RSC First Snow Ride - 2019/2020

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA

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

• Date & Time: When the first snow hits! We hope it’s soon!

• Distance: ~15 miles, condition-dependent

• Price: Free

• #rscfirstsnow

Last year, we had over 40 people come out for the first snow ride. The snow came fast, got deep quickly, and the moment the ride was over, it turned to rain then vanished. It was magical to be out in it. It happened at 9:30pm on a week night in mid-November. This will be the fifth year we’ve hosted this winter kick-off super ride! Get ready now and stay tuned so you’re sure to make it to this ride and all that follow it!

In 2017, we had a huge turnout for the first snow ride which hit early in the afternoon on a Saturday!

Details: When the first snow comes to eastern Massachusetts, we ride in it regardless of the time of day or day of the week. This is our 5th year hosting this memorable and much-too-fun ride.

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 to four 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.

This is a Chill Club qualifying ride!

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 define the first snow as having accumulation of approximately 1” of snow at “go” time, and the forecast must predict that it will snow for the duration of the ride.

• We won’t be riding if the snow isn’t going to last for the duration of the ride.

• Most important to note: GO time is decided with no less than 1 hour of notice for you, more if possible. So be ready and keep checking our updates to know when it will hit.

• 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 mandatory for this ride. 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 will very likely 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 from 9:30-11:30pm on a week night in mid-November with over 40 riders. In 2017, we we were out riding at 1pm on a Saturday afternoon with over 40 riders. The year before that was an 8am Monday morning ride. The previous (and inaugural) 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:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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:

• Winter Bikes. There are considerations to be made where it comes to the bike you ride in the winter. We have bikes that are great all year, but are extra special for winter riding. Check out the Honey BiFrost bike: summer mountain bike, winter fat bike. Titanium is a perfect frame material for a bike that’s going to see the salt and harsh conditions of winter. A winterized bike is also important. For example, if snow is allowed into the brake housing, your brakes will likely freeze up. We can winterize your bike to keep your rolling.

• 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 Wolvhammers in stock and if you’re a fat biker or just like to ride all winter on the coldest days, we’ll get you the Wolfgar boots. 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. 

November Frost Ride Series

• Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA

• Ride Type: Mixed Terrain

• Dates & Time: Saturday, November 9, 16 & 23 - 10am rollout

• Distances: 12 miles & 25 miles

• Price: $20 for the series whether you do one ride or all three

• Post-ride food is included

REGISTER NOW!

Description: Mixed terrain rides are a key component to enjoying fall and winter cycling to stay warm, meet others, and have genuine fun riding bikes. Three Saturdays in November, plan to ride to commit to yourself and learn to love riding in colder weather, possibly wet weather, and meet others with whom you can continue to ride through the winter.

We’re charging for this series (only $20 total) so that you commit to participating and if it’s a chilly morning, you remember your investment to riding outside, and get yourself to the ride start.

Dates

• Saturday, November 9

• Saturday, November 16

• Saturday, November 23

Prizes

We are awarding the top three participants with fun prizes as an additional motivator. How do you win this series? We have a points system, which we’ll tell you all about when you register. Points are awarded for the following:

• Participation - the more rides you attend, the more points you get

• Participating in the cold and bad weather - the worst the weather, the more points you get

• Putting together a team of your friends to ride - encouraging others to ride outside is rewarding in many ways, and we give you points for doing it!

• Participating in social media as another way of connecting to people and helping motivate others to join in has points associated with it, too! #chillclubhq

We have a leader board at Ride Headquarters. Try to get as many points as you can; stay motivated!

Registration Includes:

• Unique Route:  You'll have access to the GPS files to a route we're confident you've not ridden.  Even if you ride trails a lot, we know you'll see some new sights!  

• Other riders: Psychologically, it’s significantly easier to ride in the cold if you have good company. We are offering paces that will be fun for a new-to-riding-trails rider, experienced, and fast riders. Find others who ride similarly to you!

• Food:  Enjoy hot, fresh pizza after each ride. We always have hot, fresh coffee available here - it’ll taste even better after a cold ride.

• Ride Navigators:  If you want to ride with a group, we'll provide a ride navigator along with a ride leader that will lead you through the route. If you prefer, you and your friends may ride as a team together.

• Fun and adventure!  Riding trails and mixed terrain equates to adventure and unforgettable memories. See how much fun you can have at a colder time of year to ride!

• Membership to the Chill Club! This club has a lot of benefits, with the biggest one being connection and access to other cold-weather riders. There is no cost to join, but you need to prove your interest by attending a qualifying ride. Every November Frost ride is a qualifying ride. Click on the logo to learn more.

​Riding Categories

1. Guided Group:  We've got RHQ leaders ready to take the fun, moderate, and fast groups.  You'll get to roll with and meet, new riders while not worrying about when the next turn is.  

2. Team:  A group of 3-8 riders that you put together.  At least one person in your team needs to have a GPS unit for route navigation; see details below.  You depart just prior to the led groups so that you and your friends do your own ride and you ride at whatever pace you desire.  You, your friends, whizzing through the trails with unexpected turns. Fun!

Estimated Ride Time

• 12 miles fun:  ~2 hours

• 25 miles, moderate: ~3 - 3.5 hours

• 25 miles, fast: 2 - 2.5 hours

Riding Pace Categories

Determining true average pace on mixed-terrain rides is challenging.  Our experience shows that people tend to think they're riding a lot faster than GPS indicates.  There are a number of contributing factors to this speed-dilation:

• Most riders don't track their actual time when riding in the woods so it's challenging to have a true sense of trail speed.  Road speed is always a lot faster, typically about 2-3 times faster than trail riding.

