Gravel Ride! 100km of New Hampshire Dirt Roads

• Location: Start and end in Milford, NH

• Ride Type:  Gravel Ride

• Date & Time:  Sunday, June 8 (moved to Sunday since weather is more certain!)

• Distance:  ~64 miles // 100km

• 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 gravel ride starts in the pleasant town of Milford, NH and is a great way to spend time on dirt roads while being in a lovely area of New Hampshire.

Pace

We have a designated Super Domestique leading a moderately-paced group which is likely to be the second of two moderate groups offered with the first group keeping a slightly spicier pace.

Distance

The ride is 64 miles in length.

Parking

Park in Milford center, NH. There is ample free on-street parking and there are public parking lots a short distance from the Oval which is where we will meet up to start the ride.

The green arrows point to town lots in the image below and on-street parking is ample. We are not aware of any payment necessary for parking in Milford.

Coffee in Town

A cycling-friendly Cafe is in Milford center, we recommend stopping by for pre-ride food/coffee. They open at 7am so there’s time to get something before the ride starts.

Union Coffee

42 South Street
Milford, New Hampshire 03055

Start Time

Meet up at the Oval and be ready to ride by 8:55am. The safety talk starts at 9am, then we’ll roll as soon as the safety talk is over.

Route

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

Estimated Ride Time

~5 hours moving time, thus at least 5.5 hours total time

Route Notes

The route offers 6,000 feet of climbing over the 100km. There are two places to stop to refuel. Nothing fancy, but we have been pretty impressed with the people who work at the Mobile station stop in the past.

After the Ride

We’re likely to be sticking around to eat at a local establishment after the ride’s conclusion. Feel free to join us if you have time to stick around. No worries if you have life to get back to!

Last-Minute Information

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

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

• 28mm tires minimum.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. Gravel bikes with gravel tires are best suited for the terrain. We have not seen the roads recently so can’t speak to their quality right now. We’re on both dirt and paved roads all day.

• 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.

  • Here are some mechanicals to get ahead of, esp at this time of year:

    • Tubeless tires need fresh sealant every 6 months. Make sure your tires have fresh sealant.

    • Have an electronic bike? Make sure your batteries are charged. Do you have a wireless system? Check your levers to be sure their batteries have a charge. Regardless, carry spares just in case.

    • Your spare tube has a hole in it from being in the saddle bag for too long. Get a fresh spare tube in there!

    • Unlubed chain: This makes you slow and co-riders can’t handle the sound.

• 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.

Sunny Side Up Mixed Terrain with Sriracha

• Location: Start and end at Mighty Squirrel in Waltham

• Ride Type:  Gravel/Hardtail MTB/Fat

• Date & Time:  6am start, Wednesdays in June, 2025

• Distance:  2 hours. Fun trails, a few trails that go up hills to get the heart rate up, re-groups at the top, all fun. The ride will be done right at 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 enjoy mixed terrain riding and have a few hills where efforts may be done by those who need a little “extra” to kick up the heart rate and training benefit for short periods of time. The group rides together, regroups frequently and enjoys each other’s company in the peace of early morning.

The most appropriate bike is the one with ~40mm tires or bigger on it. There are possibly a few road sectors linking trails, but this is mostly off-road

Distance

The ride is however far we ride in 2 hours, back at the lot by 8am.

Parking

Mighty Squirrel in Waltham

https://www.mightysquirrel.com/taproom-waltham

411 Waverley Oaks Road, Suite 100, Waltham MA, 02452

Route

We’ll come prepared with a route and plan for June 20. No one is getting dropped or lost, we need to see how far we get in the time allowed and how many hills we want to climb as well. It will be fun for ALL riders!

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

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. There is a coffee bar at the Mighty Squirrel and some pastry-type foods that we’re likely to stick around to enjoy for a few minutes with anyone who doesn’t have to rush off.

Last-Minute Information

We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Please txt 413-461-7433 with anything you need us to know about you the morning of the ride. If it’s too early, it won’t wake anyone up, so it’s okay to send a very early message.

