Mixed Terrain Ride Specifically for non-technical Gravel Riders
Location: Start and end near Bedford, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain
Date & Time: Saturday, October 31, 2026, 9am start
Distance: ~25 miles
Location: Start and end near Bedford, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain ride for gravel bikes, hardtail mountain bikes or fat bikes
Date & Time: Saturday, October 31, 9am start
Distance: ~25 miles
Pace: Fun - everyone rides together at a slower pace, no one feels “slow” all enjoy getting on mixed terrain
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 mixed-terrain ride leads cyclists to many back roads, plenty of dirt paths and trails for a total of ~25 miles.
Pace: “Fun: - everyone rides together at a slower pace, no one feels “slow” all enjoy getting on mixed terrain and getting a chance to feel comfortable on the terrain.
Distance
The ride is ~25 miles in length.
Parking
In the large parking lot for offices just across from Revolution Hall:
3 Maguire Rd, Lexington, MA 02421
Link to the parking lot & where to actually park: PIN
Route
The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before this ride.
Estimated Ride Time
~2.5-3+ hours, we will not be on a schedule, making sure everyone feels comfortable and has fun.
After the Ride
Enjoy social time together at Revolution Hall!
Route Notes
This route offers a wide variety of terrain and trail types. Expect roots, rocks, twisty, turny terrain, the typical stuff found in eastern Massachusetts. If you’re not certain about riding something, walk it, it won’t be any slower to walk than to ride anything like that anyway!
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.
Proper bike & Equipment
40mm knobby tires minimum. Wider tires are nicer! Ideal: 40mm or wider. We expect to see gravel bikes, hardtail mountain bikes, and fat bikes on this ride. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. Do NOT ride road tires since you’ll be flatting out there.
Clipless pedals and shoes or platform pedals. Clipless pedals are an important element 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 do not allow 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 on 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. We’ll discuss tire pressure during the ride.
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 Mixed Terrain Ride starting in Arlington
Location: Start and end in Arlington
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes
Date & Time: Sunday, November 1, 9:00am
Distance: 36 miles
Price: Free
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Location: Start and end in Arlington at the Arlington reservoir
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes
Date & Time: Sunday, November 1, 9am start
Distance: 36 miles
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 mixed-terrain ride takes cyclists to many back roads, plenty of dirt paths and trails for a total of 36 miles. This equates to ~4 hours of total ride time.
The route is a mixed terrain route so any gravel bike with 38mm tires or larger should be suited for the terrain. We’ll be riding a moderate endurance pace and focusing on minimizing stops so as to have a more focused ride.
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart, if we split into groups.
Pace: endurance zone 2/3 for most cyclists - if you can average 16-17mph on a road bike on a paved road, you’re fit enough for this ride.
Distance
The ride is 36 miles in length.
Parking
Free, all day parking at the Arlington Reservoir
210 Lowell St., Arlington, MA 02474
Route
The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 5pm Saturday night, October 31. If you RSVP later than 7pm, that’s fine, the route will be in your inbox by 6am Sunday morning.
Estimated Ride Time
~4 hours
Route Notes
We discuss these with you prior to rollout. Note that a mixed terrain ride is rougher than a “gravel” ride on the dirt sections. There are a number of boardwalks. It should be dry on these so as long as you feel comfortable riding average width boardwalks, you’ll be fine.
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
38mm 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 likely be gravel bikes.
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. We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:
We want to minimize flats on the ride; waiting for someone to change flats is not why we ride. We typically see zero flats on our ride. One of the primary reasons for this is due to higher than average tire pressure.
You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.
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.
Gravel Rhodes Island Ride
Location: Coventry, RI
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride
Date & Time: Saturday, November 7, 9am start
Distance: 100km
Location: Start and end in Rhode Island (near Connecticut)
Special Requirement: MUST wear an orange vest/jersey for visibility - it’s hunting season
Ride Type: Gravel & mixed terrain ride for your gravel, adventure, or mountain bike (any bike with 35mm or wider tires)
Date & Time: Saturday, November 7, 2026, 9am rollout
Distance: 100km
All are welcome if you’ve got the basics on gear covered.
