Connecticut Coffee & Gravel, NEER x The Bike Shop

Details

• DATE CHANGE - Now happening Saturday, November 15 at 9am due to nice weather Saturday!!!

• Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads

• Time & Date: Saturday, November 15

• Starting Point: Willington, CT

• Distance: ~50 miles

• Price: Free

• Your first NEER ride does not require membership, if it’s your 2nd ride or more, you MUST be a NEER member to participate for insurance reasons.
  

Description

This is a gorgeous, well-planned gravel route that serves up a New England mix of classic gravel, scenic farm roads, rolling paved stretches, cat 4 roads, carriage roads, some single and some double track too. Thank you to The Bike Shop - One Love Outdoors for curating this route and sharing it with us!

We’ll be riding with NEER riders and The Bike Shop has invited their local community to join as well, so it’ll be a wonderful mix of people out there!

You’re welcome to ride whatever bike you want as long as the minimum tire size is met, your bike is in safe working order, and you have tools/tubes in case of a mechanical.

Start Location

• A free lot adjacent to The Bike Shop

  Address:

  14 Tolland Turnpike
  Willington, CT 06279

Pace

There will be at least three groups, possibly more. One will be a moderate-quicker pace, for those who prefer an ~18mph road pace for 4 hours (pace will be lower than this since it’s gravel).

One group will average a solid “moderate” pace, this is appropriate for riders who are comfortable with 16-17mph average on road bikes for 4+ hours. This group will have a Super Domestique.

There is likely a “fun” pace group with a Super Domestique that will average a little less than the “moderate” group’s pace.

Your pace will be ~20-30% slower than your road riding pace.

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• We cannot shuttle riders anywhere, it’s your responsibility to have a plan in case your bike or legs stop working.

• There may be little cell coverage in this area, so be aware of that.

• We’ll send an email by 7pm the day before the ride, with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do and where to go.

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 conditions this time of year, your personal circumstances, your health, etc. 

  • You will want to come prepared with the equivalent of three full 26 ounce bottles of water, enough food to fuel the full ride distance, and fitness for the distance. There might not be a good resupply for the entire route. (We’re researching options now and will tell all who RSVP more in the pre-ride email.)

After the Ride

• Bring a change of clothes and food to enjoy for the drive home. There aren’t a lot of food/drink options in this area.

• The Bike Shop will be making lattes and will organize food to be brought in from a local establishment (think pizza). Bring cash if you want to join in on the food and drinks and fun social time together!

Proper Bike for this Ride

• A road or gravel bike that has 38mm tires or wider. 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!

Thursday Mixed Terrain Night Ride!

• Location: Revolution Hall near Bedford, MA

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

• Date & Time:  Thursday evenings, November 6, November 20, December 4 - 7pm start

• Distance:  ~15 miles, no more than 2 hours of riding (trying to keep it closer to 90 minutes)

• 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 & Pace

This mixed terrain ride takes cyclists to many interesting trails with roads connecting them.

The route is a mixed terrain route so any bike with 38mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. Faster riders are always welcome to go ahead, we discuss how we manage this before the ride starts.

There are some easy-to-ride boardwalks on the route, it’s pretty well ridden so not hard to navigate when the sun is gone.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the main group. New-to-mixed terrain riders should try our weekend rides first prior to coming out to this ride.

It doesn’t mean much to talk about the average pace of a mixed terrain ride since it sounds a lot slower than it really is. We keep moving at an endurance pace but it’s not fast given the waning sunlight.

Distance

~15 miles

Parking

Address for your GPS: 10 Maguire Rd, Lexington, MA 02421

Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ebJ1c1ufZA3bL4ZR7

Route

Please download the route on your GPS device, it makes it easier for everyone to know which turn is coming next.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40871313

Start time, Estimated Ride Time

Start: 7pm, be ready to roll by 6:55pm

Ride time: Aiming for 90 minutes, possibly a few minutes beyond this depending the pace of the group and if there are mechanicals.

Route Notes

We discuss these with you prior to rollout. Note that a “mixed terrain” ride is rougher, twistier, and slower than a “gravel” ride. There are roots, a few boardwalks, etc to navigate. If you’re concerned about your ability to ride mixed terrain, do one of our weekend rides first.

After the Ride

Some riders will enjoy post-ride food and drink at Revolution Hall. Feel free to join in having food and hanging out afterwards if you’d like!

