Brutiful Mixed Terrain Ride

• Location: Start and end in Waltham near the Mighty Squirrel

• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes

• Date & Time:  Sunday, December 18 at 9:00am

• Distance:  ~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

Update 12/14/22: The Toy Box ride is being moved to join the same rollout time as Brutiful for Sunday due to trail-soaking rains coming Friday. So if you want a 25-mile ride instead of 40, that option exists as well!

This mixed-terrain ride takes cyclists to many interesting trails with roads connecting them for a total of ~40 miles.

A 40 mile mixed terrain ride is not insignificant. This is a great opportunity to get your fat bike out and make sure it’s ready for the big rides you’re looking forward to doing this winter once the snow starts sticking.

The route is a mixed terrain route so any gravel bike with 40mm tires is suited for the terrain. We’ll split people into groups based on bikes and speeds that are likely to result. At this time of year, we may have weather so we’ll update all riders who RSVP right before the ride with any updates or suggested bike/tires based on current conditions.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a slow endurance pace. The Super Domestique will be riding a fully loaded fat bike in final preparation for the Fat Pursuit so this is an opportunity for anyone who wants to ride slower, test out a loaded setup or have a chatty ride without pacing concerns to join in with this last group!

Distance

The ride is ~40 miles in length. It will likely have a cut-back option if a rider is interested in keeping it shorter, but the cut-back option will be on regular roads and not defined by the route. Let us know if you’d want a shorter option so we’re aware.

Parking

We email everyone by 7pm the evening before the ride with logistics, details of parking, and the route.

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP.

Estimated Ride Time

~4-9 hours depending on the bike you ride and your pace.

Route Notes

We discuss these with you prior to rollout. Note that a mixed terrain ride is rougher than a “gravel” ride.

After the Ride

We won’t be serving food or drinks at this ride only because we’re expecting riders to finish up at very different times. Since we’re parking next to the Mighty Squirrel, there’s usually a food truck outside and tasty beer inside for post-ride calorie replenishment!

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

Ride Headquarters 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

• Bring lights if you’re joining the Super Domestique for the slowest version of the ride and if there is any chance you’ll still be riding at 4pm when it’s getting dark, front and rear lights are required. At this time of year, keep lights on your bike for safety, it’s too easy to be out past sunset!

• 35mm knobby tires minimum.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and fat bikes at this ride, the majority of bikes will likely be gravel bikes.

• 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.

Full Moon Mixed Terrain Night Rides

• Location: Various starting locations throughout New England

• Ride Type: Mixed Terrain

• Time & Date: Departs Every Full Moon, varying start times

• Distance: ~15 miles, approximately 90-120 minutes of riding

• Price: Free, note NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us

Description: The Full Moon ride takes cyclists all over the trails and back roads of the town where we start.

These rides all have a certain peace and joviality associated with them. There’s no “fast” when night riding; this is the time to really enjoy the ride in a special way with others who come out for these rides.

The Full Moon Ride should NOT be your first Mixed Terrain Ride. Mixed Terrain is rougher and more technical than gravel bike riding and involves navigating around and over some smaller rocks and roots, sometimes dismounting to clear a downed tree.

If you are uncertain of your skill level, please email us or attend a daylight mixed terrain ride to get comfortable on your bike on Mixed Terrain.

Full Moon Ride Calendar

A few of the Full Moon rides are shifted from the exact date of the full moon, typically to avoid weekends or days people are unlikely to be able to ride.

Date	Day	Moon Name	Departure Time	Location
8 December	Thursday	Cold Moon	6:30 PM	Weston, MA
6 January - No ride this month
6 February	Monday	Snow Moon	6:30 PM	Belmont, MA
7 March	Tuesday	Worm Moon	7:00 PM	Revere, MA
6 April	Thursday	Pink Moon	7:00PM	Weston, MA
4 May	Thursday	Flower Moon	7:00 PM	Jamaica Plain, MA
3 June	Saturday	Strawberry Moon	7:00pm	Weather canceled
3 July	Monday	Buck Moon	7:30 PM	Weather canceled
1 August	Tuesday	Sturgeon Moon	7:00 PM	Lexington
30 August	Wednesday	It's a Blue Moon!	7:00 PM	Weather canceled
28 September	Thursday	Harvest Moon	7:00 PM	Concord, MA
28 October	Saturday	Hunter Moon	---	Moving this to another day so we can fit in the special North Shore ride today
15 November	Wednesday	Not a Special Moon	7:00 PM	Waltham, MA
28 November	Tuesday	Beaver Moon	7:00 PM	Weston, MA
26 December	Tuesday	Cold Moon	Start time TBD, prob 4pm	TBD & this will be a special ride

Route

We will email the route to everyone who RSVPs by 7pm the evening before the ride. You’ll get the route emailed to you if you register by 4pm the day of the ride.

