GO - East Pepperell Center

It's much cooler than yesterday. Dress warmly.

The Last Rides of the Season - East Pepperell Center

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, the Fall 2011 season has flown by so quickly. We've been to Sterling and Somerville, Pepperell and Portsmouth, Groton and Greenville, the list goes on and on. 

Anyway, Monday, November 21st is the last official day of our season. If we get some good riding weather after Thanksgiving, we may do some special rides.

The morning ride will travel to the rapids on the Nashua River in Hollis, NH. The Nashua River Rail Trail is still closed, so we will ride through Dunstable and a piece of Nashua to get there. The backroads through Dunstable and Pepperell are very peaceful and scenic and I don't think we will miss the NRRT. The morning ride is the easier of the two rides with about 14 miles and 200 feet elevation gain.

The afternoon ride will feature a bunch of newly resurfaced roads on our way to Beaver Brook Association in Hollis and then on to quaint Hollis Center. From there it is almost all fresh asphalt back to Pepperell Center. There are some very nice views on this ride, but as you can imagine, that means there are some hills. The route is almost 16 miles and 400 feet elevation gain. 

On Monday, November 21st - Pepperell - Nashua River Rapids - No NRRT

• The Morning Recreation Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We will return by 11:30 AM.
• Starting Point Map - East Pepperell Center.
• Route Map - Pepperell - Nashua River Rapids - No NRRT.
• Distance - 14 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 200 feet (easy).
• Rough Surface - None.
• Equipment - I am planning to bring my road bike.

AR Index = Roughly 15 flat, smooth miles.

We will have lunch at the NEW Pepperell Spa Cafe. The food is about the same, but the bathroom is truly a thing of beauty!

• The Afternoon Recreation Ride will leave at 12:30 PM.
• We will return by 2:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - East Pepperell Center.
• Route Map - Pepperell - Hollis - No NRRT
• Distance - 16 miles.
• Elevation Gain - 400 feet (more difficult)
• Rough Surface - 1.5 miles freshly graded dirt / gravel road - very smooth.
• Equipment - I am planning to bring my road bike.

AR Index = Roughly 20 flat, smooth miles.

The End (maybe).

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

GO - Bolton - Bower's Spring

It's already above freezing! Dress warmly.

Reminder - Bower's Spring on Friday

Dear AdventuRiders,

Get out your woolies, its gonna be cold tomorrow. The forecast calls for BRIGHT BLUE SUNNY skies tomorrow, but it will only be in the upper 30s when we start and mid 40s when we get back. The wind will be busy too, with windchill temps from the low to mid 30s. Bundle up!

There was a PortaPotty at the parking lot when I checked yesterday. Bower's Spring is about 3 miles South of Harvard Center on Bolton Road. Just after you cross into Bolton, Flanagan Road will be on your right.

We will ride along the ridge taking in some wonderful mountain views on our way to Berlin. More views await us on the way back. There will be enough hills to keep us warm along the way.

On Friday, November 18th - Bower's Spring

• The Fitness Ride will leave at 9:30 AM.
• We will return by 12:30 PM.
• Starting Point Map - Bower's Spring (On the Harvard - Bolton line).
• Route Map - Harvard Hills from Bower's Spring.
• Distance = 23 miles.
• Elevation Gain = 600 feet (more difficult).
• Rough Surface = none.
• Equipment - I plan to bring my road bike.

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

Hope to see you there,

Bill and Carole

STOP - The Jefferson Ride is Postponed.

Reminder - Jefferson on Wednesday 11/16

Dear AdventuRiders,

Well, the weather is being uncooperative again. The forecast calls for a 60% chance of rain pretty much all day long tomorrow. I'll make the GO / STOP decision before 8:00 AM.

Hope to see you there,

Bill

For those of you who have ridden the Mass Central Rail Trail around Sterling and West Boyleston, you know how beautiful it is. Now imagine continuing almost to Barre on the same trail. Its so nice in fact, that we will return on the trail as far as Rutland.

We will have lunch at the NEW Heavy Evie's Happy Kitchen in Rutland. Lunch is at mile 20 and if people prefer to get back earlier, I can provide some simple directions and a map. You will still see Altavista Farm and the bison and zoom mostly downhill back to Jefferson.

On Wednesday, November 16th - Jefferson - MCRT

• The Exploration Ride will leave at 10:00 AM.
• We will return by 2:30 PM, or 1:30 PM if you skip lunch.
• Starting Point Map - Jefferson Church.
• Route Map - Jefferson - MCRT - Heavy Evies.
• Distance = 24 miles.
• Elevation Gain = 950 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 33 flat, paved miles. 

Hope to see you there,

Bill

GO - Groton Center