Location: Start and end at Elm Bank, Natick
Ride Type: Road ride with 75% pavement/ 25% dirt trails & roads appropriate for ROAD bikes
Date & Time: Sunday, August 25, 8am start
Distance: ~71 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
Does it feel like gravel riders get all of the adventures? Think again! This is an adventure ride for your ROAD bike!! The route has some dirt on it (~25%), but it’s terrain appropriate for 25mm tires or bigger, gravel bikes are not necessary.
This is a fun road ride with adventure built in for your ROAD bike (gravel bikes are welcome, but absolutely not required). 25mm tires or bigger will work great on this terrain.
The ride starts at Elm Bank in Natick, MA and heads south west to Blackstone, a lovely area for a great ride!
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a ~15-16 mph average endurance pace. Other pace groups will be 17-18mph and 18+ mph is possible if we have riders sign up for this pace.
Distance
~71 miles
Parking
There is all-day parking at Elm Bank. Details will be sent to all who RSVP by 7pm the evening before the ride.
Route
The route will be emailed before 7pm the evening before the ride to all participants.
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
We’ll be at the start by 7:30am. Please arrive with enough time to get ready that allows you to roll out on time with the group at 8am promptly.
Allow 6 hours for the ride which equates to 4.5 hours of riding and 1.5 hours of stopped time.
Route Notes & Food/Water Stops
Bring extra calories and 3 water bottles if you can fit this much water, depending on the temperature of the day and your hydration needs. There are food/water opportunities here:
Mile 24.9 - Lots of food options
Mile 52 - Muffin House Cafe - this is a little off-route, but there doesn’t appear to be many other options on the return route
After the Ride
Enjoy cold root beers at the big, red van! We’ll be sticking around to host demo riders at Elm Bank!
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news if there is any. We email ALL RSVPs by 7pm the evening before the ride. If you don’t see an email by 7pm the evening prior to the ride, be sure to email us so we can get you the information.
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride anytime 1 hour or more prior to the start of the ride.
CALL US if you need us to know anything just before the ride start or during the ride at 413-461-7433.
Don’t txt if you need an immediate response, all txt msgs go to our email that we aren’t checking if we’re in front of people at the ride or on our bikes.
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. RSVP’ing to this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
We require a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
If this is your second or more ride with us, our insurance requires that you become a member of NEER.
Proper bike & Equipment
Bring your road bike with whatever size tires you enjoy riding that will allow you to keep pace with the group. 25mm tires or bigger are appropriate for this route. A gravel bike is acceptable.
If the roads are 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.