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!
Full Moon Mixed Terrain Night Rides - 2025
Location: Various start locations
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain
Time & Date: Evenings around the Full Moon all year
Distance: ~15 miles
Price: Free
Location: Various starting locations throughout New England
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain
Time & Date: Departs Every Full Moon (or shifted by a day or two for ideal conditions), varying start times and locations
Distance: ~15 miles, approximately 90-120 minutes of riding
Price: Free, note NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us
Description: The Full Moon ride takes cyclists all over the trails and back roads of the town where we start.
These rides all have a certain peace and joviality associated with them. There’s no “fast” when night riding; this is the time to really enjoy the ride in a special way with others who come out for these rides.
The Full Moon Ride should NOT be your first Mixed Terrain Ride.
Mixed Terrain is rougher and more technical than gravel bike riding and involves navigating around and over some smaller rocks and roots, sometimes dismounting to clear a downed tree.
Most Full Moon rides are appropriate terrain for gravel bikes of 35mm tires or wider and hard-tail mountain bikes with at least this minimum tire size. Sometimes we’ll do a special edition due to the trail conditions that will necessitate a different tire size so always be sure to check back for each ride to get the details of the best bike for the terrain.
If you are uncertain of your skill level, please email us or attend a daylight mixed terrain ride to get comfortable on your bike on Mixed Terrain.
Full Moon Ride Calendar
Some of the Full Moon rides are shifted from the exact date of the full moon 1-2 days, typically to avoid weekends or days people are unlikely to be able to ride. Usually 1-2 days on either side of a Full Moon, the moon is big and bright and still very pleasing to ride under!
Full Moon Calendar: 2025
| Date | Day | Moon Name | Departure Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 February | Tuesday | Snow Moon | 7:00 PM | Near Bedford, MA |
| 12 March | Wednesday | Worm Moon | 7:00 PM | Belmont Center |
| 15 April | Tuesday | Pink Moon, Super Moon! | 7:00 PM | TBD |
| 15 May (date changed) | Thursday | Flower Moon | 7:00 PM | Newton Center |
| 11 June | Wednesday | Strawberry Moon | 7:00pm | TBD |
| 10 July | Thursday | Buck Moon | 7:00 PM | TBD |
| 9 August | Saturday | Sturgeon Moon | 9:00 AM | Long daytime ride |
| 9 September | Tuesday | Harvest Moon | 7:00 PM | TBD |
| 7 October | Tuesday | Hunter Moon | 7:00 PM | TBD |
| 5 November | Wednesday | Beaver Moon | 7:00 PM | TBD |
| 4 December | Thursday | Cold Moon | 7:00 PM | TBD |
Route
We will email the route to everyone who RSVPs by 7pm the evening before the ride. You’ll get the route emailed to you if you register by 4pm the day of the ride but please try not to wait too long to send in your RSVP since we work day jobs and may not have time to send you the route before the ride.
Please load the route in advance, it’s helpful for riders to know when turns are coming, they are numerous.
Pace and Skills Needed
Riders who can average 15mph on a 2+ hour road ride will have the fitness to allow them to enjoy this ride. The average pace of a mixed terrain night ride is usually 6-8mph depending on conditions and terrain. We err on the side of caution and regroup periodically.
As stated above, the Full Moon ride should not be your first mixed terrain ride experience.
Ride Notes
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the ride and pointing out turns. We don’t have a sweep rider for this ride so only participate if you’re confident in your skill level and fitness – or know your way back. When we have a larger group, we will split into two or more groups. Riders are exceptionally nice on this ride and make sure to not lose their co-riders.
This ride has a kindness vibe to it.
Last Minute Information
We send emails to those who have RSVP’d with anything critical that isn’t communicated on this page that is known to us before the ride start.
Estimated time
Typically 90 minutes to 2 hours. We make winter and snow rides shorter in distance (but not time) since they’re slower.
After the Ride
When we start at a local establishment, anyone who wants to hang out and enjoy food or drinks together are welcome to do that! Sometimes we prepare food/drink for riders post-ride, but we let you know when this is happening.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com, Phone - 413-461-7433
Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different:
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.
Waiver: A signed waiver is required prior to your first ride with NEER.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Proper Bike & Requirements for this ride:
Bright front light - At least 500 lumens that will last for 2.5 hours.
Rear light - A steady (not flashing) rear light that will last at least 2.5 hours. This light needs to NOT be BLINDING to other cyclists. Please stare into your rear light, if it hurts your eyes, it will be painful for the rider behind you.