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.

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

• 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 be gravel bikes.

• Lights, front and rear. Bring both front and rear lights with battery power to stay lit for a 2.5 hour ride. Correct, the ride is 1.5 hours, but if there’s a mechanical or if you accidentally set it too bright, then you want to still have enough light for the duration of the ride.

• Concerning Rear Lights: A super bright and/or flashing rear light will blind the person riding behind you and it actually hurts that person’s eyes and can make it hard for that person to see. Please look into your rear light. If it burns your eyes, get a “group ride friendly” light such as the Super Flash ($25) - it has a steady mode and isn’t too bright.

• 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.  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.

West Hill Dam Mountain & Fat Bike Ride

• Location: Start and end at West Hill Dam, Uxbridge, MA

• Ride Type:  Trails of green and blue difficulty, mostly flowy and fun

• Date & Time:  Saturday, October 11, 9am start

• Distance:  Route is 14 miles long (almost 3 hours prob) & there will be a longer extra riding opportunity for those who want more

• 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 great area for mountain bike riding with fun flow, not too technical so it’s a really nice venue for a terrific ride on mountain and fat bikes!

Pace

We’ll split into two groups: faster and endurance moderate. For endurance group, there will be re-grouping periodically at intersections so no one gets lost but everyone can ride at their comfortable pace.

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. After the 14-mile route we’ll be following, there will be an opportunity to try out other trails nearby to tack on another few hours on the bike. Do what you want to do! Refill at your car after the first 3 hours for the next leg.

Parking

Parking is at West Hill Dam’s parking lot. Details will be shared 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

Nothing specific. This is a mountain bike trail area so we don’t expect to be on roads for the first 14 miles. The optional additional mileage will involve taking roads to other nearby trails to do some exploring and other trail riding.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to hang out and talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. We’ll fill back up with water after the first 14 miles and then those who want to head back out will do that and everyone else can go on with their day!

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.

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” knobby tires or bigger.  

• MTB clipless or flat 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. No road pedals/shoes.

• A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned.

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  

• 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.

Autumn Overnight Bikepacking Weekend

Riders enjoy time sitting around a fire after a long day of great riding!

• Location: Starts in Fitchburg, MA, Ride to and camp to a campground in Philipston, MA then have a great ride back to your vehicle or the train back home in Fitchburg - route is a loop

• Route: Bikepacking, mixed terrain, plenty of dirt under your tires, some paved roads as well

• Ride Type: Mixed Terrain

• Date & Time: Saturday & Sunday, 27-28 September 2025, 9:30am & earlier rollouts Saturday. Back to the lot by 6:30pm Sunday.

• Distance: ~50 miles each day

• Price: $30 per person. Must be a NEER member to participate (this keeps the price down for everyone since we don’t have to buy extra insurance, become a member!) The cost covers your spot in a campground that offers showers, water, electricity, campfire (NEER buys the wood for a group campfire)

• Non-Riding family/friend option! See details below.

Description:  The Autumn Overnight bikepacking weekend is a two-day and one-night event that covers almost ~100 miles of diverse terrain in New England.  This ride is intended to be fun, give you a chance to enjoy bikepacking with others who love to bikepack, give you a nice way to do it for the first time if you haven’t done it before with a not-too-hard and not-too-climby route at a perfect time of year.  The event is part bikepacking and part adventure ride.

This is a great way to have a full weekend of riding, test your bikepacking setup, enjoy camping with others of similar cycling interests, and share the experience with your friends and family as well.

• Enjoy fun mixed-terrain riding over two days

• This is not a catered trip, we’re not bringing stuff to camp for anyone.

• We’re providing knowledge and ideas, ask questions and we’ll get you answers.

• Self-sufficiency is important! We are not providing mid-ride support. You are expected to be able to fix mechanical issues or ride with friends who can help each other out.

• We’ll teach campfire starting at camp and keep the fire going to stay warm at night and in the morning before rolling out Sunday morning

• We’re providing a comprehensive packing list so you know what to bring and are prepared for this and any bikepacking trip. We’ll email this to all who register!

Photo from a warm 2017 bikepacking trip called Maneha. The fire was hot and post-ride feasting/post-ride food coma Saturday night was memorable.

