Bike the Upper Charles Rail Trail - B

Claire P has posted a ride on the Upper Charles Rail Trail and it has been a smashing success. So much so that it has created a Wait List that rivals in numbers the actual event. With Claire's blessing, I am organizing a B-trip to deal with the bitter disappointment of those who may never make it off the Wait List.

To avoid confusion, we'll be starting at a different place and a slightly different time. We'll gather at the Milford parking lot for the rail trail (set your GPS to 42.151155745219725, -71.49360985029315). Please plan to arrive at 10:00 AM to allow your bicycle to acclimate to local conditions. We'll push off at 10:15 sharp!

The Upper Charles Rail Trail has been described as a giant check mark. The shorter end goes from Milford, heading N towards the Milford-Hopkinton line. That section is paved. The longer part of the "check mark" heads NE towards Holliston and Sherborn. We'll start out and turn around at the Sherborn terminus before returning to Milford and then heading N to the Milford-Hopkinton terminus. From there, we'll return to our cars at the Milford parking lot. A map of the trail may be found at https://www.traillink.com/trail-maps/upper-charles-trail/.

The Upper Charles Rail 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.

Along the way, we can stop at the Boston Honey Company in Holliston (see https://bostonhoneycompany.com/) which sells Crescent Ridge ice cream and reportedly has some Port-a-Potties. (Porta-a-Potties will also be encountered as pass near Fino Field in Milford.

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.