Super Full Moon this Thursday, Dec 4, 7pm: Mixed Terrain Ride

• Location: Mighty Squirrel, Waltham, MA

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

• Date & Time:  Every other Thursday in December: December 4 & 18 (the other Thursday rides in December start at Revolution Hall)

• Distance:  ~15 miles, 2 full hours of riding

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

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

Details & 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 40mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. This route is not appropriate for people who don’t have mixed terrain riding skills or night ride experience. The Revolution Hall rides that we host are more appropriate for those just getting into mixed terrain and night riding.

There are rocks, roots, boardwalks, road crossings, and short sections of road to ride. Leaves can be wet and slippery whether or not it just rained.

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 it’s dark out. We have to stay moving since it’s cold so come prepared.

Distance

~15 miles

Parking

Address for your GPS: 411 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452

Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot - it’s not next to the Mighty Squirrel since that’s for customers: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7EWmn2YTh66Nj2Xj6

Route

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

All who RSVP will receive the route in your inbox the morning of the ride.

Start time, Estimated Ride Time

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

Ride time: Expect this to take a full 2 hours.

After the Ride

Mighty Squirrel is open and they serve beer, hot (large) pretzels, chips and guac, that sort of cuisine. It’s fun to hang out for a few minutes post-ride if riders are up for it. Ride leader will always be up for post-ride hangs!

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

• 40mm 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.

• 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.

Thursday, Dec 18, 7pm: Mixed Terrain Night Ride

• Location: Mighty Squirrel, Waltham, MA

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

• Date & Time:  Thursday, December 18, 7pm start

• Distance:  ~15 miles, 2 full hours of riding

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

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

Details & 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 40mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. This route is not appropriate for people who don’t have mixed terrain riding skills or night ride experience. The Revolution Hall rides that we host are more appropriate for those just getting into mixed terrain and night riding.

There are rocks, roots, boardwalks, road crossings, and short sections of road to ride. Leaves can be wet and slippery whether or not it just rained.

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 it’s dark out. We have to stay moving since it’s cold so come prepared.

Distance

~15 miles

Parking

Address for your GPS: 411 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452

Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot - it’s not next to the Mighty Squirrel since that’s for customers: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7EWmn2YTh66Nj2Xj6

Route

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

All who RSVP will receive the route in your inbox the morning of the ride.

Start time, Estimated Ride Time

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

Ride time: Expect this to take a full 2 hours.

After the Ride

Mighty Squirrel is open and they serve beer, hot (large) pretzels, chips and guac, that sort of cuisine. It’s fun to hang out for a few minutes post-ride if riders are up for it. Ride leader will always be up for post-ride hangs!

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

• 40mm 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.

• 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.

Myles Standish Fat Fun + Extra Ride Option on fun MTB Trails

• Location: Myles Standish for part 1, Carolina Hill for part 2

• Ride Type:  Pine Barrons, sandy trails, hilly terrain

• Date & Time:  Sunday, November 23, need to be there by 9:20am, rolling at 10am

• Distance:  ~2 hours of riding, 18 miles first part, 2-3 hours for optional part B

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

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

Details

This is a fat bike wonder ride on different terrain! David Farrell of SE NEMBA is leading the Myles Standish portion of the ride. After it concludes in 18 miles and ~2 hours of riding, those who wish for more will continue to Carolina Hill for a whole lot of fun trails and exploration there. David describes the trails as one of the best fat bike trails you have ever been on!! Myles Standish State Forest is the third largest WORLD of Pine Barren of pitch pines, sandy, and infertile soil.

Pace

This ride is suitable for people who are fit enough for climbing and pushing their fat bikes on sand. It will not be a fast pace at all.

Start Time

9:20m - David has requested riders be here by 9:20 for discussion of the trails

10:00am - Wheels roll

Parking

DCR PARK

194 Cranberry Road Carver MA

Better directions will be emailed to all who RSVP for this.

Route

Everyone will stay together, no route will be shared for either part of the ride. Frequent re-groups will happen, no one will be lost or dropped.

Route Notes

Expect sand and 800’ of elevation gain total.

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

• 3.8” knobby tires OR BIGGER.  Wider tires are nicer! We’ll be on beaches so mountain bikes don’t have wide enough tires for these sections.