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Maneha is the ride that started it all.  We first scouted Maneha in 2010. It has evolved over the years and has brought a terrific bikepacking experience to riders of all backgrounds and experience levels together and to cool places. This ride is a close relative of Maneha, the difference being that this ride isn’t catered and Maneha was.

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Overview

The Autumn Overnight is a bikepacking ride on a mixed-terrain route.  We're riding everything from primitive 'goat trails' to good paved roads. There are lots of nice, smooth dirt paths and roads too. Everyone goes the pace that works for each person, some people will be riding loaded fat bikes at the rear and others will have 40mm tires and have a lighter bike setup.

Route Information

• Distance: About 50 miles each day. We’ll tell you the specifics of the route as we get closer to ride time. Be sure you have the fitness and ability to ride an unloaded gravel bike on mixed terrain/gravel 100km without excessive fatigue or body issues. This ensures you’ll have the baseline fitness and readiness for this trip.

• Territory: Central MA, there’s not a lot in the areas where we’re riding either day.

• Riding Options: Two day, Saturday only, Sunday only - if you have a non-riding friend or loved one coming up to meet you, you’re welcome to ride one day up and get a ride home. We are not transporting anyone to the start or from the campsite back to the starting lot. The price stays the same regardless. Just let us know your plans so we’re aware, that’s all you need to do.

• Gear Packing Options: There are no options: if you want it to eat, to sleep on, to wear, you’re carrying it with you! You are expected to have everything you need for a long-day ride on you where it comes to fixing mechanicals. This said, there is a nice place farm with food, drinks, woodfired pizza about a mile from the campground so you could cheat and grab dinner there. But be sure to bring it back to the campfire to enjoy the group dynamic with everyone!

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When:

27 & 28 September 2025.  Saturday and Sunday. Saturday’s Grand Depart happens at 9:30am. Riders are encouraged to arrive at the start (a parking lot at a train station) no later than 7:15 so there’s time to deal with all of the stuff on the bike prior to 8am. Starting on time is important!

Sunday’s ride back begins when riders want to get moving, this will probably be around 9am though this will be discussed around the campfire prior to everyone heading off to slumber land.

Where we Start:

Wachusett Train Station. There is overnight parking offered here.

Train Schedule:

The outbound train from Boston leaves North Station at 7:45am and picks up riders all the way west, arriving at the Wachusett lot at 9:21am Saturday.

The inbound train to Boston from Wachusett picks up at 6:25pm, arriving back to North Station at 8:01pm. The last train Sunday is at 8:55pm though we expect all riders will have ample time to get to the 6:25pm train. The next earliest train is at 4:25pm for faster riders.

Where we Camp:  

We have campsites reserved together for riders in the Lamb City campground in Philipston, MA. NEER buys wood for a fire/fires everyone can enjoy.

There are showers, picnic tables, electricity to recharge your electronics, campfire rings, a campground (small) store if you forgot something.

Why:  

Bikepacking trips are hard to find and it’s nice to have the opportunity to test your equipment, figure out how to pack your bike, and isn’t it fun to get two big days on the bike with nice people also out for the same? It’s important to do it while it’s still possible with the weather and campfires sure feel amazing at this time of year!

How:

Register at the NEER store!

Questions?  Email us at connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com

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Who can do the Autumn Overnight ride?

Any fit and competent cyclist with equipment that meets our minimum requirements and who is willing to abide by basic riding safety rules may participate.  Riding 50+ miles of mixed-terrain feels about three times that amount of road riding. If your bike is loaded, it feels even further. There are no time cut offs, you’re welcome to take your time. We do want you to be in to the campsite before dark.

All who register to participate in this ride will receive the following pre-ride:

• Equipment Checklist: This is a comprehensive list of what NEER recommends for participants to have on bike and body. It also includes a list of items we find useful on self-supported multi-day rides for your knowledge and you’re welcome to add whatever you wish for this ride.

• Logistics, Route & Route Notes by 7pm September 25: You’ll understand how the ride is being run, where you’re headed, where to be when.

  This information will help you prepare your bike, mind, and spirit for the adventure ahead. It includes recommended food and rest stops along the route. The information also includes tips on how to navigate difficult trails.

• Waiver: This ride is being insured by NEER’s insurance. Your NEER waiver covers your participation on this ride.

All details subject to change, all who register will receive every communication by email.

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"The staff did a remarkable job on a complex event. I can't wait until next year!" - C.B.