• Even if you tend to average 18 mph on a typical road ride, that pace on a 33-40mm knobby tire is really fast.  Knobbies slow you down.  Depending on tire pressure, the loss of speed is generally somewhere around 2-4 mph of road pace.

• Being fast on the road doesn't mean you're fast in the woods.  And, of course, the opposite is true.  If you're a 23 mph road rider but not particularly skilled off-road, you might average 5 mph in the woods.  That average brings you into the moderate pace group; you may feel that the moderate group pace is slow on the road but it'll feel fast enough on the trails.

• Weather conditions, trail conditions, altitude changes all impact the true pace.

• If you are new to trails or have no idea of your pace, select the “fun” 12-mile group for your first ride. We guarantee you’ll learn a lot out there and have fun in the process.

• Group participants all have different strengths; we move at the pace of the slowest rider - fun and moderate groups leave no one behind.

• Everyone rides a little slower in the cold.

If you want to be pushing the pace, or you're the type to get frustrated if the pace is slower or faster than ideal, we suggest putting together a team of 3-8 with friends that you know ride at your pace.  

​The Route

We’ve got some great trails and roads in store for you.  Ride Headquarters will email the route on the night before the ride. 

We're riding through every type of terrain available. We've included the 'ideal bike' as a way of explaining that no bike is perfect - that's part of the point of an adventure ride.

Expect to see the following on the November Frost routes: pavement, dirt roads, fire roads, smooth and rougher singletrack, and a few places where you’ll want to carry your bike over something.

The Ideal Bike

This is always a very personal choice based on your abilities, your bike stable, and the weather.  Would you like to get into mixed terrain/gravel riding but don’t have a bike? We have demo bikes available for those interested in purchasing a bike. Email us to set up your demo ride: connect@rideheadquarters.com.

• Tires:  Most riders will be happiest on knobby 33mm to 40mm tires.  Probably nothing wider than 45mm otherwise the roads are likely to feel rather slow.

• Gearing:  We strongly recommend a low gear of about 1:1 ratio.  A 34-tooth small front ring mated with a 32-tooth large rear cog will get you up most of the hills. 

• Tire Pressure:  Don’t ride tires too soft; you don’t want to get a flat on this ride, and there are paved sections that will go faster with more tire pressure.  For tires between 33-45mm, we tend to ride at 66-75% of the tire's rated maximum pressure. Ask us if you’re unsure of your proper tire pressure.

• Clipless mountain bike pedals:  This ride isn't for everyone; we ride at a fair pace and aren't stopping a lot.  You have to ride clipless mountain pedals and shoes;  the reasons for this are many, including that clipless pedals provide you more control of your bike, help facilitate getting over obstacles such as logs and rocks, and make bike handling more surefooted.

---

Team Rules

• Must have a Group of 3-8 riders.

• Email us your team name and list of team members.

• Each member registers individually; include your team name.

• We will assign you a starting block time; if you have a preferred start time window, email us.

• Your team must have at least one GPS Units like a Garmin 800 or higher or a Wahoo Element.  We strongly recommend having two or more GPS units.  We are not printing cue sheets for this mixed-terrain ride.  A Garmin 510 or lower is not recommended. 

• Use a GPS Device that will get you through up to 5-hours of riding time.  The only way to navigate the route is with a dedicated GPS device, preferably one that shows trails and roads. 

• Everyone on your team should ride with a comprehensive repair kit that's suited for mixed-terrain riding. Riders should take into account tubes and tubeless setups.

Ride Rules

• This is not a race; this is an adventure.  If you're not up for having fun with us, stay home.

• Follow good trail etiquette.

• Follow the rules of the road.

• If a rider asks for help, help.

• You represent all cyclists so be on your best behavior.

• Bring a repair kit that includes, at a minimum, everything for fixing a flat and a multitool that can help fix most mechanicals.  Here's our recommendation for a long mixed-terrain ride.

• Bring a helmet, I.D., and clipless mountain bike pedals and shoes.

• Fill out the Ride Headquarters Ride Waiver online.

Last Minute Information:  We have everyone’s email addresses who register for this series so we’ll send out an email for anything that is important for riders to know.

Ride Headquarters Contact Information:  Email RHQ or call:  413-461-RIDE (413-461-7433).

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

Email us if you have any questions.

Stay tuned for more details.  In the meantime, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for ongoing updates.  #chillclubhq

The Honey Allroads - the Ideal Cold & Winter Bike

The Honey Allroads bike is the perfect bike for gravel and mixed terrain riding as well as cold and foul-weather riding. This bike is designed to ride on all road conditions – paved, broken, carriage trails, and single track.  We call this the mixed-terrain adventure bike.  Take it anywhere to do anything - all year long.

Why is the Honey Allroads an ideal bike for the cold, foul weather, and winter?

• The Allroads bike fits 700c x 38mm studded tires comfortably. Studded tires are the secret to winter riding confidently and safely on roads and trails. Ride on ice with no issues with studded tires. If you order

• The titanium frame doesn’t corrode or interact with the environment at all. It is completely unaffected by road salt and grime. Counter-intuitively, carbon bikes and aluminum bikes experience corrosion issues. Ask us why this is and we’ll explain how this happens and how this impacts the bike’s longevity.

