Sunday Snow Ride

• Location: Start and end in Leominster, MA

• Ride Type:  SNOW Mixed Terrain Ride for fat bikes with studded tires

• Date & Time:  Sunday, March 5, 2023, 9:00am start

• Distance:  2-2.5 hours total (it’s twisty so probably not more than ~10 miles)

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

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

Details

This trail snow ride takes cyclists on the trails of Leominster State Forest. The plan to go to Leominster is tentative until we know that the trails have been groomed considering the amount of snow that will fall on Saturday.

There is ice on the ground, thus studded tires are required.

Pace

If you can maintain a 14mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 3+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much much less than this (probably more like 4 mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, new snow conditions, twisty trails, etc. We’ll regroup periodically.

Start Time

8:55am - Be ready to ride! Stay in your car if you’re ready early if it’s cold enough to freeze you before the ride starts.

9:00am - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out

If the roads aren’t safe to drive, we encourage you to not be on the road.

Distance & Estimated Ride Time

The ride is probably ~10 miles in length.

Allow 2-2.5 hours for the ride.

Parking

Parking is free and ample at the Leominster trail head, we’ll share the exact location with all who RSVP by 7pm the night before the ride.

Route

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

Route Notes

The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will not be that cold out, so it’s going to be easy to overheat if you overdress (overheating leads to freezing). Wear enough layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then not overheat. Bring chemical hand & foot warmers if your gloves/boots are thin.

Any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider needs to walk out to the car and the group will need to proceed or else everyone could be at risk with the cold. Please understand that the group will need to continue moving.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy a hot cocoa or talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. We’ll make hot chocolates for anyone who wants one and be there at the big, red van.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.

CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.

Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.

Riding Rules

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.

Waiver

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

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• STUDDED 3.5” knobby tires OR BIGGER.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see fat bikes at this ride considering the snow conditions. It is possible a mountain bike with studded tires will be okay out there too, hard to know until we’re rolling!

• Clipless pedals and shoes.  These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats on a mixed terrain ride. You can possibly get away with road pedals/cleats on a gravel (dirt road) ride, but not a mixed terrain ride.

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

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:

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

  • You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.

• Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.

RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!

Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.

Saturday New Snow Ride

• Location: Start and end in Medfield, MA

• Ride Type:  SNOW Mixed Terrain Ride for fat bikes with studded tires

• Date & Time:  Saturday, March 4, 2023, 9:00am start

• Distance:  15 miles, ~3 hours

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

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

Details

This mixed-terrain NEW SNOW ride takes cyclists to trails, back roads, and paths for a total of ~15 miles. We’re aiming for a 3-hour ride and will adjust the route appropriately on the fly if necessary.

There is ice on the ground, thus studded tires are required.

Pace

If you can maintain a 14mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 3+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much much less than 14mph (probably more like 4 mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, new snow conditions, etc.

Start Time

8:55am - Be ready to ride! Stay in your car if you’re ready early if it’s cold enough to freeze you before the ride starts.

9:00am - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out

If the roads aren’t safe to drive, we encourage you to not be on the road.

Distance & Estimated Ride Time

The ride is 15 miles in length.

Allow ~3 hours for the ride.

Parking

Parking is free and ample in Medfield, we’ll share the exact location with all who RSVP by 7pm the night before the ride.

Route

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

Route Notes

The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will not be that cold out, so it’s going to be easy to overheat if you overdress (overheating leads to freezing). Wear enough layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then not overheat. Bring chemical hand & foot warmers if your gloves/boots are thin.

Any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider needs to call for a ride (Uber/Lyft/friend) and the group will need to proceed or else everyone could be at risk with the cold. Please understand that the group will need to continue moving and be ready for any issues with all of the right tools/tube and phone to call for a ride if necessary.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy a hot cocoa or talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. We’ll make hot chocolates for anyone who wants one and be there at the big, red van.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.

CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.

Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.

Riding Rules

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.

Waiver

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

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• STUDDED 3.5” knobby tires OR BIGGER.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see fat bikes at this ride considering the snow conditions. It is possible a mountain bike with studded tires will be okay out there too, hard to know until we’re rolling!

