Maneha 250 - 2017

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA

• Ride Type: Mixed Terrain or Road -- your choice

• Date & Time: Saturday & Sunday, 20-21 May 2017

• Distance: 125 miles in one day, or 250 miles over two days

• Price: Average $125 depending on distance and type

This is an Overland Base Camp event.  Ride Studio Cafe is the host.  

Description:  The Maneha is a two-day and one-night ride that covers 250-miles of the most diverse terrain in New England.  This ride is equal parts challenge and fun.  The event is part bikepacking and part adventure ride.

For the 2017 event we're offering four riding options:

• 250 miles of mixed-terrain riding over two days

• 125 miles of mixed terrain riding on either Saturday or Sunday

• 250 miles of road riding over two days

• 125 miles of road riding on either Saturday or Sunday

Visit the Overland Base Camp Maneha 250 event page for details.

Road Bikes in the Backwoods of Lexington

• Location:  Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Ride Type:  Road bikes on Mixed Terrain Dirt Trails
• Date & Time:  Saturday, 13 May 2017; departs at 9:30 am
• Distance:  ~10 Miles
• Price:  Free

Please RSVP.  Space is limited.

Details:  This is an unusual ride:  Riding road bikes in the woods.  Why would you do such a thing?  Well, lots of reasons.  In this case, the idea of this weirdness is to do a fun dirt ride for people that don't have a mixed terrain, 'cross, or mountain bike -- and to see some beauty you won't find on a typical road ride.

We'll be moving at a decent clip on this fun-first ride that takes you and your road bike into the deep woods of Lexington, MA and neighboring hinterlands. 

If you're up for learning how to ride 23c tires on technical trails, this might be the ride for you.  Be forewarned that this is not a clinic ride; it's a fitness ride.  Regardless, you might just learn a trick or two about getting slick tires through slippery slopes and ragged rocks without getting a flat.  Then again, maybe not.  No promises.

Join us for the fun; stay for the great trail serenity.

You don't have to be on a road bike to join the ride -- all are welcome.  However, riding on trails with 23c tires is pretty fun!

Route:  The route is available to attendees on the morning of the ride.

Estimated time: ~1.5 hours

Ride Notes:  The pace of the ride is steady, labored breathing.  We'll probably average about 7 mph; that's a decent clip on the trails.

Last Minute Information: Watch Ride Studio Cafe's Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations, or other changes. 

Contact Information:  Email - connect@ridestudiocafe.com, Phone - (339) 970-0187

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

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

Proper Bike for this ride:  

• 23-28c road slick tires -- because anyone can ride trails on a fat tire
• Clipless pedals.  Road or mountain will be fine.  It's easier to hike-a-bike in the woods in mountain shoes but road shoes and cleats will be fine if you pay attention.
• Drop handlebars; no aero bars.
• Tool kit and a proper spare tube or two. 
• A bike that’s in safe working order.  We don’t stop for preventable mechanical issues.

You don't have to be on a road bike to join the ride -- all types of trail-worthy bikes are welcome.

Come by at least 30-minutes early so you can make any last minute bike adjustments, fuel up on something from the Cafe, and be ready for the pre-ride meeting.  Ride Studio Cafe opens at 8:00 am on Saturdays.

Please RSVP above.  Thanks!

Formidable Ride - Pave & Terra

• Location: Lexington & Sherborn, MA
• Ride Type:  Dirt roads, pavement, and mixed terrain
• Date & Time:  Saturday 14 October 2017
• Distance:  ~160 miles road, ~100 miles road, ~120 miles dirt options 
• Price:  $100 before August 31. $145 from September 1 - October 13.

Description:  The Formidable is the toughest road ride in Massachusetts. 

Route:  The routes will be provided by OBC just before the ride to registered riders.

Ride Notes:  We'll update this when the ride date draws nearer.

Estimated time:  Allow the full day for this great ride. 

Last Minute Information:  Watch Overland Base Camp's Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes. 

Overland Base Camp Contact Information:  Email OBC or call:  (617) 991-0640.

Proper Bike for This Ride:  

• If you're doing the Formidable Terra: A bike with knobby tires 32c or wider. 40c is ideal.
• If you're doing the Formidable Pave: A bike with 23c-28c slick tires. 

For either ride option: 

• Clipless pedals:  This ride isn't for everyone; we ride at a fair pace and aren't stopping a lot.
• Spare tube or two – with all the tools required to fix a flat – or two.
• Basic tool kit:  Self-sufficiency is the phrase of the day. 
• Fenders may be appropriate, depending on the weather.

Diverged Ride 2017

• Location:  Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain Ride
• Date & Time:  Rescheduled for Saturday, 6 May 2017.  First groups roll out around 8:30 am.
• Distance:  16, 38, and 46 miles
• Price:  $25.  100% of entry fee goes to cycling conservation groups

This is an Overland Base Camp event.  Ride Studio Cafe is the host.  

Visit the Overland Base Camp Diverged Ride page for complete details.

