Location: Start and end in the sweet town of Dover, NH
Ride Type: Gravel & mixed terrain ride for your gravel, adventure, or mountain bike (any bike with 35mm or wider tires)
Date & Time: Sunday, September 29, 2024
Distance: 100km
All are welcome if you’ve got the basics on gear covered.
Theme: Have fun riding gravel and enjoy riding in a new area on a new route
Price: No charge for NEER members, this ride is for NEER members only due to the location and logistics. If you’re interested in NEER, please join us for one of our less epic rides first or join as a member and then come out to this ride!
Details
We are hosting a really fun day of gravel and mixed terrain riding in New Hampshire, out of the neat town of Dover, NH. This is a great opportunity to spend the day on a dirt adventure, enjoy each other’s company, and simply enjoy a nice day out on the bike in an area you probably don’t ride much/at all!
There are options for riders so you get what you want and have a really fun day on the bike! Here are the basics:
Start with a drink or food at a local cafe to start the day.
Ride in an area without much traffic and where you're probably not riding otherwise
Dirt-to-pavement: it’s at least 60% dirt, you’ll see plenty of dirt throughout the day.
This is an area that may have wet ground if there are recent rains, but we won't be doing damage since sensitive trails are not on the route. The ride is unlikely to be rescheduled due to rain.
Connect with your gravel riding friends! Make new friends for the season!!
Everyone who RSVPs for this ride will receive an email by 7pm Friday, September 27 with route information and exact start time information along with parking instructions and more.
Pace
Expect the pace of the Super Domestique-led group to be “endurance”/moderate. It would equate to 16-17mph if it were a paved road ride, except there’s a lot of dirt so the average pace will be lower than this by a bit.
We’re likely to split into a faster and not-as-fast groups depending on who registers and what everyone wants to do. If you want to ride faster or slower than the Super Domestique-led group, please state this in your RSVP!
Start, Distance & Estimated Ride Time
Ride starts at 9am in the center of Dover, NH.
Allow 6-7 hours for this 100km route, there are two towns the route passes through where it’s possible to stop for food, to refuel on water, etc.
Parking
Parking is in a large public lot that costs $3 for the whole day. It’s possible that it’s no charge on Sunday, but bring money expecting to pay.
Toilets
Local businesses are close by (we’ll tell you exactly where to find them) and they have facilities.
Route & Route Notes
The route will be emailed to all who register no later than 5pm Friday evening prior to the ride.
Route notes and special things to watch for or to expect are included in the email to riders. We never have you do anything we wouldn’t do ourselves!
We never seek out gratuitous climbs. However, since we’re in NH, there will be climbs and descents, for that matter. Climb at your own pace and hills aren’t as bad!
After the Ride
There are tasty local establishments near the parking lot where drinks and food may be enjoyed for those who’d like to socialize after the ride.
What happens if it’s rainy?
The roads and trails won’t be affected by rain except for possibly adding more puddles for riders to avoid. We aren’t riding sensitive trails or areas where it would be irresponsible for bikes to go when it’s wet.
We will host the ride if rain is predicted. Dangerous weather cancels the ride or postpones the start.
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news.
Contact Information
Email us with questions at connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com.
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. Ring our phone please with urgent anything!!!
Riding Rules
All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by these Rules. Registering for this ride indicates you have read and accept all of the rules. These make the ride safer and more fun for all.
Waiver
Your NEER waiver would have been something you filled out when you signed up for NEER.
Proper bike & Equipment
A gravel bike is ideal, though a mountain bike, fat bike or even road bike with 35mm tires or wider is fine if you know you’ll be able to keep the pace you’re signing up for with that bike. Riders with tires on the narrower side will want to walk a few more spots (around rocks, roots). Either flat pedals or mountain-style pedals should be used, no road pedals/shoes.
Required: A GPS computer with the route loaded ahead of time
Required: A bike that’s in safe working order that has been recently tuned and is free of creaking and squeaking. The chain should be lubed just prior to the ride.
Required: All of the tools for typical mechanicals such as:
Flat fix tools and at least TWO spare tubes (yes, even if you’re running tubeless tires), air via CO2 canisters or hand pump, multi-tool
Nice to have: Extra chain link, chain breaker, chain pliers
Nice to have: Change of socks, waterproof socks (in case your feet slip into a puddle)
Nice to have: Rain jacket, it’s that time of year to have this on you regardless of the forecast
Spare derailleur hanger if your bike needs a spare
Extra clothes and storage capacity so adding/taking off layers is easy
Required: Cell phone and a plan to get back to your car in case your bike or body stops working - we cannot offer rides to anyone (per insurance requirements)
Required: Two full water bottles at the start of the ride
Front and rear lights. It’s getting dark earlier now and this is for safety just to have these on your bike from now on this time of year. Visibility is always a good thing for safety regardless.
Nice to have: Extra calories in your pockets
Change of clothes to wear after the ride so you’re comfy!