Saturday For the Love of Riding Bikes Outside
Location: Start and end at Wompatuck
Ride Type: Fat and Mountain Bike Ride
Date & Time: Saturday, March 11 at 10am
Distance: 10-40 miles
Price: Free
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Location: Start and end in Wompatuck, MA
Ride Type: Trails on Fat Bikes / Mountain Bikes
Date & Time: Saturday, March 11
Distance: As long as you want to ride! Options: 10-40 miles
Price: Free; see NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Details
This is the ride you need it to be for YOU. We’re starting the ride at 10am and riding, riding, riding at Wompatuck! We’re following various routes so there won’t be any repetition, yet we’re staying within Wompatuck. Ride until you don’t want to ride any longer, it’s not far or hard to get back to your car.
Ice/snow: Wompatuck staff have told us as of March 9, there is no ice on the trails and the trails are dry. Should it rain a lot (this would be unexpected but could happen), we would cancel the ride.
Pace
If you can maintain a 14mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 2+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much much less than this (probably more like 6 mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, bigger tires, twisty trails, etc. We’ll regroup periodically.
Start Time
9:55am - Be ready to ride!
10:00am - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out
Distance & Estimated Ride Time
The ride is as long as you want to go. 10 miles all the way to 40 miles!
Time: this is up to you. You stop riding when you want to stop riding. We’re out there for the day so start with us then end when it’s time for you to be done.
Parking
Parking is free and ample at the parking lot, we’ll share the exact location with all who RSVP by 7pm the night before the ride.
Route
The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.
Route Notes
The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will not be that cold out, so it’s going to be easy to overheat if you overdress (overheating leads to freezing). Wear enough layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then not overheat.
Any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider needs to walk out to the car. It’s not that far so it’s not a big deal. The group will try to get you rolling and if it’s not possible, we’ll make sure you know how to get back to the car.
After the Ride
Anyone who wants to hang out and talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. Since everyone is finishing at a different time, we suggest bringing food and drink to enjoy post-ride for when you finish.
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.
CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.
Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
NEER requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Proper bike & Equipment
2.25” knobby tires OR BIGGER. Wider tires are nicer! This is a rougher mountain bike area so we suggest 3” tires minimum width regardless of conditions. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats on a mixed terrain ride. You can possibly get away with road pedals/cleats on a gravel (dirt road) ride, but not a mixed terrain ride.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride or take an Uber home if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes.
High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires. We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:
We want to minimize flats on the ride; waiting for someone to change flats is not why we ride. We typically see zero flats on our ride. One of the primary reasons for this is due to higher than average tire pressure.
You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.
Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.
RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!
Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.
BiFrost Remote-Start Ride DETAILS
Location: Remote Start
Ride Type: Mountain and Fat Bike Ride
Time/Date: Departs various times & locations
Price: Free
BiFrost Remote-Start Ride Details: Date TBD
Location for Next Departure: TBD
Previous Departures:
West Hill Dam, Uxbridge MA
Russell Mill, Chelmsford MA
Ride Type: Mountain and Fat Bikes, Studded Tires required, no tires skinnier than 2”
Time & Date: Departs at 9:00am
Distance: 9-13 miles, equating to approximately 2.5 hours of riding time
RSVPs are REQUIRED - see very bottom of this page where you can RSVP
Sponsored by Honey Bikes! Demo a mountain, plus, or fat bike on this ride!
This is a Chill Club Special Ride! You get invited to the Chill Club email distro when you attend this ride. Use #chillclubhq on any photos or social media you post!
Description: We’re meeting up at West Hill Dam Uxbridge, MA for this ride. If the ride is canceled or changed in any way, we will email everyone who has RSVP’d for the ride no later than 7am the morning of the ride. We will only cancel if weather changes very dramatically from what has been predicted making the trails unrideable.
Ride Waiver
If you haven’t filled out a waiver for Ride Headquarters before, be certain to fill it out online before Sunday’s ride. We won’t be bringing paper copies of the waiver. Note the Ride Studio waiver doesn’t cover Ride Headquarters’ rides. If in doubt, please fill it out again!
Ride Rules
Be sure to read These Rules too, so we’re all on the same page. This makes riding a lot more fun and safe is fun!
Ideal Bikes for this Ride
The perfect bikes for this ride are:
Learn why these bikes are perfect for all seasons and make this your best winter of riding! |
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Route: We have at least two people leading and sweeping this ride so you don’t need the route. We’ll email a proposed route Saturday evening to all who RSVP by 7pm the night before. We might change the route on the fly so as to keep the ride to 2.5 hours in length or accommodate for riding conditions.
