Italy Trip Info Night!

Come learn more about the Incredible Spring Cycling Trip in Emilia-Romagna, Italy from the trip designer and co-founder of Tourissimo, Beppe Salerno

Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA

• Event Type:  Informational / Social Gathering
• Date & Time:  Thursday, 1 March 2018 -- 7:00 pm - 8:00pm
• Reason for Gathering:  Learn about our trip to Italy and meet other interested riders.
• Price:  Free

Description:  

Beppe Salerno will share his story as a cyclist and why he started Tourissimo to fill a gap he saw in the marketplace as a cyclist and an Italian. This night will help to explain why this trip is different than other cycling vacations and the reasons why it's priced so low. Hint: we're working with the tourism board of Emilia-Romagna.

We'll have some light snacks and beverages to enjoy during the event. We will extend an offer of introductory pricing to all attendees. Beer, wine and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.

Topics that will be covered include but are not limited to: 

- What a typical day on tour is like

- Amenities, attractions, and cuisine of the Emilia-Romagna region as it relates to cyclists specifically

- Emilia-Romagna's effort to attract cyclists via the cycling branch of it's tourism board

- Hotel Europa Monetti's 4-star accommodations and how they cater specifically to cyclists

- Tourissimo's history as a company dedicated to sharing Italy with cyclists and food lovers

- Details about daily route options - terrain, climbing, distances, pacing, guides

- What to bring/what not to bring

- Renting a bike vs. bringing your own

- Activities for non-riders

- Special admittance to Gran Fondo Saline di Cervia on the day after the trip

- Special surprise announcement of a pro-cyclist to ride with

We'll have time for a Q&A session as well.

Please RSVP below. 

Last Minute Information: We will email all attendees with last-minute information if anything changes from what we have published here. Please be sure to RSVP!  

Questions? Email Marc at marc.m@rideheadquarters.com

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Incredible Spring Cycling Trip in Emilia-Romagna, Italy

This spring, spend seven uninterrupted days with your cycling friends in picturesque Italy 

• Location: Emilia-Romagna, Italy
• Ride Type:  Spring Cycling, Road Ride, Event Ride, Bike Tour
• Date & Time: Saturday, 28 April 2018 - Saturday, 5 May 2018
• Distance: Ride every day average 60 miles, many options, 4,000+ ft. of climbing
• Price:  $1,700

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About the Trip:

We have partnered with Italian tour company, Tourissimo, to bring you this phenomenal week of riding in a particularly beautiful region in Italy. This trip is all about spring riding and maximizing your riding time and after-ride relaxing time. The weather in late April/early May is beautiful on the Adriatic Coast with average temperatures in the low 60's, giving you the opportunity to get some early season miles in your legs with no distractions. We stay in one hotel so you only have to unpack once.

Hotel Europa Monetti is a lifestyle hotel meaning they offer many services in the hotel geared toward bikes, bike rooms, a mechanic, a spa, food to delight hungry cyclists throughout the day, and it is feet away from the beach as well as beautiful roads for all of the cycling you can imagine. 

The Emilia-Romagna Tourism Board and the  Hotel Europa Monetti are offering extremely competitive pricing to gain favor with cyclists over other popular spring riding and training destinations. This is an awesome opportunity for all of us! Almost all other week-long cycling vacations run by tour companies in Italy have a significantly higher price tag. This tour is in no way discounting the service or what you get; the Europa Monetti is a 4-star luxury hotel that caters to cyclists. Guests/riders come first to this hotel and warm hospitality is their top priority.

There will be two options for ride routes each day, one long and the other shorter, both are guided by Italian cyclists. Our proximity to the Apennine mountain range also offers us some great climbing. If the weather is poor, the hotel offers access to a training facility with trainers.

