Global Fat Bike Day!! Dunes & Dirt Fat Bike Adventure Ride
Location: Start and end at Wompatuck
Ride Type: Fat Bike Ride
Date & Time: Saturday, December 2 at 8am
Distance: 70-90 miles
Price: Free
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Location: Start and end in Wompatuck, MA
Ride Type: Trails, Beaches, Roads on Fat Bikes
Date & Time: Saturday, December 2, 8am start
Distance: We have OPTIONS! ~40 and ~70 miles (bring lights!)
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 a fat bike adventure ride! It’s got a little of all of the fun riding and a whole lot of adventure to look forward to. It’s a big day on the fat bike, come well prepared for a big day! There are quality beaches, sand, trails, back roads. A whole lot of everything.
Pace
This ride is suitable for people with good fitness to push your fat tires all day long! The average pace will be ~8mph. This is not slow when you’re on a fat bike.
Start Time
7:55am - Be ready to ride!
8:00am - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out
Distance & Estimated Ride Time
Allow 9-10 hours for this ride for the 70-mile version, depending on your pace. We’ll break up into groups if that allows everyone to get the ride of his/her desires, but only if we have > 10 riders or people at different paces.
The 40-mile route is probably a ~6 hour ride so still a big day at this time of year!
Parking
Parking is free and ample at the Wompatuck parking lot. Details will be shared with all who RSVP no later than 7pm the evening before the ride.
Route
The routes will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.
Route Notes
Expect everything on this ride! Beaches, paved roads, plenty of fun trails.
After the Ride
Anyone who wants to hang out and talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. We highly recommend stopping at Whole Foods on your drive home for a quality replenishing meal!
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
3.5” knobby tires OR BIGGER. Wider tires are nicer! We’ll be on some beaches so mountain bikes don’t have wide enough tires for these sections. Besides, it’s Global Fat Bike Day!
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.
Saturday Adventure Mixed Terrain Ride to Marblehead
Location: Start and end in Winchester, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel bikes, hardtail mtbs
Date & Time: Saturday, November 11
Distance: 64 miles
Price: Free
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Location: Start and end in Winchester, MA
Ride Type: Adventure Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel bikes or hard tail mountain bikes who can do the distance
Date & Time: 9am, Saturday, November 11
Distance: 64 miles
Price: Free, but we’re requiring NEER membership if this is your second ride with us.
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Details
This urban adventure mixed terrain ride takes cyclists on a beautiful journey from Winchester, MA into Marblehead, MA for a different kind of mixed terrain day! The route is on the rougher side, it’s a fun one, but anyone scared of mixed terrain should be prepared to take your time and bring friends to ride with.
Pace
We have one Super Domestique on the ride who will be riding a steady endurance pace for the distance (would translate to a 15-16mph pace if we were on paved roads so the pace will be less than this but with that kind of effort) and one person who knows the route and the area who will be riding single speed at a steady pace. The Super Domestique is likely to be riding a hardtail mountain bike.
You are welcome to ride faster than the led group(s) if you wish. You are also welcome to ride slower, but we advise bringing a friend if you’ll be behind the group for safety since it’s a really big ride.
Please mention your pace in your RSVP if you think you’ll be faster/slower than the Super Domestique and be aware that there’s a chance you will be riding solo. We prefer if slower riders want to ride solo, you let us know and choose to start earlier so that we can pass you out there somewhere during the day or intersect at the lunch stop, it makes it safer to have some overlap out there.
Start, Distance & Estimated Ride Time
Please be ready to ride at 8:55am. We’ll start the safety talk/route talk at 9am and then roll out.
We’ll meet up at the big, red van in the Winchester Parking lot.
Route is 64 miles long, we expect to be out there until ~3-4pm. It took about 6 hours last time we did this in the middle of July so it could take longer with the colder temps.
Parking
Winchester Center Station Parking - West
Link to the parking lot: https://goo.gl/maps/QEzSSvJqjAdWWeQs9
Route
The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.
Route Notes
Elevation gain is ~2,900 ft. according to RideWithGPS.
Expect some paved roads, at least 40% of this is dirt, trails, off-road sections. Most of the pavement is off main roads.
Food & Water During the Ride
Be sure to bring plenty of food and water, this route doesn’t have a lot of opportunities to fill up!
Water/restroom stop - At mile 19, there’s a Market Basket. It’s not pointed out on the route, but it goes right past the front door of the Market Basket.
