Sat. Dec. 13 - Franklin Falls Snow Fat Bike Ride
Location/start time: Franklin, NH, 10am
Ride Type: Fat bikes on snow (yes, SNOW!!!)
Distance: 3-4 hours of riding
Despite the skinnier tires shown here, this is a ride specifically for fat bikes and wider than 3.5” tires.
Location: Franklin Falls, NH
Ride Type: Fat bike Snow Ride
Date & Time: Saturday, December 13 at 10am
Distance: ~3-4 hours of riding, lots of trail options to be sure everyone gets the distance and ride everyone wants
Price: Free; see NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Details
We’re offering this fat bike ride to enjoy the snow together as close to Boston as we can get while also having decent snow conditions.
PLEASE be aware that if we’re told the trails aren’t appropriate to ride Friday night, we’ll need to change locations or cancel the ride. It looks like temps will be below freezing the whole time so that’s great where it comes to being able to stay on the snow.
We have a designated Super Domestique joining in at an endurance pace. We’re likely to split into two groups for those who want to go faster and those who want a more zone 2/3 ride depending on fitness levels. Franklin Falls is a great area to ride, there will probably be others out there riding and you’re never too far from the car.
Distance
We have 2 routes for this area, one is 7 miles in length the other is 8 miles in length. Will share these with those who RSVP via email 7pm the evening before the ride.
Parking
Parking is free here: Federal Dam Access Rd, Franklin, NH 03235
Route
The route(s) will be emailed to all who RSVP.
Estimated Ride Time
~3-4 hours total including stops so minimum ride time is 3 hours (less if you need to cut out earlier).
Route Notes & How this ride is different from our usual rides
We’ll discuss these with you prior to rollout. Since we’re in a specific contained area with groomed trails and without roads, we’ll be a little more relaxed about pacing. The Super Domestique will be riding a consistent, chatty, endurance pace for anyone who wants to ride with people if the pace up front gets spicy. Please come with the routes loaded on your GPS computer.
After the Ride
We’ll have hot water and will be making hot chocolates for all who want to enjoy some!
We will go somewhere local to enjoy lunch together and some social time (there’s a nice pizza place nearby). We’ll include details about this in the email that is sent out to all who RSVP by 7pm the evening before.
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.
CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.
Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
NEER requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Proper bike & Required Equipment
3.8” minimum tire size. Wider tires are nicer!
Studded Tires May or May not be required. At this time of year when riding on snow, it is smart to be riding studded tires. We can’t predict exact conditions so ride your studded tires for safety. We might not require studded tires yet, though, since there hasn’t been much freeze/thaw since the first snow and reports are that there isn’t ice on these trails. Again, please be safe and do what you’re most comfortable with for this ride. If we learn of ice on the trails, we will require studs to join in on this ride.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride or take an Uber home if you have a mechanical situation.
High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.
Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.
RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!
Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.
Sunday, Dec. 14 Blue Hills Mountain Bike Ride + NEMBA Toy Drive
Location: Milton, MA
Start: 9am, 21 miles
Ride Type: Mountain & fat bike
Price: Free
A NEER group went out on a scouting ride at Blue Hills last fall (don’t dress like this for a mountain bike ride in August)!
Location: Start and end at Houghton Pond in the Blue Hills, Milton, MA
Ride Type: Ride appropriate for hardtail mountain bikes, fat bikes, dual suspension are fine if that’s what you have
Date & Time: Sunday, December 14, 9am start
Distance option: ~21 miles, 3-4 hours of good riding
Price: Free - we’re leading this ride as a group, part of the NEMBA Toy Drive ride
RSVPs: See bottom of page for RSVP form - otherwise, we might leave without you! AND it’s important to register with NEMBA so they know to expect you!
Email: connect@rideheadquarters.com
Details
We’re leading this ride as part of the NEMBA Toys for Tots ride. Please bring an unwrapped, new toy for a child to drop off at the start of the ride!
We’re riding the paths and trails at the Blue Hills for a total of 20 miles. This is a great route for all mountain and fat bikes, it’s not particularly technical, there’s a fair amount of climbing.
Pace: endurance zone 2-3 for most cyclists - if you can average 15/16mph on a road bike on a paved road for 2+ hours, you’ll be fit enough for this ride. The pace on a mountain bike ride is much slower than a road ride so expect the ride to take ~3-4 hours to complete.