Description:

This trip allows the opportunity to cycle in an Italian region renowned for its history, art, traditions, food and wine, and beautiful landscapes between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine Mountains. We will ride ancient routes between fortresses, castles, and abbeys leading through valleys, open plains, and ancient forests. And, of course, at the end of the rides we get to enjoy the magnificent Adriatic coastline and the lively Italian atmosphere. Joining us on this cycling vacation is a unique chance to improve your cycling skills and fitness and to discover the traditions of this underrated region which is a true cyclist’s paradise.

Look at all of what is included in the price! This is SIGNIFICANTLY more than what most trips offer:  

1. Seven nights accommodation 4-star hotel
2. Welcome drink and session to introduce the program, staff and facilities
3. Super buffet breakfast
4. Lunches (light pasta buffet)
5. Dinners at BiancoSale hotel restaurant
6. Soft drinks and local wines with meals
7. Daily guided rides
8. Daily laundry service for cycling kits
9. Secure bike room with alarm and video camera
10. A unique experience at an agriturismo for wine tasting with local specialties
11. Free entry to LifeSpa wellness center
12. Outdoor pool with warm water
13. Free Wi-Fi
14. GPS Route Files
15. Airport shuttle to the hotel from the Bologna airport at the beginning of the trip
16. Airport shuttle from the hotel to the Bologna airport at the end of the trip

Bike Options:

• Rent: Modern road bikes are available for rent at $200 - $250 for the trip
• BYOB: Pack your bike and fly with it. There is a mechanic at the host hotel to help with all bike mechanic needs. No charge for this option. 

Routes: 14 different routes between 30 and 90 miles. There will be 2 available guided route distance options each day. We've seen the routes and know many of the towns from our own experiences riding in this region - these are amazing places and awesome roads connecting them all. 

Airfare: Airfare is not included in the price of the trip, but prices are looking good right now for tickets. 

Non-riding spouse/significant other option: If your spouse or significant other would like to come along and not ride, the hotel offers a shuttle to the fun town of Rimini and there are ample ways of staying occupied during the day should one want to take a day off the bike or simply spend the time here vacationing and not riding. There is a 10% discount on the registration fee for a non-riding spouse. 

Trip organizer Contact - marc.m@rideheadquarters.com

Are you interested or would you like more information? Please fill out this form so we can get you more information and update you with the latest information! 

All Conditions Ride 2018

All Conditions 2018

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain
• Date & Time: Saturday, 17 February 2018 - Departures begin at 9:30am AND NOW SUNDAY, too
• Distance: It depends!
  • If the temperature is above freezing, we have 3 route options with the shortest being 2.5 hours in length to the longest being around 6 hours
  • If the temperature is below freezing, we have 3 route options with the shortest being 90 minutes in length to the longest being around 3 hours
•  Price:  Free, RSVP required

This ride includes the best of winter no matter the weather. This is the third year for All Conditions. We have no idea what to expect from the weather and conditions, which means it's worth being ready for anything!

• Riding mixed terrain
• Riding in unpredictable conditions
• Riding urban and exurban trails and back roads and aalleys

Of course we won't know the weather and trail conditions until a few days prior to the ride. That's part of the fun of winter riding.

You get to look forward to a very unique ride and special time riding bikes with others who are into a winter adventure. The route is warm-cafe friendly. If you dress appropriately, there shouldn't be any suffering with the cold, but only fun times and a very different perspective on winter by the end of the day.

• Urban-ish routes.  We're staying near civilization so we're never too far from a cafe with warm drinks available.  So, regardless of the temperature, we won't freeze.  We guarantee a fun route in any weather.
• VERY Special offers to help you enjoy this ride AND be ready for Spring!
  • Did you know Honey makes a titanium Fat Bike that doubles as a 27.5 plus mountain bike?! This is THE bike for winter and perfect for spring, summer, fall mountain biking. If you order a Honey Converter by January 31, you'll be riding YOUR new bike for this All Conditions ride! 
  • One of the things that makes the Converter special is that all you have to do is swap wheelsets to make it a whole different bike! We're offering 1/2 off the second wheelset to make this bike the OBVIOUS choice for your all-year trail and fat biking fun. This is the light-weight mountain bike of your dreams, and it's a fat bike that you never have to worry about when you're riding in the winter or anytime of year. The Converter is possibly the most fun bike on the market. 
• Since spring time is around the corner, treat yourself to Cafe du Cycliste apparel! Buy a full kit at retail price: short-sleeve spring jersey, any bib shorts we sell, jacket (think spring showers for may flowers), and base layer. We will gift you a 30-drink punch card (over a $120 value) to remind you that you have more reasons to ride than excuses not to this spring! 