FUN Food/water stop & Ride 1/2 Way Rest - At mile 31.9, there’s a nice ice cream parlor & next door is a market full of food options. There’s outdoor seating so it’ll be possible to have a nice stop & meal here. Bring enough food/water to get you to this stop & fill up to be able to return. With this being urban, there are a number of places to get water on the fly.
Water stop - At mile 45.3, there’s a lightning bolt on the route to remind you that a convenience store is really close if you need it. Exact address: 263 Lynnfield St., Lynn. Using Google to help you locate it is wise.
After the Ride
Bring a change of clothes so you can enjoy your drive home!
Bring something to eat, too.
Want to demo ride a bike? Talk about a new bike? Ride Headquarters has demo bikes for those who are interested in demo riding and discussing awesome, super fun new bikes. A ride like this isn’t ideal for demo riding, but we will measure your current bike and make a plan for your future demo ride. Contact Ride Headquarters at connect@rideheadquarters.com.
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 up until 10pm the night before 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
40mm knobby tires or wider are recommended. Wider tires are always nice! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. Skinnier tires are strongly discouraged since your chances of flatting go up.
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.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes or if you haven’t come prepared. There might not be much cell reception on this route so it could be a long walk.
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.
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, 2 x extra 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.
Fat Bike Fun Ride on the South Shore
Location: Start and end on South Shore
Ride Type: Fat Bike Ride
Date & Time: Sunday, Oct 11
Distance: 3 hours of riding
Price: Free
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Location: Start and end in a town on the South Shore, MA
Ride Type: Trails, Beaches, Roads on Fat Bikes
Date & Time: Sunday, October 8, 10am start
Distance: ~3 hours of riding
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 a fat bike shake down ride! It’s got a little of all of the fun riding and it’s a great chance to dust your fat bike off and get it ready for all of the super fun fat bike rides we have coming up! Doesn’t matter if it’s not a snowy winter, it’s always a sandy winter and we’ll be on beaches when we can’t be on the snow. This is also good prep for the upcoming Brutiful Ride happening October 14 & October 15.
Pace
This ride is suitable for people with any level of fitness on a fat bike. We’ll regroup as necessary to keep everyone together. Riding beaches is good since no one actually gets lost or dropped, just do your thing and we’ll regroup before leaving each beach section.
Start Time
8:55am - Be ready to ride!
9:00am - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out
Distance & Estimated Ride Time
Allow 3 hours for the ride. Distance will be appropriate for the time we’re trying to hit.
Parking
Parking is free and ample. We’ll share the exact location with all who RSVP.
Route
The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.
Route Notes
Expect everything on this ride! Beaches, paved roads, plenty of fun trails.
After the Ride
Anyone who wants to hang out and talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so.
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
3.5” knobby tires OR BIGGER. Wider tires are nicer! We’ll be on beaches so mountain bikes don’t have wide enough tires for these sections.
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. 8psi is MAX, you’ll probably be happier somewhere around 6psi. We have a good tire gauge you’re welcome to use if you don’t have one that measures this low.
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.
Sunday Adventure Gravel Ride around Modnadnock
Location: Start and end at Lake Dennison, Winchendon, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel bikes
Date & Time: Sunday, October 1
Distance: 73 miles
Price: Free
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Location: Start and end in Winchendon, MA
Ride Type: Adventure Gravel Ride for gravel bikes or hard tail mountain bikes who can do the distance
Date & Time: 8am, Sunday, October 1
Distance: 73 miles
Price: Free, but we’re requiring NEER membership if this is your second ride with us.
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Details
This scenic gravel ride takes cyclists on a beautiful journey from Winchendon, MA into NH and around Modnadnock for lots of views of this mountain! There will be dirt roads and a little Class 4 roads to keep it interesting!
Special thanks to Kenny for putting this route and all of the details together!!!
Pace
We have one Super Domestique on the ride who will be riding a steady endurance pace for the distance (would translate to a 15-16mph pace if we were on paved roads so the pace will be less than this but with that kind of effort) and one person who knows the route and the area who will be riding single speed at a steady pace. These paces may or may not end up being the same.
You are welcome to ride faster than the led group(s) if you wish. You are also welcome to ride slower, but we advise bringing a friend if you’ll be behind the group for safety since we’ll be in an area with spotty cell coverage.
Please mention your pace in your RSVP if you think you’ll be faster/slower than the Super Domestique and be aware that there’s a chance you will be riding solo. We prefer if slower riders want to ride solo, you let us know and choose an earlier start time so that we can see you out on the road, it makes it safer to have some overlap out there.
Start, Distance & Estimated Ride Time
Please be ready to ride at 7:55am. We’ll start the safety talk/route talk at 8am and then roll out.
