Saturday For the Love of Riding Bikes Outside

• Location: Start and end in Wompatuck, MA

• Ride Type:  Trails on Fat Bikes / Mountain Bikes

• Date & Time:  Saturday, March 11

• Distance:  As long as you want to ride! Options: 10-40 miles

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

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

Details

This is the ride you need it to be for YOU. We’re starting the ride at 10am and riding, riding, riding at Wompatuck! We’re following various routes so there won’t be any repetition, yet we’re staying within Wompatuck. Ride until you don’t want to ride any longer, it’s not far or hard to get back to your car.

Ice/snow: Wompatuck staff have told us as of March 9, there is no ice on the trails and the trails are dry. Should it rain a lot (this would be unexpected but could happen), we would cancel the ride.

Pace

If you can maintain a 14mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 2+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much much less than this (probably more like 6 mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, bigger tires, twisty trails, etc. We’ll regroup periodically.

Start Time

9:55am - Be ready to ride!

10:00am - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out

Distance & Estimated Ride Time

The ride is as long as you want to go. 10 miles all the way to 40 miles!

Time: this is up to you. You stop riding when you want to stop riding. We’re out there for the day so start with us then end when it’s time for you to be done.

Parking

Parking is free and ample at the parking lot, we’ll share the exact location with all who RSVP by 7pm the night before the ride.

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.

Route Notes

The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will not be that cold out, so it’s going to be easy to overheat if you overdress (overheating leads to freezing). Wear enough layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then not overheat.

Any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider needs to walk out to the car. It’s not that far so it’s not a big deal. The group will try to get you rolling and if it’s not possible, we’ll make sure you know how to get back to the car.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to hang out and talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. Since everyone is finishing at a different time, we suggest bringing food and drink to enjoy post-ride for when you finish.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.

CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.

Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.

Riding Rules

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.

Waiver

NEER requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• 2.25” knobby tires OR BIGGER.  Wider tires are nicer! This is a rougher mountain bike area so we suggest 3” tires minimum width regardless of conditions. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set.

• Clipless pedals and shoes.  These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats on a mixed terrain ride. You can possibly get away with road pedals/cleats on a gravel (dirt road) ride, but not a mixed terrain ride.

• A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride or take an Uber home if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes.

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:

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

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

• Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.

RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!

Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.

Sunday Snow Ride

• Location: Start and end in Leominster, MA

• Ride Type:  SNOW Mixed Terrain Ride for fat bikes with studded tires

• Date & Time:  Sunday, March 5, 2023, 9:00am start

• Distance:  2-2.5 hours total (it’s twisty so probably not more than ~10 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 trail snow ride takes cyclists on the trails of Leominster State Forest. The plan to go to Leominster is tentative until we know that the trails have been groomed considering the amount of snow that will fall on Saturday.

There is ice on the ground, thus studded tires are required.

Pace

If you can maintain a 14mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 3+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much much less than this (probably more like 4 mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, new snow conditions, twisty trails, etc. We’ll regroup periodically.

Start Time

8:55am - Be ready to ride! Stay in your car if you’re ready early if it’s cold enough to freeze you before the ride starts.

9:00am - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out

If the roads aren’t safe to drive, we encourage you to not be on the road.

Distance & Estimated Ride Time

The ride is probably ~10 miles in length.

Allow 2-2.5 hours for the ride.

Parking

Parking is free and ample at the Leominster trail head, we’ll share the exact location with all who RSVP by 7pm the night before the ride.

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.

Route Notes

The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will not be that cold out, so it’s going to be easy to overheat if you overdress (overheating leads to freezing). Wear enough layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then not overheat. Bring chemical hand & foot warmers if your gloves/boots are thin.

Any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider needs to walk out to the car and the group will need to proceed or else everyone could be at risk with the cold. Please understand that the group will need to continue moving.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy a hot cocoa or talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. We’ll make hot chocolates for anyone who wants one and be there at the big, red van.

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

• STUDDED 3.5” knobby tires OR BIGGER.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see fat bikes at this ride considering the snow conditions. It is possible a mountain bike with studded tires will be okay out there too, hard to know until we’re rolling!

• 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 New Snow Ride

• Location: Start and end in Medfield, MA

• Ride Type:  SNOW Mixed Terrain Ride for fat bikes with studded tires

• Date & Time:  Saturday, March 4, 2023, 9:00am start

• Distance:  15 miles, ~3 hours

• 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 mixed-terrain NEW SNOW ride takes cyclists to trails, back roads, and paths for a total of ~15 miles. We’re aiming for a 3-hour ride and will adjust the route appropriately on the fly if necessary.

There is ice on the ground, thus studded tires are required.

Pace

If you can maintain a 14mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 3+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much much less than 14mph (probably more like 4 mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, new snow conditions, etc.

Start Time

8:55am - Be ready to ride! Stay in your car if you’re ready early if it’s cold enough to freeze you before the ride starts.

9:00am - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out

If the roads aren’t safe to drive, we encourage you to not be on the road.

Distance & Estimated Ride Time

The ride is 15 miles in length.

Allow ~3 hours for the ride.

Parking

Parking is free and ample in Medfield, we’ll share the exact location with all who RSVP by 7pm the night before the ride.

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.

Route Notes

The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will not be that cold out, so it’s going to be easy to overheat if you overdress (overheating leads to freezing). Wear enough layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then not overheat. Bring chemical hand & foot warmers if your gloves/boots are thin.

Any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider needs to call for a ride (Uber/Lyft/friend) and the group will need to proceed or else everyone could be at risk with the cold. Please understand that the group will need to continue moving and be ready for any issues with all of the right tools/tube and phone to call for a ride if necessary.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy a hot cocoa or talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. We’ll make hot chocolates for anyone who wants one and be there at the big, red van.

