Secret South Shore - 88 Miles of Special Roads

• Location: Start and end in the South Shore, MA

• Ride Type:  Road ride, all pavement, flat-ish

• Date & Time:  Sunday, August 27, 8am start

• Distance:  88 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 beautiful day on the bike in some lovely areas starting in Plymouth, MA and visits towns of Carver, Rochester, Mattapoisett, Marion, Wareham throughout the day!

Special thanks to NEER member, Peter B, who has prepared this route and shared details of food stops and parking for us to enjoy!

We have a designated Super Domestique leading one group to depart which will be rolling at a ~16-18 mph average conversational, endurance pace. This route is flatter than usual so it will be easier to maintain a higher average than what we typically average for the led group on our usual rides. If you have questions about the pace, please email us in advance.

We’ll split the group so faster riders can ride faster together and not-so-fast can be together too. If you want to take it a little easier, that’s fine, come prepared with the route and the understanding that you might be riding solo at some point.

Distance

The ride is 88 miles in length.

Parking

Address for your GPS to get to parking: 127 Camelot Drive, Plymouth, MA

Riders should park along the dirt road that circles behind the Indie Ferm parking lot.  See yellow line on the map.  Park on the section of yellow closest to Indie Firm.

Route

The route will be shared with all who RSVP.

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

~6-7 hours depending on your pace and the time the group takes at the food/bathroom stops.

Route Notes and Food Stops

• Mile 40.7  Mattapoisett Harbor - rest rooms and water available

• Mile 48.2  Cap'n Bonney’s Ice Cream

• Mile 72.8  Convenience store with all the usual stuff.  We’ll cross a busy road to get there.

To shorten the ride - There is a bail out option at mile 52.7: skip the wonderful jaunt out to the end of Point Road, and save about 12 miles.

After the Ride

Feel free to enjoy social time and drinks with us and other riders at Indie Ferm (where we are parking so it’s right there)!

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news if there is any.

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

We require 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.

Sunday Morning Mountain Bike Ride

• Location: Start and end at Callahan State Park

• Ride Type:  Mountain Bike Ride

• Date & Time:  Sunday, August 13 at 9am

• Distance:  2.5-3 hours total ride time

• 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. The purpose of this ride is to enjoy fun mountain bike riding on a summer day. The pace will be moderate, with frequent regroups if there’s anything that’s technical, we’ll let people get through it and then keep moving.

Distance

However far we ride in 2.5-3 hours time

Parking

Parking is ample and free in this lot:

Callahan State Park, Edmands Rd lot

Route

Will be emailed to all who RSVP.

Estimated Ride Time

2.5-3 hours. We will be done before 12pm.

Route Notes

None at this time.

After the Ride

There will be a lot of bikes available for demo riding if you’d like to take out a demo bike, please let us know so we have bikes lined up and ready to go!

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 up until 10pm the night before 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. 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

• Mountain bike with 2” tires or wider are the most common on this ride.

• Clip-in pedals: This is an important element of bike control. If you’re very experienced with platform pedals, these are okay.

• If it’s dark out: 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.

• 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 Afternoon Mixed Terrain Clinic for Gravel Riders who are NEW to Mixed Terrain

• Location: Start and end in the Middlesex Fells, MA

• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain Clinic

• Date & Time:  Saturday, August 26 at 4:00pm (note this time changed to accommodate our instructor)

• Distance:  N/A, it’s 2 hours of getting comfortable on mixed terrain with some riding to various parts of the trails

• 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

• Registration will be capped at ~16 people unless we end up with more instructors (we have 2 right now). Will close registration and open a waitlist if we hit the maximum.

Details

We are hosting this session to help those of you who have a gravel bike graduate from gravel riding into mixed terrain riding comfortably! Mixed terrain is more technical than gravel riding, but it’s not that hard once you get the basics down. This is intended to be a fun time with others who are new to mixed terrain with an instructor who will offer guidance and advice on everything from tire pressure and how to ride over rocks and roots, to what to bring for mechanicals and how to manage basic gravel/mixed terrain mechanicals too. This session is for everyone of all adult ages who are nervous about mixed terrain riding.

Distance

We’ll take on various types of trails and surfaces by riding to them, the total distance won’t be that much. Be sure to bring plenty of hydration as it could be warm out there, though we will be in the shade.

Use BUG SPRAY since there will be some standing and instruction time that is not moving.