• Clipless pedals and shoes.  These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats on a mixed terrain ride. You can possibly get away with road pedals/cleats on a gravel (dirt road) ride, but not a mixed terrain ride.

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

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:

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

  • You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.

• Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.

RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!

Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.

Wednesday Early Morning Mtb/Fat Ride - March 1

• Location: Start and end at Cutler Park in Needham, MA

• Ride Type:  Snow ride for fat and mountain bikes with studded tires

• Date & Time:  Wednesday, March 1 at 6am

• Distance:  ~10 miles. The distance will be adjusted so that the ride is over by 8am if the pace is off.

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

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

Details

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the group. We’ll ride fast enough to stay warm but not fast since it’s snowy and icy. If you have fitness such that you’re capable of riding a steady 14mph on a road ride for 2 hours, you’ll have the fitness necessary to join in on this ride. No one will be dropped as long as you’ve met the minimum requirements set forth on this page.

Distance

The ride is ~10 miles in length.

Parking

Cutler Park

84 Kendrick St. Needham, MA 02494

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 5pm the day before the ride.

Estimated Ride Time

No more than 2 hours. We’ll try to get everyone back slightly before 8am, but not too much before that!

Route Notes

This is mostly a trail ride, but there are some roads and parking lot cut throughs as well. Expect to see snow and ice on the route.

After the Ride

Everyone needs to get to work or start their day. We’ll stick around with anyone who would like to discuss bikes or any bike shop business.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.

CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.

Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.

Riding Rules

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.

Waiver

New England Expedition Riders (NEER) requires a signed waiver before your first ride. This was implemented in December of 2022 (VERY RECENTLY). Please fill it out prior to your first ride.

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• 2.25” studded tires minimum.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. This is a mountain bike area so mtb/fat bikes are best served regardless.

• There is ice out there so studded tires are required. No studs, no ride.

• Mountain bike clipless pedals and shoes or platform pedals with appropriate shoes.

• Proper Apparel: Appropriate hat, gloves, jacket(s), tights/pants, and boots for the weather. It’s always a good idea to have a pack of chemical hand warmers in case your hands get cold, since this helps heat them quickly.

• Front and rear lights that will last the duration of the ride and WILL NOT blind your riding friends. Eye-piercing rear lights (look into it, does it hurt your eyes?) should be pointed downward or replaced with non-eye-piercing bright lights. All rear lights should be set on steady, not blinking.

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

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:

  • We want to minimize flats on the ride; waiting for someone to change flats is not why we ride.  We typically see zero flats on our rides.

  • You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.

• Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.

RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!

Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.

Saturday Winter Warmth Mixed Terrain Ride

• Location: Start and end in Concord Center, MA

• Ride Type:  SNOW Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes with studded tires

• Date & Time:  Saturday, February 25, 2023, 12:00pm start

• Distance:  13 miles

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

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

Details

This mixed-terrain ride takes cyclists to trails, back roads, and paths for a total of 13 miles.

The route is a mixed terrain route so any gravel bike with ~40mm tires is suited for the terrain. However, note the temperature. Fatter tires will roll more slowly offering the rider the gift of a warmer experience.

Based on the weather forecast, it is likely there will be ice, thus studded tires are required.

Pace

We’ll split people into groups based on bikes and speeds that are likely to result. We expect to see bikes ranging from gravel to fat bikes on this ride.

If you can maintain a 14mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 3+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much less than 14mph (probably more like 6-7mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, conditions, etc people will be riding.

Start Time

11:55am - Be ready to ride! Stay in your car if you’re ready early if it’s cold enough to freeze you before the ride starts.

12pm - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out

Please arrive early enough to be ready to ride at 12pm promptly. With the cold weather, we can’t ask everyone to stand around to wait on a late arrival.

Distance & Estimated Ride Time

The ride is 13 miles in length.

Allow ~2 hours for the ride. If you want a longer ride, start elsewhere and ride to the ride!

Parking

Parking is free and ample here:

Public lot off of Keyes Rd., Concord, MA

Link: https://goo.gl/maps/jjS2uBcjU68GneDv7

Route

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

Route Notes

A mixed terrain ride is rougher than a “gravel” ride on the dirt sections. There is no pressure to ride anything you would prefer to walk.