Parking: TBD
Meet-up and Start Time: We’re meeting up bewteen 8:30am and 8:45am. The ride will start promptly at 9:00am. PLEASE come ~15-minutes early and try to be as ready as possible when you arrive. We don’t want to stand around waiting for anyone because it will be cold.
Pace & Skill Level: This is a fun ride for capable cyclists. We are out to enjoy the trails and get a solid ride in, so we aren’t slow, but this is not a fast ride or one that is hard to keep up with if you have some trail riding experience. You don’t need to have any particularly great technical riding ability. For reference: If you can maintain a solid 14mph road pace riding by yourself for two hours on paved roads, you have the fitness necessary to enjoy this ride. Having the appropriate equipment is paramount and will help you stay with the group. You should have some experience riding trails before joining this ride.
Last Minute Information: We will email all who RSVP with any last-minute information.
Estimated time: ~2.5 hours
Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquarters.com, we’ll get any emails sent here up until ride time. If you need to talk to us near-ish to ride time, call 505-672-8742. This number should not be used at other times. Ride Headquarters’ store number is: 413-461-7433. We get voicemails and txts sent to this number fairly quickly unless we’re in the middle of a ride.
Proper Bike and Equipment for this ride - Read All of This!
A mountain bike or fat bike. We’ll be on not-too-technical mountain bike trails. Please don’t bring a gravel bike to this ride.
Tires: Should be at least 2” wide and studded for your safety and those you’re riding near since we’ll be riding on snow, and possibly frozen sleet.
Please be sure your bike is in safe working order with a properly lubed chain.
Please be sure your tires are properly inflated. Ask us if you have questions about proper inflation. We will bring a floor pump to the parking lot. 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.
Please bring ample water and food for the ride. We won’t have extra with us.
Make sure to bring all of the cold-weather you might need. Never a bad idea to have extra chemical hand/toe warmers just in case.
We can bring things for you if you need it! Here’s how:
If you need us to bring anything to you for the ride, please call us 8am-5pm Saturday at Ride Headquarters (413-461-7433). We can put a care package together for you, charge you over the phone, and bring whatever it is you need to the ride start ~8:30am.
RSVP HERE - Required
Thank you for your RSVP! Watch for an email Saturday evening before the ride date with a ride route and any last-minute info. If you don’t receive it by 7pm, please email us at connect@ridestudiocafe.com.
The Gravel Ride
Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA
Ride Type: Gravel and Mixed Terrain
Time/Date: Departs at 12:00pm on select Saturdays - next one June 22
Distance: 10-13 miles for approx. 2 hours of riding
Price: Free
Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA
Ride Type: Gravel and mixed terrain
Time & Date: Departs at 12:00pm on select Saturdays - next one: June 22
Distance: ~10-13 miles, equating to approximately 2 hours
Price: Free
Sponsored by Honey Bikes! Demo a Honey Allroads on this ride!
Description: The Gravel Ride takes cyclists all over Sherborn and beyond. The ride takes advantage of local trails, dirt roads, grassy areas, and other places off the beaten path.
The point of this ride is to allow experienced road cyclists an entry into the wonderful world of gravel riding without concern for pace, technical ability, or equipment challenges. This is a “safe” ride to ask questions, learn how to feel confident on dirt and on trails, and meet others who are getting into the awesome world of gravel riding, also!
This ride is led by an experienced gravel cyclist who has been riding gravel and dirt long before “gravel” cycling was a thing. The leader will take it easy, explain how to navigate trails, rocks, roots, and allow everyone to ride at a comfortable pace. The route that the leader chooses will ensure riders return in 2 hours regardless of the pace.
Questions about joining in? Please email us at connect@rideheadquarters.com.
If the ride is canceled or changed in any way, we post by 8am on our Twitter feed.
And read the Rules and be sure to sign the waiver online prior to Sunday!
Ideal Bike for this Ride
The perfect bike for this ride is: Honey Allroads Titanium The highest value gravel bike on the market, the Honey Allroads is lightweight, durable, very responsive, and takes care of the comfort of its rider. Available in-stock for demo or immediate purchase. Comes in 12 sizes and offered with a variety of component packages such as Shimano Ultegra, SRAM Rival 1, and SRAM AXS wireless - hydraulic brakes or cable-actuated. Learn why the Honey Allroads is the best bike to join you on your journey into the wonderfully fun world of gravel riding! |
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Dates: This ride runs when we don’t have an Adventure 500 ride offered or another special event ride.
June 22 - Next date for the ride. RSVPs are required - email connect@rideheadquarters.com
Route: The leader chooses the route for the weather and will alter the route based on attendance. No need to come with the route as this is a no-drop ride.