We’ll meet up at the big, red van in the Lake Dennison Parking lot.
Route is 73 miles long, we expect to be out there until ~3pm.
Parking
Parking is at a large, free lot at Lake Dennison:
Route
The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.
Route Notes
Elevation gain is ~5,100 ft. according to RideWithGPS.
Expect some paved roads, around 60% dirt roads, some rougher dirt, a couple Class 4 roads, possibly a couple of places where you’ll want to want your bike for a short span. There will be at least one muddy spot, probably more considering how much rain we’ve been getting.
Food & Water During the Ride
There are 3 general stores along the route and a natural water spring. These are marked on the route.
Mi 31.6 - Dublin General Store
Mi 35.8 - Natural Spring (water!)
Mi 37.1 - Harrisville General Store
Mi 51.6 - Deli / Convenience Store
After the Ride
Bring a change of clothes so you can enjoy your drive home!
Bring something to eat, too.
Want to demo ride a bike? Talk about a new bike? Ride Headquarters has demo bikes for those who are interested in demo riding and discussing awesome, super fun new bikes. A ride like this isn’t ideal for demo riding, but we can measure your current bike and make a plan for your future demo ride. Contact Ride Headquarters at connect@rideheadquarters.com.
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 up until 10pm the night before 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
38mm knobby tires or wider are recommended. Wider tires are always nice! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. Skinnier tires are strongly discouraged since your chances of flatting go up.
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.
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes or if you haven’t come prepared. There might not be much cell reception on this route so it could be a long walk.
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.
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, 2 x extra 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.
Adventure Road Ride - 93 Miles
Location: Start and end in Concord, MA
Ride Type: Road ride, most pavement some dirt roads
Date & Time: Saturday, July 1
Distance: 93 miles
Price: Free
RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form
Location: Start and end in Concord Center, MA
Ride Type: Road ride, mostly pavement, appropriate for road bikes there will be some dirt roads appropriate for road tires
Date & Time: Saturday, July 1 at 7am
Distance: 93 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 a long road ride with some fun adventure built in! The ride starts in Concord Center at a public parking lot.
We then wind our way to Hollis, NH.
We have a designated Super Domestique leading one group to depart which will be rolling at a ~15-16 mph endurance pace with spirited fun on the hills.
We’ll split the group so faster riders can ride faster together.
Would you like to ride at a pace below 15-16mph average? Let us know! We ALWAYS have riders asking for a more mellow pace and we depend on you to speak up to say what you want to do AND then we expect that when you say you’ll come out to ride, you will come out. This is how we get a pace group together that is to your liking and you’ll meet others who want exactly what you do out of the ride!
Distance
93 miles
Parking
Concord Center, Keyes Lot:
58 Main Street
Concord, MA
01742
Route
The route will be emailed by 7pm the evening before the ride to all participants.
All riders should load the ride on a GPS computer so everyone knows where we’re going and it makes splitting into groups easier.
Estimated Ride Time
Allow a very minimum of 7 hours moving + at least an hour of stopped time, likely it’ll add up to more than this
Route Notes
We’re taking nice paved and some dirt roads. This is appropriate for road bikes preferably with 28mm tires but 25mm will be fine, take it easy when the road turns to dirt!
This route has not been vetted this year. If a road is closed or requires a work around, be prepared to to figure it out. It’s an adventure!
After the Ride
There is a lot of food and drink in Concord Center if you want to hang out after the ride.
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news if there is any. 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
We require 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
Bring your road bike with whatever size tires you enjoy riding that will allow you to keep pace with the group. A gravel bike is acceptable.
If the roads wet/messy, please mount a rear full-coverage fender. If you don’t have one, expect to ride at the back!
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. Since we are riding near to each other on the road, platform pedals don’t offer necessary bike control for this kind of riding.
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.
Live Free and Ride Gravel Saturday
Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads
Time & Date: Saturday, June 24 2023
Starting Point: New Boston, NH
Details
Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads
Time & Date: Saturday, June 24 - 7am-9am Rollout**
**If weather is an issue for Saturday, June 24, we’ll look at requiring a 7am start or running a ride elsewhere at lower elevation nearer to the Boston, MA area (Sunday is looking worse than Saturday) - a GO/NO GO decision will be emailed to all who register by 12pm Friday before the ride.
Starting Point: New Boston, NH
Distance: 65 miles / 105 km
Price: Free
Price: $0, but you MUST be a NEER member to participate
What you get
Gorgeous, well-planned route with others out there on it at the same time: Route file for your GPS computer, parking directions/instructions.