Contest to win a Grand Prize of Wolvhammer Boots!

That's right, we're also holding a contest to give you a chance to win an awesome pair of Winter Cycling Wolvhammer boots or Wolvhammer Red Wing Edition boots and a wool 45NRTH cap. You may participate in this contest by filling in your guess for the amount of snow on the ground at 7:30am the first morning of All Conditions and the high temperature of the day. The earliest-submitted submission who is closest to the amount of snow and high temperature is the Grand Prize winner! You may participate in the RSVP form, at the bottom of this page.

How we're determining the snow and high temperature for the day:

- We're measuring pristine snow from 3 locations at Upper Vine Brook and averaging the three to get the number of millimeters of snow.

- We're using Dark Sky to tell us what the high temperature of the day is.

Ride Details

• We are setting off groups starting at 9:30am Saturday, February 17. Each group has an RSC Super Domestique leading so you won't get lost.
• We have *JUST ADDED* a new set of rides for 9:30am Sunday, February 18, since there will be snow on the ground Sunday morning.
• The routes will be finalized just prior to the ride since the weather dictates where we will ride. 
• Distance Options: The weather will play a role in the final routes.
•  Everyone who RSVPs for the ride will receive further details, routes, and exact start times for the various speed groups via email the evening before the ride. RSVPs are REQUIRED to participate and receive all of the ride information. There is no charge for this ride. It will be a day and ride to remember! 

Please RSVP now so you can start getting excited and ready! 

Overtime Century #1

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Ride Type:  Road Ride
• Date & Time: Saturday, 13 May 2017 - Depart at 8:30am
• Distance: ~100 miles  
• Price:  Free

Description:  The Overtime Century Series is comprised of one century ride each month beginning in May, culminating in the Formidable ride in October.  The average pace is 16-17 mph for one group, typically 18-20mph for a second group. If we have more participation, we'll break up into more groups with ~10 people per group. 

Dates of future Overtime Century Rides:
- June 10 - OT Century #2 - ~110 miles
- July 15 - OT Century #3 - ~120 miles
- August 19 - OT Century #4 - ~130 miles
- September 16 - OT Century #5 - ~140 miles
Formidable Ride by Overland Base Camp: October 14
 

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

Route:  Approximately 100 miles. Destination: Hollis, NH. Route will be emailed to all who RSVP (see bottom of this page). 

Ride Notes:  There are plenty of stops built into this ride. Mile 22 - Spring Brook Farm Country Store Littleton MA, Mile 41 - Old Brick Store Townsend MA, Mile 60 - Restroom at Hollis Library, Mile 61 - Lunch at Lull Farm, Mile 88 -  Java Room Chelmsford MA. There are some rough sections of road and there is a possibility of a small amount of dirt road/construction work.

Estimated time:  About 5 to 7 hours depending on the time of year, the weather, and pace of the group.

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.

RSVP So We Know to Expect You!

Overtime Century #2

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Ride Type:  Road Ride
• Date & Time: Saturday, 10 June 2017 - Depart at 8:30am
• Distance: ~110 miles, destination: Mt Wachusett
• Price:  Free

Description:  The Overtime Century Series is comprised of one century ride each month beginning in May, culminating in the Formidable ride in October.  The average pace is 16-17 mph for one group, typically 18-19mph for a second group. If we have more participation, we'll break up into more groups with ~10 people per group & possibly form a faster group if there's interest.

