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
Contact: Stuart's cell: 603-498-0951
Route with turn-by-turn directions via ridewithgps
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/48623569Hey, 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: 1,276 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 walk our bikes over to "Yella on the Water," our favorite harbor-front eatery with a beautiful deck view of the harbor 🍽️. This is the perfect spot to celebrate our achievement with lively conversation, laughter, and friendship 🌟.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.
- 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.
