Social Distance Gravel Middle Massachusetts Edition
Join us for incredibly beautiful cycling on the gravel and back roads of the middle of Massachusetts! This ride is full of dirt roads, with scenic paved roads as well - away from traffic and people.
Keep reading to understand the logistics. This ride requires starting in Barre, Massachusetts.
This is a non-group organized ride. While you won’t be riding with a group, there will be other people on the route, and there will be a sweep to put your mind at ease about a mechanical issue.
You won’t be the last rider. We’re riding on roads with very light traffic in an area you’re unlikely to be familiar with. It’s wonderful riding, but probably not what you’d consider doing completely alone.
This a way to ride in a new area that is fairly remote knowing there are other cyclists on the same route. There will also be a staffed food stop on the ride and a substantial meal post-ride. It’s a way to maintain some normalcy, get some fresh air, maintain your physical and mental health, and drink delicious, and famous, Ride Studio Cafe Iced Mochas!
Yes, it’s even social! You will get the same good feelings you get when you’re riding with a group, without riding in a group! You will feel how you’re part of this thing, and you’ll be amazed at how good it feels to partake in something other people are doing simultaneously.
Read how people have responded to our previous Social Distance Rides.
We’re offering three fully-supported locations on the ride: one at the start, one mid-ride full of your favorite packaged bike foods, gummies, maple syrup packets, etc. and Iced Mochas, and a filling meal (pre-packaged for safety) after the ride.
The post-ride meal will be a substantial meal of real food that will be prepared and packaged in advance for you for safety.
We respect anyone who believes everyone should stay inside his/her house during this time without going outside or beyond one’s front yard. However, for many of us, being unable to see the sun or get out of the house, a less healthy reality results for us and for those with whom we interface.
Be absolutely certain you’re up for the rules of this ride. Read this page in its entirety, every single word. Our last two social distance event rides went exceptionally well, proving these rides can be run safely, respectfully, and with the end result of having really happy, fulfilled cyclists!
Details
Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads, social distance riding
Time & Date: Saturday, August 15, 2020. (Rain Date: August 16). Rain date protocol is explained here.
Ride start times are detailed via email to registrants. The first rider rolls out at 7am, last rider out departs at 9am.
Starting Point: Middle of Massachusetts
Distance: 100 km. Note we are also offering a 100-mile Challenge option, details of that ride are here
Elevation gain: 4,120 ft
Dirt vs pavement: 70% of the route is dirt and broken pavement, the rest is paved
Price: $45 - Register Here
This page includes all the information you need to stay healthy and safe on this ride while maintaining proper social distance and not offering any perception to anyone that this is a group of any sort. Your safety and public health is our number one concern, and can’t be overemphasized.
What you get
A gorgeous, well-planned route: You’ll receive a well-vetted route file for your GPS computer, parking directions/instructions.
Staffed starting location with water, light food, clean portable toilets. Your pre-ride email will offer details of the locations of everything.
Staffed food stop with water, bike food, Ride Studio Cafe Iced Mochas
Route Support via a cyclist riding sweep who is capable of helping for most mechanicals
Peace of mind knowing there are other riders on the same route as you
Substantial lunch at the end of the ride of delicious, hearty food prepared and packaged in advance
Start Location
Middle of Massachusetts. Parking details will be shared individually with each registrant before the ride.
Estimated drive times:
A 70-minute drive from Lexington or Sherborn
An 80-minute drive from Boston
Route Information
Here is some general information about the route:
100 Km Route
Elevation gain: 4,120 ft
Dirt vs pavement: 70% of the route is dirt and broken pavement, the rest is paved
1 staffed food stop, eat and drink all you want, at mile 26
There is an easy bail-out at the mid-ride stop if you need it for any reason
Pace Options - It’s a Ride for Most Everyone to Enjoy!
When you register for this ride, we ask you for your best estimate of your average pace. We don’t expect you will know what your pace will be on this route, we’re just interested in knowing approximately where each person will be after starting out in order to properly stagger everyone and keep track of each person’s whereabouts.
You’ll see the selection of average speeds on the Registration form. From 10 mph to 20mph+. If you choose to ride faster than this on the day of the ride, that is alright. We are staffing the food stop assuming a 10 mph minimum pace. Please note that a rider who averages 15mph on the road is likely to average ~10mph on dirt roads. BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN YOU ARE UP FOR THE DISTANCE. If you can’t make it to the end, have a way of getting home via a friend or family member. We can’t drive anyone anywhere due to COVID concerns.