The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will be quite cold to start. Wear enough layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then not overheat. Be sure to have chemical hand & foot warmers if your gloves/boots are thin.

Because of the cold, any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider needs to call for a ride (Uber/Lyft/friend) and the group will need to proceed or else everyone could be at risk with the cold. Please understand that the group will need to continue moving and be ready for any issues with all of the right tools/tube and phone to call for a ride if necessary.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy a hot cocoa or talk about bikes after the ride is welcome to do so. We’ll make hot chocolates for anyone who wants one and be there at the big, red van.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.

CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.

Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.

Riding Rules

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.

Waiver

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

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• STUDDED 38mm knobby tires OR BIGGER.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and fat bikes at this ride.

• Clipless pedals and shoes.  These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats on a mixed terrain ride. You can possibly get away with road pedals/cleats on a gravel (dirt road) ride, but not a mixed terrain ride.

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

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:

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

  • You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.

• Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.

RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!

Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.

Franklin Falls Fat Bike Ride on Snow, Saturday, February 11

Despite the skinnier tires shown here, this is a ride specifically for fat bikes and wider than 3.5” tires.

• Location: Franklin Falls, NH

• Ride Type:  Fat bike Snow Ride

• Date & Time:  Saturday, February 11 at 9am

• Distance:  ~3-4 hours of riding, 2x routes with lots of trail options to be sure everyone gets the distance and ride everyone wants

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

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

Details

We’re offering this fat bike ride to enjoy the snow together as close to Boston as we can get while also having decent snow conditions.

PLEASE be aware that if we’re told the trails aren’t appropriate to ride Friday night, we’ll need to change locations or cancel the ride. With warm temps and variable conditions, we can’t say for 100% sure this ride is on until we’re there riding. You know us, though, we’ll do everything possible to get our fat tires on snow this Saturday!!!

We have a designated Super Domestique joining in at an endurance pace. We’re likely to split into two groups for those who want to go faster and those who want a more zone 2/3 ride depending on fitness levels. Franklin Falls is a great area to ride, there will probably be others out there riding and you’re never too far from the car.

Distance

We have 2 routes for this area, one is 7 miles in length the other is 8 miles in length. Will share these with those who RSVP via email 7pm the evening before the ride.

Parking

Parking is free here: Federal Dam Access Rd, Franklin, NH 03235

Route

The route(s) will be emailed to all who RSVP.

Estimated Ride Time

~3-4 hours total including stops so minimum ride time is 3 hours.

Route Notes & How this ride is different from our usual rides

We’ll discuss these with you prior to rollout. Since we’re in a specific contained area with groomed trails and without roads, we’ll be a little more relaxed about pacing. The Super Domestique will be riding a consistent, chatty, endurance pace for anyone who wants to ride with people if the pace up front gets spicy. Please come with the routes loaded on your GPS computer.

After the Ride

We will go somewhere local to enjoy lunch together and some social time. We’ll include details about this in the email that is sent out to all who RSVP by 7pm the evening before.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.

CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.

Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.

Riding Rules

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.

Waiver

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

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

Proper bike & Required Equipment

• 3.8” minimum tire size.  Wider tires are nicer!

• Studded Tires. We expect to see ice out there due to the many freeze/thaw cycles. We also can’t predict exact conditions so ride your studded tires for safety.

• A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. We’ll ask you to call for a ride or take an Uber home if you have a mechanical situation.

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:

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

  • You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.

• Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.

RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!

Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.

Sunday Road Ride, Concord, MA with a later start

• Location: Start and end in Concord Center, MA

• Ride Type:  Road ride, all pavement

• Date & Time:  Sunday, February 5, 12pm start time

• Distance:  30 miles

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

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

Details

This road ride takes riders from Concord south to Weston, up through Water Row, and back to Concord. We ride steady for good endurance and quality base miles this time of year. Most of the roads are very low traffic and offer fun flow for road cycling.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a ~14mph endurance pace. We’ll split the group so faster riders can ride faster together.

Distance

The ride is 30 miles in length.

Parking

Parking is free and ample here:

Public lot off of Keyes Rd., Concord, MA

Link: https://goo.gl/maps/jjS2uBcjU68GneDv7

Route

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41917017

All riders should load the ride on a GPS computer so everyone knows where we’re going and it makes splitting into groups easier.

