Before-the-Storm Snow Ride
Date & Time: Sunday, January 25 at 8am
Location: Start and end at Wompatuck
Ride Type: Fat and Mountain Bike Ride
Distance: 3-4 hours
Date & Time: Sunday, Jan 24, 8am start
Location: Wompatuck, MA
Ride Type: Snowy trails
Distance: 3-4 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 is a fat bike fun ride on great trails in Wompatuck! This is a super fun, easy-ish place to ride when there is snow on the trails; it makes the ride less technical than what riders find there in the summer and it’s just great fun to be out there!
Pace
This ride is suitable for people with good fitness to push your fat tires! The group will ride fast enough to stay warm but it won’t be fast considering the conditions (snow on trails)! It’ll be good fun. It will be cold to start.
Start Time
7:55am - Be ready to ride!
8:00am - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out
Distance & Estimated Ride Time
Wompatuck is a great place with lots of ways back to the cars early. We’ll have various route options prepared so that riding ~3-4 hours is an option but if people want to end early or if the snow storm is earlier than expected, the ride can be cut shorter.
Parking
Parking is free and ample at the Wompatuck parking lot. Details will be shared with all who RSVP no later than 7pm the evening before the ride.
Route
The route(s) will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.
Route Notes
Dress appropriately for the weather since it will be very cold out. It will be easy to overheat if you overdress (overheating leads to freezing). Wear layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then take some off as the ride start moving. Bring chemical hand & foot warmers if your gloves/boots are thin.
With this cold, bringing extra of everything is smart. Goggles and hand warmers are really good to have no matter what.
Any mechanical issue that will take more than just a couple of minutes will mean that rider will need to walk back 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 and be ready for any issues with all of the right tools/tube.
After the Ride
With the snow storm coming, it is likely smart to get on the road once the ride is over so it’ll be a quick goodbye. If there is time and interest, we’ll bring a camp stove and boil water for hot chocolates. Practicing boiling water in the winter is important since it’s how to stay safe in winter expeditions!
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
3.8” knobby tires OR BIGGER. Wider tires are nicer! It’s possible that narrower tires are okay, but it’s hard to tell.
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.
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.
Sat. Jan. 24: Heat of the Day Snow Ride
Location: Weston, MA
Ride Type: Snow on trails mostly
Date & Time: Saturday, Jan 24, 12pm Start (LATE START)
Distance: 15 miles
Location: Start and end in Weston, MA
Ride Type: SNOW Mixed Terrain Ride for bikes with 3” studded tires or bigger
Date & Time: Saturday, January 24, 2026, 12:00pm start
Distance: 15 miles, ~3ish 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 SNOW ride takes cyclists to mostly trails and a few back roads 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 plenty of snow and 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 3-5 mph) with the winter clothes, big boots, snow conditions, etc. Considering the cold temps that are predicted, please don’t come out if this is your first snow ride ever or if your equipment hasn’t been tested yet for the season. A mechanical is very challenging in this cold and some people will have a hard time dealing with standing around in the cold to fix something. Opt in only if you and your gear are ready for the conditions.
If you’re not sure if you’re ready for this ride, just email connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com and we’ll discuss. We’re encouraging but will not offer stupid advice.
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.
12:00pm - Safety talk starts, then everyone rolls out
Distance & Estimated Ride Time
The ride is 15 miles in length. The route is a figure 8 so if you want a shorter ride, it’s possible to cut it short. The decision point will be at mile 5.5, and if you cut the route, you’ll end up with a total of 8.1 milesso there will be time to decide and you don’t have to figure it out too early in the ride.
Allow ~3 hours for the ride.
Parking
Parking is free and ample:
Burchard Park, Weston, MA
Address for your GPS to get to the parking lot, this is a public park:
269 Concord Rd, Weston, MA 02493
Route
The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.
Route Notes
The route starts by going uphill so this helps riders warm up quickly early in the ride. Most of the route is off-road. We put this route together for a snow ride last year that we couldn’t run (there was too much snow that day!) so there’s a chance something doesn’t work; we’ll figure out a re-route as appropriate. This is an area with a lot of trails and many options.
