About us
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 20 - 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. This group is all about fun and friendship!
Upcoming events
15
Bike the Topsfield-Wenham-Danvers Rail Trail
Topsfield Bike Shop, 30 Main Street, Topsfield, MA, USCome join us for a relaxed, 20-mile ride (approximate round trip) over a crushed stone dust trail. We'll start at the local bike shop in downtown Topsfield (see photo below), pass through Wenham, and then make our way southward to Danvers, MA. This ride is suitable for both hybrid and mountain bikes. The terrain is mostly flat, so we won't have to work too hard. There will be numerous road crossings along the way, but many of them have lights for bicyclists to cross. When we reach the end of the dirt trail, we'll take a quick trip through the cemetery (entrance is across from Dunkin' Donuts; see map in photos section) and over to the eastern section of the Independence Greenway Trail, in Peabody. This will add a couple of extra miles to our ride for a total distance of approximately 20 miles. We'll actually be riding two different trails that connect together: the Topsfield Linear Common & Wenham Rail Trail and the Danvers Rail Trail. These trails are part of the larger "Border to Boston" trail.
Topsfield Linear Common & Wenham Rail Trail = 4.9 miles
(we're starting halfway, so 2.5 miles)
Topsfield Linear Common WebsiteDanvers Rail Trail = 5.1 miles
(we're doing the entire trail)
Danvers Rail Trail WebsiteSuggested parking for this ride is at the Main Street shopping center (30 Main Street, Topsfield) directly in front of the bike shop. There is also public parking across Main Street, just a little south of the Post Office, on Park Street, along the rail trail. See the annotated Google Map in the photos section for details.
The bike shop building is the old Topsfield rail station from years ago.
Using a GPS:
Put 30 Main Street, Topsfield into your phone and you'll get to the shopping center parking lot in Topsfield. The bike shop is in the large building at the far end of the parking lot.Safety Note: Bike helmets are mandatory on our rides. If you don't have one or forget yours, I have a couple of spare ones to lend.
Post-ride refreshments:
Zumi's in Topsfield features lots of different coffees, baked treats and ice cream.The guest list is ON for this ride, so feel to bring a friend.
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.
25 attendees
Bike the Upper Charles Rail Trail
Fino Field, Sumner St, Milford, MA, USIt's been a year since we've done this trail. An easy-to-get-to location, just off Route 495. The Upper Charles Trail, approximately 26 miles long, runs through the towns of Milford, Ashland, Sherborn, Holliston, Framingham, and Hopkinton. The trail includes both paved and crushed stone dust sections. Both hybrid and road bikes will be OK for this trail, as the stone dust is very well packed.
We'll start our ride on this 'V-shaped' trail (http://www.milfordtrail.org) at Fino Field in Milford and head north past Milford Pond and Louisa State Park toward Hopkinton. There'll be great opportunities to view wildlife in the adjacent forests and bogs along this 6.5 mile portion of the trail.
After riding the northern section of the trail to the end, we'll double back to the park and then head northeast toward Holliston. The trail changes here to a stone dust surface until it ends at the Sherborn town line. Along the way, we'll encounter the historical Phipps Tunnel, constructed to allow steam trains to travel under the street. Another highlight of this section is the Bogastow Brook Viaduct, a beautiful stone bridge with eight arches (we'll be riding on top of it). Finally, as we near the end of the trail, we'll pass through the Dopping Brook Conservation Area.
The ride nitty gritty:
Distance: approximately 26 miles
Trail Surface: pavement and crushed stone
Bike type: Suitable for any bike
Lunch: Bring a sandwich or snack to eat at the end of the trail in Holliston.
Bathrooms: Port-a-Potties should be available at Fino Field.
Trail Map: Download a map in PDF format.
Ice Cream: The Boston Honey Company is located right on the trail. They have ice cream and a nice seating area outside their door.DIRECTIONS:
To reach parking at Fino Field in Milford from I-495, take Exit 20 for MA 85 toward Milford/Hopkinton. Head south on MA 85 S/Cedar St. In 0.4 mile, turn right onto Dilla St. In 0.9 mile, turn left onto Sumner St. Fino Field will come up in 0.7 mile on the left. Parking is available off Granite Street.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 desireable, 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 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.
15 attendees
Past events
848
Group links
Members
1,911
