Gravel Rhodes Island Ride
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!