35mm knobby tires minimum for most rides. Wider tires are nicer. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. In the winter, we will require studded tires when we expect to see ice. Road bikes with 32mm tires or bigger all the way up to fat bikes are all invited and will have fun.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you ride with platform pedals you’re likely to be over your head in some of the more technical parts of the ride. If you ride platform pedals and feel you have complete control of your bike because you have many hours of use with them, then they are acceptable.
A bike that’s in safe working order and is free of creaking and squeaking. PLEASE LUBE YOUR CHAIN before the ride.
Higher tire pressure: We recommend starting with higher tire pressure and be ready to let some out if your tires are inflated too much.
First, 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 rides. One of the primary reasons for this is due to higher than average tire pressure.
We do not recommend fenders since sticks and twigs can get caught in them.
When do we host the Full Moon ride? When it is:
Snowing: We ride; it is so much fun to ride during a snow storm.
Snow on the ground: We ride. It doesn’t matter if there’s 1 inch or four feet, we ride. We recommend (and may require) studded tires and/or fat bikes for these kinds of conditions. The only exclusion to snow riding is when there is a state of emergency and we’ve been asked to stay off the road.
Icy conditions: We ride. For this you have to have studded tires in order to ride with us.
Cold: It doesn’t matter what the temperature is, we ride. We’ve held the Full Moon ride at very, very below zero temps in the past and we still get a great turnout!
We DO NOT RIDE if the trails are wet and could possibly be damaged by riding, or we change the route/plan to be on beaches or on fire roads that are not sensitive trails if it’s easy to change the plan last-minute.
RSVPs are required so we know who is coming, RSVP here now!
First Snow Ride - 2024/2025
Location: Belmont/Waltham
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride - Snowy trails & roads
Date & Time: The FIRST snowfall of the season!
Distance: ~10 miles
Price: Free
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 10th 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.
For 2024’s ride: we’re seeing a lot of snow on the way so we are likely to set the start time a little earlier knowing it’ll be accumulating and we want everyone to be able to get home before there’s too much accumulation!
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
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!
Ride Headquarters Is 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!
Full Moon Mixed Terrain Night Rides
Location: Various start locations
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain
Time & Date: Evenings around the Full Moon all year
Distance: ~15 miles
Price: Free
Location: Various starting locations throughout New England
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain
Time & Date: Departs Every Full Moon (or shifted by a day or two), varying start times
Distance: ~15 miles, approximately 90-120 minutes of riding
Price: Free, note NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us
Description: The Full Moon ride takes cyclists all over the trails and back roads of the town where we start.
These rides all have a certain peace and joviality associated with them. There’s no “fast” when night riding; this is the time to really enjoy the ride in a special way with others who come out for these rides.
The Full Moon Ride should NOT be your first Mixed Terrain Ride.
Mixed Terrain is rougher and more technical than gravel bike riding and involves navigating around and over some smaller rocks and roots, sometimes dismounting to clear a downed tree.
Most Full Moon rides are appropriate terrain for gravel bikes of 35mm tires or wider and hard-tail mountain bikes with at least this minimum tire size. Sometimes we’ll do a special edition due to the trail conditions that will necessitate a different tire size so always be sure to check back for each ride to get the details of the best bike for the terrain.
If you are uncertain of your skill level, please email us or attend a daylight mixed terrain ride to get comfortable on your bike on Mixed Terrain.
Full Moon Ride Calendar
A few of the Full Moon rides are shifted from the exact date of the full moon, typically to avoid weekends or days people are unlikely to be able to ride.
Full Moon Calendar: 2024
| Date | Day | Moon Name | Departure Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 March | Tuesday | Worm Moon | 7:00 PM | Rain cancelled |
| 23 April | Tuesday | Pink Moon | 7:00PM | Lexington (Revolution Hall) |
| 23 May | Thursday | Flower Moon | 7:00 PM | Newton Center |
| 20 June | Thursday | Strawberry Moon | 7:00pm | Summer break |
| 21 July | Sunday | Buck Moon | Daytime ride | Summer break |
| 20 August | Tuesday | Sturgeon Moon | 7:00 PM | Lexington (Clark Middle School) |
| 17 September | Tuesday | Corn Moon | 7:00 PM | Lexington (Revolution Hall) |
| 17 October | Thursday | Hunter Moon | 7:00 PM | Lexington (Revolution Hall) |
| 14 November | Thursday | Beaver Moon | 7:00 PM | Waltham, MA |
| 15 December | Sunday | Normal Moon - Daytime ride | 9:00 AM | Sudbury, MA |
Route
We will email the route to everyone who RSVPs by 7pm the evening before the ride. You’ll get the route emailed to you if you register by 4pm the day of the ride but please try not to wait too long to send in your RSVP since we work day jobs and may not have time to send you the route before the ride.