• The Honey Allroads uses a standard threaded bottom bracket. This means you don’t have to be paranoid about the bike getting dirty. Pressfit BBs are notorious for their creaking and issues, some of which may impact the bike’s life. Standard threaded bottom brackets are the easiest bottom brackets to deal with (because you probably won’t ever have to deal with it) and won’t cause you issues. They’re also non-proprietary, so if you need a new one, it’s easy to buy and have replaced.

• When the surface you’re riding is wet or uncertain, the most important thing you need are tires to stick to the ground. This offers you confidence and safety. A titanium bike designed as Honey has designed their bikes keeps the tires on the ground in a way that a stiff bike can’t. You want drivetrain rigidity (Honey bikes have this), you don’t want a bike that is stiff in every direction for your comfort and for your stability in keeping your tires on the ground.

---

Membership to the Chill Club

Whether or not you think you need more motivation to ride this cold season, we are providing the ability to connect with others in the store and via a special email distro list, offering cold weather cycling advice, sending you special promos, and much more.

How do you join the Chill Club? Easy: ride with us in the November Frost series! This is not a club for people who say things like: “Someday I’ll do it, next time, when the kids go to college, once I get fitter, once I get the right gear…” So many excuses, all of which are keeping you from discovering joy, fun, mental and physical health. Keep false barriers out of your way. Don’t have another winter of being blue or of being burned out from the trainer in the spring. This fall and winter, discover the incredible fun of these seasons on your bike. Use the Chill Club to keep your motivation up and outdoor cycling happening.

There is no requirement to participate in the email distro list if you are a member of the Chill Club. Do all that you want to do as a member, and nothing you don’t want to do. Be proud, though, of your membership and enjoy the many perks of being a Chill Club cyclist!

---

How to Ride in Winter and Enjoy it - Clinic

• Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA

• Event Type: Clinic

• Date & Time: Wednesday, 13 November 2019, 6:00-9:00pm - Presentation begins at 7pm

• Reason for Clinic: Learn to ride in winter - and how to enjoy it

• Price: Free RSVP Required, RSVP Here

Description: If you've ever thought about trying to ride in the winter, you should join us the Charles River Wheelers and RHQ for our Winter Riding clinic on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 from 7-9pm at Ride Headquarters in Sherborn. 

Details: We’ll have experienced cold weather cyclists sharing everything you need to know about equipment, clothing, hydration and more.  Many pro tips will be shared that you haven’t heard before.

There is no charge, but registration is required. Refreshments and food will be served by the Charles River Wheelers for all starting at 6pm. Maybe this will be just what you need to get you out on the road this winter.

RSVP & Further Details

Check out our growing List of Winter Resources!

Last Minute Information: We will email all who have enrolled with any last-minute changes. 

Questions?  Email connect@rideheadquarters.com. 

Shop-to-Shop Ride

• Location: Starts at Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA

• Ride Type: Road Ride

• Date & Time: Saturday, September 21 & other select dates - 11:30am Rollout from Ride Headquarters, 1:30pm Rollout from Ride Studio Cafe

• Distance: 61 Miles

• Price: Free

Description:  The Shop-to-Shop Ride is Ride Headquarters’ long ride that links riders with Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington.  The average pace is 16-17 mph.  We're riding for endurance, not speed.  It's a steady pace with a food & coffee stop at Ride Studio. If enough people show, we will split into two groups with a faster (17-18mph) pace for the first group. Please come prepared with the route loaded into your cycling computer.

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

Route: The route takes riders to Ride Studio Cafe to enjoy hot coffee, iced coffee drinks, food, get fresh water, use the facilities. Download the route here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30549746

Ride Notes:  All paved. Food stop is at mile 29, Ride Studio Cafe. Ride Headquarters’ doors open for riders at 8:30am, rollout is at 8:45am after a safety talk.

Estimated time:  About 4 hours depending on the time spent at Ride Studio for the mid-ride break. Realistically, allow 20-30 minutes for this stop so all riders have time to enjoy the time at the Studio and refuel without rushing.

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

Honey Moon 100 2019

• Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA

• Ride Type: Mixed Terrain

• Date & Time: Saturday, 14 September 2019. Start times vary from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm. If you’re interested riding during the Day, check out the Honey 100!

• Distance: 50 km and 100 km

• Pricing:

  • Registration - Now Live on Bikereg

    • Self-Led and Guided Group - $80

    • Team - $60

Description:  The Honey Moon One Hundred is fun, forests and the full moon.  This is a ride developed by the bike builder Honey Bikes. The Honey Moon 100 runs through some of the great roads and trails throughout the Sherborn, Massachusetts area.

When:  Saturday, September 14, 2019.  Start times vary depending on the category for which you register. We start you off in the evening so you can beat the heat and ride under the full harvest moon. You’ll enjoy a pre ride barbecue with the Honey 100 riders who just returned to share stories from the road, and trails! If you want to ride during the day, check out the Honey 100!

What:  We're riding the great roads and quiet trails throughout the area.

Where:  Starting and ending at Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, Massachusetts.

Registration Includes

• Unique Route:  You'll have access to the GPS files to a route we're confident you've not ridden.  Even if you ride trails a lot, we know you'll see some new sights!  

• Support:  Ride support throughout the day.  If you have a mechanical or an accident, we have a support vehicle on the route.