Please load the route in advance, it’s helpful for riders to know when turns are coming, they are numerous.

Pace

Riders who can average 16mph on a 2+ hour road ride will have the fitness to allow them to enjoy this ride. The average pace of a mixed terrain night ride is usually 6-8mph depending on conditions and terrain. We err on the side of caution and regroup periodically.

Ride Notes

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the ride and pointing out turns. We don’t have a sweep rider for this ride so only participate if you’re confident in your skill level and fitness – or know your way back. When we have a larger group, we will split into two or more groups.

Last Minute Information

Watch our Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes. We send emails to those who have RSVP’d with anything critical that isn’t communicated on this page that is known to us within 8 hours of the ride start.

Estimated time

Typically 90 minutes to 2 hours. We make winter and snow rides shorter in distance (but not time) since they’re slower.

After the Ride

We’re serving hot cocoa after the ride to all who would like to share in some social time together.

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com, Phone - 413-461-7433

Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different: 

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.

Waiver: A signed waiver is required prior to your first ride with NEER.

If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.

Proper Bike & Requirements for this ride:

• Bright front light - At least 500 lumens that will last for 2.5 hours.

• Rear light - A steady (not flashing) rear light that will last at least 2.5 hours. This light needs to NOT be BLINDING to other cyclists. Please stare into your rear light, if it hurts your eyes, it will be painful for the rider behind you.

• 32c knobby tires minimum for most rides. Wider tires are nicer. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. In the winter, we will require studded tires when we expect to see ice. Road bikes with 32mm tires or bigger all the way up to fat bikes are all invited and will have fun.

• Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you ride with platform pedals you’re likely to be over your head in some of the more technical parts of the ride. If you ride platform pedals and feel you have complete control of your bike because you have many hours of use with them, then they are acceptable.

• A bike that’s in safe working order and is free of creaking and squeaking. PLEASE LUBE YOUR CHAIN before the ride.

• Higher tire pressure: We recommend starting with higher tire pressure and be ready to let some out if your tires are inflated too much.

• First, we want to minimize flats on the ride; waiting for someone to change flats is not why we ride.  We typically see zero flats on our rides.  One of the primary reasons for this is due to higher than average tire pressure.

• We do not recommend fenders since sticks and twigs can get caught in them.

• When do we host the Full Moon ride? When it is:

  • Snowing: We ride; it is so much fun to ride during a snow storm.

  • Snow on the ground: We ride. It doesn’t matter if there’s 1 inch or four feet, we ride. We recommend (and may require) studded tires and/or fat bikes for these kinds of conditions. The only exclusion to snow riding is when there is a state of emergency and we’ve been asked to stay off the road.

  • Icy conditions: We ride. For this you have to have studded tires in order to ride with us.

  • Cold: It doesn’t matter what the temperature is, we ride. We’ve held the Full Moon ride at very, very below zero temps in the past and we still get a great turnout!

  • We DO NOT RIDE if the trails are wet and could possibly be damaged by riding, or we change the route/plan to be on beaches or on fire roads that are not sensitive trails if it’s easy to change the plan last-minute.

RSVPs are required so we know who is coming, RSVP here now!

Toy Box Mixed Terrain Ride

• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain Ride, a few paved roads, dirt and trails, nothing too technical

• Location: Start and end in Waltham, MA - near the Mighty Squirrel

• Date & Time:  9am rollout Sunday, December 18 (date moved from Saturday to Sunday due to expected too wet trails on Saturday)

• Distance:  ~25 miles

• Price:  Free, but in the spirit of the holidays, please donate to the Boston Children’s Hospital, details below AND be aware of NEER membership requirements discussed below after the first ride you do with us

• Become a member of NEER in order to join us if this is your second ride with us

• RSVPs: Required, see bottom of page for RSVP form

*Ride Headquarters is donating $20 per 45NRTH item purchased toward the Boston Children’s Hospital fundraising so buying a set of tires helps you donate more to the kids!