OTHER RIDE OPTIONS
Other group rides are being offered by NEMBA folks and there are self-guided routes as well. You’re welcome to join in any group ride you please, but if you’d like to ride with NEER and this 21 mile ride option, then please be sure to RSVP below at our RSVP form.
Regardless of the option you choose, BE SURE to RSVP with NEMBA since they’re providing hot drinks and need to know who all is coming out!
Distance
The ride is ~21 miles long.
Parking
Houghton’s Pond Parking Area
Blue Hills, Milton, MA
Link to the parking lot & where to park: PIN
Route
The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.
Estimated Ride Time
~3-4 hours
Route Notes
These trails are not particularly technical, there is some climbing, they’re a lot of fun to ride. There is no pressure ever to ride anything you prefer to walk.
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.
CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.
Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
New England Expedition Riders requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Technically this ride is a NEMBA ride so we’d fall under NEMBA insurance.
Proper bike & Equipment
2” knobby tires minimum. Wider tires are nicer! We expect to see hardtail mountain bikes, dual suspension, and fat bikes on this ride. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats on a mountain bike ride. You can possibly get away with road pedals/cleats on a gravel (dirt road) ride, but not on a mixed terrain or mountain bike ride.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride or take an Uber home if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes.
High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.
Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.
RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!
Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.
Thursday, December 11 - Mixed Terrain Night Ride!
Location: Near Bedford, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes
Distance: ~15 miles
Location: Revolution Hall near Bedford, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes
Distance: ~15 miles, just shy of 2 hours of riding
Price: Free; see NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Details & Pace
This mixed terrain ride takes cyclists to many interesting trails with roads connecting them.
The route is a mixed terrain route so any bike with 38mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. Faster riders are always welcome to go ahead, we discuss how we manage this before the ride starts.
There are some easy-to-ride boardwalks on the route, it’s pretty well ridden so not hard to navigate when the sun is gone.
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the main group. New-to-mixed terrain riders should try our weekend rides first prior to coming out to this ride.
It doesn’t mean much to talk about the average pace of a mixed terrain ride since it sounds a lot slower than it really is. We keep moving at an endurance pace but it’s not fast given the waning sunlight.
There are enough regroups to keep riders together and allow faster and not-as-fast riders to all ride a comfortable pace.
Distance
~15 miles
Parking
Address for your GPS: 10 Maguire Rd, Lexington, MA 02421
Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ebJ1c1ufZA3bL4ZR7
Route
Please download the route on your GPS device, it makes it easier for everyone to know which turn is coming next.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40871313
Start time, Estimated Ride Time
Start: 7pm, be ready to roll by 6:55pm
Ride time: Just shy of 2 hours total
Route Notes
We discuss these with you prior to rollout. Note that a “mixed terrain” ride is rougher, twistier, and slower than a “gravel” ride. There are roots, a few boardwalks, etc to navigate. If you’re concerned about your ability to ride mixed terrain, do one of our weekend rides first.
This ride is a good “first” night ride for those who have mixed terrain riding experience but haven’t gone out at night before.
After the Ride
Some riders will enjoy post-ride food and drink at Revolution Hall if riders return before 9pm (food service stops at 9). Feel free to join in having food and hanging out afterwards if you’d like!
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.
CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.
Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.
RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
NEER requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Proper bike & Equipment
35mm knobby tires minimum. Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and fat bikes at this ride, the majority of bikes will be gravel bikes.
Lights, front and rear. Bring both front and rear lights with battery power to stay lit for a 2.5 hour ride. Correct, the ride is 1.5 hours, but if there’s a mechanical or if you accidentally set it too bright, then you want to still have enough light for the duration of the ride.
Concerning Rear Lights: A super bright and/or flashing rear light will blind the person riding behind you and it actually hurts that person’s eyes and can make it hard for that person to see. Please look into your rear light. If it burns your eyes, get a “group ride friendly” light such as the Super Flash ($25) - it has a steady mode and isn’t too bright.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats on a mixed terrain ride. You can possibly get away with road pedals/cleats on a gravel (dirt road) ride, but not a mixed terrain ride.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride or take an Uber home if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes.
High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.
Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.
RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!
Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.
The Professional Bikepacking Approach with Jay Petervary
Date/time: Tuesday, December 30 - 7pm EST
Livestream session with Q&A
Price: $25
Gain a lifetime of bikepacking perspective and unlock valuable resources in this live conversation with legendary bikepacker Jay Petervary.