Dates of future Overtime Century Rides:
- July 15 - OT Century #3 - ~120 miles
- August 19 - OT Century #4 - ~130 miles
- September 16 - OT Century #5 - ~140 miles
Formidable Ride by Overland Base Camp: October 14

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

Route:  Approximately 110 miles. Destination: Mt Wachusett. The route will be emailed to all who RSVP.

Ride Notes:  The route goes to Mt Wachusett. It's not necessary to climb to the top if you'd prefer to rest your legs. This is a paved route with multiple stops for food/water. After the Mt Wachusett stop/water break, the next stop is a relaxing and tasty stop at Bolton Orchard. We send the full route and complete rest stop information to all who RSVP, at the bottom of this page. For safety reasons, we need all who come on the ride to RSVP.

Estimated time:  About 5 to 7 hours depending on the weather, and pace of the group, amount of time at rest stops, and if there are mechanicals.

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.

Please RSVP here before Friday, June 9 at 10am to join in this ride!

Overtime Century #3

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Ride Type:  Road Ride
• Date & Time: Saturday, 15 July 2017 - Depart at 8:30am
• Distance: ~120 miles  
• Price:  Free

Description:  The Overtime Century Series is comprised of one century ride each month beginning in May, culminating in the Formidable ride in October.  The average pace is 16-17 mph for one group, typically 18-20mph for a second group. If we have more participation, we'll break up into more groups with ~10 people per group. 

Dates of future Overtime Century Rides:
- August 19 - OT Century #4 - ~130 miles
- September 16 - OT Century #5 - ~140 miles
Formidable Ride by Overland Base Camp: October 14

Please RSVP early, so we can create more ride groups and ride speeds appropriate for the number of expected riders. Thank you!

We'll email you the day before the ride with complete details.

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

Route:  Approximately 120 miles. Destination: North Shore. Route will be emailed to all who RSVP the day prior to the ride.

Ride Notes:  We will update the ride notes nearer to the time of the ride. We do our best to keep riders on paved roads and out of construction zones.

Estimated time:  About 5 to 7 hours depending on the time of year, the weather, and pace of the group.

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.

Overtime Century #4

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Ride Type:  Road Ride
• Date & Time: Saturday, 19 August 2017 - Depart at 7am, RSC opens at 6:40am
• Distance: ~130 miles  
• Price:  Free

Description:  The Overtime Century Series is comprised of one century ride each month beginning in May, culminating in the Formidable ride in October.  The average pace is 16 mph  for one group, the second group is an 18 mph average. If we have more participation, we'll break up into more groups with ~10 people per group. 

Date of the last Overtime Century Ride:  September 16 - OT Century #5 ~140 miles

Formidable Ride by Overland Base Camp: October 14

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

Route:  Approximately 130 miles. Destination: Purgatory Chasm. The route will be emailed to all who RSVP.

Ride Notes:  This ride is headed to Purgatory Chasm. We will update the ride notes by Friday evening, after we've done our final route vetting. We do our best to keep riders on paved roads and out of construction zones.

The Cafe is opening at 6:40am for riders to 

Estimated time:  About 7 to 9 hours depending on the weather, pace of the group, and stop time for breaks.

Last Minute Information:  We will email all who RSVP with any last-minute information necessary, along with the route and further details about the ride. 

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.

Overtime Century #5

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Ride Type:  Road Ride
• Date & Time: Saturday, 16 September 2017 - Depart at 7am
• Distance: ~140 miles AND a 110 mile version!
• Price:  Free

Description:  The Overtime Century Series is comprised of one century ride each month beginning in May, culminating in the Formidable ride in October.  The average rolling pace is ~17 mph for one group. If we have more participation, we'll break up into more groups with ~10 people per group.

