What we’re about
This group is for people who would like to bike on the various rail trails in northern MA and southern NH, both paved and unpaved. When mountain biking on unpaved trails, we will definitely NOT be rock hopping or stump jumping; none of that crazy stuff. We'll stick to mostly flat rail trails and parks, maintaining a moderate pace and with several water breaks along the way. We'll be offering both weekend and mid-week rides, possibly some evening rides, too.
Most of the trails we'll do are in the range of 15 - 25 miles round trip, which translates into a riding time of approximately 2 - 3 hours, depending on the length of the ride and the breaks we take along the way. Our rides are intended as social activities, rather than physical challenges or a biking competition. Participants are encouraged to bike at their own pace, whatever that may be. We'll stop and regroup from time to time, to make sure that we don't lose anybody on the trail. See our Rail Trail Resources page for links to descriptions of the trails we ride.
You can also check out the trails we ride by visiting our Virtual Bike Ride page in the group's message boards.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Hill climbing burn: Gloucester - Rockport Bearskin Neck 31 Miler!🚲🌊🤗🎆Gloucester Fisherman's Memorial, Gloucester, MA
Stuart's cell: 603-498-0951 (time sensitive call/text)
10/13/24: Route with turn-by-turn directions via ridewithgps
Gloucester - Rockport 31 miles, e-gain 1,180 ft with 2’36” moving time
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48765684Hey, fellow cycling aficionados! Dan and I are thrilled to host the Kickoff of our beloved Gloucester & Rockport out-and-back ride on Saturday, May 10,2025.
Get pumped for an absolutely epic 31-mile spring cycling adventure through the stunning landscapes of Gloucester and Rockport on Saturday, May 10, 2025! 🚴️ Dan and I are back and beyond excited to guide you through this coastal gem – it's going to be a bad-ass event with exceptional views! 🤩
Ride Essentials:
* Start/End: Iconic Fisherman's Memorial Statue 🐟
* Distance: A thrilling 31 miles 📏
* Elevation Gain: 1,180 feet of exhilarating climbs 📈
* Terrain: Mostly smooth paved roads with some invigorating hills 🌄Remember, safety first! 🚨 We'll be sharing the road, so let's stick to single file and conquer those hills like the raging, aging champs we are! 💪 Get ready for some stops for regrouping, catching your breath, hydration 💧, stripping, admiring breathtaking landmarks, and snapping incredible pics! 📷
Key Stops (Mile Markers):
1. State Commercial Fish Pier (Mile 1.5) - Energizing quick drive-by 🐡
2. Eastern Point Lighthouse (Mile 5.5) - Fast 10-minute visual jetty break
3. Good Harbor Beach Footbridge (Mile 8) - Prime group photo op 📸
4. Back Beach, Rockport (Mile 14) - Restroom and H2O break 🚽
5. Captain Hedge Ocean View @Bearskin Neck (Mile 15.5) - Brown-bag lunch stop (30 mins) 🥪Before We Ride:
* Parking: Gloucester High School, 12 Leslie O Johnson Rd 🏫
* Pre-ride Restrooms: Stage Fort Park Info Center (Hough St) or portable toilets on Western Blvd. Pro tip: Beverly Rest Area on 128N is a great option! 🚾Route Highlights:
We'll cruise through Gloucester's vibrant streets, hug the spectacular harbor's edge past Smith Cove and Rocky Neck Beach, and soak in amazing views of Niles Beach and the Yacht Club area ⛵. After Eastern Point, we'll follow the incredibly scenic Atlantic Road to Good Harbor Beach. Heading north, we'll be treated to stunning vistas of Thatcher Island's Twin Lighthouses before entering the charming town of Rockport 🏡.In downtown Rockport, we'll carefully ride single file, sharing streets with motorists, to reach a much-needed bathroom break at Front Beach's public facilities overlooking the tranquil Back Harbor 🏖️. Feeling refreshed, we'll pedal to the iconic Motif #1 and beautiful Bearskin Neck, ending at the picturesque Captain Hedge Ocean View for our brown-bag lunch 🍃. We'll unwind on the jetty rocks, enjoying our packed lunches while basking in nature's soothing sounds and taking in the absolutely stunning vistas for 30 glorious minutes. Remember to bring a cushion to sit on! 🪵
The Return Journey:
After our energizing brown-bag lunch, we'll reverse course, retracing our path back to Gloucester 🔙. We'll stay on Farrington Ave and turn right onto Eastern Point Rd for a slightly different return route, ensuring fresh and exciting scenery on our way back to the Fisherman's Statue 🚲.A post-ride favorite option to consider:
We can cycle to our favorite restaurant, “Yella on the Water,” which boasts an outdoor seating area with a stunning view of the harbor. 🍽️ It’s the ideal spot to celebrate our accomplishment with lively conversations, bonding and laughter.😆 🌟Get ready to roll, NSBFF crew! 🚴️ This incredible Gloucester - Rockport out-and-back ride promises astonishing views, fantastic company, and plenty of opportunities to catch your breath and snap those inspiring shots 📱. Remember to pack your lunch! 🥗 We can't wait to see you on May 10th for an absolutely epic day of pedal-powered exploration! It's going to be amazing! 😁
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IMPORTANT: Be sure your bike is in good working order! Tires should be in good shape and pumped up, gears should shift smoothly, and your brakes should be properly adjusted. If possible, pack a spare tube in case of a flat. A hand pump or CO2 inflator is also desirable, though not absolutely necessary, as many riders will already have these items.Safety Note: Bike helmets are mandatory on ALL our rides.