Ride with Your Friend Group

You can ride this ride as a solo rider or with a team/self-organized friend group (AKA team) ahead of the NEER-led group.  All of these ways of participating are fantastic and your choice.  Solo riders and slower groups will be encouraged to start earlier than 9am so there’s some cross-over during the day. It’s early and understandable if people don’t want to start earlier than this!

The last group to depart will be Super Domestique-led, and the Super Domestique will be riding a loaded fat bike so it won’t be fast, but steady.

• A team consists of as many riders as you want to assemble to take this on together.

• The team must have at least two people with GPS units for navigation along with backup batteries for the GPS units.

• The team members commit to riding together and finishing together.

Solo Riders

• Solo riders must have their own GPS navigation device with backup battery to charge the unit if necessary.

• Ride as fast or slow as you wish, we just want you to be at camp no later than 8pm.

• We prefer if you start earlier (we will be at the start very early so it’s possible to leave earlier and have a send-off committee). It’s nicer to be solo in a rider sandwich somewhere rather than off-the-back solo for safety and all of the positive psychological benefits as well! We usually have all paces show up to our rides so there’s a good chance your pace will be similar to that of others.

Display your location

We will have ALL riders display their location on the route via Life360 (not necessary to pay for an account for this), it helps us know where everyone is. This will take a little more battery life from your cell phone, so a backup battery is essential.

Non-Riding Significant Other Camping Option / Bringing your Family

Your non-riding spouse or significant other is welcome to join you for the weekend at the campsite at no additional cost as long as you’re sharing a tent. Please let us know if you’ll have someone meeting you at camp.

If you’d like this to be a bigger family affair, we’ll ask you to make a reservation with the campground on your own and we’ll credit you for the campsite space you won’t be occupying. Email us separately if this applies to you and we’ll figure it out.

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Sunday After the Ride back at the parking lot/train station

We’re expecting riders to arrive back at their cars/train at various times. Most people will be tired from the long weekend and just want to get home. There is no food there so bring some with you or have it in the car awaiting you for the few moments after you finish.

Contact Information - Call 413-461-7433 if it’s urgent

Email us with questions at connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.

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. Ring our phone please with urgent anything!!!

Riding Rules

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

Proper Bike & Equipment

There are quite a few bikes and setups that work great for bikepacking and gravel riding on terrain you’ll find on this ride. Your choices will potentially impact your speed relative to others. We don’t care how fast/slow you ride, this is up to you, as long as you are on a safe bike with minimum basics and arrive before sunset on both Saturday and Sunday.

• Required: A bike with 38mm tires or wider. Mountain, gravel, fat, CX bikes are all acceptable. Ideally, the bike will have 40mm knobby tires or bigger.

• Required: Flat pedals or mountain-style pedals should be used, no road pedals/shoes.

• Required: A GPS computer with the route loaded ahead of time if you’re riding solo. If you’re riding with a friend group, the group must have 2 GPS computers among members.

• Required: Backup battery to charge GPS computer and phone during the ride. (There is no electricity to recharge things at camp.)

• Required: Sign-on to Life360 or other service that you share with us so we can see your location you when you’re riding. We’ll share connection info with you in the pre-ride information email.

• Required: A bike that’s in safe working order that has been recently tuned and is free of creaking and squeaking. The chain should be lubed just prior to the ride. Squeaky chains and noisy bikes are unacceptable because it means there is something wrong with your bike and more might be wrong.

• Required: All of the tools for typical mechanicals. These are on the Gear Checklist you’ll receive when you register. Lots of extra “nice to haves” are on the Checklist too!

• Required: Cell phone and a plan to get back to your car in case your bike or body stops working - we cannot offer rides to anyone (per insurance requirements) and there won’t be a vehicle on the route.

• Required: Two full water bottles/other vessel with at least this much water at the start of the ride

• Required: Front and rear lights (do not need to be turned on if visibility is good but available), reflector on ankle or pedal (this is now required per MA law at dusk and later). Visibility is always a good thing for safety regardless of weather or time of day. Lights are important at camp too!

• Nice to have: Extra calories in your pockets to get you to stores where you can buy more.

• Change of clothes to wear after the ride at camp and for sleeping so you’re comfy!