The most important aspect of this ride is to dress appropriately for the weather since it will be very cold out. It will be easy to overheat if you overdress (overheating leads to freezing). Wear layers so that it’s possible to start warm and then take some off as the ride start moving. Bring chemical hand & foot warmers if your gloves/boots are thin.
With this cold, bringing extra of everything is smart. Goggles and hand warmers are really good to have no matter what.
Lights are also a good thing to have. Did you know that a light gives off heat? Yes, yes it does. Not a bad way to warm up if you have nothing else. Also good to have with the sun low in the sky!
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) or walk back 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 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
It will be later in the day and everyone will be cold so we’ll say a quick good bye and get moving toward home!
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
STUDDED 3” 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 Evening Trail Snow Ride
Location: Start and end in Waltham
Ride Type: Snow Ride for 3”-5” tires
Date & Time: Wednesday, January 21 at 7:00pm
Distance: 10-13 miles
Location: Start and end in Waltham
Ride Type: Snow ride for fat and mountain bikes with studded tires
Date & Time: Wednesday, January 21 at 7pm
Distance: ~10-13 miles, 2 hours total
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 snow and the right temps for the best conditions out there! 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 ~10-13 miles in length, 2 hours total.
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
As close to 2 hours as we can get.
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 or bigger. 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. It’s hard to know the perfect tire size until we’re out there riding.
There is ice out there so studded tires are required. No studs, no ride, no exceptions.
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. If you’re running tubeless, be sure you have enough sealant and your sealant isn’t more than 6 months old!
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.
Sun., Jan 11 - Plymouth, MA Fat Adventure Ride with Waffles!
Location: Plymouth, MA
Ride Type: Fat Bike Ride
Date & Time: Sunday, January 11, 9am
Distance: 4-6 hours riding
Location: Plymouth, MA
Ride Type: Beaches, trails, connecting roads all for fat bikes & a chance to shake down your winter fat bike with stuff on it setup!
Date & Time: Sunday, January 11
Distance: ~4-6 hours
Special details: We’re starting at the 3 Waves B&B and all get healthy/tasty waffles with real maple syrup & local, fresh coffee before the ride!
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
Special for this ride: we’re starting at the 3 Waves B&B and all get healthy/tasty waffles with real maple syrup & local, fresh coffee before the ride! Feel free to RSVP for the breakfast-only portion if you’re not a fat bike rider or up for this length of ride.
About the ride: This is a fat bike wonder ride on different terrain! Plymouth beaches and trails are a blast to ride! The route will include both for a varied experience. There will be some roads connecting the beaches and trails. We’re making the route an expected 4-6 hr ride time length. If you have time constraints, please let us know. Will try to include a short route version in case it goes long and you need to get back earlier.
With the recent weather, we have to assume there is ice on the trails so please bring your studded-tire fat bike.
Pace
Moderate endurance, some riders will have loaded fat bikes so they’ll be moving more slowly. If you’re a faster rider, you’re welcome to ride ahead or circle back. Beaches are always fun for all, go at your own pace!
Start Time
If you want breakfast pre-ride, that starts at 8am. We’ll plan on starting the ride between 9 and 9:30am (if food runs a little long, we won’t be militant about a prompt rollout at 9am).
Be ready to roll at 9am (and be flexible if rollout is a little after 9).
Just an FYI: Low tide is at 11:15am.
Parking
Will start at the 3 Waves B&B. All who RSVP will be given specific parking directions, will park at the B&B, there is space for all.
Route
We’ll share the route with all who RSVP via email 7pm the night before the ride.
Route Notes
Expect sand, sandy trails, could be prickly plants next to the trails (wear pants/long socks), it’s a long ride so bring lots of hydration and food. Refuel stops will be mentioned in the pre-ride email.
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
3.8” knobby, studded tires OR BIGGER. Wider tires are nicer! We’ll be on beaches so mountain bikes don’t have wide enough tires for these sections.
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. 8psi is usually max for fat tires, you’ll probably be happier somewhere around 6psi depending on the width of your tires and your weight.
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 & RSVP if you want to just come for waffles & coffee!
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.