Description: Diverged is all about riding the trails and roads less taken.  It's one of our favorite rides because it's early season so we get to see the trees just beginning to wake up, the trails are open and welcoming, and there aren't a lot of walkers out in the world.  The ride isn't too hard:  we'll have two distances - as always.

Route -- Three Options: 

1. About 46 miles of pavement, gravel, dirt, and rocks.  About half of the ride is unpaved.  Some singletrack, too.  We expect the ride to take between 4.5-6 hours.  See the "Pacing Description" table below for details.
2. About 38 miles of the same terrain as the longer ride.  We expect this ride to take between 3.5-5 hours.  See the "Pacing Description" table below for details.
3. About 16 miles of the same terrain as the longer ride.  We expect this ride to take between 2.5-4 hours.

Ride Notes: We have a designated Ride Studio Cafe Super Domestique leading the ride and pointing out turns. We don’t have a sweep rider for this ride so only participate if you’re confident in your skill level and fitness – or know your way back.

Estimated time:  See route details above.

Last Minute Information:  Watch Overland Base Camp's Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes. 

Overland Base Camp Contact Information:  Email OBC or call:  (617) 991-0640.

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

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

Proper Bike for This Ride:  

• 32c knobby tires, minimum size.  If you don’t have 32c or wider, you’ll be riding alone after you get a flat.
• Clipless pedals:  This ride isn't for everyone; we ride at a fair pace and aren't stopping a lot.
• Spare tube or two – with all the tools required to fix a flat – or two.
• Basic tool kit:  Self sufficiency is the phrase of the day.  The group will wait for you if you have a mechanical – in fact we’ll even help – but you don’t want people waiting trail-side too long on a chilly morning.
• We do not recommend fenders since sticks and twigs can get caught in them.

Saturday Morning Redline Road Ride

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA

• Ride Type: Road Ride

• Date & Time: Every Saturday morning at 8:20am, starting in late April.

• Distance: ~61 Miles

• Price: Free

Image credit: Strava

Description:  This is a fast road ride and only for experienced road cyclists only. There are two groups: the first group rolls at 8:20am and is called the Breakaway Group. It's a drop group and everyone can ride as fast/hard as each person wants to go within the constraint of road riding laws. Be sure to have a Garmin with the route loaded if you choose to join this group. 

8:25am - This is the second group. This group will maintain a 19-20mph average. This a very fast pace, but no one in this group should be out to drop anyone else or attack the others in the group. However, if you can't maintain the pace or if you have a mechanical, the group won't wait on you; it'll be your responsibility to find your way back. 

We will add more groups as the season progresses. We try to limit the group size to 10 for safety reasons. 

The Studio opens at 8am on Saturdays - feel free to refill your water bottle, use the facilities, and get something from the Cafe.  

Proper Bike for this ride:  23-28c road slick tires, clipless pedals, drop handlebars; no aero bars. 

Route:  https://ridewithgps.com/routes/12762378

Ride Notes:  There is a food/water/bathroom stop at mile 38. 

Estimated time:  3-3.5 hours

Last Minute Information:  Watch Ride Studio Cafe's Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes. 

Contact Information:  Email - connect@ridestudiocafe.com, Phone - (339) 970-0187

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

Waiver:  RSC requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride. If you filled out a paper waiver, please fill it out online, too. It's much easier for us to access your emergency contact info if it's in electronic form! 

New England Randonneurs' Season Kickoff Party

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Event Type:  Social Gathering
• Date & Time:  Thursday, 6 April 2017 -- doors open at 7:00 pm
• Reason for Gathering:  The Season Kickoff Party is when the NER riders get ready for the best season yet.  All are welcome to the party to talk bikes, have a beer, and some good food.
• Price:  Free

Description:  We're getting together with the New England Randonneurs to talk bikes, long rides, food, and more bikes.  Everyone is welcome to come by and enjoy a beer and some food.  You can also get your 2017 NER membership.    

Stay tuned for more information.

Last Minute Information: Watch Ride Studio Cafe's Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes. 

Questions?  Email the New England Randonneurs.

Saturday Morning Mixed Terrain

• Location: Various starting locations

• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain

• Dates: See below!

• Time: Departs at 9:00am

• Distance: ~25 miles  

• Price:  Free

Description: The Saturday Morning 9am Mixed terrain ride takes cyclists all over via trails, dirt roads, paths, and paved back roads. The ride follows paved roads to trails, dirt roads, grassy areas, and other places off the beaten path. 

Pace: All riders should be ready for a moderate pace. Moderate is defined as comfortable for riders who can maintain a 16mph road pace when on a road bike on the road and who have some level of comfort on dirt and trails.

We usually split the group into two with the first group going out keeping a slightly spicier pace than the second or third groups. The last group rolling out has an official Super Domestique to control the pace and pick up any riders who drop off the first group(s).

Route:  The route is emailed to participants 8pm the night before the ride. All riders are expected to have it loaded on their GPS units.

Ride Notes: Emailed with Route. Be ready for riding some rocks and roots, though it’s a non-technical route. A mixed terrain ride isn’t as smooth as a gravel ride which features dirt roads.