• Food:  You’ll have a barbecue pre/post ride and a food stop along the route.

• Ride Navigators:  If you want to ride with a group, we'll provide that along with a ride leader that will lead you through the route.

• Fun and adventure!  Bring a positive attitude and we promise you'll have a fun night.

​Riding Categories

We offer three categories from which to choose -- something for everyone.  Ride Headquarters' mixed-terrain rides require a GPS unit in order to follow the route.  Cue sheets don't work for offroad riding. We also require lights as part of this ride is after sunset.

1. Guided Group:  We've got the RHQ leaders ready to take groups of about 10 riders through the endless twists and turns of the Honey 100.  You'll get to roll with and meet, new riders while not worrying about when the next turn is.  New friends, guided trails, and rider support.  What's better than that?

2. Indy:  You ride solo and depart at your convenience.  You're sure to see other Honey Riders out on the trails and you can join them or continue your solo ride.  Your pace, your internal conversation, your freedom.  That's the ride we look forward to.  This category requires that you have a GPS unit; see details below.

3. Team:  A group of 3-8 riders that you put together.  At least two of your team have GPS units; see details below.  You depart at any time between 4:30 and 5:30 pm.  You ride at whatever pace you desire.  You, your friends, whizzing through the trails with unexpected turns; what could be more fun?

Estimated Time for Pace Categories

One situation we find with mixed terrain routes is that the ride takes longer than most riders expect.  It's good to plan for 1,000 turns, mechanicals, a flat or two, time for the food stop, and a moment or two to simply enjoy the trails. Here's the typical time it takes to complete each of the routes:

• 50 km:  3 to 4.5 hours

• 100 km:  6 to 9 hours

Riding Pace Categories

Determining true average pace on mixed-terrain rides is challenging.  Our experience shows that people tend to think they're riding a lot faster than GPS indicates.  There are a number of contributing factors to this speed-dilation:

• Most riders don't track their actual time when riding in the woods so it's challenging to have a true sense of trail speed.  Road speed is always a lot faster, typically about 2-3 times faster than trail riding.

• Even if you tend to average 18 mph on a typical road ride, that pace on a 33-40mm knobby tire is really fast.  Knobbies slow you down.  Depending on tire pressure, the loss of speed is generally somewhere around 2-4 mph of road pace.

• Being fast on the road doesn't mean you're fast in the woods.  And, of course, the opposite is true.  If you're a 23 mph road rider but not particularly skilled off-road, you might average 5 mph in the woods.  That average brings you into the moderate pace group; you may feel that the moderate group pace is slow on the road but it'll be pressuring you on the trails.

• Weather conditions, trail conditions, altitude changes all impact the true pace.

• Ride leaders each have different strengths and weaknesses.  They're also trying to navigate 1,000 turns while keeping track of ten riders; they're doing a difficult job so help them out.

• Group participants all have different strengths; we move at the pace of the slowest rider - we leave no one behind in any group.

To help address all the variances, the Honey Moon 100 Ride offers two paces for the guided group rides - and two categories where you choose whatever pace you prefer.  Make sure you choose the group pace that is truest for you.  If you're in a group that's moving faster than your average, that will be frustrating for everyone.  If you're in a group that's too slow for you, you'll be frustrated.  

If you want to be pushing the pace, or you're the type to get frustrated if the pace is slower or faster than ideal, we suggest putting together a team of 3-8 with friends that you know ride at your pace.  Or, register for the self-led option and ride at your ideal pace throughout the ride.  You'll certainly see plenty of friendly faces out there and a support stop along the route.

Remember that the Honey Moon 100 is a fun ride first; choose the category and pace that will ensure you have the most fun.

Here is the pacing we plan to provide - weather conditions and ride navigator variances may impact the true pace slightly:

• Fast:  14 mph average.  About 18 mph on the road and about 10 mph in the woods.

• Moderate:  11 mph average.  About 16 mph on the road and about 8 mph in the woods.

​The Route

We offer the 50 km route for the Honey Moon 100, If you want more distance, consider the Honey 100 during the day.

We’ve got some great trails and roads in store for you.  Ride Headquarters will email the route on the night before the ride.  The route is about 50:50 road and off-pavement in terms of distance, not time.

We're riding through every type of terrain available, in something along the following ratios.  We've included the 'ideal bike' as a way of explaining that no bike is perfect - that's part of the point of an adventure ride.

• Pavement:  ~50%.  Any road bike would be great; 23-25c tires.

• Dirt roads and fire roads:  ~12%.  Tires in the 28-30c range will be appreciated; filetreads or knobbies might be good for some rides.

• Singletrack, well-groomed:  ~33%.  A 40mm knobby or even a full mountain bike tire might be perfect for good singletrack.

• Singletrack, primitive - "goat trails" with roots and rocks in abundance:  ~5%.  Most riders will be wondering why they didn't ride their mountain bike.  Any section that's this challenging is worth it because it means there's something great on the other side of the sector.

• Hike-a-Bike:  One or two moments where you might find walking faster than riding.  It is truly a moment or two during the ride.  For these sectors you'll want to leave your bike at home.

The Ideal Bike

This is always a very personal choice based on your abilities, your bike stable, and the weather.  We mention bike choice in the Route section of these notes above.

• Tires:  Most riders will be happiest on knobby 33mm to 40mm tires.  Probably nothing wider than 45mm otherwise the roads are likely to feel rather slow.