Theme: Have fun riding gravel and enjoy nice riding before we switch to winter cycling!
Price: No charge; see requirements for joining NEER after the first ride you do with us.
Details
We are hosting a really fun day of gravel and mixed terrain riding in Rhode Island (route will touch Connecticut some as well). This is a great opportunity to have a nice, long day on the bike on gravel and some mixed terrain as well.
Ride a well-vetted 100km gravel ride with our led group (moderate pace, the equivalent of riders who would be averaging 16mph on the road if it were a road ride which it is not), or a faster group, or your friends or ride solo ahead of the groups
Ride in an area without much traffic and where you're probably not riding otherwise
There is no on-bike mechanical support. We're starting riders off with gaps so that slower riders will be passed by faster riders at some point and will allow more overlap which offers visibility for riders throughout the ride. Riders are expected to bring all tools necessary for mechanical situations. Keep reading for recommendations of what to bring with you.
Pace
If you choose to ride with a group of friends you or someone puts together, ride the pace your group prefers!
If you’re riding solo, you’re welcome to ride the pace you want though we prefer if you start earlier than the groups.
There will be one moderate-fast group, possibly a fast group, and a Super Domestique-led moderate group.
Speed Definitions, for those opting in to a group we assemble for this ride
Your pace will be well below these on a longer gravel/mixed terrain ride, but use this as a gauge as to who you are likely to enjoy riding with!
Fun: You usually average ~13-14mph on a road bike, on a paved road ride of 30 miles in length with the usual hilly terrain we find in New England.
Moderate: You usually average 16-17mph on a road bike, on a paved road ride of 30 miles in length with the usual hilly terrain we find in New England.
Moderate-Fast: You usually average 18-19mph on a road bike, on a paved road ride of 30 miles in length with the usual hilly terrain we find in New England.
Fast: You usually average 20+mph on a road bike, on a paved road ride of 30 miles in length with the usual hilly terrain we find in New England.
Start, Distance & Estimated Ride Time
Start times that you see when you register are all approximate. We will roll out groups of friends, groups we assemble, and solo riders separately. You'll get an email with exact rollout times by 7pm Thursday evening prior to the ride.
We expect all riders to be done riding by 5pm. People should arrive back to the parking lot well before this time. We’ll pack up and leave at 6pm unless people are either all done before then or having too much fun, in which case we’ll stay for the party!
Parking
There is a large parking lot that allows for all-day parking at no charge where we’ll be starting and ending. We’ll share exact directions with you to this lot.
We’ll suggest a place to find a toilet enroute to the lot since there is not a toilet on-site.
Route & Route Notes
The route and ride schedule will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm Thursday evening prior to the ride.
The route is about as gentle in terms of elevation gain as you’ll find a gravel ride within a 90-minute drive of the Boston area! It’s a little over 4,000 ft of climbing for the 100km route. We’ll tell you lots more in the pre-ride communication.
Food & Water During the Ride
There is one stop mid-ride for the 100km route to refill water and buy calories. It’s not fancy (think nice, clean gas station), there’s almost no where in this area to refill.
After the Ride
Bring warm clothes to change into and hang out; there are nice places nearby to eat, it’s likely many will want a meal in a nice bar & grill before heading home.
What happens if it’s rainy?
The roads and trails won’t be affected by rain except for possibly adding more puddles for riders to avoid. We aren’t riding sensitive trails or areas where it would be irresponsible for bikes to go when it’s wet.
We will email if we decide to cancel due to cold rain, but we’ll try not to cancel for weather, we need to be outside this time of year!
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news via email.
Everyone will receive complete ride details by 7pm Thursday evening to their email, two days before the ride. If you have NOT received an email by 7pm Thursday, please email us so we know you haven’t gotten information. Please don’t email prior to 7pm Thursday wondering where your information is because we probably haven’t sent anything to anyone yet and your email will just slow down our ability to release information to everyone.
