Location: Mighty Squirrel, Waltham, MA
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel, mountain & fat bikes
Date & Time: Thursdays in November: Thursday, November 7, November 14 (Full Moon!), November 21
Distance: ~15 miles, 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 will be rocks, roots, boardwalks, road crossings, and short sections of road to ride.
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 it’s dark out. We have to stay moving since it’s cold so come prepared.
Distance
~15 miles
Parking
Address for your GPS: 411 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452
Pin of the exact spot to park in the lot - it’s not next to the Mighty Squirrel since that’s for customers: https://maps.app.goo.gl/7EWmn2YTh66Nj2Xj6
Route
Please download the route on your GPS device, it makes it easier for everyone to know which turn is coming next.
All who RSVP will receive the route in your inbox prior to the ride.
Start time, Estimated Ride Time
Start: 7pm, be ready to roll by 6:55pm
Ride time: Expect this to take a full 2 hours.
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.
After the Ride
Some riders will enjoy having a hot coca with us in the parking lot. We’re serving hot chocolate after this ride now that it’s chillier and hot chocolate really hits the spot! Mighty Squirrel is open and they serve beer, hot (large) pretzels, chips and guac, that sort of cuisine. It’s fun to hang out for a few minutes post-ride!
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. Ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure.
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.