

AR Index = Roughly equal to 30 flat, paved miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Ashby Common

It's a beautiful day!

This Week - 2 Specials + Brookline + Lancaster

Dear AdventuRiders,

I hope you are all out enjoying this beautiful Indian Summer weather!

The Chili Cook-Off at Devens is tomorrow (Sunday) and I have planned a ride to take advantage of it. We will ride for about 1 1/2 hours and visit historic Shirley Center on the way to chili and beer. Then its about 1/2 hour back to Groton on the Nashua River Rail Trail.

On Sunday, October 9th - Groton Center

• RSVP if you are planning to join us.
• The Special Chili Cook-Off Ride will leave at NOON.
• We should be back by 4:00 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Groton Center - Beware of the Groton Precision Parking Police!
• Route Map - Groton - Chili Cook-Off Devens.
• Distance = 17 Miles
• Elevation Gain = 400 feet (moderate).
• Unpaved = None
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained bike will work.

AR Index = Roughly equal to 21 flat, paved miles.

On Columbus Day we will meet in Ashby Common and ride UP and over to New Ipswich and ride past the historic Barrett House on our way to up close and personal views of Mount Watatic. From there, we will zip DOWN back to Ashby with amazing views and multiple lakes. We can get lunch from the Ashby General Store.

On Monday, October 10th - Ashby Common

• RSVP if you are planning to join us.
• The Special Columbus Day Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should be back by 12:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Ashby Common.
• Route Map - Ashby - New Ipswich.
• Distance = 20 miles.
• Elevation Gain = 700 feet.
• Unpaved = 2 miles.
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained bike will work, but the "pavement" tends to be rough.

AR Index = Roughly equal to 29 flat, paved miles.

On Wednesday, October 12th - Brookline, Lake Potanipo

On Friday, October 14th - Lancaster - Wachusett

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - West Groton, Cutler Field

A Sparkling Day, but chilly to start!

Change of Plans - West Groton on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Sorry to fill up your Inboxes, but I'm on a roll here ...

The original plan was going to use the Nashua River Rail Trail on the way back, but there is no school in Groton on Friday and the nice weather could make for a crowded trail.

So, I moved the starting point to West Groton and I was able to extend the ride farther into NH and see some new territory. We will cross the Nissitissit and Squannacook Rivers many times and at least today they are nearing flood stage. We will also explore the area north of Townsend State Forest in New Hampshire, where we have never done a ride before. Perhaps the cold nights in the forecast will get some fall color going.

You will notice that there are two category 5 (easiest category) hills on the ride. The first one is just long, not steep. The second is steep but not very long. We did a 5 1/2 mile long category 3 (middle category) hill today and everyone survived.

On Friday, October 7th - West Groton

• The Fitness Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We should return by 1:00 PM - The ride is a bit longer than usual and I didn't want to be pressed for time.
• Starting Point Map - Cutler Field, West Groton
• Route Map - West Groton - Brookline
• Distance = 27 miles.
• Elevation Gain = 700 feet (more difficult)
• Unpaved = 1 mile. It is a bit rough in spots, but walking will fix that problem.
• Equipment - Any sturdy, well maintained bike will work.

AR Index = Roughly 34 flat, paved miles.

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

Wachusett Mountain Season Passes

Dear AdventuRiders,

Are you looking for something to do outside after AdventuRides' Fall season ends? Well, have I got a deal for you!

You can order your 2011/2012 Wachusett Mountain Season Pass through the AdventuRides GPS* Group. I usually get a Bronze Pass that works on all non-holiday weekdays and all nights for only $239. Regular lift ticket are $53, so ski just 5 times and you are ahead, and no waiting in ticket lines either. Do I sound like a Wachusett salesman or what?

It really is a great deal and skiing weekday mornings at Wachusett will spoil you forever with freshly groomed snow, no lift lines, and friendly, civilized fellow skiers.

Just go to this website and use the name ADVENTURIDES for the group name. 

Hope to see you on the slopes,

Bill and Carole

* Greatest Possible Savings

7th Annual Chili Cook-Off @ Devens Common

Dear AdventuRiders,

This coming Sunday, October 9th the Devens Grill will present the 7th annual Charity Chili Cook-Off to benefit the Autism Resource Center of Central Mass. Donation is $10.00 per person.

Last year, Alex and I did a ride that stopped by for a bunch of chili and Wachusett Brewery beer on tap. It was a lot of fun!

So, this year, I am planing an easy 20 miles sort of ride starting from Groton Center at Noon and stopping by Devens Common on the way back.

Stay tuned for more details. 

Bill

PS. The weather forecast is looking quite summery at this point.