Contact Information
Email us with questions at connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.
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. Registering for this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
The insurance for this ride requires a signed waiver. This will be shared with all who register to sign electronically.
Proper bike & Equipment
A gravel bike is ideal, though a mountain bike, fat bike or even road bike with 35mm tires or wider is fine if you know you’ll be able to keep the pace you’re signing up for with that bike. Riders with tires on the narrower side will want to walk a few more spots (around rocks, roots). Either flat pedals or mountain-style pedals should be used, no road pedals/shoes.
Required: An ORANGE vest or jersey that’s hunter orange and 200 square inches from the waist up. These can be purchased for $5 at Home Depot and many convenience stores. It’s the law!
Required: Front and rear lights - there is a chance you’ll be riding in the dark, the sun goes down EARLY in November! Visibility is always a good thing for safety.
Required: A GPS computer with the route loaded ahead of time
Required: A bike that’s in safe working order that has been recently tuned and is free of creaking and squeaking. The chain should be lubed just prior to the ride.
Required: All of the tools for typical mechanicals such as:
Flat fix tools and at least TWO spare tubes (yes, even if you’re running tubeless tires), air via CO2 or hand pump, multi-tool
Nice to have: Extra chain link, chain breaker, chain pliers
Nice to have: Change of socks, waterproof socks (in case your feet slip into a puddle)
Spare derailleur hanger if your bike needs a spare
Extra clothes and storage capacity so adding/taking off layers is easy
Required: Cell phone and a plan to get back to your car in case your bike or body stops working - we cannot offer rides to anyone (per insurance requirements)
Required: Two full water bottles at the start of the ride
Nice to have: Extra calories in your pockets
VERY NICE TO HAVE: Change of clothes to wear after the ride so you’re comfy!
Remember November Bikepacking Adventure
Location: Acton, MA, Camping in Littleton, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Bike Packing
Date & Time: Saturday & Sunday November 14 & 15
Distance: ~70 miles
Price: $70 with discounted pricing for all NEER members (become a member to have access to this and all of our bikepacking trips + much more!)
Location: Starts in Acton, MA, Camping is in Littleton, MA
Transportion: Take the train from Boston or drive, parking is free all weekend, see details below
Route & distance: Bikepacking, mixed terrain appropriate for gravel bikes with 40mm tires, bigger are totally fine! Quite a lot of dirt under your tires - Expect ~40ish miles Saturday, ~25ish miles Sunday
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain
Date & Time: Saturday & Sunday November 14-15
Price: $70, all NEER members receive a discount code commensurate with their membership level
Must be a NEER member to participate (this keeps the price down for everyone since we don’t have to buy extra insurance; become a member!) The bikepacking option is likely to fill up. No charge for those who come for the day of riding.
Non-Riding family/friend option! See details below.
Description: Remember November is a great ride and it’s combined with bikepacking so it’s a full, wonderful overnight experience! Get out to bikepack before the winter sets in, this is important since winter is the best time to plan and prepare for the coming spring. It’s also incredibly fulfilling cycling and time with other like-minded cyclists. Time at camp together can’t be beat!
This is a 100% new route that we just developed! We’ve never run this route before and it’s in an area where other rides/events aren’t common so it’s very likely to be almost all new terrain to you, even if you live near this area.
This is a great way to test your bikepacking setup, enjoy camping with others of similar cycling interests, and share the experience with your friends. Get into bikepacking before the autumn turns to winter!
This is not a catered trip, we’re not bringing stuff to camp for anyone but we do have the basics for fire starting and boiling water which you’re welcome to use. We bring other nice things for you such as hot chocolate (the healthy and yet still tasty kind), tasty, fresh third-wave coffee beans and coffee grinder, filters.
We’re buying all of the firewood and keeping the fire warm while we’re enjoying time at camp together.
We’re providing knowledge and ideas, ask questions and we’ll get you answers.
Self-sufficiency is important! You are expected to be able to fix mechanical issues or ride with friends who can help each other out.