New Hampshire! Thursday, January 8 - Fat Bike Night Ride
Location: Near Bedford, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes
Distance: ~15 miles
Location/start time: Newfields, NH, 6:00pm
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for fat bikes
Distance: ~16 miles, 90mins-2 hours of riding (will cut shorter if time will go over)
Price: Free and membership is not required if this is your first NEER ride; 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 is an ideal route for the expected conditions. If the snow is soft, this route will be rideable still and it’s easy to cut it short if time goes long. There is dirt trail under most of the snow and ice. Be sure to ride studded fat tires (3.8” tires or bigger) as the conditions are appropriate for this amount of float over the snow.
Everyone will ride together at a good pace to stay warm, but we will not be riding fast, just moderate to stay warm and keep things safe.
Distance
16 miles
Parking
Address for your GPS:
85 Old Rte 108, Newfields, NH 03856
Pin of the exact spot to park in the large parking lot:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/5FpYRvYUeDu4hvfN9
Route
We will email all who RSVP no later than 3pm the day of the ride with the route. If there are any modifications to the plan, we’ll email all who RSVP with information so be sure to check your email the day of the ride!
Start time, Estimated Ride Time
Start: 6pm, be ready to roll by 5:55pm
Ride time: 1.5-2 hours depending on trail conditions
Route Notes
There are no bathrooms or services at the start or along the route.
We discuss these with you prior to rollout.
After the Ride
We will have hot chocolates for all who attend at the end of the ride so plan to hang out in the parking lot after the ride (bring an extra hat and gloves) to be comfortable. This is a great time to hang out and talk about winter riding and meet others who live in this general area in NH who are winter cyclists!!
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
3.8” knobby, studded tires minimum. Wider tires are nicer!
Lights, front and rear. Bring both front and rear lights with battery power to stay lit for a 2.5 hour ride. Correct, the ride is 1.5-2 hours, but if there’s a mechanical or if you accidentally set it too bright, then you want to still have enough light for the duration of the ride.
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 that is not so bright and has a steady mode (non-blinking).
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.
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, a tube, a hand pump, things to fix tubeless flats if you run tubeless, 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.
Thursday, December 11 - Mixed Terrain Night Ride!
Location: Near Bedford, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes
Distance: ~15 miles
Location: Revolution Hall near Bedford, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes
Distance: ~15 miles, just shy of 2 hours of 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 & 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 are some easy-to-ride boardwalks on the route, it’s pretty well ridden so not hard to navigate when the sun is gone.
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 but it’s not fast given the waning sunlight.
There are enough regroups to keep riders together and allow faster and not-as-fast riders to all ride a comfortable pace.
Distance
~15 miles
Parking
Address for your GPS: 10 Maguire Rd, Lexington, MA 02421
Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot: https://maps.app.goo.gl/ebJ1c1ufZA3bL4ZR7
Route
Please download the route on your GPS device, it makes it easier for everyone to know which turn is coming next.
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/40871313
Start time, Estimated Ride Time
Start: 7pm, be ready to roll by 6:55pm
Ride time: Just shy of 2 hours total
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.
This ride is a good “first” night ride for those who have mixed terrain riding experience but haven’t gone out at night before.
After the Ride
Some riders will enjoy post-ride food and drink at Revolution Hall if riders return before 9pm (food service stops at 9). Feel free to join in having food and hanging out afterwards if you’d like!
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
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, the majority of bikes will be gravel bikes.
Lights, front and rear. Bring both front and rear lights with battery power to stay lit for a 2.5 hour ride. Correct, the ride is 1.5 hours, but if there’s a mechanical or if you accidentally set it too bright, then you want to still have enough light for the duration of the ride.
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.
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.
The Professional Bikepacking Approach with Jay Petervary
Date/time: Tuesday, December 30 - 7pm EST
Livestream session with Q&A
Price: $25
Gain a lifetime of bikepacking perspective and unlock valuable resources in this live conversation with legendary bikepacker Jay Petervary.
Photo above: Patria Vandermark and Jay Petervary at Fat Pursuit. Patria is Seven Cycles’ Sales Manager and NEER’s Adventure Coordinator, she will be moderating this special session with Jay.