Pre-Ride Email

We don’t send a pre-ride email to those who RSVP to this ride since all of the information you need to know is included in this email. Should we have to change something or cancel for weather/unforeseen reasons, we’ll email those who have RSVP’d. Never a bad idea to check your email prior to heading out to this or any ride just in case.

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. 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 with 40mm tires or bigger.

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

• Front and rear lights are not required at this time of year, but still a good idea as long as they don’t blind your fellow riders or are on 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 couple of minutes since people need to get to work.

• 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 North Shore Mixed Terrain Adventure Ride

• Location: Start and end at Gordon College on the North Shore (just north of Pride’s Crossing)

• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel bikes, mtn bikes okay if you can do the distance on it

• Date & Time: 9am, Saturday, June 1

• Distance:  55 mi, 62 mi (100k), 80 mi options on offer

• 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 on a wide variety of dirt trails on the North Shore including Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Essex, and Hamilton.

The route is a mixed terrain route so any gravel bike with ~40mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. There will be a few areas of rougher, chunkier terrain, everything is rideable, but it’s no issue to walk anything you’re unable to ride. No one gets dropped in these rougher parts, we regroup!

Pace

We’ll likely split people into 2 groups based on riding speeds. Be prepared to keep moving at a steady pace, and when we stop for water/food, we’ll allow everyone to refill and use the facilities, but then keep moving.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a steady endurance pace. If you can maintain a 15-16mph 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 15mph (probably more like 8-9mph) since the dirt sections are not as fast.

The Super Domestique led group will go the full 80-mile distance. Riders who want to go shorter will be with the group for most of the day. This is a rain or shine ride as long as there is no perceived trail damage once we get out there, it is an area that drains really well. If trails could be damaged by tire tracks, then we’ll shift to the road or shorten the route as appropriate and logical.

Start, Distance & Estimated Ride Time

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

All three distances of ride offered: 55 miles, 62 miles and 80 miles run together until the end of your route so everyone rides together until someone(s) wants to split off and return to Gordon College.

We expect most people to end up doing the 55 mi or 62 mi versions, but if you want a big day, the 80 miler is for you and you might have company for it!!

Parking

Gordon College

Use this address: 255 Grapevine Rd, Wenham, MA 01984

This is next to Emery Hall on Princemere Dr. at the very start of the route, there is a lot of parking on both sides of the road and a parking lot right there too.

Route

The route and more specific directions for parking will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.

Route Notes

Elevation gain for the 62-mile version is 3,000 ft.

A mixed terrain ride is rougher than a “gravel” ride on the dirt sections. This is a lot dirt so be prepared for a challenging, but fun, day in the saddle. There is no pressure to ride anything you would prefer to walk.

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 Patria at Ride Headquarters at connect@rideheadquarters.com.

Last-Minute Information

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

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

• 38mm knobby tires minimum.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see mostly gravel bikes, some mountain bikes, and possibly fat bikes at this ride. Most people will be on 40mm tires or a little wider.

• 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.  

• 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, Rain Avoiders Road Ride

• Location: Start and end near Twisted Tree Cafe in Lincoln (parking & actual start in the Lincoln MBTA train parking lot)

• Ride Type:  Road ride, all pavement except a 1 mile dirt road stretch which we can avoid if it’s wet

• Date & Time:  Saturday, May 31, 11am start

• Distance:  58 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 through Weston, Wellesley, Needham, Medfield, Millis, Sherborn, Natick and back to Lincoln. 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 ~16-17 mph pace. It’s going to be peppy, it’s almost June! We’ll split the group so faster riders can ride faster together.

If you want to ride slower than the Super Domestique for the distance, please email us. We usually have people looking for paces under 16 mph, but we need to know who you are and what your pace is so as to find others to fill this group.

Parking

Lincoln MBTA lot: 160 Lincoln Rd, Lincoln, MA 01773

Look for the big, red van in this lot! The van will be there by 9:45am.

