Wednesday Morning Training Speed for Spring
Location: Start and end at Cutler Park in Needham, MA
Ride Type: Road Training Ride for riders of ALL speeds/abilities
Date & Time: 6am start, Every Wednesday in April and May, 2026
Distance: ~20 miles. The ride is always done just before 8am
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
Join in this ride to Build Strength, Speed, and Camaraderie!
Are you ready to elevate your cycling game in a supportive, fun group setting? Whether you're a seasoned rider looking to sharpen your skills or someone building fitness from the ground up, this ride is designed for you!
Led by our dedicated Super Domestique, it's the perfect opportunity to get focused, effective training that boosts your leg speed, overall endurance, and confidence on the bike – all while enjoying the early morning hours with like-minded cyclists. No matter your pace, you'll leave feeling accomplished and energized - and you’ll get faster, too.
Come join us – it's a fantastic way to challenge yourself without overdoing it!
How this ride is run
We start with a group warm-up to get everyone rolling comfortably together as we ride over to the loop where we execute quality laps from the parking lot. This is about 20 minutes. Then, we ramp up into hill intervals where everyone tackles them at the pace that feels right for each person. The terrain isn't overly steep or punishing – it's just the right setup for putting in solid efforts that build real fitness gains without pushing you too far. Think improved power, better recovery, and that satisfying "I did it" glow!
Each interval lasts about 6 minutes (faster riders might finish in around 5, slower ones closer to 7), and we fully accommodate all speeds with a designated regroup spot. Here, you'll catch your breath, chat with the group, and gear up for the next one – it's all about recovery and enjoyment in between efforts.
We'll kick off with a survey loop so everyone understands how each effort works, where it starts and ends, then the group executes 3 intervals for the first two weeks, ramping up to 5 as we progress.
The best part? It's totally flexible to fit your needs. Feel free to sit out an interval, ride at a leisurely pace, or even choose a shorter section for a quicker burst – it's entirely up to you. We're not about maxing out your effort or heart rate; the goal is sustainable pacing so you can complete the full session and cruise back to the Cutler Park parking lot feeling strong and ready to start the work day.
Don't miss out – this is your chance to train smarter, connect with others, and take your riding to the next level. See you there!
Distance
The ride is ~20 miles in length, about 1 hour and 50 minutes total. The first two sessions include more warm-up time to allow bodies to acclimate to the efforts. Regardless, we’re certain to get people back to the parking lot before 8am.
Parking
Cutler Park, Needham, MA
Route
Here's the Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42427386
It's called "20 GIDSIB Training"
GIDSIB = Glad I Didn't Stay in Bed
Estimated Ride Time
No more than 2 hours. We’ll try to get everyone back slightly before 8am, but not too much before that!
Route Notes
None. We discuss where we’re going easy and where we’re regrouping at the ride.
After the Ride
Everyone needs to get to work or start their day. We’ll stick around with anyone who would like to discuss a new bike!
Last-Minute Information & Weather Cancellations
We will email all participants (those who RSVP) with any critical late-breaking news. If it’s looking like bad weather the night before, we’ll email letting everyone know if the ride is on or not. Check your email first thing in the morning if there’s any question about weather, we’ll be sure to email late the night before with a decision or further information.
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
New England Expedition Riders (NEER) requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out 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
Road bike with road tires. 25mm-32mm are the most common on this ride. Want to get faster on your gravel bike for gravel racing or whatever you do on it? Bring it!!
Clip-in pedals: This is an important element of bike control, especially given the speeds we’ll be riding and needing to climb hills as efficiently as possible.
Front and rear lights that will last the duration of the ride and WILL NOT blind your riding friends. Eye-piercing rear lights (look into it, does it hurt your eyes?) should be pointed downward or replaced with non-eye-piercing bright lights. All rear lights should be set on steady, not blinking.
A Tuned Bike: 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.
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.
