End of Summer Ride + Picnic at Cranes Beach

Let's celebrate the end of summer with a final August ride and picnic from Hamilton MA (Patton Park) to Cranes Beach in Ipswich

This ride has a different GPS for the out vs. the return trip back (see below).

This will be a moderately paced ride at 10-14 mph. We'll regroup at break points as needed, so nobody will be left behind on this ride.

Once at Cranes Beach, we will spend the day there, so plan on bringing plenty of sunscreen, something to eat and plenty of water (Food and refreshments can be purchased at Cranes Beach for those interested), and (if you like) a towel and bathing suit (there are changing stations at the beach) to swim in the bay. Those with pannier bags or who have a rear rack, this is a great ride to be able to use them. Others can use a backpack to carry your stuff.

FYI, parking for bikes is $5-10 for non members of the Trustees

Afterwards, we will ride back to Patton Park.

RECOMMENDED BIKE TYPE(s):
-Any bike can be used on this type of ride. A road bike or gravel bike will be the easiest (but this is not a too hilly of a route), but a hybrid or commuter bike will be fine. A mountain bike with knobby tires will also work but will require a little more effort.

Here are the links to the routes:

Going out (from Patton Park): https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51711482

Note that for this route, we will be on Route 1A for a few miles. There is a pretty wide shoulder for a decent portion of it (I've been on the road as a solo cyclist myself many times), but we will ride single file in any case.

Coming back. This is a much shorter more direct route back, as people will likely be tired from being in the sun all day and swimming: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/51711525

NOTE 1: In order to take advantage of as much daylight riding as possible (especially as we get closer to September/October), the posted ride time is the START/DEPARTURE TIME of the ride time, NOT the "show up at the meeting location" time. The ride will depart at the start time regardless of who is not there at that time.

You must arrive ahead of time to prepare and make any last minute adjustments to your bike as early as you think you need (the earlier the better) to be ready to leave at the start time.

NOTE 2: You MUST have a helmet, a working rear light attached to the back of your bike (either on your bike bag (see further on), your seat post, the rear of your bike frame or the rear of your helmet), and a bike bag containing:

-at least one spare tube in case you get a flat
-a patch repair kit or CO2 cartridge(s) and inflator (or have a small bike tire pump on your bike)
-tire removal tool(s)

You should know how to either repair a flat or replace the tube.

It also is highly recommended you have at least one front light in case it gets dark

NOTE 3: You must have some type of GPS on your bike to be able to ride the route turn by turn (in case for whatever reason you get dropped or lost somehow). If you don't have a GPS, you must have some type printed cue sheet you can refer to. Riders who don't have these will not be allowed to ride the event.

NOTE 4: As a condition of attending this Meetup event, 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.