We’re providing a comprehensive packing list so you know what to bring and are prepared for this and any bikepacking trip.
There are cabins at camp if you want to sleep inside and/or have someone meet you at camp. Please get in touch if you want to stay in a cabin or have family/friends meet you at camp!
Photo from a warm bikepacking trip fire and post-ride feasting/post-ride food coma Saturday night.
When:
14 & 15 November 2026. Saturday and Sunday.
Where we start & Where we Camp:
The ride start is at the Acton MBTA station where overnight parking is allowed. Take the train to the start!
Parking is no charge on weekends and overnight in this lot.
10am Saturday - Grand Depart - Full group rollout from the parking lot
9am or earlier Sunday - Depart from Camp for the second leg of the journey - you’re welcome to start your ride early if you need to get back earlier!
Train Information -
Take the Fitchburg Line that starts at North Station in Boston to Acton. Here is a good one for Saturday, will get you to the parking lot by 8:34am! Sunday a return train is at 2pm, but it’s a shorter route Sunday so riding home may be the best choice.
Why:
Organized bikepacking trips are hard to find and it’s nice to have the opportunity to test your equipment, figure out how to pack your bike, etc.
Registration:
For the bikepacking trip, please Register at the NEER store!
Questions?Email us at connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com
Who can do this Ride?
Any fit and competent cyclist with equipment that meets our minimum requirements and who is willing to abide by basic riding safety rules may participate. There are no time cut offs, you’re welcome to take your time. As much as possible, we want people to ride together. However, when everyone has a loaded bike, people tend to get spread out on the route. Come prepared to ride alone and if it turns out that you get to ride with people, great! If you prefer to ride alone, no one will take it personally.
All who register to participate in this ride will receive the following pre-ride:
Bikepacking Checklist: This is a comprehensive list of what NEER recommends for participants to have on bike and body. It also includes a list of items we find useful on self-supported multi-day rides for your knowledge and you’re welcome to add whatever you wish for this ride.
Logistics, Route & Route Notes by 7pm Thursday, November 12: You’ll understand where you’re headed, have the routes in hand, know where to be when, and much more.
Waiver: This ride is being insured by NEER’s insurance. Your NEER waiver covers your participation on this ride.
All details subject to change, all who register will receive every communication by email.
Ride with Your Friend Group or with the NEER Super Domestique
We’re happy if you and your friends want to ride together. There’s no need to ride with anyone specifically.
Slower Riders
If you’re concerned about your riding speed or experience, please email us: connect@newengland. NEER has a Super Domestique who will ride with anyone who wants a more mellow pace as the Super Domestique is loading a fat bike with fat tires on it. This means that if you’re a less fast rider, someone will very likely be behind you sweeping the route and you are unlikely to be the last rider, but email us to get in sync with paces and comfort level.
Solo Riders
Solo riders must have their own GPS navigation device with backup battery to charge the unit if necessary.
Ride as fast or slow as you wish, it’s a little nicer if you’re a solo rider to head out earlier before everyone else so that you see others during the day and it’s a .
Display your location
We will have ALL riders display their location on the route via Life360 (not necessary to pay for an account for this), it helps us know where everyone is throughout the day for the safety and convenience this offers. This will take a little more battery life from your cell phone, so a backup battery is essential.
Non-Riding Significant Other Camping Option / Bringing your Family
Please let us know if you’ll have someone meeting you at camp. That person should register like a rider, we’ll pass you a registration discount code for them when they register, the person does not need to be a NEER member, and mention in registration that they won’t be riding. This is a good way to get your camp stuff to camp without being a bikepacker.
Contact Information - Call 413-461-7433 if it’s urgent
Email us with questions at connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.
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. Ring our phone please with urgent anything!!!
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by these Rules. Registering for this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Proper Bike & Equipment
There are quite a few bikes and setups that work great for bikepacking and gravel riding on terrain you’ll find on this ride. Your choices will potentially impact your speed relative to others. We don’t care how fast/slow you ride, this is up to you, as long as you are on a safe bike with minimum basics and arrive before sunset on both Saturday and Sunday.