• Gearing:  We strongly recommend a low gear of about 1:1 ratio.  A 34-tooth small front ring mated with a 32-tooth large rear cog will get you up most of the hills.  There is not a lot of climbing on any of the Honey 100 routes, but the climbs can be short and steep at times.  

• Tire Pressure:  Don’t ride tires too soft; you don’t want to get a flat on this ride, and there are paved sections that will go faster with more tire pressure.  For tires between 33-45mm, we tend to ride at 66-75% of the tire's rated maximum pressure.

• Clipless mountain bike pedals:  This ride isn't for everyone; we ride at a fair pace and aren't stopping a lot.  You have to ride clipless mountain pedals and shoes;  the reasons for this are many, including that clipless pedals provide you more control of your bike, help facilitate getting over obstacles such as logs and rocks, and make bike handling more surefooted.

---

The Honey Allroads

The Honey Allroads bike is the perfect bike for the Honey Moon 100. This bike is designed to ride on all road conditions – paved, broken, carriage trails, and even well worn single track.  We call this the mixed-terrain adventure bike.  Take it anywhere to do anything. Order today to have for the Honey Moon 100!

---

Team Rules

• Must have a Group of 3-8 riders.

• Email us your team name and list of team members.

• Each member registers individually; include your team name.

• We will assign you a starting block time; if you have a preferred start time window, email us.

• Your team must have at least two GPS Units like Garmin 800s or higher or a Wahoo Element.  We strongly recommend having more than two GPS units.  We are not printing cue sheets for this mixed-terrain ride.  You've fully charged your Garmin and you've loaded the route.

• Use a GPS Device that will get you through up to 10-hours of riding time.  The only way to navigate the route is with a dedicated GPS device -- like a Garmin 1000 or similar unit.  A Garmin 510 or lower is not recommended.  Anything from a 705 and up will be adequate -- from a routing standpoint but not necessarily from a battery life standpoint. Yes, we know you'll ride a lot faster than that, but if you have a mechanical, decide to relax at the food stop, or anything else happens, time goes by very quickly.

• Bike lights — headlight and taillight — For every Team Member — that will get you through 6-hours of darkness.  Easier said than done.  Read recommendations on bike lights.

• At least two people on your team ride with a comprehensive repair kit that's suited for all-day solo mixed-terrain riding.

Indy Ride Rules

• Use a GPS Device that will get you through up to 10-hours of riding time.  The only way to navigate the route is with a dedicated GPS device -- like a Garmin 1000 or similar unit.  A Garmin 510 or lower is not recommended.  Anything from a 705 and up will be adequate -- from a routing standpoint but not necessarily from a battery life standpoint. Yes, we know you'll ride a lot faster than that, but if you have a mechanical, decide to relax at the food stop, or anything else happens, time goes by very quickly.

• Bike lights -- headlight and taillight -- that will get you through 6-hours of darkness.  Easier said than done.  Read recommendations on bike lights.

Honey Moon 100 Rules

• Follow good trail etiquette.

• Follow the rules of the road.

• If a rider asks for help, help.

• You represent all cyclists so be on your best behavior.

• This is not a race; this is an adventure.  If you're not up for having fun with us, stay home.

• Bring a repair kit that includes, at a minimum, everything for fixing a flat and a multitool that can help fix most mechanicals.  Here's our recommendation for a long mixed-terrain ride.

• Bring a helmet, I.D., and clipless mountain bike pedals and shoes.

• Fill out the Ride Headquarters Ride Waiver online.

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

Ride Headquarters Contact Information:  Email RHQ or call:  413-461-RIDE (413-461-7433).

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

Email us if you have any questions.  We hope you'll join us on the Honey 100!

Stay tuned for more details.  In the meantime, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for ongoing updates.  #honey100 #rideheadquarters

Honey 100 2019

• Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA

• Ride Type: Mixed Terrain

• Date & Time: Saturday, 14 September 2019. Start times vary from 12:30 pm to 2:15 pm. If you’re interested in riding at Night, check out the Honey Moon 100!

• Distance: 50 km and 100 km

• Pricing:

  • Registration - Now Live on Bikereg

    • Self-Led and Guided Group - $80

    • Team - $60

Description:  The Honey One Hundred is fun and forests.  This is a ride developed by the bike builder Honey Bikes. The Honey 100 runs through some of the great roads and trails throughout the Sherborn, Massachusetts area.

When:  Saturday, September 14, 2019. Start times vary depending on the category for which you register. We start you off in the afternoon so you can catch a glimpse of the full moon as you finish up your ride or while you’re enjoying the post ride barbecue with those about to depart on the Honey Moon 100. If you want to ride under the full moon check out the Honey Moon 100!

What:  We're riding the great roads and quiet trails throughout the area.

Where:  Starting and ending at Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, Massachusetts.

Registration Includes

• Unique Route:  You'll have access to the GPS files to a route we're confident you've not ridden.  Even if you ride trails a lot, we know you'll see some new sights!  

• Support:  Ride support throughout the day.  If you have a mechanical or an accident, we have a support vehicle on the routes.

• Food:  Both route distances have a food stop along the route and there will be a post ride barbecue at Ride Headquarters.

• Ride Navigators:  If you want to ride with a group, we'll provide that along with a ride leader that will lead you through the route.

• Fun and adventure!  Bring a positive attitude and we promise you'll have a fun day.