Parking & Where we’re Meeting Up

Sheepfold Dog Park, Fells Path, Stoneham, MA 02180

Meet up at the big, red van.

Route

We will stay together, there will not be a route per se.

Estimated Time

Allow 2 hours total.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants who have RSVP’d 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 up until 10pm the night before 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. 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

• Gravel bike since the idea is learning how to ride gravel. If you ride gravel on your mountain bike and want to learn more about that, bring your mountain bike!

• A Tuned Bike: A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned.

• 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 Clinic 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 Training Ride

• Location: Start and end in Needham, MA

• Ride Type:  Road Training Ride

• Date & Time:  Wednesdays this summer and fall

• Distance:  ~20 miles. The ride is done just before 8am

• 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 the morning after the Full Moon Ride. If we don’t get any RSVPs because everyone is coming out to the Full Moon ride, we will cancel the ride (which means you’re welcome to ride but a leader won’t be out). WATCH YOUR EMAIL, we’ll email by 10pm Tuesday, August 1, with a GO/NO GO message.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the group. The purpose of this ride is to get focused training in. The group warms up together, then do hill intervals at the same time with everyone going the pace that makes sense to each person.

Each hill interval is ~6 minutes in length. Faster riders will be closer to 5 minutes, slower closer to 7 minutes. All speeds of riders are accommodated since there’s a regroup spot designated for everyone to recover, take a breath, before getting back on the bike and ramping up to the next interval.

There are a total of 4-5 intervals on offer. It’s always fine to sit one out or ride slowly if one wants fewer. Some people select a shorter portion of road to go harder for a shorter period of time. Entirely up to each person.

Intervals should not be performed at max effort/hr, they should be done such that it’s possible to complete the full workout and get back to the Cutler Park parking lot. We discuss the exact duration of each interval as well as resting time in between out there so everyone knows what to do when.

Distance

The ride is ~20 miles in length, about 1 hour and 50 minutes total.

Parking

Cutler Park, Needham, MA

84 Kendrick St., Needham

Route

Here's the Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42427386

It's called "20 GIDSIB Training"

GIDSIB = Glad I Didn't Stay in Bed

Estimated Ride Time

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

Route Notes

None. We discuss where we’re going easy and where we’re regrouping at the ride.

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 BY 10pm the night before the ride unless there are extenuating weather circumstances in which case, we’ll email by 5am the morning of the ride.

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

• Road bike with road tires. 23mm-30mm will be most common on this ride.

• Clip-in pedals: This is an important element of bike control, especially given the speeds we’ll be riding and needing to climb hills as efficiently as possible.

• 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.

• 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 - 100 km Hilly, Peppy, Fun

• Location: Start and end in Concord Center, MA

• Ride Type:  Road ride, all pavement, hilly

• Date & Time:  Saturday, August 5, 8am start

• Distance:  64 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

We have a designated Super Domestique leading one group to depart which will be rolling at a ~16-18 mph peppy pace. This route is hillier than usual so this will be a harder than usual ride. If you have questions about the pace, please email us in advance.

We’ll split the group so faster riders can ride faster together and not-so-fast can be together too. If you want to take it a little easier, that’s fine, come prepared with the route and the understanding that you might be riding solo at some point.

Distance

The ride is 64 miles in length. The ride starts in Concord, heads to Harvard, then takes in some lovely roads around Fruitlands and Harvard before headiing back to Concord.

Parking

Address for your GPS to get to the parking lot:

Public Lot off of Keyes Rd., Concord Center, MA

Link to the lot: https://goo.gl/maps/cAnMuUCquXLTVbzSA

Route

The route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42236314/

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

~4-5 hours depending on your pace and the time the group takes at the food/bathroom stops.

Route Notes

There is one place to stop for food on the route: Hudson, MA. The route takes riders onto the main street. There’s a lot of options here for food of all kinds, even a smoothie and sandwich place with lots of seating that people like.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy food/drink/social time in Concord Center is encouraged to do so! There are many local businesses to visit.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news if there is any. 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

We require 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.