The route has not been vetted this year. It worked last time we hosted a ride here 2 years ago, but things can change. Bring your spirit of adventure!
Co-adventurers, you’re not out there alone. If you’re a slower rider, we suggest selecting an early rollout time so riders are behind you for most/all of the day.
Start Location
Starting Point: New Boston, NH
Route Information
Here is some general information about the route:
Distance: 65 miles
We will share the route and ride details no later than 7pm Friday, June 23 to all who RSVP before then who are NEER members, since that is a requirement for this ride.
The route has not been vetted this year so there’s a chance a road is closed or a trail is closed or conditions have changed since we vetted it. This route is not that likely to present big navigation challenges given its location and the roads/trails we’re taking.
Ride With Your Friends, Ride With a Group We Put Together, Ride Solo
Get your friends together to ride! It’s way more fun riding with a friend group than alone. It’s also safer.
PLEASE let us know when you RSVP that you want to ride with your friend group so we can get you rolling before everyone else.
If you want to ride solo, please plan to start earlier in the morning so that riders will be behind you for most/all of the day. It’s safer this way. Please tell us this in your RSVP.
There will be one group averaging a solid “moderate” pace to depart last at 9am. This is not necessarily a sweep group. Everyone up for a solid moderate pace is welcome to join in this group. These are riders who are usually comfortable with a 16-17mph pace on a 4+ hour road ride for comparison purposes. The pace will be less since the terrain is mixed with plenty of dirt and elevation and everyone is riding a bigger-tire bike.
Your pace will be ~20-30% slower than your road riding pace.
There is no ride leader, even if you ride with a group; you’ll be following your GPS computer, therefore owning a GPS computer is a must with at least one back-up power source.
Drink plenty of water considering how hot it may be! This is common sense for any ride, especially smart when you’re riding further away from people who can give you a ride home.
We will not shuttle riders anywhere, it’s your responsibility to have a plan in case your bike or legs stop working.
There is little cell coverage in this area, so be aware of that.
We’ll send a very detailed email by 7pm the day before the ride, with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do.
Waiver
If you’re a member of NEER, you’ve signed the waiver. If you think you haven’t signed it, please do it now: https://www.newenglandexpeditionriders.com/ride-waiver
Riding Rules
Be sure you’re up for the general riding rules: https://www.newenglandexpeditionriders.com/ride-rules
Preparation
Bring everything you need for mechanicals that pop up on gravel/mixed terrain rides. All the things you need for a flat, tubeless puncture, EXTRA TUBE even if you run tubeless, air, levers, chain breaker, chain pliers, multi tool, spare derailleur hanger if your bike uses these.
Be sure to bring anything else you might need taking into account the weather, your personal circumstances, your health, etc.
You will want to come prepared with extra food, water, and fitness for the distance. The route file will show where food/water stops are located. These aren’t fancy (think: Dunkin Doughnuts).
After the Ride
Bring a picnic in a cooler in your car and camp chairs. We’re parking at a school near the center of New Boston. It’s not particularly beautiful, but it’s still a nice place to hang out.
Proper Bike for this Ride
A road or gravel bike that has 32mm tires or wider. 32mm tires will work for riders on this route based on what we saw of the roads last year. 40mm should be ideal. Mountain bikes will be a little overkill on much of the route. Narrower than 32mm are strongly discouraged. There is some loose gravel on the roads, and some sandy spots. Narrower tires are more likely to pinch flat and are less stable. If you’re not sure of your gravel riding ability, this isn’t the best first ride to take on.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. Mountain bike pedals/shoes are appropriate; road pedals/shoes should not be used.
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. A bike that makes any unusual noises - from a squeaky chain to any kind of other noise should not be ridden prior to being evaluated and fixed by a professional mechanic.
Contact Information and How to Get Your Questions Answered
Email connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with any questions. Call 413-461-7433 the day of the ride to speak with the organizer on route. Please contact us via email prior to the day of the ride for all matters otherwise.
RSVP NOW!
Gravel Rhodes Island Ride
Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads
Time & Date: Saturday, June 3, 2023
Starting Point: Voluntown, CT
Details
Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads
Time & Date: Saturday, June 3 - 8am - 9am Rollout time options
* Starting Point: Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown, CT
* Distance: 65 miles / 105 km
* Price: Free
Price: $0, but you MUST be a NEER member to participate
What you get
Gorgeous, well-planned route with others out there on it at the same time: Route file for your GPS computer, parking directions/instructions.
The route has not been vetted this year. It worked last summer, but things can change. Bring your spirit of adventure!