​Riding Categories

We offer three categories from which to choose -- something for everyone.  Ride Headquarters' mixed-terrain rides require a GPS unit in order to follow the route.  Cue sheets don't work for offroad riding.

1. Guided Group:  We've got the RHQ leaders ready to take groups of about 10 riders through the endless twists and turns of the Honey 100.  You'll get to roll with and meet, new riders while not worrying about when the next turn is.  New friends, guided trails, and rider support.  What's better than that?

2. Indy:  You ride solo and depart at your convenience.  You're sure to see other Honey Riders out on the trails and you can join them or continue your solo ride.  Your pace, your internal conversation, your freedom.  That's the ride we look forward to.  This category requires that you have a GPS unit; see details below.

3. Team:  A group of 3-8 riders that you put together.  At least two of your team have GPS units; see details below.  You depart at any time between 12:30 and 1:30 pm.  You ride at whatever pace you desire.  You, your friends, whizzing through the trails with unexpected turns; what could be more fun?

Estimated Time for Pace Categories

One situation we find with mixed terrain routes is that the ride takes longer than most riders expect.  It's good to plan for 1,000 turns, mechanicals, a flat or two, time for the food stop, and a moment or two to simply enjoy the trails. Here's the typical time it takes to complete each of the routes:

• 50 km:  3 to 4.5 hours

• 100 km:  6 to 9 hours

Riding Pace Categories

Determining true average pace on mixed-terrain rides is challenging.  Our experience shows that people tend to think they're riding a lot faster than GPS indicates.  There are a number of contributing factors to this speed-dilation:

• Most riders don't track their actual time when riding in the woods so it's challenging to have a true sense of trail speed.  Road speed is always a lot faster, typically about 2-3 times faster than trail riding.

• Even if you tend to average 18 mph on a typical road ride, that pace on a 33-40mm knobby tire is really fast.  Knobbies slow you down.  Depending on tire pressure, the loss of speed is generally somewhere around 2-4 mph of road pace.

• Being fast on the road doesn't mean you're fast in the woods.  And, of course, the opposite is true.  If you're a 23 mph road rider but not particularly skilled off-road, you might average 5 mph in the woods.  That average brings you into the moderate pace group; you may feel that the moderate group pace is slow on the road but it'll be pressuring you on the trails.

• Weather conditions, trail conditions, altitude changes all impact the true pace.

• Ride leaders each have different strengths and weaknesses.  They're also trying to navigate 1,000 turns while keeping track of ten riders; they're doing a difficult job so help them out.

• Group participants all have different strengths; we move at the pace of the slowest rider - we leave no one behind in any group.

To help address all the variances, the Honey 100 Ride offers three paces for the guided group rides - and two categories where you choose whatever pace you prefer.  Make sure you choose the group pace that is truest for you.  If you're in a group that's moving faster than your average, that will be frustrating for everyone.  If you're in a group that's too slow for you, you'll be frustrated.  

If you want to be pushing the pace, or you're the type to get frustrated if the pace is slower or faster than ideal, we suggest putting together a team of 3-8 with friends that you know ride at your pace.  Or, register for the self-led option and ride at your ideal pace throughout the ride.  You'll certainly see plenty of friendly faces out there and a support stop along the route.

Remember that the Honey 100 is a fun ride first; choose the category, pace, and distance that will ensure you have the most fun.

Here is the pacing we plan to provide - weather conditions and ride navigator variances may impact the true pace slightly:

• Fast:  14 mph average.  About 18 mph on the road and about 10 mph in the woods.

• Moderate:  11 mph average.  About 16 mph on the road and about 8 mph in the woods.

• Fun:  8 mph average.  About 14 mph on the road and about 5 mph in the woods.

​The Route

We offer two routes:  100 km and 50 km routes.

We’ve got some great trails and roads in store for you.  Ride Headquarters will email the route on the night before the ride.  Both routes are about 50:50 road and off-pavement in terms of distance, not time.

We're riding through every type of terrain available, in something along the following ratios.  We've included the 'ideal bike' as a way of explaining that no bike is perfect - that's part of the point of an adventure ride.

• Pavement:  ~50%.  Any road bike would be great; 23-25c tires.

• Dirt roads and fire roads:  ~12%.  Tires in the 28-30c range will be appreciated; filetreads or knobbies might be good for some rides.

• Singletrack, well-groomed:  ~33%.  A 40mm knobby or even a full mountain bike tire might be perfect for good singletrack.

• Singletrack, primitive - "goat trails" with roots and rocks in abundance:  ~5%.  Most riders will be wondering why they didn't ride their mountain bike.  Any section that's this challenging is worth it because it means there's something great on the other side of the sector.

• Hike-a-Bike:  One or two moments where you might find walking faster than riding.  It is truly a moment or two during the ride.  For these sectors you'll want to leave your bike at home.

The Ideal Bike

This is always a very personal choice based on your abilities, your bike stable, and the weather.  We mention bike choice in the Route section of these notes above.

• Tires:  Most riders will be happiest on knobby 33mm to 40mm tires.  Probably nothing wider than 45mm otherwise the roads are likely to feel rather slow.

• Gearing:  We strongly recommend a low gear of about 1:1 ratio.  A 34-tooth small front ring mated with a 32-tooth large rear cog will get you up most of the hills.  There is not a lot of climbing on any of the Honey 100 routes, but the climbs can be short and steep at times.  