There is unlikely another cyclist on the planet who has as much experience and broad scope of knowledge when it comes to bikepacking then Jay Petervary. Whether its gear, bike set-ups, systems, teaching others, mentoring, hosting events, and/or consulting, Jay has been doing it all obsessively, thoroughly and with great passion for 20 years! Jay has raced the Tour Divide route 7 times while winning and setting records along the way. He has raced the Iditarod 12 times while winning the 1,000-mile twice and the 350-mile twice, he has done the Silk Road Race 3 times, winning it as well, but also did it with a 16-year-old another year. Jay has racked up over 50 3+ day bikepack races which does not include his previous 15 years of other various ultra racing pursuits. It's not just the races, it's the years of testing and improving on every facet of bikepacking that has helped him become the preeminent source of bikepacking knowledge.
Photo credit: Fred Marmsater
This focused, no-fluff, 2-hour session is your chance to understand the mindset that drives Jay’s success and you’ll learn how to apply his decision-making framework to your own bikepacking adventures and races.
Learn the processes Jay uses to choose the right gear, how he prepares, and how he navigates challenges through a lifetime of experiences.
What you’ll learn:
Photo credit: Eddie Clark
How bikepacking has evolved recently and how that might change your preparation and load out
How to think like a competitive bikepacker and how to make the right trade-offs
Know where to find the right information and not get overwhelmed
How to evaluate gear, bags, components, and systems
How to separate marketing from real content
Hear real stories of what has gone wrong on the trail
Bring your questions to tap Jay’s brain as he answers your specific questions during the Ask-Jay-Anything portion of the session
The bikepacking world is filled with too many gear options and opinions. Jay will help you cut through the noise and build a mindset that leads to confident decisions and successful rides.
Time & Day: 7:00-9:00pm EST - Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Join in no matter where you live on the planet! 4pm-6pm PST, 5-7pm MST, 6-8pm CST
Register to attend now!
Jay offers private consulting services to clients and hosts ultra cycling seminars starting at $1,000 per attendee. This is an exceptionally valuable session that will save you hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars in gear.
The Professional Bikepacking Approach with Jay Petervary is a 2 hr 15 min session to offer you a lifetime of bikepacking perspective. This is a recording of the session. Please feel free to send follow-up questions to connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com and we’ll get you answers or pass your info to Jay so he can reply to you. We charged for this session so we could pay Jay for his time. We’ll send Jay funds from all orders after the session is over. Paying Jay a little something for all of his hard-earned knowledge and expertise is important.
To kick off Seven Cycles’ 2026 line of Bikepacking bikes, attendees receive a voucher for $500 in upgrades on a new bikepacking bike from Seven!
New Year’s in Rutland
Date & Time: Thursday, January 1, 9am
Location: Start and end in Hardwick, MA
Ride Type: Gravel, mtb & fat bikes with studded tires
Distance: 64 miles
Start location: Rutland, MA
Ride Type: Studded gravel, mtn & fat bike ride - a lot dirt
Date & Time: 9am Thursday, January 1
Distance: 60 miles total
Price: Free*
* You are welcome to ride once as a non-NEER member, after this membership is required to attend
RSVPs: Required, form is at the bottom
Details
This ride departs at 9am. The route runs all through Rutland with almost all of it on trails. There are lots of ways to cut it early if needed. BE SURE to bring lights. With the cold, expect ice. Bring plenty of water and food. There will be at least one refueling stop, but on New Year’s Day, it’s a good idea to assume small businesses will be closed. We’ll use cars as a refuel location if it’s not possible to find food in the world.
Schedule
We’ll be at the parking lot by 8:45am. Please be ready to roll by 8:55am.
Parking
There is free all day, all who RSVP will be sent directions to the lot.
Route
The route will be shared via email with all who RSVP.
Estimated time
It will be ~8 hours.
Lunch Stop
Will be communicated in the pre-ride email.
Contact Information
Email - connect@rideheadquaters.com, Phone which reaches the ride leader before and during the ride: 413-461-7433
Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.
Waiver
We require a signed waiver before your first ride with NEER. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
The proper bike & equipment for this ride includes the following:
Bike with 38mm minimum width tires, studded tires are required.
Bring front and rear lights, there is a very good chance we’ll finish up after dark. Ensure batteries are fresh and will last for a minimum of 3 hours on a warm day (batteries last less long in the cold).
A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. You’ll need to find a ride back to the lot if you have a mechanical situation that will hinder the forward progress of the group by more than a few minutes.
