It's time to bike the Gloucester & Rockport Bearskin Neck 31 Miler!🚲🌊🤗🎆

Contact: Stuart's cell: 603-498-0951

Hey, 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.