AS A CONDITION OF ATTENDING THIS MEETUP, YOU AGREE TO: Hold harmless, and indemnify the organizers and their relations and heirs, and all members and participants of the Meetup group from any and all claims for injury, illness, death, and/or property damage including those caused by negligence, ignorance, inexperience and other reasons. You also agree to assume all mental, physical, financial, and/or other risk associated with this meetup. Kayaking, camping, hiking, bicycling, and such other activities pose inherent risks and dangers. Participation in these activities is voluntary and dependent upon your own personal judgment. As organizers, we make no claims regarding any expertise for this outing.Consuming alcohol before or during any of our rides is prohibited.
- Manchester to New Boston on the Goffstown and New Boston rail trails.West Side Ice Arena, Manchester, NH
A sunny warm day is scheduled the same day as this ride. Dont be put off by others discription of this ride. Come see for yourself. The Goffstown Rail Trail is a packed gravel surface. We'll be including a new section to this ride which will take us to New Boston on a newly improved trail. This ride is 26 miles not I ncluding the manchester portion which would be 29 miles in total. For those who are so inclined we can ride the Manchester section upon our return which will add an additional 4 miles with great views north and south on the Merrimack River.
From the parking lot at the West Side Ice Arena onto the Goffstown Rail Trail, pedaling over a footbridge, and then along side the Piscataquog River and Glen Lake. After we reach the end of the trail, we'll bike a short distance on the road into downtown Goffstown, where we'll take a break for water at a lovely little area by the river before continuing to the New Boston section. We will break for lunch at the gazebo in New Boston center after which we will make our way back to the ice arena.
The New Boston Rail Trail
Read all about the New Boston Rail Trail on their website.
The ride nitty gritty:
Trail surface: mixed; some packed dirt and crushed gravel
Bike type: mountain, hybrid or gravel.
Meet-up spot: West Side Ice Arena parking lot
Safety Note: Bike helmets are mandatory on our rides.
Lunch: Bring a lunch or snack to eat in New Boston at the park.
West Side Ice Arena
1 Electric Street
Manchester, NH 03102
Driving directions:
To reach parking at West Side Ice Arena from I-293 S, take Exit 6 for Amoskeag St. toward Goffstown Road. Turn left onto Eddy Road, and go 0.4 mile. Turn right onto Bremer St. and go 1.1 miles. Turn left onto Electric St. and cross over the trail, going 0.2 mile to the arena straight ahead.
From I-293 N, take Exit 6, and turn left onto Amoskeag St. Immediately after crossing under I-293, turn left onto Eddy Road, and follow the directions above.
AS A CONDITION OF ATTENDING THIS MEETUP, YOU AGREE TO: Hold harmless, and indemnify the organizers and their relations and heirs, and all members and participants of the Meetup group from any and all claims for injury, illness, death, and/or property damage including those caused by negligence, ignorance, inexperience and other reasons. You also agree to assume all mental, physical, financial, and/or other risk associated with this meetup. Kayaking, camping, hiking, bicycling, and such other activities pose inherent risks and dangers. Participation in these activities is voluntary and dependent upon your own personal judgment. As organizers, we make no claims regarding any expertise for this outing. This is not a guided tour.
Consuming alcohol before or during any of our rides is not allowed.
- Bike the Nashua River Rail Trail on Monday, May 12Nashua River Rail Trail, Nashua, NH
Come enjoy a nice, sunny day riding on the beautiful, tree-lined Nashua River Rail Trail. This will be an easy, moderately paced ride that extends through the Massachusetts towns of Dunstable, Pepperell, Groton and Ayer. It will be a round trip of approximately 24 miles, with regrouping stops in Pepperell and Groton for a quick water break and a little conversation (this IS a social event).
Parking: Park in the lot by the intersection of Countryside Drive and Gilson Road in Nashua. Approximate street address is 94 Gilson Road, Nashua, NH.
Any bike is suitable for this ride, as the trail is entirely paved.
Lunch: Bring a lunch or snack to eat at the end of the trail in Ayer. Also, bring LOTS of water, so you can stay hydrated.
Ice Cream: Be sure to bring some cash with you. On our return trip from Ayer, let's stop at Main Street Scoops, the new ice cream shop in Pepperell Square (formerly Charlotte's Cozy Kitchen). Got to keep the ice cream tradition going!
Rest Rooms: There's a port-a-potty in the parking lot. There are also new restrooms in Ayer at the trail end.