Estimated Ride Time

~2-3 hours depending on your pace

Please be ready to roll at 11:55am. We do a safety talk, then roll just after 12pm.

Route Notes

The route is all paved. There will not be a water or snack stop since it’s only 30 miles in length.

After the Ride

We will make hot chocolates for anyone who wants a warm drink at the end. If you’d like to visit a nearby cafe for food, coffee and social time, you’re more than welcome to do that & we may join you!

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.

CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.

Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.

Riding Rules

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.

Waiver

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

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• Bring your road bike with whatever size tires you enjoy riding that will allow you to keep pace with the group. A gravel bike with gravel tires is acceptable.

• If the roads wet/messy, please mount a rear full-coverage fender. If you don’t have one, expect to ride at the back!

• Clipless pedals and shoes.  These are important elements of bike control. Since we are riding near to each other on the road, platform pedals don’t offer necessary bike control for this kind of riding.

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

• Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.

RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!

Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.

Saturday Winter Warmth Mixed Terrain Ride

• Location: Start and end at Revolution Hall near Bedford, MA

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

• Date & Time:  Saturday, February 4, 2023

• Distance:  35 miles

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

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

Details

This mixed-terrain ride takes cyclists to many back roads, plenty of dirt paths and non-technical single-track trails for a total of 35 miles.

The route is a mixed terrain route so any gravel bike with ~40mm tires is suited for the terrain.

There is likely a little ice out there, but it’s all avoidable by riding around it or walking over it in an instance or two where that might be helpful. Studded tires are not required for this ride.

Pace

We’ll split people into groups based on bikes and speeds that are likely to result. We expect to see bikes ranging from gravel to fat bikes on this ride. Note that the fatter your tires, the warmer you’ll be at the same level of exertion!

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a steady endurance pace. The Super Domestique will be riding a mountain bike. If you can maintain a 14mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 3+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much less than 14mph (probably more like 7mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, etc people will be riding.

Distance & Estimated Ride Time

The ride is 35 miles in length. There is a coffee/food/water stop at mile 24. This could take 15 mins depending on rider needs.

Allow 4 hours for the ride. Faster riders will probably be back earlier!

Parking

Across the street from Revolution Hall. DO NOT park in the Revolution Hall parking lot.

Address for your GPS: 10 Maguire Rd., Lexington, MA

Exact spot to park: https://goo.gl/maps/DXJyjgRdjp6BCqcA8

Route

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

Route Notes

A mixed terrain ride is rougher than a “gravel” ride on the dirt sections. There may be a few boardwalks, they are of average width and the weather predicts everything will be dry. There is no pressure to ride anything you would prefer to walk.

The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will be quite cold to start. Wear enough layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then not overheat. Be sure to have chemical hand & foot warmers if your gloves/boots are thin.

Because of the cold, any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider needs to call for a ride (Uber/Lyft/friend) and the group will need to proceed or else everyone could be at risk with the cold. Please understand that the group will need to continue moving and be ready for any issues with all of the right tools/tube and phone to call for a ride if necessary.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy a drink or hot food at Revolution Hall is invited to hang out and enjoy social time together! The ride leader will stick around for awhile post-ride.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.

CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.

Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.

Riding Rules

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.

Waiver

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

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• 35mm knobby tires minimum.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see gravel bikes, mountain bikes, and fat bikes at this ride.

• Clipless pedals and shoes.  These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats on a mixed terrain ride. You can possibly get away with road pedals/cleats on a gravel (dirt road) ride, but not a mixed terrain ride.

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

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:

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

  • You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.

• Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.

RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!

Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.

Horizon Chasers Road Ride, Concord, MA Start

• Location: Start and end in Concord Center, MA

• Ride Type:  Road ride, all pavement

• Date & Time:  Saturday, January 28, 9am start time

• Distance:  48 miles

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

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

Details

This road ride takes riders from Concord to Harvard. We ride steady for good endurance and quality base miles this time of year. Most of the roads are very low traffic and offer fun flow for road cycling.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a ~15-16 mph endurance pace. We’ll split the group so faster riders can ride faster together.

Distance

The ride is 48 miles in length.