Always bring a spare tube, air, tools for taking your wheels off your bike, a derailleur hanger and ALL of the tools you’d need to fix common mechanical situations.
Bring warmer clothes than you think you’ll need & storage area to take layers off/carry them!
First Snow Ride - 2025/2026
Location: Waltham
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride - Snowy trails & roads
Date & Time: The FIRST snowfall of the season!
Distance: ~10 miles
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride / Roads and snow-covered trails - over 80% of the ride is on dirt trails
Location: Waltham/Belmont. Exact location will be announced closer to when we expect the first snow to hit
Date & Time: Right after the first “official” snow hits!
Distance: ~10 miles, approx 2 hrs, condition-dependent
Price: Free, but you must be a NEER Member to attend (use this as your excuse to join up since we have a full year of awesome rides ahead!!!)
Please RSVP in the form below if you hope to join in on this ride. We’ll ask for a more definite RSVP once the “go time” becomes clearer
In 2017, we had a huge turnout for the first snow ride which hit early in the afternoon on a Saturday!
Important Ride Updates
Details: When the first snow comes to eastern Massachusetts, we ride in it regardless of the time of day or day of the week. This is our 11th year hosting this memorable and much-too-fun ride!
Starting/ending Location: The ride will begin in Belmont/Waltham. Exact location will be shared with all who RSVP.
Route: The route will be emailed to those who have registered if time permits. We’ll have at least one ride leader, possibly more, who will lead the way so it is not required for you to come with the route loaded.
Estimated time: ~2 hours
RSVP: Please RSVP below (at the very bottom of this page) so we know if you’re interested in this ride.
Required: Possibly studded tires. We will determine this based on conditions. You might as well get the studded tires on your bike now regardless of this possible requirement since they’ll be needed in the post-snow freeze/thaw cycle which brings ice.
New snow falling on the frozen ground will turn to ice. If the ground isn’t frozen, there won’t be ice yet.
Front and rear lights are required anytime we’re riding in hard-to-see conditions which includes falling snow and/or night.
Ride Notes: The pace is based on conditions. We don't ride too slowly because we'd get cold, we don't ride too fast because that wouldn't be safe with the snow. We will ride spaced out with a leader or two. Be sure to come prepared with the right bike & tires, and proper attire for the conditions and temperature.
The pace assumes riders who attend have adequate fitness to keep up on a 14mph avg road ride, if riders were on road bikes on a road ride. This is not that kind of a ride, of course, but that is the best way to describe the amount of fitness necessary to ensure you’ll have a good time.
Read on below, there is a lot to this ride and how it works. Be sure to understand it to be able to participate in it! KEEP READING - lots more information is further down this page.
Last Minute Information: We’ll send all who RSVP below an email - check your spam boxes and you’ll know if you’re getting our emails since we’ll email at least a day ahead to tell you where to go and further details.
Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquarters.com, Phone - (413)-461-7433 - we receive voicemails left at this phone number regardless of where we are.
Riding Rules
Everyone who chooses to participate in this ride must be comfortable with the protocols.
All of our Riding Rules apply. Read and digest them before the ride. All riders are expected to abide by these throughout the ride. All rules stated here on this page override any conflicting rules stated in our ride rule page.
Waiver: When you join NEER, you’ll sign a waiver that applies for the year. Only NEER members may participate in this ride.
First Snow Nitty Gritty Details
One of our favorite pastimes is riding in snowfall. You can hear the snow crunching under your tires. It’s such a quiet time; all sound is suppressed by the snowfall. No one is out on the roads and trails. The world feels primitive and peaceful.
The moment of the first snowfall is THE time to ride. We are leading a ride when this first snow hits!
We are ready. Are you?
Ride Synopsis
We are leading a ride that begins very soon (1-2 hours) after the first snow of the season begins. We define the first snow as having accumulation of approximately 1” of snow at “go” time, and the forecast must predict that it will snow for the duration of the ride. This means the prediction will need to be for 4+ hours of snow fall, at least.
We won’t be riding if the snow isn’t going to last for the duration of the ride.
Most important to note: GO time is decided with at least 1 hour of notice for you, more if possible. So be ready and keep checking your email for our updates to know when it will hit. We try to get ahead of notifying you when it sounds like it might be happening a day or two in advance, depending on the weather forecast.