Requirements
A bike with 40mm tires or wider. Mountain, gravel, fat, CX bikes are all acceptable. Ideally, the bike will have 40mm knobby tires or bigger.
Flat pedals or mountain-style pedals should be used, no road pedals/shoes.
A GPS computer with the route loaded ahead of time if you’re riding solo. If you’re riding with a friend group, the group must have 2 GPS computers among members.
Nice to have: Backup battery to charge GPS computer and phone during the ride. (There IS electricity to recharge things at camp.)
Sign-on to Life360 or other service that you share with us so we can see your location you when you’re riding. We’ll share connection info with you in the pre-ride information email.
A bike that’s in safe working order that has been recently tuned and is free of creaking and squeaking. The chain should be lubed just prior to the ride. Squeaky chains and noisy bikes are unacceptable because it means there is something wrong with your bike and more might be wrong.
All of the tools for typical mechanicals. These are on the Gear Checklist you’ll receive when you register. Lots of extra “nice to haves” are on the Checklist too!
Cell phone and a plan to get back to your car in case your bike or body stops working - we cannot offer rides to anyone (per insurance requirements) and there won’t be a vehicle on the route.
Two full water bottles/other vessel with at least this much water at the start of the ride
Front and rear lights (do not need to be turned on if visibility is good but available), reflector on ankle or pedal. Visibility is always a good thing for safety regardless of weather or time of day. Lights are important at camp too!
Nice to have: Extra calories in your pockets to get you to stores where you can buy more. We don’t want anyone bonking out there!
Martha’s Vineyard Off-Road Adventure Tour with Mike and Mary
Location: Martha’s Vineyard
Ride Type: Adventure mixed terrain
Date & Time: November 21, 2026
Price: $125 NEER / $195 non-NEER
Location: Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Adventure - ride trails, dirt roads, ancient paths, and back roads with the day catered by Mike and Mary with homemade, tasty food to delight hungry riders
Date & Time: Saturday, November 21
Distance: ~40-50 miles
Max attendance: Registration is capped at 25 riders
Price: $125 - NEER members / $195 - Non-Members
Details of this Special Adventure Tour with Mike & Mary
Come join mountain bike legends, Olympian Mary McConneloug and pro Michael Broderick, for a fun day of riding bikes on and off road on charming Martha’s Vineyard! They are taking riders on a mixed terrain tour showcasing some of their favorite quiet back routes over ancient trails and roads with an emphasis on cool trails that are hiding all over the island. Highlights include full immersion into the natural island beauty, cycling to remote areas, offering views from a favorite high point and a beach stop to take in the Atlantic Ocean. Riding will be fun at a moderate pace; all riders will enjoy a solid day on the bike at a moderate (not slow) pace. This should not be a rider’s first gravel or mixed terrain ride, participants should be experienced cyclists with experience riding on dirt and mixed terrain.
What You Get
An exciting full day adventure on bikes with Mike & Mary, professional cyclists who have a lifetime of adventures to share and who continue to live their dream racing all over the world.
A day to just ride and enjoy nature, experience the incredible mixed terrain riding on Martha’s Vineyard.
A great bike ride! Enjoy riding your bike on awesome terrain hidden out of sight on Martha’s Vineyard!
Nice welcome gathering with warm, fresh baked goods and refreshments to start the day.
Light lunch/home-made snacks served mid-ride
Hot, homemade meal served at the end of the ride.
All diets and preferences are accommodated.
Opportunity to enjoy ferry crossings of the Vineyard Sound which offer picturesque calm during the trip to/from the island. (Tickets for the ride aren’t included in event price.)
A morning greeter where you park in the morning prior to riding down to the ferry terminal so it’s easy to figure out the logistics of making it to the right ferry and getting a ticket.
There are 3 ride guides and 2 professional mechanics on the ride so you’re well taken care of, though we need you to come with tuned and ready bikes!
An intimate cycling experience with locals, a chance to meet some new friends and gain knowledge of special places to ride off-road on Martha’s Vineyard!