Last Minute Information: Watch our Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes. 

Estimated time: ~3 - 4 hours

Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquarters.com, Phone - 413-461-7433

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

Waiver: Ride Headquarters requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride. 

Proper Bike for this ride:  

• 32c knobby tires minimum.  Wider tires are nice, too. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set.

• Clipless pedals and shoes.  These are important elements of bike control.  If you ride with platform pedals you’re likely to be over your head in some of the more technical parts of the ride. 2-bolt cleats/mountain bike pedals are much more appropriate than road pedals/cleats.

• A bike that’s in safe working order.  We don’t stop for preventable mechanical issues.

• Higher tire pressure than you’d ride on a cyclocross ride.  We recommend about 80% to 90% of maximum rated tire pressure, for two reasons:

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

• Second, on average, about 30% of the ride is on pavement; having slightly higher pressure makes the road sections go by faster.

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

• How do we decide if we’re having the mixed-terrain ride?

• Thunder storms:  If there’s a 33% or greater chance of a thunder storm at 9am, we don’t ride.  It is not safe to get caught out in a thunder storm.

• Rain or sleet:  There are a few variants of this.  We don’t ride sensitive trails when they’re wet; this can cause damage that’s not repairable.  Fortunately, we have some rain-friendly routes that don’t damage sensitive trails.

  • If it’s raining at 9am we cancel the ride.  If it’s only threatening rain, we ride.

  • If it’s misting or drizzling at 9am, with less than 50% chance of rain in the coming hour, we ride.

  • If it’s been raining a lot for a couple days, but not raining the night before, we ride.  Our rain-friendly routes avoid sensitive trails.  Of course, every few years there’s such a bad storm that we won’t ride on a Saturday; we take the force majeure very seriously.

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

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

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

• Cold:  It doesn’t matter what the temperature is, we ride.

• Ride leader:  While we’re coming out of COVID, so at times we may not have a ride leader. Everyone is expected to watch out for each other and come with the route so you won’t get lost.

If you'd like us to do any work on your bike prior to the ride, please email us the day before so we're ready to do the work as soon as you show up; we want you to be ready to roll before 9am.

Saturday Horizon Chasers 2017

• Location:  Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Ride Type:  Road Ride
• Date & Time:  Every Saturday at 8:45 am.  Ridden from April 29 through the end of October 2017.
• Distance:  ~55-80 Miles; varies with the season and weather
• Price:  Free

Description:  The Horizon Chasers is the Studio's longest weekly ride.  The average pace is 16-17 mph depending on the time of year and the weather.  We're riding for endurance, not speed.  It's a steady pace with a food stop about midway on the ride. If enough people show, we can split into two groups with a faster (17-18mph) pace for the first group. 

Proper Bike for this ride:  23-28c road slick tires, clipless pedals, drop handlebars; no aero bars. 

Route for Saturday, October 28: It's the last Horizon Chasers ride and the last weekend for Great Brook Ice Cream before they close. This route stops first at the Honey Pot Orchards, to enjoy seasonally-pleasing foods. Ride these 70 miles to enjoy all of these culinary delights and this LAST Horizon Chasers ride until spring 2018! Route is new: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/26420279

Ride Notes:  All paved. Food stop is at mile 30.5 at the Harvard General Store. 

The Saturday Horizon Chasers ride is superseded by the Overtime Century Series Rides on weeks these are happening. The dates of these are: May 13, June 10, July 15, August 19, September 16, Formidable: October 14.

Estimated time:  About 4 to 6 hours depending on the time or year and the weather.

Last Minute Information:  Watch Ride Studio Cafe's Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes. 

Contact Information:  Email - connect@ridestudiocafe.com, Phone - (339) 970-0187

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

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

Saturday Espresso Ride

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA

• Ride Type: Road Ride

• Date & Time: Saturdays, 9am, Weekly Year Round

• Distance: 35-40 miles

• Price: Free

Description: The Saturday Espresso ride starts promptly at 9am. Come 15 to 20 minutes before departure time so you can make any last minute adjustments, grab fresh water, a Cafe drink, or use the facilities. This ride is for people who are comfortable and proficient riding properly equipped road bikes and who are interested in riding with a group. 

There are typically groups of two speed offerings: 17.5mph average and 16.5mph average.

Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/28742468

Ride Notes: There are usually 2-4 groups of various speeds. First group to roll out at 9am is 17.5mph average. The second group rolls out 2-3 minutes later and is a 16.5mph average. On weeks when we have more than 20 riders, we create more groups to accommodate the larger numbers.

Last Minute Information: Watch our Twitter feed for last-minute updates, weather cancellations or other changes. 

Estimated time: About 2.6 hours for a typical 40-mile ride, more for longer rides.

Contact Information: Email - connect@ridestudiocafe.com, Phone - 339-970-0187

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

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

Proper Bike for this ride:  23-28c road slick tires, clipless pedals, drop handlebars,  no aero bars