Thursday Evening Mixed Terrain

• Location: Revolution Hall near Bedford, MA

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

• Date & Time:  Thursday evening, September 18 - 7pm start

• Distance:  ~15 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 & Pace

This mixed terrain ride takes cyclists to many interesting trails with roads connecting them.

The route is a mixed terrain route so any bike with 38mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. Faster riders are always welcome to go ahead, we discuss how we manage this before the ride starts.

There are some easy-to-ride boardwalks on the route, it’s pretty well ridden so not hard to navigate when the sun is gone.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the main group. New-to-mixed terrain riders should try our weekend rides first prior to coming out to this ride.

It doesn’t mean much to talk about the average pace of a mixed terrain ride since it sounds a lot slower than it really is. We keep moving at an endurance pace but it’s not fast given the waning sunlight.

Distance

~15 miles

Parking

Address for your GPS: 10 Maguire Rd, Lexington, MA 02421

Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ebJ1c1ufZA3bL4ZR7

Route

Please download the route on your GPS device, it makes it easier for everyone to know which turn is coming next.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40871313

Start time, Estimated Ride Time

Start: 7pm, be ready to roll by 6:55pm

Ride time: Aiming for 90 minutes, possibly a few minutes beyond this depending the pace of the group and if there are mechanicals.

Route Notes

We discuss these with you prior to rollout. Note that a “mixed terrain” ride is rougher, twistier, and slower than a “gravel” ride. There are roots, a few boardwalks, etc to navigate. If you’re concerned about your ability to ride mixed terrain, do one of our weekend rides first.

After the Ride

Some riders will enjoy post-ride food and drink at Revolution Hall. Feel free to join in having food and hanging out afterwards if you’d like!

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.

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

• 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 be gravel bikes.

• Lights, front and rear. Bring both front and rear lights with battery power to stay lit for a 2.5 hour ride. Correct, the ride is 1.5 hours, but if there’s a mechanical or if you accidentally set it too bright, then you want to still have enough light for the duration of the ride.

• Concerning Rear Lights: A super bright and/or flashing rear light will blind the person riding behind you and it actually hurts that person’s eyes and can make it hard for that person to see. Please look into your rear light. If it burns your eyes, get a “group ride friendly” light such as the Super Flash ($25) - it has a steady mode and isn’t too bright.

• 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.  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.

NH Weekend of Gravel!

Details

• Enjoy one or both days and camping in between of two terrific gravel rides starting in Meredith, NH

• Time & Date: Saturday and Sunday, September 20 & 21

• Starting Point: Meredith, NH

• Distance Options:

  • 60 mi routes both days and quite different loops going in different directions each day!

  • Short option of 29 mi for anyone who wishes to go shorter either day

• Elevation gain:

  • A little less than 100 ft per mile, this is a hilly area but also offers lots of great terrain and views!

• Price: $0 if you’re just coming for the day. It’s $30 each for those staying over Saturday night, we’re taking a collection then doing a group food shopping trip Saturday evening for dinner (cooking out on the grill) and the remainder goes to our hosts who are generously inviting us to stay on their property!

• You MUST be a NEER member if this is your second or more ride with us to participate
  

Start Location

Meredith, NH - Parking is at a private residence. Address will be shared with all who RSVP.

Route Information

• All who RSVP for one or both days will get 3 route files: one for Saturday, another for Sunday and an optional shorter route if one doesn’t want to ride as far one or both days.

Pace

• We’re likely to split into two groups, a faster, stronger pace and a good endurance pace. It all depends on who chooses to join in! We expect to have a good turnout for both rides so everyone has people to ride with at their preferred pacing!

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• We’ll send a detailed email by 7pm the day before the ride, Friday night, with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do and where to go.

• All of our Riding Rules apply. 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.

• Gravel bikes with 40mm or bigger tires are suited for the expected terrain.

• 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.

• Bring your tent, change of clothes, everything you need to be comfortable camping if you’re choosing to stay over Saturday night.

• Rain jacket in case of inclement weather, etc.

• There is water and bathrooms where we’ll start so you can fill up prior to rolling out in Meredith.

• Waiver: If you think you haven’t signed the waiver in 2025, please do it now: https://www.newenglandexpeditionriders.com/ride-waiver (If we discover that you haven’t filed out a waiver at the start, you won’t be able to ride with the group, no exceptions. It’s a requirement of our insurance.)