Food & Water During the Day
After arriving to Martha’s Vineyard, Mike and Mary will greet riders and treat everyone to coffee and tea and some homemade wholesome treats to eat.
There will be food & water stops during the ride where riders may fill water bottles or purchase food if desired.
Riders will enjoy something to eat prepared by Mary prior to departing the ride/catching the ferry for those who are taking it back to the mainland.
All dietary preferences are accommodated, we ask for this information when you register.
Martha’s Vineyard riders having the time of their lives with Mike and Mary and crew!
Price
$125 for Cat 4 NEER members / $195 for non-NEER members
Refund Policy
Cancellations up to 2 weeks in advance will be refunded 50%. If the ride can’t be run due to dangerous or miserable weather or if the ferry can’t sail (forecast of light rain doesn’t cancel), money + time will have already have been spent on organization, food, and prep so a 70% refund will be issued.
Parking for People Coming from the Mainland & Ferry Details
For riders coming from off-island, there are a number of free parking lots a short bike ride away from the ferry. Everyone who registers will receive detailed information about where to park, where to meet up with each other and when to ride over to the ferry. A NEER Super Domestique will be at the lot to get everyone together for the ride to the ferry terminal.
Riders will be taking the 9:30am ferry which arrives Vineyard Haven at 10:15am.
At the end of the day, riders will be back at Vineyard Haven around 3pm making the 3:45pm ferry the earliest ferry ride possible to return on. Be prepared to take the next ferry in case it’s not possible to get back in time for the 3:45pm departure or if you’re having such a nice time you want to stick around longer.
Ferries run nearly every hour until the last ferry which is ~9:30pm.
Route, Distance, Pace
This is a guided experience so no one needs to have the route, but a route file will be provided and a shorter option will be provided as well via GPS file. No one is getting dropped or lost. The route will be appropriately adjusted if the weather or time requires. The route length is 40 miles.
The pace will be moderate throughout the day, it’s important to keep riding to stay warm. The ride assumes riders have the ability to ride 15-17 mph on a road bike (this is not a road ride, it’s just a way to state speed/fitness levels), and the ride assumes riders have experience riding mixed terrain (mixed terrain is a little more twisty, turny and sandy than gravel), but this is not an overly technical route. As long as riders have experience riding some dirt on a gravel or mountain bike and fitness for a 15-17mph road pace, this ride is within the scope of riders’ abiities.
Terrain Details
Mostly off road paths, trails, dirt roads, and some pavement, very light traffic. Most trails are not overly technical, but there will be more emphasis on super fun trails this year than in previous editions of this adventure ride. There is a fair amount of sand on the roads and trails. You’ll see some secret spots very few people have visited!
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by these Rules. Registering for this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Proper bike & Equipment
Required: A bike with tires 38mm wide or bigger. The bigger, the better!
Required: A bike that’s in safe working order that has been recently tuned and is free of creaking and squeaking.
Required: All of the tools for typical mechanicals such as:
Flat fix tools and at least one spare tube (yes, even if you’re running tubeless tires), air via CO2 or hand pump, multi-tool
Extra chain link, chain breaker, chain pliers
Spare derailleur hanger if your bike needs a spare
Extra clothes and storage capacity so adding/taking off layers is easy
Required: Cell phone
Required: Two full water bottles at the start of the ride
Required if coming from off-island: Front and rear lights that have at least 1.5 hours of run time.
Nice to have: Extra calories in your pockets
About Mary McConneloug!
Mary is a 2 x Olympian (Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008), 4 x US National MTB Champion and also the 2017 AND Current (2026) Masters Enduro MTB World Champion. She loves to get creative in the kitchen, fueling their days with good healthy foods. Mary loves the outdoors, riding in new places where the car cannot go. She manages many of the fine details necessary to run their professional race team.