Co-adventurers, you’re not out there alone. If you’re a slower rider, we suggest selecting an early rollout time so riders are behind you for most/all of the day.
Start Location
Starting Point: Pachaug State Forest, Voluntown, CT
Route Information
Here is some general information about the route:
Distance: 65 miles
Miles of dirt: ~40% of the miles are on dirt roads.
Approximately 4,300 feet of total ascent.
We will share the route and ride details no later than 7pm Friday, June 2 to all who RSVP before then who are NEER members, since that is a requirement for this ride.
The route has not been vetted this year so there’s a chance a road is closed or a trail is closed or conditions have changed since we vetted it last summer. This route is not that likely to present big navigation challenges given its location and the roads/trails we’re taking.
Ride With Your Friends, Ride With a Group We Put Together, Ride Solo
Get your friends together to ride! It’s way more fun riding with a friend group than alone. It’s also safer.
PLEASE let us know when you RSVP that you want to ride with your friends so we can get you rolling before everyone else.
If you want to ride solo, please plan to start earlier in the morning so that riders will be behind you for most/all of the day. It’s safer this way. Please tell us this in your RSVP.
There will be one group averaging a solid “moderate” pace to depart last at 9am. This is not necessarily a sweep group. Everyone up for a solid moderate pace is welcome to join in this group. These are riders who are usually comfortable with a 16-17mph pace on a 4+ hour road ride for comparison purposes. The pace will be less since the terrain is mixed with plenty of dirt and everyone is riding a bigger-tire bike.
Your pace will be ~20-30% slower than your road riding pace.
There is no ride leader, even if you ride with a group; you’ll be following your GPS computer, therefore owning a GPS computer is a must with at least one back-up power source.
Drink plenty of water considering how hot it may be! This is common sense for any ride, especially smart when you’re riding further away from people who can give you a ride home.
We will not shuttle riders anywhere, it’s your responsibility to have a plan in case your bike or legs stop working.
There is little cell coverage in this area, so be aware of that.
We’ll send a very detailed email by 7pm the day before the ride, with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do.
Waiver
If you’re a member of NEER, you’ve signed the waiver. If you think you haven’t signed it, please do it now: https://www.newenglandexpeditionriders.com/ride-waiver
Riding Rules
Be sure you’re up for the general riding rules: https://www.newenglandexpeditionriders.com/ride-rules
Preparation
Bring everything you need for mechanicals that pop up on gravel/mixed terrain rides. All the things you need for a flat, tubeless puncture, EXTRA TUBE even if you run tubeless, air, levers, chain breaker, chain pliers, multi tool, spare derailleur hanger if your bike uses these.
Be sure to bring anything else you might need taking into account the weather, your personal circumstances, your health, etc.
You will want to come prepared with extra food, water, and fitness for the distance. The route file will show where food/water stops are located. These aren’t fancy (think: Dunkin Doughnuts).
After the Ride
Bring a picnic in a cooler in your car and camp chairs. We park in a beautiful lot where eating a picnic is quite enjoyable.
There is an ice cream place enroute home for those who are heading back to the Boston area if you’re wanting something before heading too far home.
Proper Bike for this Ride
A road or gravel bike that has 32mm tires or wider. 32mm tires will work for riders on this route based on what we saw of the roads last year. 40mm should be ideal. Mountain bikes will be a little overkill on much of the route. Narrower than 32mm are strongly discouraged. There is some loose gravel on the roads, and some sandy spots. Narrower tires are more likely to pinch flat and are less stable.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. Mountain bike pedals/shoes are appropriate; road pedals/shoes should not be used.
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. A bike that makes any unusual noises - from a squeaky chain to any kind of other noise should not be ridden prior to being evaluated and fixed by a professional mechanic.
Contact Information and How to Get Your Questions Answered
Email connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with any questions. Call 413-461-7433 the day of the ride to speak with the organizer on route. Please contact us via email prior to the day of the ride for all matters otherwise.
RSVP NOW!
Trail Mix Barre Bonus Edition
Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads
Time & Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023
Starting Point: Barre, Massachusetts
Details
Ride a challenging, gorgeous route presenting remote paved, broken, and dirt roads for your cycling delight and fulfillment.
Time & Date: Sunday, May 21, 2023 - Gather by 8am, Rolling out just after this
Starting Point: Barre, Massachusetts
Distance Options:
~107 miles - this includes a cut back to Barre center, complete details about mid-ride fueling options will be included in the pre-ride email
~77 miles (taking an easy way to cut back)
48 miles (taking easy way to cut back)
Elevation gain:
100 mile route - 6,200 ft
Dirt vs pavement: Approx 70% dirt and broken roads/trails, the rest is paved
Price: $0, but you MUST be a NEER member to participate
What you get
Gorgeous, well-planned route with others out there on it at the same time: Route file for your GPS computer, parking directions/instructions.
