Appalachian Mountain Club Worcester Chapter

All participants must register for this event.
Please use the link to register:
https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX0000014q2f/act00020095

East Bay Bike Path (24-Mile Round Trip) & Bristol’s Historic July 4th Parade — Nation’s Oldest (Since 1785)

The East Bay Bike Path is one of Rhode Island’s most popular scenic rides with roughly 13 mile one-way (about 26 miles roundtrip), mostly paved trail from East Providence to Independence Park in Bristol. The route passes through Barrington and Warren, salt marshes, wooded stretches and state parks such as Haines Memorial State Park and Colt State Park, with views of Narragansett Bay.

The path ends in historic town of Bristol, home to the nation’s oldest continuous Fourth of July celebration. As the nation marks its 250th year, the Bristol Fourth of July Parade which was first held in 1785 continues its long tradition with patriotic festivities, floats, high school marching bands and a large civic parade while brings the community together.

We’ll ride at a relaxed pace of 10–12 mph to enjoy the scenery along the way. Once we arrive in Bristol, we’ll lock up our bikes and
stop at Sip-N-Dip Donuts for coffee and a bite to eat. They offer a wide variety of donuts, smoothies, breakfast sandwiches and other drinks. Then, watch the parade until 1:00 pm before heading back to our starting point.

Please plan accordingly, as this will be a longer day due to time spent enjoying the historic parade.

Wear your red, white and blue! Let's celebrate America's Birthday together!

Highly recommended you arrive (30 mins) early because the parking lot fills up quickly.

All participants must register for this event and no drop ins.
Please use the link to register:
https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX0000014q2f/act00020095

Requirements:
· Bike in good working condition
· Properly fitting helmet
· Water and snacks or lunch
· Tire repair kit
· Bike Lock is a must for this event!

Please use the link to register:
https://activities.outdoors.org/s/oc-activity/a5UVX000001At4H/act00021747

Start your day with an early ride on the Shining Sea Bikeway (20 miles RT) and enjoy the trail before the crowds arrive. An early start means easier parking, a quieter path, cooler temperatures, and less traffic on the roads.

This relaxed-paced ride (10–12 mph) follows a mostly paved route through cranberry bogs, alongside ponds, and past beautiful ocean views. We'll begin by riding north toward Falmouth, then turn around and continue south to Woods Hole.

Fun Fact: The Shining Sea Bikeway owes its name to a local kindergartner! In 1975, school children competed in a contest to name Falmouth’s brand-new rail-trail. A young student named Charlotte won the competition with her thoughtful entry: "Shining Sea Bikeway." She chose it to honor Falmouth's hometown hero: Katharine Lee Bates (1859-1929). Bates was an American poet, scholar, and social reformer best known for writing the lyrics to the patriotic anthem “America the Beautiful”. This coastal trail stands as a direct tribute to her most famous, sweeping anthem lyric: "And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!"

After the snack break at a cafe or bakery in Woods Hole, we'll return to the parking area which should take 15 minutes. For those who would like to linger, there's an option to take a swim or relax by the ocean near the trail or you're welcome to leave after completing the ride to enjoy the rest of your day.

All participants must register for this event.

Free Parking:
Please arrive at least 30 minutes early, as the parking lot fills up quickly, especially on weekends.

Join us for a long weekend at AMC's Gorman Chairback Lodge and Cabins in Maine's 100-Mile Wilderness. There are activities for every interest: hiking, paddling, mountain/gravel biking, swimming, fishing, star-gazing (our trip is during the Perseids meteor season), bird watching, or just lounging and relaxing in this beautiful off-the-grid setting. We'll offer some guided hiking and paddling activities led by AMC leaders, or you can venture out on your own.