This is lot is around the corner from the Twisted Tree Cafe so feel free visit there before the ride starts for coffee or food! Please DO NOT park in front of Twisted Tree, this is for their customers who are coming/going throughout the day.

Distance

The ride is 59 miles in length.

Route

The route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36915697

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

Start Time & Estimated Ride Time

The ride starts at 11:00am, just after we do a safety talk. Please be ready to ride at 10:55am and at the big, red van.

~3-4 hours depending on your pace and the time the group takes at the food stop. Since we’re starting later in the day, and we need to learn efficiency, expect this will be quicker than usual.

Route Notes

There is a 1-mile stretch of dirt road in Lincoln. It’s a lovely part of the route.

Food/water/bathrooms

This route incorporates a food/water stop at mile 30, Tangerini Farm where we expect to be able to refill and have a restroom of some sort (could be porta-john).

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy food/drink/social time at Twisted Tree is encouraged to do so!

Last-Minute Information

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

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

Our insurance 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 ever, 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.

Live Free and Ride Gravel Sunday, April 27

Details

• Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads

• Time & Date: Sunday, April 27 - 9am start time

• Starting Point: New Boston, NH

• Distance: 65 miles / 105 km (it’s possible to cut the route short)

• Price: Free

• Price: $0, but you MUST be a NEER member to participate
  

Description

This is a gorgeous, well-planned gravel route. It’s got a bit of everything (though averages out at smoother), all appropriate for gravel bikes and tires. Some people are doing the ride as a training ride so they’ll be on loaded fat bikes.

You’re welcome to ride whatever bike you want as long as your bike meets the minimum tire size (details further below) and you have tools/tubes in case of a mechanical.

You’ll have co-adventurers, you’re not out there alone. Send an email if you’re unsure of your pace and who else is coming out.

Start Location & Time

• Starting Point: New Boston, NH

• Rolling out just after the safety talk and splitting people into groups at 9am

Route Information

Here is some general information about the route:

• Distance: ~65 miles

• We will share the route and ride details no later than 5pm Saturday, the day before the ride, to all who RSVP before then. If you RSVP after this time, you’ll receive the route before 10pm the night before the ride.

• The route was last ridden in November so there’s a chance a road is closed or a trail is closed or conditions have changed since then. This route is not that likely to present big navigation challenges given its location and the roads/trails we’re taking.

There will be one group averaging a solid “moderate” pace to depart last at 9am. This is not necessarily a sweep group. Everyone up for a solid moderate pace is welcome to join in this group. These are riders who are usually comfortable with a 16-17mph pace on a 4+ hour road ride for comparison purposes. The pace will be less since the terrain is mixed with plenty of dirt and elevation and everyone is riding a bigger-tire bike.

Your pace will be ~20-30% slower than your road riding pace.

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• We will not shuttle riders anywhere, it’s your responsibility to have a plan in case your bike or legs stop working.

• There is little cell coverage in this area, so be aware of that.

• We’ll send an email by 5pm the day before the ride, with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do.

Waiver

If you haven’t signed the waiver in 2025 yet, please do it now. If we find out you haven’t filled out a waiver at the start, it will not be possible to ride with the group.

https://www.newenglandexpeditionriders.com/ride-waiver

Riding Rules

• Be sure you’re up for the general riding rules: https://www.newenglandexpeditionriders.com/ride-rules

Preparation

• Bring everything you need for mechanicals that pop up on gravel/mixed terrain rides. All the things you need for a flat, tubeless puncture, EXTRA TUBE even if you run tubeless, air, levers, chain breaker, chain pliers, multi tool, spare derailleur hanger if your bike uses these.

• Be sure to bring anything else you might need taking into account the weather, your personal circumstances, your health, etc. 

  • You will want to come prepared with extra food, water, and fitness for the distance. The route file will show where food/water stops are located. These aren’t fancy (think: Dunkin Doughnuts/gas station).