This is the LAST Overtime Century before the Formidable Ride on October 14! Be sure to register for the Formidable Ride by Overland Base Camp now. It's an awesome day in the saddle and you get road and mixed terrain route options. Now that you've done a lot of centuries this summer, you're ready for Formidable!

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

Route:  Approximately 140 miles. Seperately, we have a 110 mile version of the ride that is also running. Destination: Mt Wachusett and beyond. Route and complete details will be emailed to all who RSVP the evening before the ride.

Ride Notes:  We will email ride notes to all who RSVP. We do our best to keep riders on paved roads and out of construction zones. PLEASE come on this ride well prepared. You should be prepared with supplies for at least two flats, and have a way to get home if you have a ride-stopping mechanical.

Estimated time:  About 8-10 hours depending on the weather, and pace of the group.

Last Minute Information:  We will email all participants with last-minute ride information. 

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.

Holiday Rides with Henry 2017

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA

• Ride Type: Road Rides with some dirt roads

• Date & Time: December 24 through December 31 (schedule below)

• Distance: 437 miles across 7 different rides

• Price: Free

December 31 Update: The ride will begin at 9am (instead of the previously published 8:30am). Route is as was published. See you Sunday morning for the last Holidays with Henry ride and last ride of 2017!

Holiday Rides with Henry is back for 2017! If you are looking to end the year with great rides and good company, join us out on the road during the week of December 24 through the end of the year.  We are riding some of our favorite routes with great food stops along the way. We are even bringing back the traditional Snowflake Century – a one hundred-mile ride in the shape of a snowflake!

If you complete the whole series you will be rewarded with a grand total of 437 miles in an eight day span – an awesome way to finish your season. All rides will start and end at the Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA. See below for mileage and GPS routes.

All rides roll out from Ride Studio at 8:30am except the snowflake century on Saturday, 12/30. The average pace of each ride is 17mph except Friday, 12/29 which is 16mph. 

1. Sunday, 12/24: To Blue Moon Cafe in Medfield MA – 58 miles* – (.5 mile gravel section)

2. Monday 12/25: Christmas Day. No official ride.

3. Tuesday, 12/26: Woodmans in Essex – 80 miles* – (1 mile gravel road)

4. Wednesday, 12/27: Stow– 40 Miles

5. Thursday, 12/28: Haute Coffee in Concord - 25 miles - Start time 10am

6. Friday, 12/29: Pioneer Metric Ride, dirt roads included! – 16mph, 63 mi

7. Saturday 12/30: Snowflake Century – 100 miles (Departs 7:30am - Cafe opens at 7am for riders)

8. Sunday 12/31: Henry’s Hindmost Ride – 36 miles - Departs at 9am

Henry on the Road

A few things to remember:

• If you haven’t filled out our Ride Waiver, you must do it online here prior to attending the first ride.

• Please carefully read and be ready to ride by our Riding Rules.

• All rides will depart from RSC at 8:30am with the exception of the Snowflake Century which will roll out at 7:30am. Cafe opens at 7am for riders.

• The Cafe will be open for food and drinks at the start of the rides. However, our bike shop employees will not be available. If you need something before the ride, please email us a day in advance.

• These are drop rides. The average pace of the rides is 17mph. If you cannot maintain the pace of the group you will need to find your way home. It is fine if you would like to see if you can hang with the group, just communicate with Henry if you need to drop off of the ride at any point.

• Please consider the weather when choosing your tires. We recommend fenders for wet conditions.

• All the rides’ routes and distances are subject to change depending on weather and road conditions. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram for updates.

Make sure you are well-equipped for the cold and wintry conditions. At Ride Studio we have a great selection of new winter apparel from our friends at 45NRTH, Cafe du Cycliste, and Velocio that is sure to keep you warm and comfortable out on the road. We have great options for studded tires, a must-have for riding on icy roads.

We look forward to finishing 2017 with you in style! Have fun and ride safe.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Ride Studio Cafe!