Sunday Afternoon Mixed Terrain Clinic

• Location: Start and end in Waltham, MA near the Mighty Squirrel Parking Lot

• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain Clinic

• Date & Time:  Sunday, July 30 at 1pm

• Distance:  N/A, it’s 2 hours of getting comfortable on mixed terrain with some riding

• 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 are hosting this session to help those of you who have a gravel bike graduate into mixed terrain riding comfortably! Mixed terrain is more technical than gravel riding, but it’s not that hard once you get the basics down. This is intended to be a fun time with others who are new to mixed terrain with an instructor who will offer guidance and advice on everything from tire pressure and how to ride over rocks and roots, to what to bring for mechanicals and how to manage basic gravel/mixed terrain mechanicals too. This session is for everyone of all adult ages who are nervous about mixed terrain riding.

Distance

We’ll take on various types of trails and surfaces by riding to them, the total distance won’t be that much. Be sure to bring plenty of hydration as it could be warm out there, though we will be in the shade.

Use BUG SPRAY since there will be some standing and instruction time that is not moving.

Parking

Across from the Mighty Squirrel Parking Lot - we’ll send specific directions to those who RSVP.

411 Waverley Oaks Road , Waltham, MA, United States, Massachusetts

Route

We will stay together, there will not be a route per se.

Estimated Ride Time

Allow 2 hours total.

After the Ride

Feel free to enjoy a drink at Mighty Squirrel if you wish! The food truck of the day will be around at the end of this 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 up until 10pm the night before 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. 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

• Gravel bike since the idea is learning how to ride gravel. If you ride gravel on your mountain bike and want to learn more about that, bring your mountain bike!

• A Tuned Bike: A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned.

• 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 Morning Mixed Terrain

• Location: Start and end in Waltham, MA near the Mighty Squirrel Parking Lot

• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain Ride

• Date & Time:  Sunday, July 30 at 9am

• Distance:  25 miles, approx 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

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the group. The purpose of this ride is to enjoy fun mixed terrain riding on a summer day. The pace will be moderate, so anyone who can maintain a 16mph on a road bike on the road for 3 hours will have the endurance and ability to hang fine with this group.

Mixed terrain is slower and more technical than gravel riding. They are two different things. Your gravel bike with 40mm or wider tires is appropriate for this ride. Stronger mtb riders are more than welcome to come out on your mountain bike.

Distance

The ride is 25 miles in length.

Parking

Across from the Mighty Squirrel Parking Lot - we’ll send specific directions to those who RSVP.

411 Waverley Oaks Road , Waltham, MA, United States, Massachusetts

Route

Will be emailed to all who RSVP.

Estimated Ride Time

We should be back before 12:30pm, 3-3.5 hrs total.

Route Notes

Be prepared for rocks/roots and some single track riding. Dab a foot or walk what you need to. If you aren’t comfortable with riding rocks/roots on your gravel bike, this isn’t the best first ride to come out on to learn it. We are doing a learn-to-mixed-terrain-ride clinic at 1pm today for those interested!!

After the Ride

Feel free to enjoy a drink at Mighty Squirrel if you wish! The food truck of the day will arrive at 1pm.

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 up until 10pm the night before 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. 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

• Gravel, mtn or fat bike with 40mm tires or wider are the most common on this ride.

• Clip-in pedals: This is an important element of bike control.

• If it’s dark out: 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.

• 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 Training Ride

• Location: Start and end in Needham, MA

• Ride Type:  Road Training Ride

• Date & Time:  Wednesday, July 26

• Distance:  ~20 miles. The ride is done just before 8am

• 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. The purpose of this ride is to get focused training in. The group warms up together, then do hill intervals at the same time with everyone going the pace that makes sense to each person.

Each hill interval is ~6 minutes in length. Faster riders will be closer to 5 minutes, slower closer to 7 minutes. All speeds of riders are accommodated since there’s a regroup spot designated for everyone to recover, take a breath, before getting back on the bike and ramping up to the next interval.

There are a total of 5 intervals on offer. It’s always fine to sit one out or ride slowly if one wants fewer. Some people select a shorter portion of road to go harder for a shorter period of time. Entirely up to each person.

Intervals should not be performed at max effort/hr, they should be done such that it’s possible to complete the full workout and get back to the Cutler Park parking lot. We discuss the exact duration of each interval as well as resting time in between out there so everyone knows what to do when.

Distance

The ride is ~20 miles in length, about 1 hour and 50 minutes total.

Parking

Cutler Park, Needham, MA

84 Kendrick St., Needham

Route

Here's the Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42427386

It's called "20 GIDSIB Training"

GIDSIB = Glad I Didn't Stay in Bed

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

None. We discuss where we’re going easy and where we’re regrouping at the ride.