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

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  8psi is usually max for fat tires, you’ll probably be happier somewhere around 6psi depending on the width of your tires and your weight.

• 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 Mixed Terrain Ride East!

• Location: Start and end near Bedford, MA

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

• Date & Time:  Saturday, November 22 9am start

• Distance:  48 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 leads cyclists to many back roads, plenty of dirt paths and trails for a total of 48 miles. The route heads east and takes in a lot of excellent mixed terrain along the way in addition to fun connecting roads.

The route is mixed terrain so any gravel bike with 40mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. Bigger tires are BETTER with leaves on the trails. We’ll split into two speed groups: quicker moderate and endurance moderate. If you want to ride at a lower pace than “endurance,” please send us an email!

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the endurance moderate group to depart, she’ll be riding a gravel bike with humongous tires.

Pace: endurance zone 2-3 for most cyclists - if you can average 15/16mph on a road bike on a paved road for 4+ hours, you’ll be fit enough for this ride. The pace on a mixed terrain ride is much slower than a road ride so expect the ride to take ~5 hours to complete, possibly more.

Distance

The ride is 48 miles in length.

Parking

In the large parking lot for offices just across from Revolution Hall:

3 Maguire Rd, Lexington, MA 02421

Route

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

Estimated Ride Time

~5+ hours

Route Notes

We discuss these with you prior to rollout.

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

New England Expedition Riders requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• 40mm knobby tires.  Wider tires are nicer! Don’t forget there are leaves covering hiding rocks and sticks on the trails. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. Gravel bikes are best suited for most of the terrain. Do NOT ride road tires since you’ll be flatting out there.

• 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.  

• 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.

January 16-18: Three Day Hut-to-Hut Fat Bike Adventure Ride

• Ride Type:  Fat bike hut trip

• Date & Time:  Friday, January 16-Sunday, January 18 (3 days, 2 nights)

• Location: Carrabassett Valley, Maine, where the snow is the best and trails allow for incredible riding

• Distance each day:  Conditions dictate, options will be offered. Long ride option for Saturday of 40-50 miles.

• Price:  $450 per person. Open to NEER members due to insurance requirements. See what’s included, below.

• Register now!

Details

This is a fun and potentially demanding fat bike 3-day adventure riding incredible trails in Carrabassett Valley, a winter wonderland, and staying in nice huts to go further and see more!

The huts are full service offering freshly prepared, hot breakfasts and dinners accommodating all dietary needs of participants. Lunch is either at the hut or they pack it so riders can enjoy lunch in the wild.

Included in the price is stuff-schelpping from parking lot to the first hut, then from one hut to the next, then getting your stuff back to your car at the end of the trip. This allows you to enjoy riding with only the things you need for the day, not sleeping bag, toiletries, and your change of clothes.

Read about what to expect at the huts!

We have 9 spaces reserved for attendees and 2 are already spoken for. We expect to sell out and have a waiting list. We have to have a firm commitment via full payment the first week in December since we have to pay in full to the huts the first week in December.

The first night, we’ll be at lovely Stratton Hut.

The second night, we’ll be at secluded, private Flagstaff Hut.

Distance and pace

Ride at your own pace. Fat bike riding in the snow is slow for the fittest riders. Everyone will start and end at the same places each day and night for camaraderie and we expect enough people of various fitness levels so that everyone will have company out there. There is one designated trip organizer/ride leader who will likely be riding a fully loaded bike allowing for slower riders to have company. Route options will be shared with participants for each day (a shorter and longer option), so everyone is welcome to take on the distances that are comfortable for each person. Saturday’s minimum distance requirement is 20 miles to travel from the first hut to the second hut. There will be a long option of 40-50 miles for those who want a big day of riding.

Schedule

Exact timing of activities and rides will be emailed to everyone a few days prior to the start of the trip. Snow conditions will be factored into route lengths and will be adjusted as appropriate.

Friday - Meet up at 9:30am, at parking lot where cars can spend the weekend, drop overnight stuff off

10am - Ride starts

Arrive Stratton Brook Hut, enjoy a hot shower!

Enjoy a hot, hearty Dinner prepared by hut staff

Saturday -

7:30am - Enjoy a hot, hearty Breakfast prepared by hut staff

Ride 8:30am - Long - 40-50 mile

10am - Shorter - 20 miles (this isn’t short!)