Photo above: Patria Vandermark and Jay Petervary at Fat Pursuit. Patria is Seven Cycles’ Sales Manager and NEER’s Adventure Coordinator, she will be moderating this special session with Jay.
There is unlikely another cyclist on the planet who has as much experience and broad scope of knowledge when it comes to bikepacking then Jay Petervary. Whether its gear, bike set-ups, systems, teaching others, mentoring, hosting events, and/or consulting, Jay has been doing it all obsessively, thoroughly and with great passion for 20 years! Jay has raced the Tour Divide route 7 times while winning and setting records along the way. He has raced the Iditarod 12 times while winning the 1,000-mile twice and the 350-mile twice, he has done the Silk Road Race 3 times, winning it as well, but also did it with a 16-year-old another year. Jay has racked up over 50 3+ day bikepack races which does not include his previous 15 years of other various ultra racing pursuits. It's not just the races, it's the years of testing and improving on every facet of bikepacking that has helped him become the preeminent source of bikepacking knowledge.
Photo credit: Fred Marmsater
This focused, no-fluff, 2-hour session is your chance to understand the mindset that drives Jay’s success and you’ll learn how to apply his decision-making framework to your own bikepacking adventures and races.
Learn the processes Jay uses to choose the right gear, how he prepares, and how he navigates challenges through a lifetime of experiences.
What you’ll learn:
Photo credit: Eddie Clark
How bikepacking has evolved recently and how that might change your preparation and load out
How to think like a competitive bikepacker and how to make the right trade-offs
Know where to find the right information and not get overwhelmed
How to evaluate gear, bags, components, and systems
How to separate marketing from real content
Hear real stories of what has gone wrong on the trail
Bring your questions to tap Jay’s brain as he answers your specific questions during the Ask-Jay-Anything portion of the session
The bikepacking world is filled with too many gear options and opinions. Jay will help you cut through the noise and build a mindset that leads to confident decisions and successful rides.
Time & Day: 7:00-9:00pm EST - Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Join in no matter where you live on the planet! 4pm-6pm PST, 5-7pm MST, 6-8pm CST
Register to attend now!
Jay offers private consulting services to clients and hosts ultra cycling seminars starting at $1,000 per attendee. This is an exceptionally valuable session that will save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in gear.
To kick off Seven Cycles’ 2026 line of Bikepacking bikes, attendees receive a voucher for $500 in upgrades on a new bikepacking bike from Seven!
First Snow Ride - 2025/2026
Location: Waltham
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride - Snowy trails & roads
Date & Time: The FIRST snowfall of the season!
Distance: ~10 miles
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride / Roads and snow-covered trails - over 80% of the ride is on dirt trails
Location: Waltham/Belmont. Exact location will be announced closer to when we expect the first snow to hit
Date & Time: Right after the first “official” snow hits!
Distance: ~10 miles, approx 2 hrs, condition-dependent
Price: Free, but you must be a NEER Member to attend (use this as your excuse to join up since we have a full year of awesome rides ahead!!!)
Please RSVP in the form below if you hope to join in on this ride. We’ll ask for a more definite RSVP once the “go time” becomes clearer
In 2017, we had a huge turnout for the first snow ride which hit early in the afternoon on a Saturday!
Important Ride Updates
Details: When the first snow comes to eastern Massachusetts, we ride in it regardless of the time of day or day of the week. This is our 11th year hosting this memorable and much-too-fun ride!
Starting/ending Location: The ride will begin in Belmont/Waltham. Exact location will be shared with all who RSVP.
Route: The route will be emailed to those who have registered if time permits. We’ll have at least one ride leader, possibly more, who will lead the way so it is not required for you to come with the route loaded.
Estimated time: ~2 hours
RSVP: Please RSVP below (at the very bottom of this page) so we know if you’re interested in this ride.
Required: Possibly studded tires. We will determine this based on conditions. You might as well get the studded tires on your bike now regardless of this possible requirement since they’ll be needed in the post-snow freeze/thaw cycle which brings ice.
New snow falling on the frozen ground will turn to ice. If the ground isn’t frozen, there won’t be ice yet.
Front and rear lights are required anytime we’re riding in hard-to-see conditions which includes falling snow and/or night.
Ride Notes: The pace is based on conditions. We don't ride too slowly because we'd get cold, we don't ride too fast because that wouldn't be safe with the snow. We will ride spaced out with a leader or two. Be sure to come prepared with the right bike & tires, and proper attire for the conditions and temperature.