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

• STUDDED 3.5” knobby tires OR BIGGER.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see fat bikes at this ride considering the snow conditions. It is possible a mountain bike with studded tires will be okay out there too, hard to know until we’re rolling!

• 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 Winter Warmth Mixed Terrain Ride

• Location: Start and end in Concord Center, MA

• Ride Type:  SNOW Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes with studded tires

• Date & Time:  Saturday, February 25, 2023, 12:00pm start

• Distance:  13 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 mixed-terrain ride takes cyclists to trails, back roads, and paths for a total of 13 miles.

The route is a mixed terrain route so any gravel bike with ~40mm tires is suited for the terrain. However, note the temperature. Fatter tires will roll more slowly offering the rider the gift of a warmer experience.

Based on the weather forecast, it is likely there will be ice, thus studded tires are required.

Pace

We’ll split people into groups based on bikes and speeds that are likely to result. We expect to see bikes ranging from gravel to fat bikes on this ride.

If you can maintain a 14mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 3+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much less than 14mph (probably more like 6-7mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, conditions, etc people will be riding.

Start Time

11:55am - Be ready to ride! Stay in your car if you’re ready early if it’s cold enough to freeze you before the ride starts.

12pm - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out

Please arrive early enough to be ready to ride at 12pm promptly. With the cold weather, we can’t ask everyone to stand around to wait on a late arrival.

Distance & Estimated Ride Time

The ride is 13 miles in length.

Allow ~2 hours for the ride. If you want a longer ride, start elsewhere and ride to the ride!

Parking

Parking is free and ample here:

Public lot off of Keyes Rd., Concord, MA

Link: https://goo.gl/maps/jjS2uBcjU68GneDv7

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.

Route Notes

A mixed terrain ride is rougher than a “gravel” ride on the dirt sections. There is no pressure to ride anything you would prefer to walk.

The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will be quite cold to start. Wear enough layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then not overheat. Be sure to have chemical hand & foot warmers if your gloves/boots are thin.

Because of the cold, any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider needs to call for a ride (Uber/Lyft/friend) and the group will need to proceed or else everyone could be at risk with the cold. Please understand that the group will need to continue moving and be ready for any issues with all of the right tools/tube and phone to call for a ride if necessary.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy a hot cocoa or talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. We’ll make hot chocolates for anyone who wants one and be there at the big, red van.

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

• STUDDED 38mm knobby tires OR BIGGER.  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.

• 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 Winter Warmth Mixed Terrain Ride

• Location: Start and end at Revolution Hall near Bedford, MA

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

• Date & Time:  Saturday, February 4, 2023

• Distance:  35 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 mixed-terrain ride takes cyclists to many back roads, plenty of dirt paths and non-technical single-track trails for a total of 35 miles.

The route is a mixed terrain route so any gravel bike with ~40mm tires is suited for the terrain.

There is likely a little ice out there, but it’s all avoidable by riding around it or walking over it in an instance or two where that might be helpful. Studded tires are not required for this ride.

Pace

We’ll split people into groups based on bikes and speeds that are likely to result. We expect to see bikes ranging from gravel to fat bikes on this ride. Note that the fatter your tires, the warmer you’ll be at the same level of exertion!

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a steady endurance pace. The Super Domestique will be riding a mountain bike. If you can maintain a 14mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 3+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much less than 14mph (probably more like 7mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, etc people will be riding.

Distance & Estimated Ride Time

The ride is 35 miles in length. There is a coffee/food/water stop at mile 24. This could take 15 mins depending on rider needs.

Allow 4 hours for the ride. Faster riders will probably be back earlier!

Parking

Across the street from Revolution Hall. DO NOT park in the Revolution Hall parking lot.

Address for your GPS: 10 Maguire Rd., Lexington, MA

Exact spot to park: https://goo.gl/maps/DXJyjgRdjp6BCqcA8

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.

Route Notes

A mixed terrain ride is rougher than a “gravel” ride on the dirt sections. There may be a few boardwalks, they are of average width and the weather predicts everything will be dry. There is no pressure to ride anything you would prefer to walk.

The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will be quite cold to start. Wear enough layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then not overheat. Be sure to have chemical hand & foot warmers if your gloves/boots are thin.

Because of the cold, any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider needs to call for a ride (Uber/Lyft/friend) and the group will need to proceed or else everyone could be at risk with the cold. Please understand that the group will need to continue moving and be ready for any issues with all of the right tools/tube and phone to call for a ride if necessary.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy a drink or hot food at Revolution Hall is invited to hang out and enjoy social time together! The ride leader will stick around for awhile post-ride.

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

• 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.

• 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.

Wednesday Mixed Terrain Ride

• Location: Start and end in Arlington at the Arlington reservoir

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

• Date & Time:  Wednesday, December 28 at 10am

• Distance:  20 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 mixed-terrain ride takes cyclists to many back roads, plenty of dirt paths and trails for a total of 20 miles.

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.

There is some ice out there, but it’s all avoidable by riding around it or walking over it in an instance or two where that might be helpful. Studded tires are not required for this ride.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a slow endurance pace on a gravel bike.

Distance

The ride is 20 miles in length.

Parking

Arlington Reservoir

210 Lowell St., Arlington, MA 02474

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 10pm Tuesday night, December 27.

Estimated Ride Time

~2-3 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 on the dirt sections. There are a number of long boardwalks. It will be dry so as long as you feel comfortable riding average width boardwalks, you’ll be fine.

After the Ride

We will serve hot cocoa at the end to whoever is sticking around to enjoy it! We’ll have hot water, too, so if you prefer to bring a tea bag or other drink that you can heat up with hot water, feel free to bring it.

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

• 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.

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!