Tour of Seven Cycles

• Location: Seven Cycles, 125 Walnut Street, Watertown, MA
• Event Type:  Tour
• Date & Time:  Monday, February 19 at 11:30am (this is Presidents' Day)
• Reason for Tour:  See how Seven Cycles builds great, custom bikes efficiently, yet perfectly, for each rider
• Price:  Free

Description:  

Seven Cycles is located just down the street from us in Watertown. Seven is a company full of bike building professionals. This is the place where custom bikes come to life and many new innovations in bike building have been developed over the years.

Seven has been making the finest bikes for over 20 years and their experience shines as they work. It’s manufacturing at its best: handcrafted bikes are very carefully and perfectly built one at a time, yet the short lead times show efficiency, and a well-run business full of highly-skilled people who are passionate about what they do.

Feel free to arrive 10 to 20 minutes early to check out their showroom prior to the tour. Please register 24-hours in advance of the tour you'd like to join in on. An email will be sent to you with details and directions after you register. We hope you join us!

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 below! 

Questions? Please include them in the RSVP form below or email connect@rideheadquarters.com and we'll get back to you. 

 

 

 

Please RSVP 24-hours in advance of the tour you'd like to attend

RSC First Snow Ride

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA

• Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride / Roads and snow-covered trails

• Date & Time: When the first snow hits!

• Distance: ~15 miles, condition-dependent

• Price: Free

• #rscfirstsnow

This was one of three groups and over 40 people who joined in on the First Snow Ride last year at Ride Studio. The first snow last year hit at 1pm on a Saturday. The previous year, the first snow was at 8am on a Monday morning - we still had a great group show up! The previous year to that, the inaugural year, we had ~17 riders join in at 3am in the morning for the First Snow and it was magical! Prepare now so you are ready when it hits!

Details: 

Route:  The route is available to attendees 15-minutes prior to roll-out.

Estimated time: ~2 hours

Ride Notes:  The pace is based on conditions. We don't ride too slowly because we'd get cold, we don't ride too fast because that wouldn't be safe with the snow. We will ride together or split into two groups with a leader for each group. No one gets dropped. Be sure to come prepared with the right bike & tires, and proper attire for the conditions and temperature. Read on below, there is a lot to this ride and how it works. Be sure to understand it to be able to participate in it! KEEP READING - lots more information is further down this page.

Last Minute Information: Watch Ride Studio Cafe's Twitter feed for last-minute updates, especially considering this is a last-minute ride. The only way to find out when this ride is happening is to watch our Twitter & Instagram feeds!

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.

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RSC First Snow Nitty Gritty Details

One of our favorite pastimes is riding in snowfall.  You can hear the snow crunching under your tires.  It’s such a quiet time; all sound is suppressed by the snowfall.  No one is out on the roads and trails.  The world feels primitive.

The moment of the first snowfall is THE time to ride. We are leading a ride when this first snow hits!

WATCH TWITTER to see the latest and get ready now so you can join in!!!

Riding in the snow is peaceful and primitive…just as this photo suggests.

We are ready.  Are you?

Ride Synopsis

• We are leading a ride that begins here 60 minutes after the first snow of the season begins.

• We won’t be riding if the snow isn’t going to last for the duration of our ride. Keep reading to understand how you’ll know when the ride is a GO.

• The ride will be 90 minutes to 2 hours in length total. No more. The distance of the route will take into account how hard the snow is falling & how fast the ride will be.

• The route is mixed terrain. Expect to be on- and off-road, on trails and through woods.

• The pace of the ride will be high enough to keep everyone working hard. This way, everyone stays warm. This doesn’t mean we’ll be moving fast considering studded tires and winter setups aren’t exactly fast. The level of intensity will equate to how you’d feel if it were a nice day and you were riding 17-18mph on the road.

Here’s How We Plan for the First Snow

• Be flexible. We have no idea when it’s going to snow. It’s most common for snowfall to occur during the afternoon but it could be 2am or any other time. A mindset focused on the ride, rather than when the ride will occur, is helpful.

• Be ready. Have a Snow Essentials Duffel packed and with you at all times – we provide some content hints below. Have your bike ready to go.

• The Right Tires: Having studded tires is by far the best choice for the first snow. Since we’re very likely to have a few days’ notice prior to the snow, you can time your tire install fairly accurately. Once the first snow falls you may want to be riding studs for the rest of the winter anyway. If you need tires, give the Studio a heads up. We have a variety in stock and can special order anything you might want. We’re also happy to do the install for you.

• Headlight & Taillight: Whether we’re riding at 2pm or 2am, you have to have at least one headlight to join us. Snowfall makes it really difficult for drivers to see cyclists. A headlight and taillight will save you. Make sure you charge those lights a few days in advance. If you’re looking to upgrade your light system, check in with the Studio; we have the best winter light systems available.