After the Ride

• Bring a change of clothes and food to enjoy for the drive home. There aren’t a lot of food/drink options in this area.

Proper Bike for this Ride

• A road or gravel bike that has 32mm tires or wider. 32mm tires will work for riders on this route based on what we saw of the roads last year. 40mm should be ideal. Mountain bikes will be a little overkill on much of the route. Narrower than 32mm are strongly discouraged. There is some loose gravel on the roads, and some sandy spots. Narrower tires are more likely to pinch flat and are less stable. If you’re not sure of your gravel riding ability, this isn’t the best first ride to take on.

• Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. Mountain bike pedals/shoes are appropriate; road pedals/shoes should not be used.

• A bike that’s in safe working order. Make very certain your bike comes clean, lubed, safety checked with fresh brake pads, and tires in good shape. A bike that makes any unusual noises - from a squeaky chain to any kind of other noise should not be ridden prior to being evaluated and fixed by a professional mechanic.

Contact Information and How to Get Your Questions Answered

Email connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with any questions. Call 413-461-7433 the day of the ride to speak with the organizer on route. Please contact us via email prior to the day of the ride for all matters otherwise.

RSVP NOW!

Saturday Mixed Terrain Ride

• Location: Start and end at Arlington Reservoir

• Ride Type:  Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel bikes or hardtail mountain bikes

• Date & Time:  Saturday, April 19, 9am start

• Distance:  42 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 leads cyclists to many back roads, plenty of dirt paths and trails for a total of 42 miles. The route heads a little north touching the outskirts of Lexington (should not cross over the running race or any of the 250th celebration stuff), then heads east for lots of adventure!

The route is mixed terrain so any gravel bike with 38mm tires or bigger are suited for the terrain. Bigger tires and bikes are fine as long as you feel comfortable keeping up with the group.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart.

Pace: endurance zone 2-3 for most cyclists - if you can average 15/16mph on a road bike on a paved road for 4+ hours, you’ll be fit enough for this ride. The pace on a mixed terrain ride is much slower than a road ride so expect the ride to take ~5 hours to complete, possibly more.

We’re likely to have 2-3 paces of riders coming out so we’ll split into groups with the “endurance” group containing a Super Domestique and the other riders going ahead after these groups have been officially formed by the Super Domestique.

Distance

The ride is 42 miles in length.

Parking

Arlington Reservoir: 210 Lowell St, Arlington, MA 02474

Route

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

Estimated Ride Time

~5+ hours

Route Notes

We discuss these with you prior to rollout.

Last-Minute Information

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

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 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

• 38mm knobby tires minimum.  Wider tires are nicer! Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. Gravel bikes are best suited for most of the terrain. Do NOT ride road tires since you’ll be flatting out there.

• 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.

Friday Evening Mixed Terrain

• Location: Mighty Squirrel, Waltham, MA

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

• Date & Time:  Friday, March 28 4pm start time, done by 6pm

• Distance:  2 hours of riding, ~15 miles-ish

• 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 & Pace

This mixed terrain ride takes cyclists to many interesting trails with roads connecting them.

The route is a mixed terrain route so any bike with 38mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. Faster riders are always welcome to go ahead, we discuss how we manage this before the ride starts.

There will be rocks, roots, boardwalks, road crossings, and short sections of road to ride.

We have a designated Super Domestique leading the main group. New-to-mixed terrain riders should try our weekend rides first prior to coming out to this ride.

It doesn’t mean much to talk about the average pace of a mixed terrain ride since it sounds a lot slower than it really is. We keep moving at an endurance pace.

Distance

~15 miles

Parking

Address for your GPS: 411 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452

Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot - it’s not next to the Mighty Squirrel since that’s for customers: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7EWmn2YTh66Nj2Xj6

Route

The route will be emailed to all who RSVP.

Please download the route on your GPS device, it makes it easier for everyone to know which turn is coming next.

Start time, Estimated Ride Time

Start: 4pm, be ready to roll by 3:55pm

Ride time: Expect this to take a full 2 hours.