The route has not been vetted this year. It worked last year around this time, but things change. Bring your spirit of adventure!
The opportunity to pop into Barre center during the ride so as to use your car as a place with extra calories or water. Barre center has plenty of businesses including a gas station and ice cream place.
Start Location
Middle of Massachusetts. Barre center, MA.
Estimated drive times:
A 70-minute drive from Lexington or Sherborn
An 80-minute drive from Boston
Route Information
Miles of dirt: Many. Lots of chunky trails too. Plenty of smoother sections as well.
We will share with you exactly how to cut the route short if you’re not interested in the full 107 miles.
Everyone is on the same route until the short cut-backs so if you want a shorter ride, you’re not riding for more than 3 miles solo since the cut-back points are close to Barre center.
Pacing for this distance
It is important that you feel confident you can average at least 10mph over the course of the day for the 107 mile route. If you are falling off the minimal pace, we want you to take an alternate route back to cut the route short.
Aside from meeting the minimum speed requirement, you’re welcome to ride at your own pace, as you feel comfortable safely ticking down the miles.
Ride With Your Friends, Ride With a Group We Put Together, Ride Solo
Get your friends together to ride! It’s way more fun riding with a friend group than alone. It’s also safer.
PLEASE let us know when you RSVP that you want to ride with your friends so we can get you rolling before everyone else.
If you want to ride solo, please plan to start earlier in the morning so that riders will be behind you for most/all of the day. It’s safer this way. Please tell us this in your RSVP.
There will be one group riding the 107 mile distance, averaging a solid “moderate” pace. This is not necessarily a sweep group. Everyone up for a solid moderate pace is welcome to join in this group.
A 100 mile gravel ride will take you hours longer than a 100 mile road ride. Your pace will be at least 20-30% slower than your road riding pace.
There is no ride leader, even if you ride with a group; 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. Drink plenty of water considering how hot it may be! This is common sense for any ride, especially smart when you’re riding further away from people who can give you a ride home.
We will not shuttle riders anywhere, it’s your responsibility to have a plan in case your bike or legs stop working.
There is little cell coverage in this area, so be aware of that.
We’ll send a very detailed email by 7pm the day before the ride, with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do.
All of our Riding Rules apply in addition to the social distance protocols. 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 or in our social distance protocol override any conflicting rules stated in our ride rule page.
Preparation
Bring everything you need for mechanicals that pop up on gravel/mixed terrain rides. All the things you need for a flat, tubeless puncture, EXTRA TUBE even if you run tubeless, air, levers, chain breaker, chain pliers, multi tool, spare derailleur hanger if your bike uses these.
Be sure to bring anything else you might need taking into account the weather, your personal circumstances, your health, etc.
You will want to come prepared with extra food, water, and fitness for the distance. Don’t take this lightly - you will likely need a CamelBak with water to get through this ride.
Waiver: If you’re a member of NEER, you’ve signed the waiver. If you think you haven’t signed it, please do it now: https://www.newenglandexpeditionriders.com/ride-waiver
After the Ride
Enjoy a tasty meal at Stone Cow if you have the time and interest in joining us there! It’s a fun place to be. Bring $ for food and/or drinks if you would like to eat post-ride.
Proper Bike for this Ride
A road or gravel bike that has 35mm tires or wider. 32mm tires will work for riders who are experienced with chunky terrain, but we don’t recommend this size especially if you’re less experienced with gravel. 40mm should be ideal. Mountain bikes will be happy out there, just a smidge slower on the road sections. Narrower than 32mm are strongly discouraged. There is some loose gravel on the roads, and some sandy spots. Narrower tires are more likely to pinch flat and are less stable.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. Mountain bike pedals/shoes are appropriate; road pedals/shoes should not be used.
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. A bike that makes any unusual noises - from a squeaky chain to any kind of other noise should not be ridden prior to being evaluated and fixed by a professional mechanic.
Contact Information and How to Get Your Questions Answered
Email connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with any questions. Call 413-461-7433 the day of the ride to speak with the organizer on route. Please contact us via email prior to the day of the ride for all matters otherwise.
RSVP NOW!
Spring Trail Mix 2023
Join us for incredibly beautiful cycling on the back roads of central Massachusetts! There are TWO distance options for you for this ride! Choose a 100-km route or 150-mile route to ride.
