Thursday, Dec 4, 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: 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.
Massachusetts Celebrates Global Fat Bike Day!! Dunes & Dirt Fat Bike Adventure Ride - 2025
Location: Start and end at Wompatuck
Ride Type: Fat Bike Ride
Date & Time: Saturday, December 6 at 8am
Distance: 40 or 70 miles
Price: Free
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
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.
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.
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.
Three Day Hut-to-Hut Fat Bike Adventure Ride
Location: Carrabassett Valley, Maine, staying in huts
Ride Type: Fat bike adventure ride
Date & Time: January 17-19
Distance: Conditions dictate & options will be offered
Price: $450 for three days, must be a NEER member
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Ride Type: Fat bike hut trip
Date & Time: Friday, January 16-Sunday, January 18 (3 days, 2 nights)
Location: Carrabassett Valley, Maine, where the snow is the best and trails allow for incredible riding
Distance each day: Conditions dictate, options will be offered. Long ride option for Saturday of 40-50 miles.
Price: $450 per person. Open to NEER members due to insurance requirements. See what’s included, below.
Register now!
Details
This is a fun and potentially demanding fat bike 3-day adventure riding incredible trails in Carrabassett Valley, a winter wonderland, and staying in nice huts to go further and see more!
The huts are full service offering freshly prepared, hot breakfasts and dinners accommodating all dietary needs of participants. Lunch is either at the hut or they pack it so riders can enjoy lunch in the wild.
Included in the price is stuff-schelpping from parking lot to the first hut, then from one hut to the next, then getting your stuff back to your car at the end of the trip. This allows you to enjoy riding with only the things you need for the day, not sleeping bag, toiletries, and your change of clothes.
Read about what to expect at the huts!
We have 9 spaces reserved for attendees and 2 are already spoken for. We expect to sell out and have a waiting list. We have to have a firm commitment via full payment the first week in December since we have to pay in full to the huts the first week in December.
The first night, we’ll be at lovely Stratton Hut.
The second night, we’ll be at secluded, private Flagstaff Hut.
Distance and pace
Ride at your own pace. Fat bike riding in the snow is slow for the fittest riders. Everyone will start and end at the same places each day and night for camaraderie and we expect enough people of various fitness levels so that everyone will have company out there. There is one designated trip organizer/ride leader who will likely be riding a fully loaded bike allowing for slower riders to have company. Route options will be shared with participants for each day (a shorter and longer option), so everyone is welcome to take on the distances that are comfortable for each person. Saturday’s minimum distance requirement is 20 miles to travel from the first hut to the second hut. There will be a long option of 40-50 miles for those who want a big day of riding.
Schedule
Exact timing of activities and rides will be emailed to everyone a few days prior to the start of the trip. Snow conditions will be factored into route lengths and will be adjusted as appropriate.
Friday - Meet up at 9:30am, at parking lot where cars can spend the weekend, drop overnight stuff off
10am - Ride starts
Arrive Stratton Brook Hut, enjoy a hot shower!
Enjoy a hot, hearty Dinner prepared by hut staff
Saturday - Enjoy a hot, hearty Breakfast prepared by hut staff
Ride 8:30am - Long - 40-50 mile
10am - Shorter - 20 miles (this isn’t short!)
Enjoy sack lunch hut staff prepared on the trail!
Arrive Flagstaff Hut before dinner
Enjoy a hot Dinner prepared by hut staff
Sunday - Enjoy a hot, hearty breakfast prepared by hut staff
Ride - 9am - it’s ~15 miles to return to cars
Enjoy the sack lunch hut staff prepared on the trail!
Monday is the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday so hopefully you don’t have to rush home Sunday night!
Are you training for an ultra winter cycling event?
If you’re an ultra winter cyclist preparing for future ultra events and want the challenge of sleeping outside in a bivvy or want to self-support, please contact us for details on how this is possible and what your options are to get the training you want as well as a supported, safe experience as well.
Parking
Airport Trailhead. All attendees will receive driving directions to this parking lot. This is where you’ll bring your stuff so it can be transported to the first hut.
Routes
All routes will be emailed in advance of the weekend.
Complete Information
We will email all participants with full details at least 2 days prior to the trip, including routes of shorter and longer options. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions via email or txt.
If you need to arrive later on Friday and your stuff will miss the gear shuttle, we can arrange for you to get us your stuff prior to the trip (in the Boston area) and we’ll bring it up early so that it makes it to the hut.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this 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.