The ride will be 90 minutes to 2 hours in length total. The distance of the route will take into account how hard the snow is falling & how fast the ride will be.
The route is mixed terrain. Expect to be on- and off-road, on trails and through woods with some back roads too.
The pace of the ride will be high enough to keep everyone working hard. This way, everyone stays warm. This doesn’t mean we’ll be moving fast considering studded tires and winter setups aren’t exactly fast. No one gets dropped.
Here’s How We Plan for the First Snow
Be flexible. We have no idea when it’s going to snow. It’s most common for snowfall to occur during the afternoon but it could be 2am or any other time. A mindset focused on the ride, rather than when the ride will occur, is helpful.
Be ready. Have a Snow Essentials Duffel packed and with you at all times – we provide some content hints below. Have your bike ready to go.
The Right Tires: Studded tires may be required for this ride. Once the first snow falls you will very likely want to be riding studs for the rest of the winter since ice will be much more likely with the freeze/thaw of winter temps during the day and amount of precipitation.
Headlight & Taillight: Whether we’re riding at 2pm or 2am, you have to have at least one headlight and taillight to join us. Snowfall makes it really difficult for drivers to see cyclists. A headlight and taillight will help a great deal with visibility for everyone. Make sure you charge those lights a few days in advance. If you’re looking to upgrade your lights, we stock very good lights and can bring them to you already charged!
First Snow History
In 2025/2026, after many snow false alarms in December and January, the first “official” snow hit the evening of January 18, as 15 NEER members were traveling back home from our 3-day Maine Hut-to-Hut trip. So we missed it. Yes, guilt was had and more snow rides ended up on the NEER calendar to say “SORRY!” to everyone who missed it!
2024/2025, the first snow hit on December 20 at 7:30pm and we had a great ride and 7 people were able to make it out for the festivities + perfect snow.
In 2024, the first snow hit on January 6 late in the day, we started riding late in the evening in the dark of night in Cambridge and experienced a city asleep while we soaked up the atmosphere…and the melted snow that turned to slush.
In 2023, the first snow hit on the MLK holiday, later in January - a Monday morning! We had a fun, small group come out and we enjoyed the morning from Revival Cafe.
In 2021, there was no first snow! It came Friday, January 7 of 2022 and we started riding at 7:30am, in deep, rideable fluffy power. About 20 people joined in the festivities and enjoy hot cocoa at the big, red van afterward!
In 2020, we were out on December 17 in a big snowstorm with a ride that started at 10:30pm. We started from Sherborn so it was hard for people to drive to it. However, it was magical and in the heart of the pandemic, it felt normal and so full of good feelings and community. Sharing hot chocolate around a fire after the ride was special.
In 2019, we were out on December 1st in the early evening with 30+ people. This was the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.
In 2018, we were out from 9:30-11:30pm on a weeknight in mid-November with over 40 riders.
In 2017, we were out riding at 1pm on a Saturday afternoon with over 40 riders.
2016 was an 8am Monday morning ride, the hardest time to find riders and quiet trails/roads of all - but we still did it!
2015 - This was our inaugural year. We were out riding with a “go” time of 3am. People came as far and wide as Jamaica Plain to join in the festivities!
Knowing When the Snowfall Ride Moment Arrives
We’re emailing everyone who RSVPs for the ride with timing and details and we’ll post frequently on Instagram as well.
This is the hashtag to use with all photos you post: #rscfirstsnow
Tricks for Riding in the Snow
Traction: Snow riding is all about traction. Four ways of maximizing traction are:
Apply steady horsepower to the pedals. This is a lot more difficult than it appears. If you’re riding at 70 hp on a snowy trail, a change of 10%, or 7 hp, is a lot – and can be the different between maintaining your line and losing traction entirely. Practice steady horsepower output.
Keep your bike upright, even while turning. The more you lean into a corner, the less traction you have. Most tires have less tread and fewer studs toward the sides of the tire. Don’t lean your bike too much. Riding upright keeps you upright.
Tire pressure: Lower tire pressure provides better traction. Of course, you want to balance this with the possibility of getting a flat. We find that riding on an inch of snow is deceptive, in that you feel like the trail is really smooth, when in reality, all the obstacles are still there – and just as sharp – you just can’t see them, so your chance of getting a flat probably increases slightly.