• Tire Pressure:  Don’t ride tires too soft; you don’t want to get a flat on this ride, and there are paved sections that will go faster with more tire pressure.  For tires between 33-45mm, we tend to ride at 66-75% of the tire's rated maximum pressure.

• Clipless mountain bike pedals:  This ride isn't for everyone; we ride at a fair pace and aren't stopping a lot.  You have to ride clipless mountain pedals and shoes;  the reasons for this are many, including that clipless pedals provide you more control of your bike, help facilitate getting over obstacles such as logs and rocks, and make bike handling more surefooted.

---

Honey Allroads

The Honey Allroads bike is the perfect bike for the Honey Moon 100. This bike is designed to ride on all road conditions – paved, broken, carriage trails, and even well worn single track.  We call this the mixed-terrain adventure bike.  Take it anywhere to do anything. Order today to have for the Honey Moon 100!

---

Team Rules

• Must have a Group of 3-8 riders.

• Email us your team name and list of team members.

• Each member registers individually; include your team name.

• We will assign you a starting block time; if you have a preferred start time window, email us.

• Your team must have at least two GPS Units like Garmin 800s or higher or a Wahoo Element.  We strongly recommend having more than two GPS units.  We are not printing cue sheets for this mixed-terrain ride.  You've fully charged your Garmin and you've loaded the route.

• GPS unit battery life of 14-hours.  You have to have a battery backup that will get you through 14 hours of ride time.  Yes, we know you'll ride a lot faster than that, but if you have a mechanical, decide to relax at one of the food stops, or anything else happens, time goes by very quickly.

• At least two people on your team ride with a comprehensive repair kit that's suited for all-day solo mixed-terrain riding.

Indy Ride Rules

• GPS Unit like Garmin 800 or higher or a Wahoo Element.  We are not printing cue sheets for this mixed-terrain ride.  You've fully charged your Garmin and you've loaded the route.

• GPS unit battery life of 14-hours.  You have to have a battery backup that will get you through 14 hours of ride time.  Yes, we know you'll ride a lot faster than that, but if you have a mechanical, decide to relax at one of the food stops, or anything else happens, time goes by very quickly.

Honey 100 Rules

• Follow good trail etiquette.

• Follow the rules of the road.

• If a rider asks for help, help.

• You represent all cyclists so be on your best behavior.

• This is not a race; this is an adventure.  If you're not up for having fun with us, stay home.

• Bring a repair kit that includes, at a minimum, everything for fixing a flat and a multitool that can help fix most mechanicals.  Here's our recommendation for a long mixed-terrain ride.

• Bring a helmet, I.D., and clipless mountain bike pedals and shoes.

• Fill out the Ride Headquarters Ride Waiver online.

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

Ride Headquarters Contact Information:  Email RHQ or call:  413-461-RIDE (413-461-7433).

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

Email us if you have any questions.  We hope you'll join us on the Honey 100!

Stay tuned for more details.  In the meantime, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for ongoing updates.  #honey100 #rideheadquarters

Adventure 500 Rides Series 2019

2019 Adventure 500 Ride Series

Table of Contents -- Quick Links

• Calendar of Rides
• Ride Details
• RSVP
• Sponsor

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA and Ride Headquarters -- depending on the start date. See details below.

• Ride Type: Road Ride Adventures, 100 miles and further

• Date & Time: 5 Dates spanning the spring, summer, and fall

• Distance: 100-120 miles -- each route in the series is different. Details below.

• Price: Free, RSVP required

Five long road rides.  500+ miles.  Some dirt.  All adventure.

Description:  The Adventure 500 Series is comprised of one century-plus ride each month beginning in May.  The average pace is 16 mph for one group, and about 17-18 mph for a second group. If we have more participation, we'll break up into more groups with about 10 people per group.

Calendar for the Adventure 500 Series

1. Done - May 18: Saturday, 8:00 am departure from Ride Headquarters. About 110 miles.

2. Done - June 15: Saturday, 8:00 am departure. About 110 miles. Start Location: Ride Studio Cafe

3. Done - July 27: Saturday, 6:30 am departure. About 110 miles. Start Location: Ride Studio Cafe

4. Done - August 24: Saturday, 6:30 am departure. About 115 miles. Start Location: Ride Studio Cafe

5. Done - Mini Adventure 500: Saturday, September 28. 9:30am departure. 100k with 20% dirt roads. Begins & ends at Ride Headquarters. One guided group of 16-17mph offered, riders wanting a faster/slower pace should load the route on their GPS computers. Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/31205750

6. Coming up! October 19, 7am departure. Doors open at 6:30am. Start Location: Ride Headquarters

Series Details

Proper Bike for this ride:  25-30mm road slick tires, clipless pedals, drop handlebars; no aero bars. 

Routes: Usually 100-120 miles total. Destination: We send route information and specifics to people who RSVP. Some of the fun of an adventure ride is the mystery of the destination.

Ride Notes:  There are plenty of stops planned for each route.  There will be some dirt on every ride of the series -- somewhere between 10 and 30% dirt.  There are some rough sections of road and there is a possibility of a small amount of dirt road/construction work.

Estimated time:  About 8 to 12 hours depending on the time of year, the weather, and pace of the group.

Last Minute Information:  We email everyone who has RSVP’d with last minute information and updates.

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

Phone for Ride Studio Cafe - (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:  The hosting bike shop requires a signed waiver before your first ride. If the ride you’re doing leaves from Ride Studio Cafe, fill this out online prior to your first ride.