This ride is full of dirt roads, with nice paved roads as well. Most of the route is back roads, away from traffic and people. Keep reading to understand the logistics. This ride starts at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, MA - so most people will need to drive to the start.
This is a group or solo ride, depending on how you want to ride it. You may get a group of your friends together, you may request to ride with others who are likely of your similar cycling pace and experience, or you’re welcome to ride it alone, though you’re hardly alone when there are so many people on the same route.
There is little to no cell coverage on many parts of the routes.
Be absolutely certain you’re up for the rules of this ride. Read this page in its entirety and visit the links, so you know exactly what’s what.
Due to insurance requirements, this ride is only open to NEER members. You may become a NEER member, so it’s not too late.
Get a Group of Friends Together to Ride!
Ride with your friends at whatever pace you and your friends like to ride. Let us know you’d like to do this when you register, we ask who is riding with who. ALSO if you’d like a different start time, let us know and it’s highly likely it’ll work out very well for all of us.
Ride with New-to-You People Option
Ride with people of your riding speed, but you don’t have to know anyone prior to the ride! This is an option for you if you’d like to ride with a group, but don’t have friends riding or simply want to meet new people who are of a similar strength. We do our best to group you together.
Ride Solo
You’re also welcome to ride solo. We prefer if you are a solo rider that you choose an earlier start time so that there are riders behind you, for the purposes of safety and everyone seeing people out there on the route.
We are glad to start you off earlier than the advertised starting times so that you’ll see others all day long, yet still get to ride solo.
Food & Drinks
We are providing plenty of water but only a few calories mid-ride. The ride fee covers staffing to support the ride and to have someone out there in the middle of the route for you.
There is a lot of great food and drinks (alcoholic and non) at Red Apple farm that you’re welcome to enjoy after the ride.
Photo courtesy of Red Apple Farm. Sunset at the farm.
See the Red Apple Farm’s Brew Barn website and Menu!
By not charging you for food, it’s your choice as to how much and where you eat post-ride. We recommend doing business at Red Apple farm. They have a huge selection of goods in their store and the Brew Barn makes tasty food. They have hosted us throughout the pandemic and have been EXTREMELY generous in sharing their farm and time with us.
The Brew Barn is open 9am-9pm. They serve breakfast at 9am so 100k riders could arrive early, eat, then ride.
150-Mile Ride Specifics
We’re offering a bag-drop service for the 150-mile riders. Bring a bag with extra food, clothes, supplies, anything you want to see mid-ride. You see the mid-ride support stop twice so you can access your stuff there. For those training for Unbound and similar long gravel rides, this is great training and prep since this is how those rides run.
There is a stop in downtown Amherst so riders can fuel up from any of the many businesses found in Amherst. There are coffee shops, sandwich shops, smoothies, and more from which to choose.
Pace for the 150 Mile Ride: We expect that you’re capable of maintaining a 10mph average if you register for this ride. 7pm is the cut off time to be back. We don’t want anyone out there past 7pm due to night fall and riding with too much fatigue.
Details
Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads, some mix of surfaces, but almost entirely rideable with little/no technical skill.
Time & Date: Saturday, May 13, 2023
150 mile riders start together at 4am, faster riders may start on your own later than this
100km riders start together at 10am - we’ll set off friend groups and solo riders earlier than this if you wish.
If you want a later departure for the 100km route, that is an option, but you’ll be on your own without people behind you unless you assemble a group of friends to ride with. We prefer you ride with others or start before the groups if you want to ride solo.
Starting Point: Red Apple Farm - Phillipston, MA
Distance: 100 km or 150 miles
What you get
A gorgeous, well-planned route: Route file for your GPS computer, parking directions/instructions.
Staffed starting & finishing location with water, toilets, friendly people and sweet farm animals
Staffed food stop with water, your drop bag if you’re doing the 150 mile, and a few additional calories for you to enjoy
Peace of mind knowing there are other riders on the same route.
Option to purchase breakfast, lunch or dinner and beer or non-alcoholic drinks at the end of the ride at the farm, nice place to hang out with each other and spend the afternoon. Invite your non-riding loved ones and friends to come join you for the after-ride picnic at Red Apple!
Price
$30
You MUST be a NEER member (a Cat 4 NEER membership is $50 for a full year of hosted rides of all varieties, and there are lots of additional benefits to being a member) - details on joining are here). This is a requirement of insurance, otherwise, we would be unable to host this or any bike ride.
No day-of registrations
NEER members at a Category 3 level receive a 25% off code for registration
NEER members at a Category 2 level receive a 50% off code for registration
NEER members at a Category 1 level receive a 100% off code for registration
Refund Policy
You may transfer your registration to someone else as long as the other person is a NEER member via BikeReg up until 2 days before the event.