Enjoy sack lunch hut staff prepared on the trail!

Arrive Flagstaff Hut before dinner

6-6:30pm - Enjoy a hot Dinner prepared by hut staff

Sunday -

7:30am - Enjoy a hot, hearty breakfast prepared by hut staff

Ride - 9am - it’s ~15 miles to return to cars / longer option available

Enjoy the sack lunch hut staff prepared on the trail!

Monday is the Martin Luther King, Jr holiday so hopefully you don’t have to rush home Sunday night!

Are you training for an ultra winter cycling event?

If you’re an ultra winter cyclist preparing for future ultra events and want the challenge of sleeping outside in a bivvy and want to self-support (ie bringing and making most/all food on the trail), this is an option! You can still take advantage of the gear shuttle to get extra stuff to the huts and have stuff moved from one hut to the next to transport extra food and any extra gear you think you might want. This is an option at the bottom of the page where registration links appear.

Parking

Airport Trailhead. All attendees will receive driving directions to this parking lot. This is where you’ll bring your stuff so it can be transported to the first hut.

Routes

All routes will be emailed in advance of the weekend.

Complete Information

We will email all participants with full details at least 2 days prior to the trip, including routes of shorter and longer options. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions via email or txt.

If you need to arrive later on Friday and your stuff will miss the gear shuttle, we can arrange for you to get us your stuff prior to the trip (in the Boston area) and we’ll bring it up early so that it makes it to the hut.

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this 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.

Our Super Domestique rides with a Garmin InReach in case of emergency that is out of cell phone range. We do this to facilitate rider safety. If you’re not riding with the Super Domestique, we ask that you follow the proposed route for the day and let us know if you’re planning on doing something different for safety. We always want to know where you are!

Preparation

This is unlike our other rides. It’s very important to come prepared with all necessary equipment and have a bike that is tuned and completely ready for what this ride entails. Clothing appropriate for the temperatures is important and remember that overheating on very cold days can happen so layers are important. Everyone who registers will receive a packing list and guidance on proper gear.

Waiver

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• Fat bike with tires 3.8” or wider.

• A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and fully tuned up by a professional mechanic. Have a plan in case your bike or legs stop working. Note there are a lot of dead cell phone areas in the areas where we’ll be riding.

• All necessary equipment and supplies - we’ll email a comprehensive list so you know what is necessary well ahead of time. This list includes bringing a sleeping bag (summer weight is fine) for sleeping in the hut beds.

• Lights - front and rear, back up lights and back-up batteries (cold batteries don’t work like warm ones do)

• Optional and fun! Stove - ability to make water from snow in cold temps

Register Now

All spots are spoken for, but if you sign up for the waitlist, there’s always a chance someone who has committed can’t make it so you’ll be the first to know if this happens.

Sold Out

Ultimate Hut-to-Hut Fat Bike Adventure

$450.00

Purchase

Ultimate Hut-to-Hut Fat Bike Adventure - OUTDOOR Sleeping & eating

$125.00

Purchase

Ultimate Hut-to-Hut Fat Bike Adventure - WAITLIST

$0.00

Purchase

Tuesday Evening Mixed Terrain

• Location: Mighty Squirrel, Waltham, MA

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

• Date & Time:  Tuesday, November 18, 7pm start time, done by 9pm

• Distance:  2 hours of riding, ~15 miles-ish

• 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 40mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. Bigger tires are recommended and hard tail mountain bikes will do well on most of the ride. Faster riders are always welcome to go ahead of the group.

There will be rocks, roots, boardwalks, road crossings, and short sections of road to ride.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the main group. New-to-mixed terrain riders should try our weekend rides in the daylight 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.

Distance

~15 miles

Parking

Address for your GPS: 411 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452

Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot - it’s not next to the Mighty Squirrel since that’s for customers: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7EWmn2YTh66Nj2Xj6

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP.

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

Start time, Estimated Ride Time

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

Ride time: Expect this to take a full 2 hours.

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 hanging out and enjoying food/drink at the Mighty Squirrel. It’s a Thursday night so it’ll be hopping there. Invite your family to come join you post-ride!

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

• 38mm 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 to SEE WELL for 2.5 hours (the ride is shorter than this but you don’t want your light dying before it’s over and it’s dark the whole 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.

• 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.

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.