Location: Start and end in Framingham
Ride Type: Road ride, all pavement
Date & Time: Saturday, March 9, 9:00am start
Distance: 68.5 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 from Framingham to Purgatory Chasm and back. It’s hilly. We’re taking it at an endurance pace and using this for early season fitness. Slow up hills, steady on the back sides of hills.
March 8 mid-day Update: We have a solid group of faster riders registered, will likely average 17-18mph.
We also have a good group of “funner” riders at 14-15mph average pace registered.
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a ~14-15 mph average speed endurance pace. We’ll split the group so faster riders can ride faster together.
If you want to ride slower than ~14-15mph average for the distance, please email us.
Parking
Lots of parking is here:
110 Dudley Rd., Framingham, MA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BWvXatr6uDc3xpV98
Look for the big, red van in this lot! The van will be there by 8:45am, but probably closer to 8:30am.
Distance
The ride is 68.5 miles in length.
Route
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/45789286
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 9:00am, just after we do a safety talk. Please be ready to ride at 8:55am and at the big, red van.
~4-5+ hours depending on your pace and the time the group takes at the food stops.
Route Notes
It’s hilly. There will be a few busy roads, but most are back roads with less traffic.
Food/water/bathrooms
Mi 27 - Shaw’s market for bathroom and any food
Mi 48.8 - Little Coffee Bean in Upton, this is an out/back on the route to get here, lots of food options
After the Ride
Everyone will be ready to go home, this is a lot for early in the season!
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.