Join us for incredibly beautiful cycling on the back roads of New Hampshire! This ride is full of dirt roads, with scenic paved roads as well - away from traffic and people.
Keep reading to understand the logistics. This ride requires starting in New Boston, New Hampshire - so most people will need to drive to the start. It is a 60-minute drive from Lexington, MA, a 70-minute drive from Boston, MA.
This is a scenic, enjoyable, fun gravel ride. You may organize a group of your friends to ride together, ride with one other friend, or ride alone like everyone did last year during the height of the pandemic.
There will be a sweep rider or car on the route to put your mind at ease about a mechanical issue. If you’re riding alone, you won’t feel alone since many other cyclists will be on the same route.
We’re riding on roads with very light traffic in an area you’re unlikely to be familiar with. It’s wonderful riding, but probably not what you’d consider doing completely alone. This a way to ride in a new area that is fairly remote knowing there are other cyclists on the same route. There will also be a staffed food stop on the ride and a substantial meal post-ride.
This is a great way to see others, get back to riding longer miles, and be in a place you otherwise probably wouldn’t think to ride!
COVID Protocol:
We ask that all riders adhere to state guidelines where it comes to mask wearing and proper social distancing. We will include these in the email we send to all participants just prior to the ride since guidance is continually changing.
Please err on the side of caution, have your mask ready to wear when in proximity of others, and simply be respectful of others since everyone has a different level of nervousness where it comes to COVID worry.
If we think you’re being unsafe, you will be asked to leave the ride. You will not be invited to return to any group rides as well.
We’re offering three fully-supported locations on the ride: one at the start, one mid-ride full of your favorite packaged bike foods, gummies, maple syrup packets, etc. and Iced Mochas, and a filling meal after the ride.
The post-ride meal will be a substantial meal of real food.
You can also look forward to a cool Crud Cloth to clean off with post-ride!
Details
Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads, social distance riding
Time & Date: Saturday, May 22, 2021. Ride start times are detailed via email to registrants. The first rider rolls out at 7:30 am, last rider out departs at 8:30am. (We just updated these times.)
Starting Point: New Boston, New Hampshire
Distance: A little over 100km, 64ish miles
Price: $65 - Register Here
What you get
A gorgeous, well-planned route: You’ll receive a well-vetted route file for your GPS computer, parking directions/instructions.
Staffed starting location with water, light food, clean toilets. Your pre-ride email will offer details of the locations of everything.
Staffed food stop with water, bike food, Ride Studio Iced Mochas
Route Support via a cyclist riding or driving sweep who is capable of helping for most mechanicals
Peace of mind knowing there are other riders on the same route
Substantial lunch at the end of the ride of delicious, hearty food
Start Location
New Hampshire. Parking details will be shared individually with each registrant before the ride.
Estimated drive times:
60 minutes from Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington
70 minutes from Sherborn & most of Boston
Route Information
Here is some general information about the route:
100 km Route
Miles of dirt: Many. We’ll update this once we finalize the route.
About 80 feet of climbing per mile.
1 staffed food stop approximately mid-ride
Pace Options - It’s a Ride for Most Everyone to Enjoy!
When you register for this ride, we ask you for your best estimate of your average pace. We don’t expect you will know what your pace will be on this route, we’re just interested in knowing approximately where each person will be after starting out in order to properly stagger everyone and keep track of each person’s whereabouts.
You’ll see the selection of average speeds on the Registration form. From 12mph to 20mph+. If you choose to ride faster than this on the day of the ride, that is alright. We are staffing the food stop assuming a 12 mph minimum pace.
We are using your “average” ride pace info to determine your start time, purposely separating predetermined groups who can and want to ride together without unknown riders grouping up. We are also starting faster riders after the less fast riders so people finish around the same time.
Be sure you’ve got the route and at least one back-up power source to charge your GPS unit and phone during the day. Do not plan on having cell service since there are quite a few portions of the ride with weak to no service.
We will want to know if there is anyone with whom you live who you will want to ride with when you register.
Social Distance Rules
Keep your distance while at the start, rest stop and finish. Keep at least 10 feet between you and others when eating since you can’t wear a mask while eating and drinking. If you’re riding with a person that you’re currently social distancing with or a pre-arranged group, you’re welcome to ride near each other as you would if you were riding together anywhere else in the world. If you are not, keep at least two cars length between you and anyone else when riding.
No sharing or touching anything that is not yours before, during, or after the ride. This includes the rest stop.
Everyone must bring a mask that covers your nose and mouth completely for use when they’re at the start/end and at rest stops.
We’ll be giving everyone specific starting times, please adhere to these. The organization of the ride depends on it.
We’ll provide you with a lunch to eat afterward. No sharing of food or beverages. Pack a lawn chair, you may wish to tailgate after you’re done riding.
There is no ride leader, you’ll be following your GPS computer, therefore owning a GPS computer is a must with at least one back-up power source.
Don’t risk fast descents or not eat enough causing you to bonk. Not crashing your bike or your body makes for a more fun day on the bike!
We’ll send a very detailed email a day before the ride with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do.
Preparation
What to bring, we recommend:
Check out the contents of our bug-out bag
All the clothing you typically use for the weather we expect to feel on May 22.
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.
Headlight and taillight with batteries in good condition. Use these to be even more visible during daytime riding.
Helmet
Neck gator/mask
Sunscreen
Protective glasses
Towel to dry off after the ride.
A change of clothes for after the ride - it’s not fun to drive home in sweaty, wet, clothes.
Read this article about social distance riding preparation written by Ride Headquarters for more help in packing for the day.
If there’s anything you need, we can sell you whatever it is remotely assuming we have it at the store, and we will bring whatever it is to you in a clean bag, only handled with disinfected hands. Email us with anything you would like to have.
Proper Bike for this Ride
28mm-35mm tires are appropriate. Feel free to use bigger tires. Narrower than 28mm are strongly discouraged. There is some loose gravel on the roads as they’ve been fixed up not too long ago. Narrower tires are more likely to pinch flat and are less stable than 28mm or bigger.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control.
A bike that’s in safe working order. Make very certain your bike comes clean, lubed, safety checked with fresh brake pads, and tires in good shape. If it's wet on the road or raining, please put a rear fender on your bike to keep you from getting wet. With no drafting, the requirements about fenders are a bit more relaxed now!
Weather: We will make last-minute route changes based on weather as necessary. All attendees will receive updates via email. We are playing it safe and erring on the side of caution.
Last Minute Information: We will email everyone who registers with the latest information and details concerning parking, timing, route, etc.
Unregistered riders or riders who haven’t signed the waiver may not participate.
Waiver: Ride Headquarters requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
Contact Information: Email connect@rideheadquarters.com with questions. We will email you the cell phone number of the contact person who will be present at the beginning of the ride and available during the ride.
Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different: All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. Note: ALL rules stated here on this page override any conflicting rules you see on our typical ride rules.