Last year we were out riding at 8am on a Monday morning together. The previous year, we were out riding at 3am. People came as far and wide as Jamaica Plain to join in the festivities.

Knowing When the Snowfall Ride Moment Arrives

We’re using Twitter and Instagram to keep people informed of when the ride moment is happening.  We’ll “Twinstagram” intermittently as the weather changes.  We’ll do our best to inform riders as the moment gets nearer.  The final Twinstagram will be 60-minutes before the ride begins.  That’s your klaxon to get your butt and bike over to the Studio for a very memorable ride.

If you don’t use either Instagram or Twitter, you’re going to have a challenging time joining us.  We will be posting some information on Facebook but we’re not using it as the go time alert. Watch the hashtag:

#rscfirstsnow

Tricks for Riding in the Snow

• Traction: Snow riding is all about traction. Four ways of maximizing traction are:

o    Apply steady horsepower to the pedals.  This is a lot more difficult than it appears.  If you’re riding at 70 hp on a snowy trail, a change of 10%, or 7 hp, is a lot – and can be the different between maintaining your line and losing traction entirely.  Practice steady horsepower output.

o    Keep your bike upright, even while turning.  The more you lean into a corner, the less traction you have.  Most tires have less tread and fewer studs toward the sides of the tire.  Don’t lean your bike too much.  Riding upright keeps you upright.

o    Tire pressure:  Lower tire pressure provides better traction.  Of course, you want to balance this with the possibility of getting a flat.  We find that riding on an inch of snow is deceptive, in that you feel like the trail is really smooth, when in reality, all the obstacles are still there – and just as sharp – you just can’t see them, so your chance of getting a flat probably increases slightly.

o    Tires and treads:  Studs are best.  Wider is better than narrower.  Treads are better than slicks.

• Be careful. This may seem obvious but we see this as a fundamental issue each season in the first snow. Taking a tumble in the ice and snow can be problematic; these falls are fast, unexpected, and hard. Ride conservatively and don’t worry about winning.

• No fenders: Snow time may seem like a great time to have fenders, but it’s not. Not only are fenders dangerous on mixed terrain – due to sticks and debris on the trail, it’s also likely that your fenders will get packed with snow and make your ride a lot tougher.

• Batteries die. Batteries don’t like the cold so they power down a lot more quickly than on an autumn day. Three hours of battery life can become one hour – or worse – in the cold months. Keep your electronics warm – in your jacket or jersey, not in your saddle bag – until you need them. This includes your phone, backup battery, spare light, and your Garmin – if you’re not the ride navigator.

Likely Weather Conditions

It can’t snow if it’s too cold so it’s likely to be somewhere between 28 and 36 degrees.  Also, you’re likely to get a bit wet as the snow melts on you; gear that leans toward rain protection can be useful.

Always Be Prepared:  Snow Essentials Duffel
Have your Snow Essentials Duffel in your car – if that’s your mode of work transport – so you’re always ready to roll.  In that bag, we recommend:

• All the clothing you typically use for 30-40 degree riding. Clothing that likes wet conditions isn’t a bad idea, either. Note: We’re only including the gear that people often forget when they’re in a hurry, and riding in unexpected conditions. If you forget to put your bibs in your Snow Essentials Kit, we have no sympathy!

• Headlight 100% charged and ready for 2.5 hours of use. Ideally, two headlights – one on your bars and one on your helmet.

• Taillight batteries in good condition.

• Winter shoes or your autumn shoes with overshoes.

• Long thick wool socks

• Helmet – with light mount ready to go.

• Long finger gloves, possibly with liners.

• Three season cap that covers your ears. A brim will be appreciated – it can help keep the snow out of your eyes.

• Neck gator

• Protective glasses if that’s your kind of thing for riding in a snowstorm.

• High-vis vest if you like to be visible. If there’s ever a time to increase your visibility, it’s during a snowstorm; drivers have a really difficult time seeing cyclists through snowfall.

• Towel to dry off after the ride. The Studio has towels, too, but a big towel that travels with you can be nice!

For the Diehard Riders That Are 100% Committed

• Drop off your Snow Essentials Duffel and your winterized bike at the Studio within two days of the expected snow date. That will make it easier if you’re coming from work. Make sure you have some kind of obvious name tag on your bag and bike so we don’t recycle them by accident. We’re always tight for space at the Studio so only drop off your gear if you’re 100% certain you’ll be riding with us.

The Studio Is Here To Help

We have just about anything you could need for winter riding, including:

• Lots of studded tire options. And the tubes needed for each tire size. We can help determine the ideal tire size for your bike and guarantee what will fit and what won’t. Not all studded tires are created equal. We can help determine the right price point for your riding needs.

• Studded tire installation help. Studded tires are often the toughest type of tire to install because they’re thicker, stiffer, and sometimes are steel beaded. We’re happy to help.