IMPORTANT: Be sure your bike is in good working order! Tires should be in good shape and pumped up, gears should shift smoothly, and your brakes should be properly adjusted. If possible, pack a spare tube in case of a flat. A hand pump or CO2 inflator is also desirable, though not absolutely necessary, as many riders will already have them.
Safety: A bike helmet is mandatory when riding with us!
AS CONDITION OF ATTENDING THIS MEETUP, YOU AGREE TO: Hold harmless, and indemnify the organizers and their relations and heirs, and all members and participants of the Meetup group from any and all claims for injury, illness, death, and/or property damage, including those caused by negligence, ignorance, inexperience and other reasons. You also agree to assume all mental, physical, financial, and/or other risk associated with this meetup. Kayaking, camping, hiking, bicycling, and other such activities pose inherent risks and dangers. Participation in these activities is voluntary and dependent upon your own personal judgment. As organizers, we make no claims regarding any expertise for this outing. This is not a guided tour.
Consuming alcohol before or during any of our events is prohibited.
- A Bike Trail Smorgasbord -- Our First of the Season!The Ghost Trail, Salisbury, MA
Finally, some dryer weather! Come join us on one our favorite group events as we combine FIVE short rail trails in the Amesbury, Salisbury, and Newburyport area into a single 24-mile ride through a varied landscape on some historic trails. This is our smorgasbord ride -- a little bit of everything on this one! See the historic photo album in the site's photo section!
- Garrison Trail
- Amesbury Riverwalk
- Ghost Trail
- Old Eastern Marsh Trail
- Clipper City Rail Trail
From the solar farm, our ride starts out on Rabbit Road and then crosses Elm Street (Route 110) to the Garrison Trail, which takes us via the Whittier Bridge over the Merrimack River. After biking down and back, we'll transition to the Amesbury Riverwalk, taking a short break in the historic lower mill yard before returning to the parking area and the start of the Salisbury Point Ghost Trail.
At the end of the Ghost Trail, we'll turn north onto the Old Eastern Marsh Trail and ride up to Seabrook, NH. Upon returning to Salisbury, our ride continues to the other section of the Marsh Trail, which takes us out to the old railroad bridge over the Merrimack River. We'll stop here to regroup and enjoy the scenery for a few minutes.
The trip resumes when we travel over the Gillis Bridge via the dedicated bike lanes to the Clipper City Rail Trail on the Newburyport side of the river (We'll use the bike underpass on our return).
LUNCH: The exciting new Market Landing Park on Newburyport's historic waterfront is amazing. We'll eat lunch either on the boardwalk or at one of the benches in the new park. If you need a sandwich, Port Sandwich is nearby and offers some great food.
Port Sandwich
40R Merrimac St #102E
Newburyport, MA
(978) 358-8628After lunch, we'll bike along the Clipper City Rail Trail and ride through various marinas, past the Coast Guard station, and behind the Custom House Maritime Museum to Joppa Park. Eventually, we'll stop and regroup at Parker Street, which is the end point for this section of the trail. We'll travel on the new trail extension on Parker Street for a short time, until we cross over to the courthouse parking lot (avoiding the busy Route 1 rotary). From there, we'll regroup once again at the start of the second section of the trail, which is located across from the train station. We'll ride north to the Merrimack River and back to the Gillis Bridge. After that, we'll just double back the way we came.
The guest option is ON for this ride. Feel free to bring a friend!
Watch a virtual ride of these trails, courtesy of Steve, the virtual biking guy from YouTube and a member of our group.
The nitty gritty for this ride:
- Total distance: Approximately 24 miles.
- Surfaces: The Ghost Trail is packed stone dust/dirt; all other trails are paved. You CAN bike the Ghost Trail with a road bike if you take it SLOW.
- Location: Rabbit Road, Salisbury MA. Park in the dirt lot next to the solar farm.
- Lunch: Bring a lunch or snack.
- Rest rooms: McDonald's in Amesbury at the Tuscan Restaurant or at the harbor master headquarters in Newburyport.
- Safety: Bike helmets are mandatory on our rides.
- Post-ride ice cream: Hodgie's Too is down the road from the parking lot. Best ice cream you'll find in the area. Italian ice, too!
Hodgie's Too
136 Rabbit Road
Salisbury, MAWatch a virtual ride of these trails, courtesy of Steve Albert, the virtual biking guy from YouTube's New England Virtual Cycling channel.
AS A CONDITION OF ATTENDING THIS MEETUP, YOU AGREE TO: Hold harmless, and indemnify the organizers and their relations and heirs, and all members and participants of the Meetup group from any and all claims for injury, illness, death, and/or property damage including those caused by negligence, ignorance, inexperience and other reasons. You also agree to assume all mental, physical, financial, and/or other risk associated with this meetup. Kayaking, camping, hiking, bicycling, and other similar activities pose inherent risks and dangers. Participation in these activities is voluntary and dependent upon your own personal judgment. As organizers, we make no claims regarding any expertise for this outing. This is not a guided tour.
Consuming alcohol before or during any of our events is prohibited.
