Sunday, Dec. 14 Blue Hills Mountain Bike Ride + NEMBA Toy Drive
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.