Please load the route in advance, it’s helpful for riders to know when turns are coming, they are numerous.
Pace and Skills Needed
Riders who can average 15mph on a 2+ hour road ride will have the fitness to allow them to enjoy this ride. The average pace of a mixed terrain night ride is usually 6-8mph depending on conditions and terrain. We err on the side of caution and regroup periodically.
As stated above, the Full Moon ride should not be your first mixed terrain ride.
Ride Notes
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the ride and pointing out turns. We don’t have a sweep rider for this ride so only participate if you’re confident in your skill level and fitness – or know your way back. When we have a larger group, we will split into two or more groups. Riders are exceptionally nice on this ride and make sure to not lose their co-riders.
This ride has a kindness vibe to it.
Last Minute Information
We send emails to those who have RSVP’d with anything critical that isn’t communicated on this page that is known to us before the ride start.
Estimated time
Typically 90 minutes to 2 hours. We make winter and snow rides shorter in distance (but not time) since they’re slower.
After the Ride
When we start at a local establishment, anyone who wants to hang out and enjoy food or drinks together are welcome to do that! Sometimes we prepare food/drink for riders post-ride, but we let you know when this is happening.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com, Phone - 413-461-7433
Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different:
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.
Waiver: A signed waiver is required prior to your first ride with NEER.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Proper Bike & Requirements for this ride:
Bright front light - At least 500 lumens that will last for 2.5 hours.
Rear light - A steady (not flashing) rear light that will last at least 2.5 hours. This light needs to NOT be BLINDING to other cyclists. Please stare into your rear light, if it hurts your eyes, it will be painful for the rider behind you.
35mm knobby tires minimum for most rides. Wider tires are nicer. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. In the winter, we will require studded tires when we expect to see ice. Road bikes with 32mm tires or bigger all the way up to fat bikes are all invited and will have fun.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you ride with platform pedals you’re likely to be over your head in some of the more technical parts of the ride. If you ride platform pedals and feel you have complete control of your bike because you have many hours of use with them, then they are acceptable.
A bike that’s in safe working order and is free of creaking and squeaking. PLEASE LUBE YOUR CHAIN before the ride.
Higher tire pressure: We recommend starting with higher tire pressure and be ready to let some out if your tires are inflated too much.
First, 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 rides. One of the primary reasons for this is due to higher than average tire pressure.
We do not recommend fenders since sticks and twigs can get caught in them.
When do we host the Full Moon ride? When it is:
Snowing: We ride; it is so much fun to ride during a snow storm.
Snow on the ground: We ride. It doesn’t matter if there’s 1 inch or four feet, we ride. We recommend (and may require) studded tires and/or fat bikes for these kinds of conditions. The only exclusion to snow riding is when there is a state of emergency and we’ve been asked to stay off the road.
Icy conditions: We ride. For this you have to have studded tires in order to ride with us.
Cold: It doesn’t matter what the temperature is, we ride. We’ve held the Full Moon ride at very, very below zero temps in the past and we still get a great turnout!
We DO NOT RIDE if the trails are wet and could possibly be damaged by riding, or we change the route/plan to be on beaches or on fire roads that are not sensitive trails if it’s easy to change the plan last-minute.
RSVPs are required so we know who is coming, RSVP here now!
First Snow Ride - 2023/2024
Location: Arlington, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride - Snowy trails & roads
Date & Time: The FIRST snowfall of the season!
Distance: ~15-18 miles
Price: Free
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride / Roads and snow-covered trails - over 80% of the ride is on dirt trails
Location UPDATE: Cambridge, MA - near Alewife station
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 coming up!!!)
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 9th year hosting this memorable and much-too-fun ride!
Starting/ending Location: The ride will begin near the Alewife Train Station to make getting to/from the ride easy on main roads or using public transportation and parking is easy/inexpensive in the 24-hour parking garage.
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.
For 2024’s ride: we’re seeing a lot of snow on the way so we are likely to set the start time a little earlier knowing it’ll be accumulating and we want everyone to be able to get home before there’s too much accumulation!