Tires and treads: Studs are best. Wider is better than narrower. Treads are better than slicks.
Be careful. This may seem obvious but we see this as a fundamental issue each season in the first snow. Taking a tumble in the ice and snow can be problematic; these falls are fast, unexpected, and hard. Ride conservatively and don’t worry about winning.
No fenders: Snow time may seem like a great time to have fenders, but it’s not. Not only are fenders dangerous on mixed terrain – due to sticks and debris on the trail, it’s also likely that your fenders will get packed with snow and make your ride a lot tougher.
Batteries die. Batteries don’t like the cold so they power down a lot more quickly than on an autumn day. Three hours of battery life can become one hour – or worse – in the cold months. Keep your electronics warm – in your jacket or jersey, not in your saddle bag – until you need them. This includes your phone, backup battery, spare light, and your Garmin – if you’re not the ride navigator.
Likely Weather Conditions
It can’t snow if it’s too cold so it’s likely to be somewhere between 28 and 36 degrees. Also, you’re likely to get a bit wet as the snow melts on you; gear that leans toward rain protection can be useful.
Always Be Prepared: Snow Essentials Duffel
Have your Snow Essentials Duffel in your car – if that’s your mode of work transport – so you’re always ready to roll. In that bag, we recommend:
All the clothing you typically use for 30-40 degree riding. Clothing that likes wet conditions isn’t a bad idea, either. Note: We’re only including the gear that people often forget when they’re in a hurry, and riding in unexpected conditions. If you forget to put your bibs in your Snow Essentials Kit, we have no sympathy!
Headlight 100% charged and ready for 2.5 hours of use. Ideally, two headlights – one on your bars and one on your helmet.
Taillight batteries in good condition.
Winter shoes or your autumn shoes with overshoes.
Long thick wool socks
Helmet – with light mount ready to go.
Long finger gloves, possibly with liners.
Three season cap that covers your ears. A brim will be appreciated – it can help keep the snow out of your eyes.
Neck gator - doubles as a face covering.
Protective glasses if that’s your kind of thing for riding in a snowstorm.
High-vis vest if you like to be visible. If there’s ever a time to increase your visibility, it’s during a snowstorm; drivers have a really difficult time seeing cyclists through snowfall.
Towel to dry off after the ride.
Puffy jacket, a change of clothes that are warm and fleece-lined, warm cap and mittens feel so good post-ride!
We are Here To Help
We have just about anything you could need for winter riding, including:
Winter Bikes. There are considerations to be made where it comes to the bike you ride in the winter. We have bikes that are great all year, but are extra special for winter riding. Check out the Seven Cycles Treeline bike: summer mountain bike, winter fat bike. Titanium is a perfect frame material for a bike that’s going to see the salt and harsh conditions of winter. A winterized bike is also important. For example, if snow is allowed into the brake housing, your brakes will likely freeze up. We can winterize your bike to keep your rolling.
Lots of studded tire options. And the tubes needed for each tire size. We can help determine the ideal tire size for your bike and guarantee what will fit and what won’t. Not all studded tires are created equal. We can help determine the right price point for your riding needs.
Studded tire installation help. Studded tires are often the toughest type of tire to install because they’re thicker, stiffer, and sometimes are steel beaded. We’re happy to help.
Lights: We have the toughest winter lights available. We’ll help you determine optimal number of lumens for your needs. We’ll help you determine where the best mounting spot is on your bike or body. The best kind of taillight for visibility and longevity. So many options – all with different strengths and weaknesses.
Gloves: We have everything from lightweight full fingers to deep winter 45Nrth gloves and liners. We have an array of models and sizes to determine the ideal setup for your type of riding. We can help with determining which are best for wet weather, for glove liners, or for the coldest days. Lots of glove options for lots of kinds of riding.
Winter Shoes: We’ve got 45NRTH Wolvhammers in stock and will order more upon request. We’ll help you find the right size, and install cleats on your new boots, too.
We hope to see you in the first snow!
#rscfirstsnow
Come by at least 15-minutes early to the ride starting location so you can make any last minute bike adjustments. We’ll be there with the van with supplies, hand warmers, toe warmers, and any gear you’ve asked us to bring to the start for you!