Proper Bike & Equipment for this Ride

• A road or gravel bike that has 38mm tires or wider. 40mm should be ideal. Hardtail mountain bikes with strong riders will be happy out there. These are all gravel routes intended for gravel bikes.

• There is some loose gravel on the roads, and sandy spots. Expect anything and you’ll be ready!

• 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.

• There is no support on the ride so if your bike or body stop working, you’ll have to figure out how to return to the start.

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! Be sure to select one or both days you plan to be there & the camping option if you’re camping & staying over Saturday night!

Saturday Mixed Terrain Ride starting in Arlington

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

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

• Date & Time:  Saturday, September 6, 9am start

• Distance:  36 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 36 miles. This equates to 4-5 hours of total time.

The route is a mixed terrain route so any gravel bike with 35mm tires or larger should be suited for the terrain. We’ll split people into groups based on bikes and speeds that are likely to result.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart, if we split into groups.

Pace: endurance zone 2/3 for most cyclists - if you can average 15/16mph on a road bike on a paved road, you’re fit enough for this ride.

Distance

The ride is 36 miles in length.

Parking

Free, all day parking near the Arlington Reservoir

All who RSVP receive exact instructions to get to the parking lot in the pre-ride email.

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm Friday night before the ride. If you RSVP later than 7pm, that’s fine, the route will be in your inbox by 7am Saturday morning.

Estimated Ride Time

4-5 hours

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 boardwalks. It should be dry on these so as long as you feel comfortable riding average width boardwalks, you’ll be fine.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.

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.

• 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.

West Hill Dam Mountain & Fat Bike Ride

• Location: Start and end at West Hill Dam, Uxbridge, MA

• Ride Type:  Trails of green and blue difficulty, mostly flowy and fun

• Date & Time:  Sunday, September 7, 9am start

• Distance:  Route is 14 miles long (almost 3 hours prob) & there will be a longer extra riding opportunity for those who want more

• 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 great area for mountain bike riding with fun flow, not too technical so it’s a really nice venue for a terrific ride on mountain and fat bikes!

Pace

We’ll split into two groups: faster and endurance moderate. For endurance group, there will be re-grouping periodically at intersections so no one gets lost but everyone can ride at their comfortable pace.

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. After the 14-mile route we’ll be following, there will be an opportunity to try out other trails nearby to tack on another few hours on the bike. Do what you want to do!

Parking

Parking is at West Hill Dam’s parking lot. Details will be shared 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

Nothing specific. This is a mountain bike trail area so we don’t expect to be on roads for the first 14 miles. The optional additional mileage will involve taking roads to other nearby trails to do some exploring and other trail riding.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to hang out and talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. We’ll fill back up with water after the first 14 miles and then those who want to head back out will do that and everyone else can go on with their day!

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.

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” knobby tires or bigger.  

• MTB clipless or flat 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. No road pedals/shoes.

• A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned.

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  

• 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

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

• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel bikes

• Date & Time: 8am, Saturday, August 30, 2025

• Distance:  ~55 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 roads, back roads, plenty of dirt paths and single-track trails for a total of 55 miles. It’s probably 50% paved. The dirt sections are all very nice (and slower so they occupy a good amount of time!)

Any gravel bike with ~40mm tires is suited for the terrain. The terrain is not that technical where it’s off-road, expect (as always on mixed terrain): dirt, some sticks, rocks.

Pace

We’ll split people into 2 groups based on bikes and speeds that are likely to result.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a slower steady endurance pace on a slower bike so riders who are concerned about being off the pace should come out (or at least ask questions to see if you’ll be at the right level for this ride). If you can maintain a 14-15mph 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 15mph (probably more like 8-10mph average).

Start, Distance & Estimated Ride Time

Please be ready to ride at 7:55am. We’ll start the safety talk at 8am and then roll out.

The ride is ~55 miles in length.

Allow 6ish hours for the ride.

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, nothing overly difficult. There is no pressure to ride anything you would prefer to walk.

After the Ride

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

Want to demo ride a bike? Talk about sweet new bikes? Ride Headquarters comes out to these rides with demo bikes for those who are interested in demo riding and discussing awesome, super fun new bikes. Contact Ride Headquarters at connect@rideheadquarters.com.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.

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

• 35mm knobby tires minimum.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see mostly gravel bikes, some mountain bikes, and possibly 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.