• Lights: We have the toughest winter lights available. We’ll help you determine optimal number of lumens for your needs. We’ll help you determine where the best mounting spot is on your bike or body. The best kind of taillight for visibility and longevity. So many options – all with different strengths and weaknesses.

• Gloves: We have everything from lightweight full fingers to deep winter 45Nrth gloves and liners. Come by and try the array or models and sizes to determine the ideal setup for your type of riding. We can help with determining which are best for wet weather, for glove liners, or for the coldest days. Lots of glove options for lots of kinds of riding.

• Winter Shoes: We’ve got 45Nrth Japanthers and Wolvhammers in stock. We’ll help you find the right size, and install cleats on your new boots, too.

• All winter clothing, including deep winter tights and a range of jackets for all conditions.

We hope to see you in the first snow!

#rscfirstsnow

Come by at least 15-minutes early so you can make any last minute bike adjustments or fuel up on something in the Cafe. 

 

Winter Party and 45NRTH Product Launch

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Event Type:  Social Gathering
• Date & Time:  Thursday, 19 October 2017 -- 7pm
• Reason for Gathering:  Celebrate the coming winter, see lots of winter gear and apparel, get motivated by meeting others who enjoy riding in the winter
• Price:  Free

Description:  

Come out to WELCOME WINTER with a Ride Studio party! This is a 45NRTH limited edition introduction of something special which you will be the first to see. There will be ultra limited extra somethings that go to a select few people.

We have all sorts of cool winter stuff to show off, and you can pick up what you need now from all apparel, to bike gear and more. Get ready before the weather turns so you are ready for the First Snow Ride (yes, that is happening again this year). Be sure to follow #rscfirstsnow.

We have winter bike promos for Honeys and Sevens only available for those who come out to this party. We love winter riding and this is the year you discover how fun, enjoyable, and easy it is to keep riding through the Hot Drink Season! Bring your friends, winter is even more fun when shared! We’re serving tasty beer and light refreshments. Please RSVP!

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 on the event page! 

Questions? Email Ride Studio Cafe at

Winter Riding Clinic

Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA

• Event Type:  Clinic / Social Gathering
• Date & Time:  Saturday, 4 November 2017 -- 5:00 pm - 6:30pm
• Reason for Gathering:  Learn how to have a fun, warm, safe time riding in the winter.
• Price:  Free

It's 20 degrees, but everyone's smiling!

Description:  

 This clinic is for new and experienced winter riders - everyone will get a lot out of this clinic.

 
In conjunction with the clinic, we're holding a raffle for goods and services worth over $1,000. The clinic is free and all are invited. 

This clinic is for new and experienced winter riders - everyone will get a lot out of this packed 90-minute session. With temperatures starting to drop, this is the time to get ready for late fall and winter riding. There are many riders who take full advantage of winter. This year, join in the fun everyone is having outside! 

Beer and non-alcoholic beverages will be served. 

Topics that will be covered include: 

- Proper bike setup: keep it from freezing, keep it upright, keep it in good condition, even with the salt on the roads

- How to address every part of your body in terms of warmth and comfort without overheating
- How to keep sensitive hands and feet warm

- Water bottles: fact vs fiction on keeping your water from freezing
- Nutrition pointers and eating/drinking when it's cold

- Electronics: What happens to electronics in the cold, and how to keep everything working well

- Equipment: Special equipment needs to be mindful of

- Riding techniques: How to ride in winter, how to ride on slippery surfaces

- The various riding surfaces of winter and how to manage riding on them

- Mechanicals - What to do in case of a mechanical

- Pro tips - Extra special tips we have for you that you might not have considered before

After the clinic, at 6:45pm, we're hosting the next Full Moon ride! Come for one or both, and bring your friends!

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 Ride Headquarters at connect@rideheadquarters.com

RSVP Please!

Ride Studio Cafe Microadventure: Starry Night Bikepacking

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA

• Ride Type: Bikepacking on Mixed-Terrain or Bikepacking on pavement

• Date & Time: Saturday, 28 October 2017 - Depart at 1:00 pm - Sunday, 29 October 2017 - Arrive at 3:00 pm

• Pace: Ride your own pace - on road or mixed terrain, choose your preference

• Price: $85 Register Here

Description: 

Locations:
Starting Location: Ride Studio Cafe
Overnight Camping Location: Shh... It's a surprise
Ending Location: Ride Studio Cafe

Price includes:

• A supply list

• Joe Cruz book

• Delicious dinner prepared for you on Saturday Night.

• We will supply ingredients for Sunday breakfast. You cook it yourself or bring your own food.

Please Register 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:  30-40c knobby or filetread tires, clipless pedals, drop handlebars; no aero bars. Proper bags/secure placements for your gear on your bike.

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 passable trails/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.