Route Notes

We discuss these with you prior to rollout. Note that a “mixed terrain” ride is rougher, twistier, and slower than a “gravel” ride. There are roots, a few boardwalks, etc to navigate. If you’re concerned about your ability to ride mixed terrain, do one of our weekend rides first.

After the Ride

Some riders will enjoy hanging out and enjoying food/drink at the Mighty Squirrel. It’s a Friday night so it’ll be hopping there. Invite your family to come join you post-ride!

Last-Minute Information

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

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

• 38mm 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, the majority of bikes will be gravel bikes.

• Lights, front and rear. Bring both front and rear lights to be seen - this ride is early enough that lights shouldn’t be necessary, it’s always a nice idea to have them.

• Concerning Rear Lights: A super bright and/or flashing rear light will blind the person riding behind you and it actually hurts that person’s eyes and can make it hard for that person to see. Please look into your rear light. If it burns your eyes, get a “group ride friendly” light such as the Super Flash ($25) - it has a steady mode and isn’t too bright.

• 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.  Ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure.

• 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

• Location: Start and end near Twisted Tree Cafe in Lincoln (parking & actual start in the Lincoln MBTA train parking lot)

• Ride Type:  Road ride, all pavement except a 1 mile dirt road stretch which we can avoid if it’s wet

• Date & Time:  Saturday, March 29, 2025 / 9am start

• Distance:  58 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 through Weston, Wellesley, Needham, Medfield, Millis, Sherborn, Natick and back to Lincoln. 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 58 miles in length.

Parking

Lincoln MBTA lot: 160 Lincoln Rd, Lincoln, MA 01773

This is lot is around the corner from the Twisted Tree Cafe so feel free visit there before the ride starts for coffee or food! Please DO NOT park in front of Twisted Tree, this is for their customers who are coming/going throughout the day.

Time

Be ready to roll in the parking lot next to the big, red van at 8:55am.

At 9am, we do a safety talk, introduce everyone to everyone else (lots of new-to-us riders come out this time of year), we’ll talk about pacing and splitting into 2-3 groups depending on teh turnout and who wants to ride faster or more “endurancy.”

Route

The route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41813738

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 the mile 20 food/bathroom stop.

Route Notes

There is a 1-mile stretch of dirt road in Lincoln. If it’s a mess, we can go around. We’ll make that determination on the spot during the ride. The workaround is obvious, it’s very close to the end of the ride.

After the Ride

Anyone who wants to enjoy food/drink/social time at Twisted Tree is encouraged to do so!

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 requires a signed waiver before your first ride of EACH CALENDAR YEAR. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride with us.

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, just 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 Early Morning Training Ride 2025

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

• Ride Type:  Road Training Ride

• Date & Time:  6am start, Wednesdays in April and May, 2025

• Distance:  ~20 miles. The ride is always 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 everyone does hill intervals at the same time with everyone going the pace that makes sense to each person. The interval section is not that steep and not that intense geographically, so it’s a good place to put in an effort without going too hard. These kinds of efforts confer leg speed and greater overall fitness to riders without hitting oxygen debt or overload.

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.

NO ONE SHOULD FEEL BADLY AT THE PACE ONE DOES EACH INTERVAL. THIS IS A SUPPORTIVE RIDE AND GROUP. If you’re worried about your pace or situation, please email connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com. Please don’t miss this ride out of fear of your pace or how you will fit in to the group, the point of this ride is getting ALL riders faster regardless of where you’re starting.

There are a total of 4 intervals on offer the first two weeks, then we increase this to 5. The first ride of each season, we do an exploratory lap so all riders see where to start the effort and where it finishes so everyone understands the assignment.

It’s always fine to sit out a lap or ride slowly if one wants to do 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/heart rate, 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. Please txt 413-461-7433 with anything you need us to know about you the morning of the ride. If it’s too early, it won’t wake anyone up, so it’s okay to send a very early message.

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. 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.