Ride Notes: Don’t have a bike appropriate for this ride? Demo one of our bikes! Email us in advance so we can get it set up for you.
Pace: On road sections, expect a 15-16mph pace. On trails, we ride so that we stay together and learn while having a great time riding!
Last Minute Information: Watch our Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes.
Estimated time: 2 hours
Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquarters.com, Phone - 508-975-4678
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.
Proper Bike for this ride:
A drop-bar bike with 32-40mm knobby tires. If you want to ride a mountain bike with flat bar, just be prepared for the speed on road sections.
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.
A bike that’s in safe working order.
Higher tire pressure. We recommend about 80% to 90% of maximum rated tire pressure on your tires, 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 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 we ride
When the trails are dry and won’t be impacted by us riding them.
When we have a ride leader as this ride is ride leader dependent.
NOT when it’s raining or when there are hurricane-force winds. Otherwise, weather doesn’t stop us.
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.
If you'd like us to do any work on your bike prior to the ride, please email us the day before so we're ready to do the work as soon as you come in; we want you to be ready to roll before the ride!
BiFrost Offroad Ride
Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA
Ride Type: Mountain and Fat Bike Ride
Time/Date: Departs at 9:00am all year
Distance: ~13 miles for approx. 2-2.5 hours of riding
Price: Free
Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA EXCEPT on remote-location days (see below)
Ride Type: Mountain and Fat Bikes, Studded tires when icy
Time & Date: Departs at 9:00am*
Distance: ~13 miles, equating to approximately 2-2.5 hours
Price: Free
Sponsored by Honey Bikes! Demo a mountain, plus, or fat bike on this ride!
Mountain bike riders excited to roll out!
Description: The Sunday BiFrost Offroad ride takes cyclists all over Sherborn and beyond.
NEW for Winter 2020!! We are now adding some remote-start BiFrost rides for select Sunday mornings when the weather and temps make these possible! We are requiring RSVPs for remote-start rides since it’s important for us to know who to expect and to be able to contact riders before, during, or after the ride should we need to for whatever reason.
Complete Details for Remote Start rides are HERE. Please read all of the information and RSVP, these are REQUIRED for remote-start BiFrost rides!
The ride takes advantage of local trails, dirt roads, grassy areas, and other places off the beaten path. Rides happen every Sunday morning that the weather allows for dry or frozen trails. If the ride is canceled or changed in any way, we post by 8am on our Twitter feed.
And read the Rules and be sure to sign the waiver online prior to Sunday! This is especially important for remote-start rides since we won’t be bringing paper waivers with us.
Ideal Bikes for this Ride
The perfect bikes for this ride are:
Learn why these bikes are perfect for all seasons and make this your best winter of riding! |
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Route: The route is available to attendees the day of the ride at Ride Headquarters.
Ride Notes: We have a designated Ride Headquarters Super Domestique leading the ride and pointing out turns. Don’t have a bike appropriate for this ride? Demo one of our bikes! Email us in advance so we can get it set up for you.
Pace: This is a fun ride for capable cyclists. We are out to enjoy the trails and get a solid ride in, so we aren’t slow, but this is not a fast ride or one that is hard to keep up with if you have some trail riding experience and if you ride at least 16mph on the road on a road bike. Having the appropriate equipment is paramount, as we ride a lot of rougher, less-ridden trails. You should have some experience riding trails before joining this ride.
Check out our Gravel Ride if you would like this trail-riding experience!
Doors Open: Ride Headquarters opens as a store at 12pm on Sundays. Doors are open for riders for this ride at 8:30am.
Last Minute Information: Watch our Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes.
Estimated time: ~2.5 hours
Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquarters.com, Phone - 508-975-4678
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.
Proper Bike for this ride:
In soft-trail, wet conditions before the freeze: 32-40mm tires minimum. We still want to be on our mountain bikes but can’t be on sensitive, wet trails. So we ride big tires and on all of the back roads, non-sensitive trails and grassy areas we can!
In dry conditions: 40mm knobby tires minimum. Wider tires (2”-4.8”) are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set.
In dry conditions: 40mm knobby tires minimum. Wider tires (2”-4.8”) are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set.
In snowy/icy conditions: Wide tires (2”-4.8”) - with studs when it’s icy! 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.
A bike that’s in safe working order.
Higher tire pressure. We recommend about 80% to 90% of maximum rated tire pressure on your tires, 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 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 we ride
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.
Ride leader: A couple times a year we don’t have a designated ride leader. It’s not fair for us to send you out without someone to help guide. Of course, if you want to ride without a ride leader, you are more than welcome to!
If you'd like us to do any work on your bike prior to the ride, please email us the day before so we're ready to do the work as soon as you come in; we want you to be ready to roll before the ride!