TGIF Friday Lunch Road Ride

• Location:  Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA
• Ride Type:  Road Ride, Moderate
• Date & Time:  11:30am Fridays Weekly running through October, 2017
• Distance:  20-23 Miles
• Price:  Free

Details:  Starting Friday, August 25 and running through October, this is a socially-minded 16mph lunch ride starting at Ride Headquarters in Sherborn. This is a no-drop ride as long as you're up for the advertised pace of 17mph. The group waits on flats/mechanicals.

Route:  The route will be posted by August 23.

Estimated time: ~1.5 hours

Ride Notes:  Your ride leader is a Ride Headquarters' employee. It's responsibly led to be sure the pace of the ride averages 16mph (faster on descents and flats, slower on hills). We ensure you're back no later than 1pm, even with a flat or mechanical, so you can plan your lunchtime accordingly. 

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

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:  RHQ 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
• Bike must be equipped with a white front and red non-blinking/non-blinding rear light.
• Clipless pedals & shoes
• Drop handlebars; no aero bars
• Tool kit and a proper spare tube or two
• A bike that’s in safe working order

Thursday Lunch Road Ride - Moderate pace

• Location:  Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA
• Ride Type:  Road Ride, Moderate
• Date & Time:  11:30am Thursdays Weekly running through October, 2017
• Distance:  23 Miles
• Price:  Free

Details:  Starting Thursday, August 24 and running through October, this is a moderately-paced lunch ride starting at Ride Headquarters in Sherborn. This is a no-drop ride as long as you're up for the advertised pace of 17mph. The group waits on flats/mechanicals.

Route:  The route will be posted by August 23.

Estimated time: ~1.5 hours

Ride Notes:  Your ride leader is a Ride Headquarters' employee. It's responsibly led to be sure the pace of the ride averages 17mph (faster on descents and flats, slower on hills). We ensure you're back no later than 1pm, even with a flat or mechanical, so you can plan your lunchtime accordingly. 

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

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:  RHQ 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
• Bike must be equipped with a white front and red non-blinking/non-blinding rear light.
• Clipless pedals & shoes
• Drop handlebars; no aero bars
• Tool kit and a proper spare tube or two
• A bike that’s in safe working order

Hot Chocolate Prestige

Hot Chocolate Prestige Ride Saturday, February 29, 2020

• Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA

• Ride Type: Road Ride

• Date & Time: Saturday 29 February at 11:00am

• Distance: 36 miles

• Price: Free

Description: This is a 100% paved ride, 36 miles in length. The hot chocolate will really hit the spot after the ride!

This is a great opportunity to have some fun on the road, meet other road riders, and enjoy hot chocolate and hot coffee & tea at no charge to you at Ride Headquarters after the ride is over! 

We host safe, organized group rides. The advertised pace of the ride is what you can expect to average on the ride.

Parking: We have a big lot behind the store. Park and ride if you don't feel like riding to the start of the ride.

Route: The route is new, it is here: Hot Cocoa Road Route- all paved. It includes a Pegan Hill climb, everyone rides at his/her own pace, regroup at the top. 

Ride Notes: We have Ride Headquarters Super Domestiques leading the ride and pointing out turns. Super Domestiques make sure the pace of the ride stays consistent, they manage the group, and offer safe, efficient riding techniques.

Speed: We’ll stick to a 16-17mph average.

Estimated time: Approximately 2 hours. 

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

Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquarters.com, Phone - 508-975-4678

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. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride. 

Proper Bike for this ride:  

• Road bike with 23-28c tires. Weather conditions will change the ideal bike type.

• Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control.

• A bike that’s in safe working order.

• Fenders if it's wet on the road.

• No aerobars.

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 come in; we want you to be ready to roll before the group is ready to go.

Dusk to Dawn Ride 2017

• Location:  Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA
• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain Night Ride
• Date & Time:  Saturday to Sunday, 24-25 June 2017.  We roll out at sunset:  8:25 pm.
• Distance:  60 miles and 90 miles
• Price:  $75 to $95 depending on category

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

Description:  As the name stipulates:  Riding from dusk to dawn.  Actually, not to get too technical but really we’re riding from sundown to sunrise.  The ride is a set distance and you ride until you’re done.  A few people might make it to the finish before dawn but most riders are likely to see the sunrise along the course.  In addition to night riding, it’s important to know that about 50% of the ride will be on dirt - dirt roads, singletrack, fire roads, goat paths, and other terra incognita.

Routes:  Two Options

1. About 90 miles:  Expect this route to take you from dusk through dawn.
2. About 60 miles of pavement, gravel, dirt, and rocks.  About half of the ride is unpaved.  Some singletrack, too.  We expect the ride to take between 2.5 to 4 hours.  See the "Pacing Description" table on the OBC site for details.

Ride Notes: We have a designated Ride Headquarters 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.