Details of the Special Aspects of this Ride:  

This is a very fun mixed terrain ride, and it’s also an opportunity for us to share holiday cheer while on bikes together during the holiday season.

Virtual Toy Drive: In the spirit of the holidays, we want to help kids find joy. This ride benefits the Boston Children’s Hospital. Your donation helps purchase meaningful items for patients. Specifically, here is how your dollars help buy children much needed joy.

Please donate directly via the button here, before December 17. No actual toys will be collected via this drive.

Buy Winter Riding Gear: For every 45NRTH item you purchase, Ride Headquarters will donate an additional $20 to this drive. Stay safe riding on ice this winter and feel especially good about your purchase!

If you want to contribute but can’t attend the ride, no problem! Just click the link at the button above and your contribution is easy to make there.

Last year’s Toy Box ride was at night and was very festive! Between Ride Headquarters’ financial contribution and riders’ money and toys donated, a total of $2,437 was donated to ABCD who was the beneficiary of last year’s Toy Box ride. Over 40 riders came out to share in the holiday joy of riding and giving!

DEADLINE: All donations should be completed before this ride happens on December 18, so we have a total amount to celebrate on the ride!

Ride Details: This mixed-terrain ride takes cyclists through Waltham and to surrounding towns. The route includes paved roads, trails, dirt roads, grassy areas, and other places off the beaten path. Considering the time of year, if trails are wet but not frozen, we’ll implement a back-up ride plan to be kind to the trails.

The ride departs at 9:00 am with various speed groups. We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a slower moderate pace. If you have ridden mixed terrain before and can average 14mph on a paved road ride, you should be fine with the pace of this ride. We typically have 2-3 groups who we assemble at rollout who each ride together and ahead of the Super Domestique-led group. This way, if one gets with a group that’s a bit faster than desired, that person can drop back to the last group and have a super fun ride. We expect to have gravel, mountain, and fat bikes attending.

We don’t have a sweep rider for this ride so only participate if you’re confident in your skill level and fitness.

Parking: We email everyone by 7pm the evening before the ride with logistics details, where to park, where to meet up, and the route. Parking is free and ample.

Route:  The weather and trail conditions dictate the route. We expect this ride to be 20-25 miles in length. If you want a longer ride, the Brutiful ride is happening at the same time and is a 40-mile adventure.

Estimated time: ~2.5-3.5 hours depending on your speed group.

Ride Notes:  We discuss these with you prior to rollout. Note that a mixed terrain ride is a little rougher than a “gravel” ride. You’ll be riding over some roots and rocks, though there won’t be that much requiring any technical ability. The trails we’re on are well maintained.

Get in the spirit of the holidays and feel free to come decorated!

Last Minute Information:  We email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.

Contact Information:  Email - connect@rideheadquaters.com, Phone which reaches the ride leader before and during the ride: 413-461-7433

Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different:  All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. 

• Leave your fenders at home, there are so many twigs and leaves on the trails, fenders only serve to collect these in ways that can break them, your spokes, derailleurs, etc.

• Per our usual recommendations, be sure to have everything you need in case of a minor mechanical including flat fixing and chain fixing tools and supplies, including a rear derailleur hanger if your bike uses one. Also have a plan if your bike or body decide to stop working mid-ride.

• Ride your fattest tire bike. 32mm tires are the minimum. Bigger tires roll better over things you can’t see and are more fun on rougher terrain. It’s fat bike season anyway so there will be a number of fat bikes on this ride. Gravel bikes are perfectly acceptable and will have plenty of fun if this is your fattest tire bike.

• 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 Tuned Bike: Be sure your bike is in safe working order, have it 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.

• Ride with high enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  We recommend about 80% to 90% of maximum rated tire pressure to begin. Ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We want 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 rides.

  • You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.

  • Flat tires and burped tires are especially problematic when it’s cold. We ride on the coldest days. Our ride leader(s) can’t help with mechanicals when it’s so cold, we risk freezing our sensitive extremities.

Waiver:  NEER requires a signed waiver before your first ride.

IMPORTANT for participation:

If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.

How do we decide if we’re having the 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 must have studded tires in order to ride with us.

• Cold:  It doesn’t matter what the temperature is, we ride.  The coldest ride we’ve hosted started at 5 degrees.  It was a blast!

RSVP Now!