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
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 using Twitter to keep people informed of when the ride is happening. We’ll do our best to inform riders as the moment gets nearer. The final Tweet will be 60-minutes before the ride begins. That’s your klaxon to get your butt and bike over to the start for a very memorable ride.
Twitter should be visible to you whether or not you have an account. Watch Instagram for inspiring photos & post using it to document your preparation and ride images too:
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!
Ride Headquarters Is 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!
Full Moon Mixed Terrain Night Rides
Location: Various start locations
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain
Time & Date: Evenings around the Full Moon all year
Distance: ~15 miles
Price: Free
Location: Various starting locations throughout New England
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain
Time & Date: Departs Every Full Moon, varying start times
Distance: ~15 miles, approximately 90-120 minutes of riding
Price: Free, note NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us
Description: The Full Moon ride takes cyclists all over the trails and back roads of the town where we start.
These rides all have a certain peace and joviality associated with them. There’s no “fast” when night riding; this is the time to really enjoy the ride in a special way with others who come out for these rides.
The Full Moon Ride should NOT be your first Mixed Terrain Ride. Mixed Terrain is rougher and more technical than gravel bike riding and involves navigating around and over some smaller rocks and roots, sometimes dismounting to clear a downed tree.
If you are uncertain of your skill level, please email us or attend a daylight mixed terrain ride to get comfortable on your bike on Mixed Terrain.
Full Moon Ride Calendar
A few of the Full Moon rides are shifted from the exact date of the full moon, typically to avoid weekends or days people are unlikely to be able to ride.
| Date | Day | Moon Name | Departure Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 December | Thursday | Cold Moon | 6:30 PM | Weston, MA |
| 6 January - No ride this month | ||||
| 6 February | Monday | Snow Moon | 6:30 PM | Belmont, MA |
| 7 March | Tuesday | Worm Moon | 7:00 PM | Revere, MA |
| 6 April | Thursday | Pink Moon | 7:00PM | Weston, MA |
| 4 May | Thursday | Flower Moon | 7:00 PM | Jamaica Plain, MA |
| 3 June | Saturday | Strawberry Moon | 7:00pm | Weather canceled |
| 3 July | Monday | Buck Moon | 7:30 PM | Weather canceled |
| 1 August | Tuesday | Sturgeon Moon | 7:00 PM | Lexington |
| 30 August | Wednesday | It's a Blue Moon! | 7:00 PM | Weather canceled |
| 28 September | Thursday | Harvest Moon | 7:00 PM | Concord, MA |
| 28 October | Saturday | Hunter Moon | --- | Moving this to another day so we can fit in the special North Shore ride today |
| 15 November | Wednesday | Not a Special Moon | 7:00 PM | Waltham, MA |
| 28 November | Tuesday | Beaver Moon | 7:00 PM | Weston, MA |
| 26 December | Tuesday | Cold Moon | Start time TBD, prob 4pm | TBD & this will be a special ride |
Route
We will email the route to everyone who RSVPs by 7pm the evening before the ride. You’ll get the route emailed to you if you register by 4pm the day of the ride.
Please load the route in advance, it’s helpful for riders to know when turns are coming, they are numerous.
Pace
Riders who can average 16mph on a 2+ hour road ride will have the fitness to allow them to enjoy this ride. The average pace of a mixed terrain night ride is usually 6-8mph depending on conditions and terrain. We err on the side of caution and regroup periodically.
Ride Notes
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the ride and pointing out turns. We don’t have a sweep rider for this ride so only participate if you’re confident in your skill level and fitness – or know your way back. When we have a larger group, we will split into two or more groups.
Last Minute Information
Watch our Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes. We send emails to those who have RSVP’d with anything critical that isn’t communicated on this page that is known to us within 8 hours of the ride start.
Estimated time
Typically 90 minutes to 2 hours. We make winter and snow rides shorter in distance (but not time) since they’re slower.
After the Ride
We’re serving hot cocoa after the ride to all who would like to share in some social time together.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com, Phone - 413-461-7433
Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different:
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.
Waiver: A signed waiver is required prior to your first ride with NEER.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Proper Bike & Requirements for this ride:
Bright front light - At least 500 lumens that will last for 2.5 hours.
Rear light - A steady (not flashing) rear light that will last at least 2.5 hours. This light needs to NOT be BLINDING to other cyclists. Please stare into your rear light, if it hurts your eyes, it will be painful for the rider behind you.