We aren’t charging enough for this ride to cover the costs of administration to issue refunds for any reason.
We do want to know if you have registered and can’t make it so we’re not out there looking for you the day of the event, this is important for the safety of the riders out there: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com
If we have to cancel the ride for weather or other unforeseen reasons out of our control, we’ll offer you the option of a credit toward a future ride or a refund your registration dollars less the BikeReg fee.
Start Location
Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts. Exact details and location information are emailed to registered riders by 7pm the THURSDAY before the ride.
Camping Option
150 Mile Riders and anyone who might want to make this a bikepacking destination: the farm is allowing anyone who wants to stay overnight to camp or sleep in your car. There could be loud farm-maintenance operations happening in the wee hours of the morning, so be aware of that. Camping is free, we just need to know who to expect if you want to take advantage of this generous invitation by the farm to stay on their premises.
Estimated drive time
About 60-80 minutes from most parts of the greater Boston area
Route Information
Like all of our routes, it’s adventure-filled, but also very appropriate for gravel bikes. You’ll ride plenty of dirt roads, trails, and what’s pavement will be on the quiet roads.
Expect elevation in the 75 ft. per mile range.
Neither route has recently been vetted. Bring a spirit of adventure - if a road is closed for whatever reason, you’ll need to figure out how to re-route. Both of these were in good shape last summer.
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 when you ride a 30-mile all-paved ride. 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.
We are staffing the water stop assuming a 10 mph minimum pace for the 150-mile riders. There are NO speed requirements (upper or lower) for the 100km riders since support staff has to be out there all day for the 150 mile riders anyway.
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.
Safety & Dealing with Mechanicals
Every rider is expected to follow the rules of the road at all times. This means obeying stop signs and staying to the right-hand portion of the road.
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. This applies for all aspects of cycling and general behavior.
We are NOT providing a roving mechanic. That means you should bring all of the tools and supplies necessary for possible mechanical situations. There are other riders out on the route and we hope people will assist each other in case of a problem.
Come out with a freshly tuned up bike, fresh sealant in your fresh tires, have electronic bikes charged fully, shifter lever batteries checked for freshness, lube those chains! Check your spare tubes to be sure they will hold air. If you’re in doubt about this, take new tubes. It’s not worth getting stuck out there.
Most mechanicals are easily avoidable by taking proper care of your equipment in advance of the ride.
There is no ride leader, even if you ride with a group; you’ll be following your GPS computer, therefore owning a GPS computer is a must with at least one back-up power source.
We will not shuttle riders anywhere, it’s your responsibility to have a plan in case your bike or legs stop working.
We’ll send a very detailed email by 7pm the Thursday before the ride, with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do.
Preparation
What to bring, we recommend:
Everything necessary for common mechanicals. Items include:
2 x tubes
Hand pump
Co2 cartridges & Co2 inflator
Tire levers
Boot/dollar bill if your tire gets ripped
Patch kit
1 pair of quick links compatible for your chain
Chain pliers
Chain breaker
Multi-tool (if your chain breaker is on your multi-tool, even better)
If your bike uses a replaceable derailleur hanger, be sure to have an extra that is compatible with your bike
Rain jacket - this works well for chilly descents too
2 x 26 oz water bottles, more if it’s going to be hot
Food/nutrition in case you need a zap of energy before the food stop
Proper Bike for this Ride
40mm tires are best suited for the ride. Err on the side of bigger, especially if you’re newer to gravel riding. Feel free to use bigger tires. Your gravel bike is the most appropriate bike for the ride. Mountain bikes and flat-bar bikes are welcome. Narrower than 28mm tires are strongly discouraged. There is some loose gravel on the roads. Narrower tires are more likely to pinch flat and are less stable than 28mm or bigger. We welcome mountain bikes, fat bikes, and any bike that you feel comfortable completing the distance on in the time frame allotted for the ride.
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. If you’ll be riding with others and it’ll be wet, please be nice to your co-riders and use full-coverage fenders.
Weather
We will ride rain or shine. Dangerous weather (like an electrical storm) cancels the ride or postpones the start time.
Last Minute Information
We will email everyone who registers with the latest information if last minute details change.
Unregistered riders, riders who are not members of NEER, or riders who haven’t signed the liability waiver may not participate.
If you have financial reasons to be unable to pay, please email us so we can accommodate you. We want everyone to ride who wants to ride.
Waiver
New England Expedition Riders requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
Contact Information
Email connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.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.
