Location: Start and end at Gordon College on the North Shore (just north of Pride’s Crossing)
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Ride for gravel bikes, mtn bikes okay if you can do the distance
Date & Time: 8am, Saturday, July 15
Distance: 55 mi, 62 mi (100k), 80 mi options on offer
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 mixed-terrain ride takes cyclists on a wide variety of dirt trails on the North Shore including Manchester-by-the-Sea, Rockport, Essex, and Hamilton.
The route is a mixed terrain route so any gravel bike with ~40mm tires or bigger is suited for the terrain. There will be a few areas of rougher terrain, everything is rideable, but it’s no issue to walk anything you’re unable to ride.
Pace
We’ll likely split people into 2 groups based on riding speeds. Be prepared to keep moving at a steady pace, and when we stop for water/food, we’ll allow everyone to refill and use the facilities, but then keep moving.
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the last group to depart which will be rolling at a steady endurance pace. If you can maintain a 15mph average pace on the road (on a road bike) for 3+ hours, you have the fitness you need for this ride. This ride’s pace will be much less than 15mph (probably more like 8mph).
Start, Distance & Estimated Ride Time
Please be ready to ride at 7:55am. We’ll start the safety talk at 8am and then roll out.
All three distances of ride offered: 55 miles, 62 miles and 80 miles run together until the end of your route so everyone rides together until someone(s) wants to split off and return to Gordon College.
We expect most people to end up doing the 55 mi or 62 mi versions, but if you want a big day, the 80 miler is for you and you might have company for it!!
Parking
Gordon College
Exact spot to park: 255 Grapevine Rd, Wenham, MA 01984
This is next to Emery Hall on Princemere Dr. at the very start of the route, there is a lot of parking on both sides of the road and a parking lot right there too.
Route
The route will be emailed to all who RSVP no later than 7pm the night before the ride.
Route Notes
Elevation gain for the 62-mile version is 3,000 ft.
A mixed terrain ride is rougher than a “gravel” ride on the dirt sections. This is a lot dirt so be prepared for a challenging, but fun, day in the saddle. There is no pressure to ride anything you would prefer to walk.
After the Ride
Bring a change of clothes so you can enjoy your drive home!
We will have Crud Cloths for everyone who wants one, these feel especially good on a very hot day. One free per NEER member. Want more or not a member? Please bring $10 and you’ll receive 3 Crud Cloths.
Want to demo ride a bike? Talk about sweet new bikes? Ride Headquarters comes out to these rides with demo bikes for those who are interested in demo riding and discussing awesome, super fun new bikes. Contact Ride Headquarters at connect@rideheadquarters.com.
Last-Minute Information
We will email all participants with any critical late-breaking news. Very, very last-minute news is found on our Twitter feed (shown on the home page of this website in case you don’t have a Twitter account).
Contact Information
Email - connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com with questions about this ride up until 10pm the night before 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 mostly gravel bikes, some mountain bikes, and possibly fat bikes at this ride.
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. We recommend about 80% of maximum rated tire pressure. Sometimes this is much too high, ask us if you’re not sure where to set your tire pressure. We like you to have more than enough air for these reasons:
We want to minimize flats on the ride; waiting for someone to change flats is not why we ride. We typically see zero flats on our ride. One of the primary reasons for this is due to higher than average tire pressure.
You can easily take it out, much harder to add it in.
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.