Mary loves to cook, garden and is learning to surf. She is an advocate for healthy active lifestyles, and sharing that with others. She has coached herself from the beginning and has her own coaching and mentoring business. She holds a nutrition based philosophy combining lifestyle balance and periodization training techniques to reach fitness goals. Feel free to ask Mary questions during the tour on any of these topics.
About Mike Broderick!
In Mike’s 30+ years of competitive bike racing, he has ranked among the top of his field in Cross Country, Cyclocross, mixed team stage racing (with Mary) and most recently in the Masters Enduro World Series. Legendary for his technical handling skills and fitness, Mike has raced on the US National Team for over 10 years alongside Mary. He earned the Masters Enduro MTB World Champion Title in 2016. His mechanic skills have stood by him as he continues to tune and refine both his and Mary’s race machines. He earned his University degree with a Bachelor in English and minor in Art from Springfield University, MA (1995). Mike was born and raised in Chilmark, MA and has always enjoyed riding in the woods, shredding dirt and surfing waves since he was a kid.
More about Mike and Mary, The A-Team!
Mike was born on Martha’s Vineyard, MA and Mary was born in Fairfax, CA. They met at a MTB race in Northern California during the Spring of 1999. Their first date, a 70-mile road ride out to Point Reyes National Seashore set the back drop for a lifetime of adventures on the bikes - which they continue to enjoy today. Their second date was a week long road trip to race at the NORBA National XC in Big Bear, CA…. They were smitten from the start, by each other and the challenge of racing, riding bikes and pushing their limits to improve. They have supported each other, creating their own 2 person team, alongside a handful of great companies (which includes Seven Cycles), pursuing many disciplines of off road cycling - mainly XCO, cyclocross, stage race and Enduro. For the past 26 years Mike and Mary have built their life around sustaining a career in racing bikes and continue to be involved at domestic and international events and sharing the ride.
Still going strong, both Mike and Mary were the 2024 USAC Masters 50+ Enduro National Champions in their respective fields!
Register Now - Select one of the following tickets
Enjoy a full day of incredible riding with Olympian Mary McConneloug and Pro cyclist Mike Broderick exploring the wonders of Martha’s Vineyard on your gravel or hardtail mountain bike. 40mm tires and bigger are appropriate for the terrain.
The day starts with healthy, tasty baked treats and hot drinks, there’s a mid-ride stop for snacks (also homemade), and there is hot food and drinks at the end of the ride before taking the ferry back to the mainland. The ferry boat ride for you and your bike is not covered in the registration fee.
This is a rare and special opportunity to hear stories from professional cycling at the highest levels, the stories of world travel, feel the positive energy of these genuine people, and have an exceptional day on the bike. Riding will be ~40-50 miles for the day.
NEER guide leads you from a free parking lot in Falmouth to the ferry terminal so all ride together and it makes sense on how to board the ferry. It’s gorgeous terrain, a beautiful part of MA, multi-modal, full of tasty food, good people, and it’s just great fun! Come on out!!
Note: USE your CAT 1, 2, 3 or 4 discount code when you check out to pay the correct amount!
Enjoy a full day of incredible riding with Olympian Mary McConneloug and Pro cyclist Mike Broderick exploring the wonders of Martha’s Vineyard on your gravel or hardtail mountain bike. 40mm tires and bigger are appropriate for the terrain.
The day starts with healthy, tasty baked treats and hot drinks, there’s a mid-ride stop for snacks (also homemade), and there is hot food and drinks at the end of the ride before taking the ferry back to the mainland. The ferry boat ride for you and your bike is not covered in the registration fee.
This is a rare and special opportunity to hear stories from professional cycling at the highest levels, the stories of world travel, feel the positive energy of these genuine people, and have an exceptional day on the bike. Riding will be ~40-50 miles for the day.
NEER guide leads you from a free parking lot in Falmouth to the ferry terminal so all ride together and it makes sense on how to board the ferry. It’s gorgeous terrain, a beautiful part of MA, multi-modal, full of tasty food, good people, and it’s just great fun! Come on out!!
Note: pricing is for Cat 4 NEER members. Cat 3, 2 & 1 get discount codes to apply when checking out.