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

• Road bike with road tires. 23mm-30mm will be most common on this ride.

• Clip-in pedals: This is an important element of bike control, especially given the speeds we’ll be riding and needing to climb hills as efficiently as possible.

• 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.

• 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 Rhode Island Adventure Ride

• Location: Start and end in Chepachet, Rhode Island

• Ride Type:  Social Adventure Ride with special food stop! Gravel Ride for gravel bikes or road bikes with plump tires

• Date & Time: 9am, Saturday, July 22

• Distance: 78 miles

• Price:  Free, but we’re requiring NEER membership if this is your second ride with us. We’re providing food so a $15 donation toward food and expenses from non-members is suggested. Note the mid-ride food stop we’re providing!

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

Details

This scenic road and gravel ride takes cyclists on a beautiful journey in Rhode Island. We’re taking advantage of a route put together by Rhode Island cyclist Paul Davis, made famous in this GCN video with Jeremy Powers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiTc6KHckFk

We have not vetted this route, but we assume that Jeremy and GCN wouldn’t publish a bad route! The store they highlight in the video mid-ride is no longer in business, thus we’ve updated the route to get riders to a nice mid-ride hydration & food stop that WE ARE STOCKING at a campground.

Pace

This is a social adventure ride. Here’s how this works: everyone rides together for the first 36 miles. If you’re super fast, take it easy, enjoy some social time with people! We all roll together to the food/water stop. Enjoy some time at the campground, eat, drink, be merry. After the stop, fast people: go fast! Drop the group, have the fun you’ve been dreaming about. If you’re not up for a solid endurance pace (16-17mph avg is what the group would average if people were on road bikes on pavement, so that level of effort), you’re welcome to drop off the back of the group and ride your own pace continuing along the route.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading one group which will be rolling at a steady endurance gravel pace. If you can maintain a 15-16mph average pace on the road (on a road bike with drafting others employed) for 3+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride to roll with the group for the first 36 miles at least. This ride’s pace will be much less than 16mph (probably more like 12-14mph considering the dirt, and bigger tires of gravel bikes).

Please mention your pace in your RSVP if you think you’ll be faster/slower than the Super Domestique and be aware that there’s a chance you will be riding solo. We prefer if slower riders want to ride solo, you let us know and choose an earlier start time so that we can see you out on the road, it makes it safer to have some overlap out there.

Start, Distance & Estimated Ride Time

Please be ready to ride at 8:55am. We’ll start the safety talk at 9am and then roll out.

Parking

There is plenty of parking in town on the weekends as there are lots of places closed. We’re told the Town Hall parking lot is available and free all day on the weekends:

Town Hall - 1145 Putnam Pike, Chepachet, RI 02814

Please plan to meet up here for the ride start.

Route

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

Route Notes

Elevation gain is ~3,600 ft.

We are expecting a lot of pavement and the dirt sections are unlikely to be overly technical given the route was ridden with road bikes and road tires for the GCN video. Since we’ve not done this ride before and it is an adventure, it seems safest to go with bigger tires. We suggest coming out with your gravel bike and 35-40mm tires regardless just because it’s nice when everyone is more or less on similar equipment. If you’re comfortable on dirt on your road bike, it’s totally fine to ride your road bike.

Food & Water During the Ride - Special Food Stop

We’re riding in an unpopulated part of the state. Therefore, food and water is very hard to come by. There will be ONE (extra fun) food & water stop on the route at a campsite, at mile 36. We are supplying fun food, bike foods, drink mixes, and the campground has water.

Please bring a minimum of 3 water bottles or 2.5L of water in a hydration pack.

Also, please bring all of the calories you would like to eat during the whole day. Yes, it’s a lot. Yes, bring a lot.

After the Ride

Bring a change of clothes so you can enjoy your drive home!

Want to demo ride a bike? Talk about sweet new bikes? Ride Headquarters comes out to these rides with demo bikes for those who are interested in demo riding and discussing awesome, super fun new bikes. Contact Ride Headquarters at connect@rideheadquarters.com.

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 up until 10pm the night before 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

• 35mm knobby tires are recommended, but skinnier are okay if you have experience riding dirt with skinnier.  Wider tires are always nice! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set.

• 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 or if you haven’t come prepared.

• 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.