The pace assumes riders who attend have adequate fitness to keep up on a 14mph avg road ride, if riders were on road bikes on a road ride. This is not that kind of a ride, of course, but that is the best way to describe the amount of fitness necessary to ensure you’ll have a good time.
Read on below, there is a lot to this ride and how it works. Be sure to understand it to be able to participate in it! KEEP READING - lots more information is further down this page.
Last Minute Information: We’ll send all who RSVP below an email - check your spam boxes and you’ll know if you’re getting our emails since we’ll email at least a day ahead to tell you where to go and further details.
Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquarters.com, Phone - (413)-461-7433 - we receive voicemails left at this phone number regardless of where we are.
Riding Rules
Everyone who chooses to participate in this ride must be comfortable with the protocols.
All of our Riding Rules apply. Read and digest them before the ride. All riders are expected to abide by these throughout the ride. All rules stated here on this page override any conflicting rules stated in our ride rule page.
Waiver: When you join NEER, you’ll sign a waiver that applies for the year. Only NEER members may participate in this ride.
First Snow Nitty Gritty Details
One of our favorite pastimes is riding in snowfall. You can hear the snow crunching under your tires. It’s such a quiet time; all sound is suppressed by the snowfall. No one is out on the roads and trails. The world feels primitive and peaceful.
The moment of the first snowfall is THE time to ride. We are leading a ride when this first snow hits!
We are ready. Are you?
Ride Synopsis
We are leading a ride that begins very soon (1-2 hours) after the first snow of the season begins. We define the first snow as having accumulation of approximately 1” of snow at “go” time, and the forecast must predict that it will snow for the duration of the ride. This means the prediction will need to be for 4+ hours of snow fall, at least.
We won’t be riding if the snow isn’t going to last for the duration of the ride.
Most important to note: GO time is decided with at least 1 hour of notice for you, more if possible. So be ready and keep checking your email for our updates to know when it will hit. We try to get ahead of notifying you when it sounds like it might be happening a day or two in advance, depending on the weather forecast.
The ride will be 90 minutes to 2 hours in length total. The distance of the route will take into account how hard the snow is falling & how fast the ride will be.
The route is mixed terrain. Expect to be on- and off-road, on trails and through woods with some back roads too.
The pace of the ride will be high enough to keep everyone working hard. This way, everyone stays warm. This doesn’t mean we’ll be moving fast considering studded tires and winter setups aren’t exactly fast. No one gets dropped.
Here’s How We Plan for the First Snow
Be flexible. We have no idea when it’s going to snow. It’s most common for snowfall to occur during the afternoon but it could be 2am or any other time. A mindset focused on the ride, rather than when the ride will occur, is helpful.
Be ready. Have a Snow Essentials Duffel packed and with you at all times – we provide some content hints below. Have your bike ready to go.
The Right Tires: Studded tires may be required for this ride. Once the first snow falls you will very likely want to be riding studs for the rest of the winter since ice will be much more likely with the freeze/thaw of winter temps during the day and amount of precipitation.
Headlight & Taillight: Whether we’re riding at 2pm or 2am, you have to have at least one headlight and taillight to join us. Snowfall makes it really difficult for drivers to see cyclists. A headlight and taillight will help a great deal with visibility for everyone. Make sure you charge those lights a few days in advance. If you’re looking to upgrade your lights, we stock very good lights and can bring them to you already charged!
First Snow History
Last year, 2024/2025, the first snow hit on December 20 at 7:30pm and we had a great ride and 7 people were able to make it out for the festivities + perfect snow.
In 2024, the first snow hit on January 6 late in the day, we started riding late in the evening in the dark of night in Cambridge and experienced a city asleep while we soaked up the atmosphere…and the melted snow that turned to slush.
In 2023, the first snow hit on the MLK holiday, later in January - a Monday morning! We had a fun, small group come out and we enjoyed the morning from Revival Cafe.
In 2021, there was no first snow! It came Friday, January 7 of 2022 and we started riding at 7:30am, in deep, rideable fluffy power. About 20 people joined in the festivities and enjoy hot cocoa at the big, red van afterward!
In 2020, we were out on December 17 in a big snowstorm with a ride that started at 10:30pm. We started from Sherborn so it was hard for people to drive to it. However, it was magical and in the heart of the pandemic, it felt normal and so full of good feelings and community. Sharing hot chocolate around a fire after the ride was special.