32c knobby tires minimum for most rides. Wider tires are nicer. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. In the winter, we will require studded tires when we expect to see ice. Road bikes with 32mm tires or bigger all the way up to fat bikes are all invited and will have fun.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you ride with platform pedals you’re likely to be over your head in some of the more technical parts of the ride. If you ride platform pedals and feel you have complete control of your bike because you have many hours of use with them, then they are acceptable.
A bike that’s in safe working order and is free of creaking and squeaking. PLEASE LUBE YOUR CHAIN before the ride.
Higher tire pressure: We recommend starting with higher tire pressure and be ready to let some out if your tires are inflated too much.
First, 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 rides. One of the primary reasons for this is due to higher than average tire pressure.
We do not recommend fenders since sticks and twigs can get caught in them.
When do we host the Full Moon ride? When it is:
Snowing: We ride; it is so much fun to ride during a snow storm.
Snow on the ground: We ride. It doesn’t matter if there’s 1 inch or four feet, we ride. We recommend (and may require) studded tires and/or fat bikes for these kinds of conditions. The only exclusion to snow riding is when there is a state of emergency and we’ve been asked to stay off the road.
Icy conditions: We ride. For this you have to have studded tires in order to ride with us.
Cold: It doesn’t matter what the temperature is, we ride. We’ve held the Full Moon ride at very, very below zero temps in the past and we still get a great turnout!
We DO NOT RIDE if the trails are wet and could possibly be damaged by riding, or we change the route/plan to be on beaches or on fire roads that are not sensitive trails if it’s easy to change the plan last-minute.
RSVPs are required so we know who is coming, RSVP here now!
First Snow Ride - 2022/2023
Location: Arlington, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride - Snowy trails & roads
Date & Time: The FIRST snowfall of the season!
Distance: ~15-18 miles
Price: Free
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride / Roads and snow-covered trails - over 80% of the ride is on dirt trails
Location: Cambridge, near the Alewife Station
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
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 8th year hosting this memorable and much-too-fun ride!
If the first snow happens between January 3 & January 9, we will not be able to run this ride since we’ll be in Idaho to participate in the Fat Pursuit. If this happens, we’ll host an extra special snow ride to make it up to you!
Starting/ending Location: The ride will begin at 125 Cambridgepark Dr, Cambridge, MA 02140, this is the parking lot next to Revival Cafe, very near the Alewife station.
Route: The route is available to attendees 15-minutes prior to roll-out. We will email it 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: Studded tires and lights. New snow falling on the frozen ground will turn to ice. 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 16mph 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: Watch NEER’s Twitter feed for last-minute updates, especially considering this is a last-minute ride by its very nature.
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!
Watch Twitter to see the latest and get ready now so you can join in!!!
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 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. No more. 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 are 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
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 using Twitter to keep people informed of when the ride is happening. We’ll do our best to inform riders as the moment gets nearer. The final Tweet will be 60-minutes before the ride begins. That’s your klaxon to get your butt and bike over to the start for a very memorable ride.
Twitter should be visible to you whether or not you have an account. Watch Instagram for inspiring photos & post using it to document your preparation and ride images too:
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!
Ride Headquarters Is 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!
RHQ - Saturday Morning Mixed Terrain
Location: Revolution Hall near Bedford, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride
Date & Time: Some Saturdays 9am
Distance: ~25 miles typically
Price: Free
Location: Revolution Hall near Bedford, MA (right off the Minuteman bike path)
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride
Date & Time: Saturday, September 4, 2021, rolling at 9:00 am
Distance: 25 miles
Price: Free
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Details: The Saturday morning mixed-terrain ride takes cyclists all over Bedford, Concord, and beyond. The ride takes paved roads to trails, dirt roads, grassy areas, and other places off the beaten path.
The ride departs at 9:00 am with various speed groups; we ride based on time rather than distance. We have a designated RSC Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a moderate pace. If you have ridden mixed terrain before and can average 16mph on a paved road ride, you should be fine with the pace of this ride. We typically have at least two groups - one spicier and peppier ahead of the Super Domestique led group.
We don’t have a sweep rider for this ride so only participate if you’re confident in your skill level and fitness.
Parking: Please park across the street from Revolution Hall. Use this address for GPS navigation to the ride start and for the parking lot:
10 Maguire Rd, Lexington, MA 02421
Route: The route is emailed to all by 8pm the evening before the ride. The weather and trail conditions dictate the route. We do not ride on soft trails ever; we have rain trail-friendly routes prepared.