Parking

Parking is free and ample here:

Public lot off of Keyes Rd., Concord, MA

Link: https://goo.gl/maps/jjS2uBcjU68GneDv7

Route

The route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41869093

All riders should load the ride on a GPS computer so everyone knows where we’re going and it makes splitting into groups easier.

Estimated Ride Time

~3-4 hours depending on your pace and the time the group takes at food/bathroom stop at mile 31.

Please be ready to roll at 8:55am. We do a safety talk, then roll just after 9am.

Route Notes

The route is all paved. There will be a quick food/water replenishing stop at mile 31. Bring money for food if desired.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy food/drink at a nearby cafe is encouraged to hang out! The Super Domestique and red van will need to leave promptly after returning to the parking lot.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.

CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.

Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.

Riding Rules

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.

Waiver

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

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• Bring your road bike with whatever size tires you enjoy riding that will allow you to keep pace with the group. A gravel bike is acceptable.

• If the roads wet/messy, please mount a rear full-coverage fender. If you don’t have one, expect to ride at the back!

• Clipless pedals and shoes.  These are important elements of bike control. Since we are riding near to each other on the road, platform pedals don’t offer necessary bike control for this kind of riding.

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

• Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.

RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!

Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.

Wednesday Evening Snow Ride

• Location: Start and end in Waltham

• Ride Type:  Snow ride for fat and mountain bikes with studded tires

• Date & Time:  Wednesday, January 25 at 7pm

• Distance:  ~10 miles

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

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

Details

This is a late-breaking snow ride since we have snow and more snow is predicted for Wednesday evening. Let’s ride when the opportunity presents itself!

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the group. We’ll ride fast enough to stay warm but not fast since it’s snowy and icy. If you have fitness such that you’re capable of riding a steady 14mph on a road ride for 2 hours, you’ll have the fitness necessary to join in on this ride. No one will be dropped as long as you’ve met the minimum requirements set forth on this page.

Distance

The ride is ~10 miles in length.

Parking

Elsie Turner Park

421 Trapelo Road, Waltham, MA 02452

Parking is free and ample and usually available during snow emergencies here.

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 5pm the day of the ride.

Estimated Ride Time

~2 hours depending on the snow conditions

Route Notes

We discuss these with you prior to rollout. This route was developed for snow riding.

After the Ride

We will serve hot cocoa at the end to whoever is sticking around to enjoy it! We’ll have hot water, too, so if you prefer to bring a tea bag or other drink that you can heat up with hot water, feel free to bring it.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).

Contact Information

Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.

CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.

Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.

Riding Rules

All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.

Waiver

New England Expedition Riders (NEER) requires a signed waiver before your first ride. This was implemented in December of 2022 (VERY RECENTLY). Please fill it out prior to your first ride.

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

Proper bike & Equipment

• 3” studded tires minimum.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. You’re welcome to try your narrower studded mountain and gravel studded tires out on this ride. However, if you can’t keep up with the group, you’ll be on your own. Fat bikes are likely the best suited for these conditions, but it’s hard to know for sure until we’re out there riding.

• There is ice out there so studded tires are required. No studs, no ride.

• Mountain bike clipless pedals and shoes or platform pedals with appropriate shoes.

• Proper Apparel: Appropriate hat, gloves, jacket(s), tights/pants, and boots for the weather. It’s always a good idea to have a pack of chemical hand warmers in case your hands get cold, since this helps heat them quickly.

• Front and rear lights that will last at least 2 hours and WILL NOT blind your riding friends. Eye-piercing rear lights (look into it, does it hurt your eyes?) should be pointed downward or replaced with non-eye-piercing bright lights. All rear lights should be set on steady, not blinking.

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

• High enough tire pressure to prevent pinch flatting and burping your tires.  We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:

  • We want to minimize flats on the ride; waiting for someone to change flats is not why we ride.  We typically see zero flats on our rides.

  • You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.

• Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers, a multi-tool, quick chain links, tubes, CO2 or hand pump, etc. You are responsible for you and your bike.

RSVP to Participate in this Ride Now!

Please RSVP only after you’ve made sure you can attend. It is inconsiderate to RSVP prior to committing to attending since it affects the experience of the other cyclists in attendance. We understand that things come up last-minute. Be sure to email us if you can’t attend: connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.