Our Super Domestique rides with a Garmin InReach in case of emergency that is out of cell phone range. We do this to facilitate rider safety. If you’re not riding with the Super Domestique, we ask that you follow the proposed route for the day and let us know if you’re planning on doing something different for safety. We always want to know where you are!
Preparation
This is unlike our other rides. It’s very important to come prepared with all necessary equipment and have a bike that is tuned and completely ready for what this ride entails. Clothing appropriate for the temperatures is important and remember that overheating on very cold days can happen so layers are important. Everyone who registers will receive a packing list and guidance on proper gear.
Waiver
NEER requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
Proper bike & Equipment
Fat bike with tires 3.8” or wider.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. Have a plan in case your bike or legs stop working. Note there are a lot of dead cell phone areas in the areas where we’ll be riding.
All necessary equipment and supplies - we’ll email a comprehensive list so you know what is necessary well ahead of time.
Lights - front and rear, back up lights and back-up batteries (cold batteries don’t work like warm ones do)
Optional and fun! Stove - ability to make water from snow in cold temps
Register Now and Reserve Your Spot!! Space is VERY limited. If all spots are not reserved by January 1, we will cancel those bed reservations.
Fat Bike Weekend Getaway in Bethlehem, NH
Location: Bethlehem, NH
Ride Type: Fat bike snow rides, 1-3 days
Date & Time: Friday, Feb. 13-Sunday, Feb. 15
Distance: Various with lunch stops included
Price: Free to ride, ~$250-350 for 2-nights in a beautiful home/cabin
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Imagine this whole area under a beautiful blanket of snow! This is the house we rented in Bethlehem last year. We'll rent a similar big, nice home to enjoy the weekend together again!
Location: Bethlehem, NH & surrounding nearby towns - an easy 2.5 hour drive north of Boston
Dates: Friday, Feb 13-Sunday, Feb 15
Not required to stay in the NEER house, feel free to come up for 1, 2 or 3 days
Price to ride with NEER: Free; price to stay in the shared home and see NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us
Details
This area is picturesque and offers some of the most fun fat bike riding we’ve found, quite accessible from the Boston area!
Bike the North Country, a non-profit organization in Bethlehem, Littleton, and Franconia, is the sponsor of a Fat Bike Poker Run event over this weekend and we overlay enjoying their event with riding together, staying in a shared AirBNB house, having a great time with camp fires, making food together, and sharing in the joy that snow and fat bike brings everyone. The reality is that we’re typically riding mid-day Sunday when the poker game is happening so riders are likely to miss it.
The benefit to us in riding here at the same time as the Poker Run is that these trail systems are really nicely groomed for this event, so it’s the way to find the best conditions of the trails. Besides, it’s fun to find poker chips out on the trails! We ask that you either participate in the Poker Run registration or make a donation to the grooming efforts in this area.
NEER is leading rides Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday at groomed Prkr, Bethlehem, and Laconia trails so everyone has others to ride with and there is a good ride plan to execute together.
Detailed Information and Ride Schedule
We will email all who express interest in the rides with further information so you know how everything will be organized.
NEER has organized groups for the past two years and each year has been exceptionally great. Thus, we received MANY requests to offer this again.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions.
CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the weekend at 413-461-7433.
Don’t send a txt msg 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.
Be sure to email us with questions: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.
Martha’s Vineyard Off-Road Adventure Tour with Mike and Mary - Spring 2026
Location: Martha’s Vineyard
Ride Type: Adventure mixed terrain
Date & Time: Spring 2026
Price: $150
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: Re-scheduled to Spring 2026 when it’s warm and Mike & Mary are back in town!
Distance: ~40 miles
Max attendance: Registration is capped at 35 riders
Price: $125. Register at BikeReg.com. Open to everyone! (NEER membership not required.)
If you’re interested in doing a private ride or tour of the Island with Mary at a separate time, please email Mary at:
marymcconneloug at fastmail.com (replace “at” with “@” when you email her!)
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.
Nice welcome gathering with refreshments to start the day.
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 catching the ferry.
There are 3 ride guides and 2 professional mechanics on the ride so you’re well taken care of though we want 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 on the ferry, 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 the experience, ride, and everything Mike & Mary are providing in terms of homemade food, hot drinks and baked goods at the start of the ride, hot tasty food at the end of the day and mid-ride food too.
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 (forecast of light rain doesn’t cancel), a rain date will be announced and if participants can’t make the new date, a 50% refund & 50% credit 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 a little 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 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.
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 life time 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!