In 2019, we were out on December 1st in the early evening with 30+ people. This was the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
In 2018, we were out from 9:30-11:30pm on a weeknight in mid-November with over 40 riders.
In 2017, we were out riding at 1pm on a Saturday afternoon with over 40 riders.
2016 was an 8am Monday morning ride, the hardest time to find riders and quiet trails/roads of all - but we still did it!
2015 - This was our inaugural year. We were out riding with a “go” time of 3am. People came as far and wide as Jamaica Plain to join in the festivities!
Knowing When the Snowfall Ride Moment Arrives
We’re emailing everyone who RSVPs for the ride with timing and details and we’ll post frequently on Instagram as well.
This is the hashtag to use with all photos you post: #rscfirstsnow
Tricks for Riding in the Snow
Traction: Snow riding is all about traction. Four ways of maximizing traction are:
Apply steady horsepower to the pedals. This is a lot more difficult than it appears. If you’re riding at 70 hp on a snowy trail, a change of 10%, or 7 hp, is a lot – and can be the different between maintaining your line and losing traction entirely. Practice steady horsepower output.
Keep your bike upright, even while turning. The more you lean into a corner, the less traction you have. Most tires have less tread and fewer studs toward the sides of the tire. Don’t lean your bike too much. Riding upright keeps you upright.
Tire pressure: Lower tire pressure provides better traction. Of course, you want to balance this with the possibility of getting a flat. We find that riding on an inch of snow is deceptive, in that you feel like the trail is really smooth, when in reality, all the obstacles are still there – and just as sharp – you just can’t see them, so your chance of getting a flat probably increases slightly.
Tires and treads: Studs are best. Wider is better than narrower. Treads are better than slicks.
Be careful. This may seem obvious but we see this as a fundamental issue each season in the first snow. Taking a tumble in the ice and snow can be problematic; these falls are fast, unexpected, and hard. Ride conservatively and don’t worry about winning.
No fenders: Snow time may seem like a great time to have fenders, but it’s not. Not only are fenders dangerous on mixed terrain – due to sticks and debris on the trail, it’s also likely that your fenders will get packed with snow and make your ride a lot tougher.
Batteries die. Batteries don’t like the cold so they power down a lot more quickly than on an autumn day. Three hours of battery life can become one hour – or worse – in the cold months. Keep your electronics warm – in your jacket or jersey, not in your saddle bag – until you need them. This includes your phone, backup battery, spare light, and your Garmin – if you’re not the ride navigator.
Likely Weather Conditions
It can’t snow if it’s too cold so it’s likely to be somewhere between 28 and 36 degrees. Also, you’re likely to get a bit wet as the snow melts on you; gear that leans toward rain protection can be useful.
Always Be Prepared: Snow Essentials Duffel
Have your Snow Essentials Duffel in your car – if that’s your mode of work transport – so you’re always ready to roll. In that bag, we recommend:
All the clothing you typically use for 30-40 degree riding. Clothing that likes wet conditions isn’t a bad idea, either. Note: We’re only including the gear that people often forget when they’re in a hurry, and riding in unexpected conditions. If you forget to put your bibs in your Snow Essentials Kit, we have no sympathy!
Headlight 100% charged and ready for 2.5 hours of use. Ideally, two headlights – one on your bars and one on your helmet.
Taillight batteries in good condition.
Winter shoes or your autumn shoes with overshoes.
Long thick wool socks
Helmet – with light mount ready to go.
Long finger gloves, possibly with liners.
Three season cap that covers your ears. A brim will be appreciated – it can help keep the snow out of your eyes.
Neck gator - doubles as a face covering.
Protective glasses if that’s your kind of thing for riding in a snowstorm.
High-vis vest if you like to be visible. If there’s ever a time to increase your visibility, it’s during a snowstorm; drivers have a really difficult time seeing cyclists through snowfall.
Towel to dry off after the ride.
Puffy jacket, a change of clothes that are warm and fleece-lined, warm cap and mittens feel so good post-ride!
We are Here To Help
We have just about anything you could need for winter riding, including:
Winter Bikes. There are considerations to be made where it comes to the bike you ride in the winter. We have bikes that are great all year, but are extra special for winter riding. Check out the Seven Cycles Treeline bike: summer mountain bike, winter fat bike. Titanium is a perfect frame material for a bike that’s going to see the salt and harsh conditions of winter. A winterized bike is also important. For example, if snow is allowed into the brake housing, your brakes will likely freeze up. We can winterize your bike to keep your rolling.
