Location: Start and end at the Blue Hills, Milton, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel bikes or hardtail mountain bikes, fat bikes
Date & Time: Saturday, November 18, 9am start
Distance options: 11 miles-21 miles, see details
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
From 1pm-5pm, we’ll be hosting demo riders at the red van in the Houghton’s Pond Parking Area. Come out and say hello if you want to start your ride later in the day or if you want to go mountain bike riding or take out a demo bike! Be sure to email ahead of time if you want to demo ride so we have the right bike and equipment for you! Email: connect@rideheadquarters.com
Details
We’re riding the gravel paths and trails at the Blue Hills! We’re doing NEMBA-defined gravel trails, thus your gravel bike or wider-tired bike will be appropriate. We’re also hanging out in the parking lot until 5pm so if you want to come out to ride or take out a demo bike, there are lots of options all day long!
Pace: endurance zone 2-3 for most cyclists - if you can average 15/16mph on a road bike on a paved road for 2+ 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 ~2.5-3 hours to complete.
Distance
The ride is 11-21 miles long, do as much as you wish!
Parking
Houghton’s Pond Parking Area
Blue Hills, Milton, MA
Link to the parking lot & where to park: PIN
Route
The route and options available will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm tonight.
Estimated Ride Time
~3 hours
Route Notes
These trails are described as appropriate for gravel bikes or bigger tires per NEMBA. There is no pressure ever to ride anything you prefer to walk.
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
35mm knobby tires minimum. Wider tires are nicer! Ideal: 40mm or wider. We expect to see gravel bikes, hardtail mountain bikes, and fat bikes on this ride. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. 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 on 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.