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- Bike the Minuteman Bikeway from Bedford to Davis Square, SomervilleDepot Park, Bedford, MA
Come join us for an easy-paced bike ride on the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway. Great opportunities for people watching on this one! You never know what you'll see on this distinctly urban trail. We'll bike the entire length of the trail, down to its end point at the Alewife MBTA station. After that, we'll continue onto the Somerville Community Path (a paved, mixed-use path about a mile long) and ride down to Davis Square.
We will make several stops along the way to regroup, hydrate and chit chat a bit before continuing.
Stop 1: Lexington Center. Regroup and bathroom break at the visitor's center along the trail. We'll also stop here on our return!
Stop 2: Arlington Center. Regroup at the Minuteman Bikeway sign.
Stop 3: Alewife MBTA station. Regroup before crossing over to the Somerville Community Path.IMPORTANT: The Somerville Community Path winds its way through the various neighborhoods of the town. There are numerous road crossings, and there can be a LOT of foot traffic, more than we typically encounter on the bikeway itself. We will therefore proceed at a moderate pace on our bikes. Also, let's try to stay together, since it's easy to get lost if you've never been here before.
The nitty gritty for this ride...
- Length: Approximately 24-mile round trip, Bedford to Somerville.
- Trail details: Entirely paved; numerous road crossings.
- Suggested bike type: Road or hybrid, but any bike will suffice.
- Pace: Moderate, with several stops along the way to regroup.
- Lunch: Bring a lunch or snack to eat at the outdoor tables in Davis Square. It's a lovely spot to sit and people watch as you enjoy a bite to eat. Alternatively, bring money (and a bike lock!) and grab lunch from one of the many eateries in the square. We'll plan on laying over in the square for a while before we start our return trip.
- Parking: Arrive early, as this is a popular destination. Free public parking is available right at the Bedford Depot park. There is additional parking behind Bikeway Source. See the maps in the photo section.
- Post-ride Ice Cream: After our ride, we can head down the road (just a few minutes away) to Bedford Farms Ice Cream, 20 North Road, Bedford, MA, for some frozen treats. (781) 275-6501.
Bikeway Source
111 South Road
Bedford, MASafety Note: Bike helmets are mandatory on our rides.
About This Trail
The Minuteman Bikeway is a testament to the perseverance of a handful of avid cyclists who had a vision. After much political back and forth, ground was broken in October 1991, some 16 years after the B&M railroad made its last train trip in 1975. The first sections of the trail, located in Arlington and Cambridge, were opened to the public in October 1992. The Lexington and Bedford sections were completed in the spring of 1993. The trail's grand opening ceremony was May 29, 1993.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 this 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 our events is prohibited.
- Let's explore New Hampshire's newest rail trail!Seacoast Greenway Trail, North Hampton, NH
This section of the Seacoast Greenway, which just opened last fall, is part of the much larger East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile pedestrian and bicycle route along the coast between Maine and Florida. The NH segment of the ECG is about 50% complete at this point and currently runs from the Portsmouth Skate Park on Route 33 southward to just beyond the North Hampton airfield, a distance of 8 miles. Plans are already on the drawing board to extend the trail further south, to Hampton and Seabrook, where it will connect up to the Old Marsh Trail that we bike on a regular basis.
Our ride starts in North Hampton from the old DPW parking lot next to Cap World. From there, we'll ride north toward the Portsmouth skate park on Greenland Road (Route 33). When we reach the park, we'll take a short water/snack break before doubling back to our starting point. There is a Port-a-Potty at the skatepark.
Optional Lunch at the Airfield Cafe
For those interested, we can get together after the ride at the Airfield Cafe, a delightful place for breakfast or lunch from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.The nitty gritty for this ride:
- Trail surface: crushed stone dust
- Suitable bikes: hybrid, gravel or mountain bike
- Total distance: 16 miles round trip
- Bathrooms: Port-a-Potty at the skate park
- Water/snack break: We'll take a short break at the skate park.
- Parking: Park at the old DPW lot next to Cap World on Route 1.
- Address for GPS: 1 Lafayette Road, North Hampton NH.
- Post-Ride Lunch: The Airfield Cafe, 9A Lafayette Road, North Hampton NH. The restaurant is just a few minutes away.
Directions: Head north on Route 1 a few hundred feet to Airport Road. Turn right and follow the road to the 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 these items.
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 prohibited.