If the ride you’re doing leaves from Ride Headquarters, fill this out online prior to your first ride.

---

Sponsor

Honey Bikes is sponsoring the Adventure 500 series!

If you RSVP for the Adventure 500 Series: You will receive a voucher from Honey Bikes for $350 off a titanium Honey Bike that is ordered before the second Adventure 500 ride. Please email us at connect@rideheadquarters.com to request the voucher and schedule time to discuss the bikes and options.  

Two bikes Honey offers that are particularly appropriate for the Adventure 500 series are:

The Honey MidDurance titanium bike. This is a rim-brake bike with clearance for 33mm tires, and fender/rack mounts. This is a performance, endurance bike.

The Honey Allroads titanium bike also is very much into road riding and mixed terrain trail riding. It is outfitted with disc brakes, rack/fender mounts, and is built for all-weather, all-year riding. It fits 43mm tires in frame and fork on 700c wheels, along with 50mm tires on 650B wheels.

Ask us for details!

RSVP so We Know to Expect You!

Note: RSVPs are required at least 24 hours prior to the start of the ride(s) to allow us to organize the rides most effectively. This also allows you to be eligible for the offers tied to this series, as well.

The Gravel Ride

• Location: Ride Headquarters in Sherborn, MA

• Ride Type: Gravel and mixed terrain

• Time & Date: Departs at 12:00pm on select Saturdays - next one: June 22

• Distance: ~10-13 miles, equating to approximately 2 hours

• Price: Free

• Sponsored by Honey Bikes! Demo a Honey Allroads on this ride!

Description: The Gravel Ride takes cyclists all over Sherborn and beyond. The ride takes advantage of local trails, dirt roads, grassy areas, and other places off the beaten path.  

The point of this ride is to allow experienced road cyclists an entry into the wonderful world of gravel riding without concern for pace, technical ability, or equipment challenges. This is a “safe” ride to ask questions, learn how to feel confident on dirt and on trails, and meet others who are getting into the awesome world of gravel riding, also!

This ride is led by an experienced gravel cyclist who has been riding gravel and dirt long before “gravel” cycling was a thing. The leader will take it easy, explain how to navigate trails, rocks, roots, and allow everyone to ride at a comfortable pace. The route that the leader chooses will ensure riders return in 2 hours regardless of the pace.

Questions about joining in? Please email us at connect@rideheadquarters.com.

If the ride is canceled or changed in any way, we post by 8am on our Twitter feed.

And read the Rules and be sure to sign the waiver online prior to Sunday!

Ideal Bike for this Ride The perfect bike for this ride is: Honey Allroads Titanium The highest value gravel bike on the market, the Honey Allroads is lightweight, durable, very responsive, and takes care of the comfort of its rider. Available in-stock for demo or immediate purchase. Comes in 12 sizes and offered with a variety of component packages such as Shimano Ultegra, SRAM Rival 1, and SRAM AXS wireless - hydraulic brakes or cable-actuated. Learn why the Honey Allroads is the best bike to join you on your journey into the wonderfully fun world of gravel riding!

Dates: This ride runs when we don’t have an Adventure 500 ride offered or another special event ride.

June 22 - Next date for the ride. RSVPs are required - email connect@rideheadquarters.com

Route:  The leader chooses the route for the weather and will alter the route based on attendance. No need to come with the route as this is a no-drop ride.

Ride Notes: Don’t have a bike appropriate for this ride? Demo one of our bikes! Email us in advance so we can get it set up for you.

Pace: On road sections, expect a 15-16mph pace. On trails, we ride so that we stay together and learn while having a great time riding!

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

Estimated time: 2 hours

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

Proper Bike for this ride:  

• A drop-bar bike with 32-40mm knobby tires. If you want to ride a mountain bike with flat bar, just be prepared for the speed on road sections.

• 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.

• A bike that’s in safe working order.

• Higher tire pressure. We recommend about 80% to 90% of maximum rated tire pressure on your tires, 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 rides.  One of the primary reasons for this is due to higher than average tire pressure.

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

When we ride

• When the trails are dry and won’t be impacted by us riding them.

• When we have a ride leader as this ride is ride leader dependent.

• NOT when it’s raining or when there are hurricane-force winds. Otherwise, weather doesn’t stop us.

• 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.

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 ride!

Saturday Horizon Chasers 2019

• Location: Ride Studio Cafe in Lexington, MA

• Ride Type: Road Ride

• Date & Time: Every Saturday at 8:45 am. Ridden from March 29 through the end of October 2019.

• Distance: 61 Miles; varies with the season and weather

• Price: Free

Description:  The Horizon Chasers is the Studio's longest weekly ride.  The average pace is 17.5 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: The route takes riders to Ride Headquarters to enjoy hot coffee, fresh water, cold drinks in the fridge, ice cream in the freezer, a few moments of rest before returning to Ride Studio. RideWithGPS link: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/27470897

There is an ADDITIONAL ride option for all interested: each Saturday, Ride Headquarters is hosting a 36-mile ride starting at 11am. The way timing works out, if you want to ride down with Ride Studio, then join on the Ride Headquarters ride, then return at the end of this ride, you are welcome to do this. That's one great way to get a really long ride in one day and have it all include nice people on fun group rides! 

Ride Notes:  All paved. Food stop is at mile 32, Ride Headquarters. 

Estimated time:  About 3-5 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.