Lots of studded tire options. And the tubes needed for each tire size. We can help determine the ideal tire size for your bike and guarantee what will fit and what won’t. Not all studded tires are created equal. We can help determine the right price point for your riding needs.
Studded tire installation help. Studded tires are often the toughest type of tire to install because they’re thicker, stiffer, and sometimes are steel beaded. We’re happy to help.
Lights: We have the toughest winter lights available. We’ll help you determine optimal number of lumens for your needs. We’ll help you determine where the best mounting spot is on your bike or body. The best kind of taillight for visibility and longevity. So many options – all with different strengths and weaknesses.
Gloves: We have everything from lightweight full fingers to deep winter 45Nrth gloves and liners. We have an array of models and sizes to determine the ideal setup for your type of riding. We can help with determining which are best for wet weather, for glove liners, or for the coldest days. Lots of glove options for lots of kinds of riding.
Winter Shoes: We’ve got 45NRTH Wolvhammers in stock and will order more upon request. We’ll help you find the right size, and install cleats on your new boots, too.
We hope to see you in the first snow!
#rscfirstsnow
Come by at least 15-minutes early to the ride starting location so you can make any last minute bike adjustments. We’ll be there with the van with supplies, hand warmers, toe warmers, and any gear you’ve asked us to bring to the start for you!
RSVP with your interest in joining now!
Saturday, Dec 6 - Massachusetts’ Global Fat Bike Day!! Adventure Ride
Location: Hingham, MA
Ride Type: Fat Bike Ride
Distance: 40 or 70 miles
Location: Start and end in Wompatuck State Park, Hingham, MA
Ride Type: Trails, Beaches, Roads on Fat Bikes
Date & Time: Saturday, December 6, 2025 8am start*
Distance: We have OPTIONS! ~40 and ~70 miles (bring lights!)*
Price: $0 - if this is your first ride with NEER, it’s no charge, come on out! If you’ve ridden with NEER previously, please become a member, it’s required of our insurance.
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Details
This is a fat bike adventure ride! It’s got a little of all of the fun riding and a whole lot of adventure to look forward to. It’s a big day on the fat bike, come well prepared for a big day! There are quality beaches, sand, trails, back roads. A whole lot of everything.
* We reserve the right to shift start times & change route lengths based on conditions for the day.
Raffle! Win $350 in Cold Weather Goodies
All riders who show up to this ride will be entered into a raffle that will be held prior to rollout! Fat-bike and winter-specific items will be raffled.
The raffle Grand Prize is these sweet pedals and studded boot system from 9point8 out of Canada! Other items include:
NEER Wool Neck Warmer - 2 will be raffled! $60 value each
45NRTH Draugenklaw drop bar pogies - 1 set, $85 value
NEER members receive an extra entry each to this raffle!
Pace
This ride is suitable for people with good fitness to push your fat tires all day long! The average pace will be ~8mph for the stronger riders. This is not slow when you’re on a fat bike.
We are offering a “fun” pace for those wanting a less intense day or riders who are newer to their fat bike. This pace is offered for the 40-mile version only considering this is still a big day in the saddle.
Distance & Estimated Ride Time
Allow 9-10 hours for this ride for the 70-mile version, depending on your pace. We’ll break up into groups if that allows everyone to get the ride of his/her desires, but only if we have > 10 riders or people at different paces.
The 40-mile route is a ~5.5 hour ride for stronger riders, 6.5 hours for less strong riders so still a big day at this time of year!
Food and Drink During the Ride
There are good cafes and places to fill up water bottles and eat calories on the route. Riders should bring the equivalent of 2 x 26 ounces of water and extra calories as you would on any long ride, but expect to have enough places to stop (and warm up!) on the way for both route options.
Parking
Parking is free and ample at the Wompatuck parking lot. Details will be shared with all who RSVP no later than 7pm the evening before the ride.
Route
The routes will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.
Route Notes
Expect everything on this ride! Beaches, paved roads, plenty of fun trails, nothing too technical, but lots of fun.
After the Ride
Bring something to eat for post-ride. Also bring a change of clothes for the drive home! Since we aren’t charging, we aren’t staffing the finish of the ride or providing food.
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.
CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.
Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
NEER requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
Proper bike & Equipment
3.5” knobby tires OR BIGGER. Wider tires are nicer! We’ll be on some beaches so mountain bikes don’t have wide enough tires for these sections. Besides, it’s Global Fat Bike Day! Studded tires are fine. There are paved sections, these won’t be bad or unsafe for studded tires, it’s just louder.
All 70-mile (long route) riders MUST bring front and rear lights to see and be seen for 2+ hours. The ride will finish in the dark.
Enough food and water to be hydrated and satisfied in between food stops. This should mean 2 x 26 ounce bottles + 2 food bars/equivalent.
Bring money for food, there are cafe and food stops on the routes.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride or take an Uber home if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes.
High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires. Some of the beach riding may involve riding on rocks, and there are paved roads connecting the beaches and trails.
Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike. Have a plan if your legs or bike stop working so you can get home.
Register to Participate in Global Fat Bike Day Massachusetts 2025 Now!
If you can’t make it, we just ask that you let us know (email connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com) so we aren’t looking for you at the start or during the day.
Super Full Moon this Thursday, Dec 4, 7pm: Mixed Terrain Ride
Location: Start and end Mighty Squirrel
Distance: ~15 miles, 2 hours
Kind of bike: gravel, hard-tail mtn, fat
Location: Mighty Squirrel, Waltham, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes
Date & Time: Every other Thursday in December: December 4 & 18 (the other Thursday rides in December start at Revolution Hall)
Distance: ~15 miles, 2 full hours of riding
Price: Free; see NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Details & Pace
This mixed terrain ride takes cyclists to many interesting trails with roads connecting them.
The route is a mixed terrain route so any bike with 40mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. This route is not appropriate for people who don’t have mixed terrain riding skills or night ride experience. The Revolution Hall rides that we host are more appropriate for those just getting into mixed terrain and night riding.
There are rocks, roots, boardwalks, road crossings, and short sections of road to ride. Leaves can be wet and slippery whether or not it just rained.
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the main group. New-to-mixed terrain riders should try our weekend rides first prior to coming out to this ride.
It doesn’t mean much to talk about the average pace of a mixed terrain ride since it sounds a lot slower than it really is. We keep moving at an endurance pace but it’s not fast given it’s dark out. We have to stay moving since it’s cold so come prepared.
Distance
~15 miles
Parking
Address for your GPS: 411 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452
Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot - it’s not next to the Mighty Squirrel since that’s for customers: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7EWmn2YTh66Nj2Xj6
Route
Please download the route on your GPS device, it makes it easier for everyone to know which turn is coming next.
All who RSVP will receive the route in your inbox the morning of the ride.
Start time, Estimated Ride Time
Start: 7pm, be ready to roll by 6:55pm
Ride time: Expect this to take a full 2 hours.
After the Ride
Mighty Squirrel is open and they serve beer, hot (large) pretzels, chips and guac, that sort of cuisine. It’s fun to hang out for a few minutes post-ride if riders are up for it. Ride leader will always be up for post-ride hangs!
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.
CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.
Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.
RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
NEER requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Proper bike & Equipment
40mm knobby tires minimum. Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and fat bikes at this ride, the majority of bikes will be gravel bikes.
Lights, front and rear. Bring both front and rear lights with battery power to stay lit for a 2.5 hour ride. Correct, the ride is 1.5 hours, but if there’s a mechanical or if you accidentally set it too bright, then you want to still have enough light for the duration of the ride.
Concerning Rear Lights: A super bright and/or flashing rear light will blind the person riding behind you and it actually hurts that person’s eyes and can make it hard for that person to see. Please look into your rear light. If it burns your eyes, get a “group ride friendly” light such as the Super Flash ($25) - it has a steady mode and isn’t too bright.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats on a mixed terrain ride. You can possibly get away with road pedals/cleats on a gravel (dirt road) ride, but not a mixed terrain ride.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride or take an Uber home if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes.
High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires. Ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure.
Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.
RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!
Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.
Thursday, Dec 18, 7pm: Mixed Terrain Night Ride
Location: Start and end Mighty Squirrel
Distance: ~15 miles, 2 hours
Kind of bike: gravel, hard-tail mtn, fat
Location: Mighty Squirrel, Waltham, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes
Date & Time: Thursday, December 18, 7pm start
Distance: ~15 miles, 2 full hours of riding
Price: Free; see NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Details & Pace
This mixed terrain ride takes cyclists to many interesting trails with roads connecting them.
