What we’re about
Thanks for finding/discovering the Greater Boston and New England Area Cycling Meetup Group!
We welcome all levels of cycling enthusiasts, from complete novices and recreational riders to bike racers, bikepacking/bike touring enthusiasts.
Our mission is to organize rides which promote and encourage a shared enthusiasm and passion for cycling and all it has to offer, while simultaneously enabling a shared connection between our members, fostering friendships and a sense of shared community.
We organize rides of all types, including rail trail rides, urban/city rides, road rides, gravel rides, singletrack/mountain biking rides, all the way to training/fitness rides which can be used to train for your bike races, or improve your general overall health and fitness. Some of us even ride in organized charity rides and bike races (whose events may be posted on here as well, for those who may be interested). Rides range from slower, moderately paced rides 8-15 mph to fast group rides 22 mph +
Our rides span across all areas of Massachusetts (including the greater Boston area, the Northshore, the Southshore/Cape, Metro West, and out to the Berkshires), as well as across multiple states, including Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Any member in our group is welcome to schedule an event or ride (don't worry, we have a template which makes this easy!). If you are interested in becoming a ride organizer, please reach out to the main organizer, who will assist you.
We hope you find this group, our rides, our organizers, and our other members welcoming and friendly. We look forward to riding with you!
Please be advised that cycling is a dangerous sport and you are solely responsible for your own safety. Helmets are mandatory and other protective gear is strongly recommended. Safety is a cheap and effective insurance policy. So why not be safe & Have fun.
DISCLAIMER: By being a member of this group, you hereby agree to assume all risks and liability related to or resulting from any and all group functions. You agree that neither you nor any third party will hold any of the group's leaders or representatives liable for any injury, loss, or damage to your own person or any members of your family, friends, acquaintances, children, pets, or property, arising directly or as a consequence from a group activity. You also agree that your membership of this group is based on an "at will" basis.
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Light Mountain Biking in the Leominster State ForrestLeominster State Forest Rocky Pond Trailhead, Princeton, MA
Light Mountain Biking in the Leominster State Forest
The Ride….
Have you seen all those videos on the GoPro channel with those Dudes doing all that crazy stuff on their Mountain Bikes, well we won’t be doing any of that. This ride gives you a chance to get out on your Mountain Bike to gain some experience. The pace will be slow and we'll be stopping anytime its needed.
For this ride we’ll be sticking to the gravel roads that run through the area including Rocky Pond Road, Parmenter Street, Brook Road, Hells Highway and Wolf Rock Road. The loop is about 6.7 miles with many opportunities to venture into some intermediate terrain if the group feels up to it. The roads are wide and provide a novice rider an opportunity to develop a feel for what they might expect on more advanced rides.
When you are ready for some single track riding, the Spooky Forest holds all sorts of mysteries, and there’s Jane Fonda’s Workout for those who might be worried about their motor in the back of their Honda. There are many other intermediate (Blue) trails and a few advanced trails (Black) too.Overview of Leominster State Forrest;
From hiking and mountain biking to rock climbing and fishing, the Leominster State Forest has everything for outdoor enthusiasts. Hike a segment of the 95-mile Midstate Trail or take a dip in Crow Hill Pond. In the winter, break out your cross-country skis or snowshoes.
From hilly rugged single-tracks, to flowing smooth trails, to difficult technical single-tracks, Leominster has everything that a mountain biker could desire. A ride here will acquaint you not only with a variety of riding conditions but will serve to showcase a lot of Wachusett NEMBA\'s trail work, including bridges and trail stabilization projects.
Leominster State Forest, managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), is a 4,500-acre parcel of forested land, located in the five towns of Westminster, Princeton, Leominster, Fitchburg and Sterling in North Central Massachusetts. The forest is conveniently located off of Rte 2 (exit 95) and is an easy drive for local residents, a quick convenient ride from the MBTA Wachusett commuter rail station, and other Boston and Worcester communities. Parking is available along Rte. 31 in several areas.https://www.mass.gov/locations/leominster-state-forest
Parking and other considerations…
We will be parking at the Rocky Pond Road Trailhead lot off Rte 31. Parting can be tight on a busy day. If space becomes an issue we can park up the street at the state park and bike down to the trail. The lot sneaks up on you so watch for it. Also, there are no bathrooms or any other services in the forest, however there is a service station at the Rte 2/31 interchange.Here is a link to the biking trails:
RECOMMENDED BIKE TYPE(s):
Mountain Bike (Front or Full Suspension Suggested, Disk Brakes) or a very rugged Trail Bike for a more experienced rider. No exceptions! The main route consists of loose sand, gravel, washout, and other tricky conditions.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, and a bike bag containing:
-at least one spare tube in case you get a flat (We’re less than 5 miles from the parking lot at all times, you might want to walk it out if you blow a tire)
-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 darkNOTE 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 of 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 risks associated with this meetup. Cycling poses inherent risks and dangers. Participation 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.
NOTE 5: Rain or threat rain or other bad weather may require cancellation and possibly rescheduling this event. I will keep attendees posted as the event date gets closer.
If you need to reach me on the day of the event, call or text Jason L at (978) 855-0844. I will not be checking the messages in the comment section of the event on Meetup.
- Seacoast CenturySmuttynose, Hampton, NH
I will be doing the full century (100 miles), but there is also at least a 65 mile option.
More info to come on the Granite State Wheelers Cycling Club website, but I've done this before, and it's one of the (if not THE) flattest century I've ever ridden (and I've ridden these in Seattle, Kansas, Missouri, Texas, and Oklahoma).
Website for more info: 2025 Seacoast Century — Granite State Wheelers Recreational Cycling Club