Estimated time: ~3.5 hours
Ride Notes: We discuss these with you prior to rollout. Note that a mixed terrain ride is a little rougher than a “gravel” ride. You’ll be riding over some roots and rocks, though nothing in this ride can be considered technical in nature.
Last Minute Information: Watch Ride Headquarters’ Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes. We email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.
Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquaters.com, Phone which reaches the ride leader before and during the ride: 413-461-7433
Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different: All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.
Waiver: Ride Headquarters requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
How do we decide if we’re having the mixed-terrain ride?
Thunder storms: If there’s a 33% or greater chance of a thunder storm at 9:30 am, we don’t ride. It is not safe to get caught out in a thunder storm.
Rain or sleet: There are a few variants of this. We don’t ride sensitive trails when they’re wet; this can cause damage that’s not repairable. Fortunately, we have some rain friendly routes that don’t damage sensitive trails.
If it’s raining at the ride start time we cancel the ride. If it’s only threatening to rain, we ride.
If it’s misting or drizzling, with less than 50% chance of rain in the coming hour, we ride.
If it’s been raining a lot for a couple days, but not raining in the morning, we ride. Our rain friendly routes avoid sensitive trails. Of course, every few years there’s such a bad storm that we won’t ride; we take the force majeure very seriously.
Snowing: We ride; it is so much fun to ride during a snow storm.
Snow on the ground: We ride. It doesn’t matter if there’s 1 inch or four feet, we ride. We recommend studded tires or fat bikes for these kinds of conditions. The only exclusion to snow riding is when there is a state of emergency and we’ve been asked to stay off the road.
Icy conditions: We ride. For this you have to have studded tires in order to ride with us.
Cold: It doesn’t matter what the temperature is, we ride. The coldest Sunday ride started at 5 degrees. It was a blast!
The proper bike for this ride includes the following:
32c knobby tires minimum. Wider tires are nice, too. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you ride with platform pedals you’re likely to be over your head in some of the more technical parts of the ride. 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.
Higher tire pressure than you’d ride on a cyclocross ride. We recommend about 80% to 90% of maximum rated tire pressure, for two reasons:
First, 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.
Second, on average, about 50% of the ride is on pavement; having slightly higher pressure makes the road sections go by faster.
Saturday Horizon Chasers 2021
Location: Various, near Lexington, mA
Ride Type: Road Ride
Date & Time: Select Saturdays spring through fall
Distance: usually 50-60 miles, sometimes more
Price: Free
Description: The Horizon Chasers is a longer road ride. The average pace is 17.5 mph depending on the time of year and the weather. The ride has multiple groups that will vary in pace higher and lower than the base average, depending on who is showing up and numbers of riders. We're riding for endurance, not speed. We ride steady.
We have an official leader generally found in the last group to go out. If you choose too fast of a group to start, just stay on the route and the group(s) who have left after you will pick you up.
Photo by Marty M.
Ride Type: Road Ride
Location: Various starting locations, usually near to Lincoln, MA
Starting location for Saturday, September 11 is Twisted Tree Cafe in Lincoln, MA
Dates:
Saturday, September 11, 9am rollout
Will be adding more throughout the fall
Distance: 50-60 Miles; varies with the season and weather, routes vary
Price: Free
RSVP: Required, see below simple form
Proper Bike for this ride: 23-28c road slick tires, clipless pedals, drop handlebars; no aero bars.
Route: The route varies for this ride to take people to various cool places! Some of the road surfaces are badly broken, pay attention. There is a ~1 mile dirt road included. It’s doable on 25mm tires, you just have to ride a little slower through this section.
Route - We will email all who RSVP with a new route. The mid-ride stop is at Tangerini’s for refilling water and if you need calories, they have those too! Bring cash if you’d want to buy anything.
Riders are expected to have the route loaded on a GPS device.
Starting Location: If you’re wondering how to ride to the start when the route begins at Twisted Tree, here’s a route suggestion from Alewife station to Twisted Tree in Lincoln. There are many other ways to access Lincoln as well.
Estimated time: About 3-4 hours depending on the time or year and the weather.
Last Minute Information: We will email those who RSVP letting you know anything important.
Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquarters.com, Phone - 413-461-7433
Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different: All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.
Waiver: Ride Headquarters requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride of each year.
RSVP Now Here
RSVPs are required to attend each Horizon Chaser ride.