We are using your “average” ride pace info to determine your start time, purposely separating people who would gravitate to each other during normal circumstances. We are also starting faster riders after the less fast riders so people finish around the same time.
Be sure you’ve got the route and at least one back-up power source to charge your GPS unit and phone during the day. Do not plan on having cell service since there are quite a few portions of the ride with weak to no service.
We will want to know if there is anyone with whom you social distance who you will want to ride with when you register.
If we see any two people within 6’ of each other and neither party has listed the other person(s) as a member of the same household, we will ask you to leave the ride immediately and not participate in anything else we offer. We are EXTREMELY serious that social distancing is exceptionally important and ask you to not attend this ride if you don’t take it seriously.
Social Distance Rules
Keep your distance while at the start, rest stop and finish. Keep at least 10 feet between you and others when eating since you can’t wear a mask while eating and drinking. If you’re riding with a spouse, partner, roommate, or any other person that you’re currently social distancing with, you’re welcome to ride near each other as you would if you were riding together anywhere else in the world. If you are not, keep at least two cars length between you and anyone else when riding. Absolutely no drafting.
No sharing or touching anything that is not yours before, during, or after the ride. This includes the rest stop. We’ll control the water and handing out food.
Everyone must bring a mask that covers your nose and mouth completely for use when you’re within sight of others on or off the bike and not eating.
We’ll be giving everyone specific starting times, please adhere to these. The safety of everyone depends on it.
We’ll provide you with a lunch to eat afterward. No sharing of food or beverages. Bring a lawn chair with you, you may wish to tailgate after you’re done riding. It is easy to maintain a lot of distance outside sitting next to your car while speaking with someone over 6 feet away.
There is no ride leader, you’ll be following your GPS computer, therefore owning and knowing how to use a GPS computer is a must with at least one back-up power source.
Don’t risk fast descents or not eat enough causing you to bonk. As we have been instructed by health professionals, now is not the time to ride too hard since this compromises your immune system. Keep your heart rate in your “aerobic” zone and you’ll benefit tremendously from the ride.
We’ll send a very detailed email the morning before the ride with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do.
Preparation
What to bring, we recommend:
Check out the contents of our bug-out bag
All the clothing you typically use for 60-80 degree riding. Clothing that likes wet conditions isn’t a bad idea, either. Note: We’re only including the gear that people often forget when they’re in a hurry, and riding in unexpected conditions.
Headlight and taillight with batteries in good condition. Use these to be even more visible during daytime riding.
Helmet
Neck gator/mask
Sunscreen
Protective glasses
Towel to dry off after the ride.
A change of clothes for after the ride - it’s not fun to drive home in sweaty, wet, clothes.
Read this article about social distance riding preparation written by Ride Headquarters for more help in packing for the day.
If there’s anything you need, we can sell you whatever it is remotely assuming we have it at the store, and we will bring whatever it is to you in a clean bag, only handled with disinfected hands. Email us with anything you would like to have.
Proper Bike for this Ride
28mm-35mm tires are appropriate. 32-40mm are most appropriate. Feel free to use bigger tires. Narrower than 28mm are strongly discouraged. There is some loose gravel on the roads as they’ve been fixed up not too long ago. Narrower tires are more likely to pinch flat and are less stable than 28mm or bigger.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control.
A bike that’s in safe working order. Make very certain your bike comes clean, lubed, safety checked with fresh brake pads, and tires in good shape. If it's wet on the road or raining, please put a rear fender on your bike to keep you from getting wet. With no drafting, the requirements about fenders are a bit more relaxed now!
Weather: We will make last-minute route changes based on weather as necessary. All attendees will receive updates via email. We are playing it safe and erring on the side of caution. This ride will run on August 15 and the rain date is August 16. We’d just push the ride by a day if the weather makes Sunday a nicer day to ride. All registrants will be kept in the loop.
Last Minute Information: We will email everyone who registers with the latest information and details concerning parking, timing, route, etc.
Unregistered riders or riders who haven’t signed the waiver may not participate.
Waiver: Ride Headquarters requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
Contact Information: Email connect@rideheadquarters.com with questions. We will email you the cell phone number of the contact person who will be present at the beginning of the ride and available during the ride.
Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different: All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. Note: ALL rules stated here on this page override any conflicting rules you see on our typical ride rules.