The route is a mixed terrain route so any bike with 40mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. This route is not appropriate for people who don’t have mixed terrain riding skills or night ride experience. The Revolution Hall rides that we host are more appropriate for those just getting into mixed terrain and night riding.
There are rocks, roots, boardwalks, road crossings, and short sections of road to ride. Leaves can be wet and slippery whether or not it just rained.
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the main group. New-to-mixed terrain riders should try our weekend rides first prior to coming out to this ride.
It doesn’t mean much to talk about the average pace of a mixed terrain ride since it sounds a lot slower than it really is. We keep moving at an endurance pace but it’s not fast given it’s dark out. We have to stay moving since it’s cold so come prepared.
Distance
~15 miles
Parking
Address for your GPS: 411 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452
Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot - it’s not next to the Mighty Squirrel since that’s for customers: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7EWmn2YTh66Nj2Xj6
Route
Please download the route on your GPS device, it makes it easier for everyone to know which turn is coming next.
All who RSVP will receive the route in your inbox the morning of the ride.
Start time, Estimated Ride Time
Start: 7pm, be ready to roll by 6:55pm
Ride time: Expect this to take a full 2 hours.
After the Ride
Mighty Squirrel is open and they serve beer, hot (large) pretzels, chips and guac, that sort of cuisine. It’s fun to hang out for a few minutes post-ride if riders are up for it. Ride leader will always be up for post-ride hangs!
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.
CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.
Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.
RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
NEER requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Proper bike & Equipment
40mm knobby tires minimum. Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and fat bikes at this ride, the majority of bikes will be gravel bikes.
Lights, front and rear. Bring both front and rear lights with battery power to stay lit for a 2.5 hour ride. Correct, the ride is 1.5 hours, but if there’s a mechanical or if you accidentally set it too bright, then you want to still have enough light for the duration of the ride.
Concerning Rear Lights: A super bright and/or flashing rear light will blind the person riding behind you and it actually hurts that person’s eyes and can make it hard for that person to see. Please look into your rear light. If it burns your eyes, get a “group ride friendly” light such as the Super Flash ($25) - it has a steady mode and isn’t too bright.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats on a mixed terrain ride. You can possibly get away with road pedals/cleats on a gravel (dirt road) ride, but not a mixed terrain ride.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride or take an Uber home if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes.
High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires. Ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure.
Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.
RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!
Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.
Myles Standish Fat Fun + Extra Ride Option on fun MTB Trails
Location: Myles Standish and Carolina Hill
Ride Type: Fat Bike Ride
Date & Time: Sunday, November 23
Distance: 2 hours, then 2+ hours
Price: Free
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Location: Myles Standish for part 1, Carolina Hill for part 2
Ride Type: Pine Barrons, sandy trails, hilly terrain
Date & Time: Sunday, November 23, need to be there by 9:20am, rolling at 10am
Distance: ~2 hours of riding, 18 miles first part, 2-3 hours for optional part B
Price: Free; see NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Details
This is a fat bike wonder ride on different terrain! David Farrell of SE NEMBA is leading the Myles Standish portion of the ride. After it concludes in 18 miles and ~2 hours of riding, those who wish for more will continue to Carolina Hill for a whole lot of fun trails and exploration there. David describes the trails as one of the best fat bike trails you have ever been on!! Myles Standish State Forest is the third largest WORLD of Pine Barren of pitch pines, sandy, and infertile soil.
Pace
This ride is suitable for people who are fit enough for climbing and pushing their fat bikes on sand. It will not be a fast pace at all.
Start Time
9:20m - David has requested riders be here by 9:20 for discussion of the trails
10:00am - Wheels roll
Parking
DCR PARK
194 Cranberry Road Carver MA
Better directions will be emailed to all who RSVP for this.
Route
Everyone will stay together, no route will be shared for either part of the ride. Frequent re-groups will happen, no one will be lost or dropped.
Route Notes
Expect sand and 800’ of elevation gain total.
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.
CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.
Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
NEER requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Proper bike & Equipment
3.8” knobby tires OR BIGGER. Wider tires are nicer! We’ll be on beaches so mountain bikes don’t have wide enough tires for these sections.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride or take an Uber home if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes.
High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires. 8psi is usually max for fat tires, you’ll probably be happier somewhere around 6psi depending on the width of your tires and your weight.
Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.
RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!
Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.