Join us for incredibly beautiful cycling on the back roads of Rhode Island! This ride is full of dirt roads, with nice paved roads as well. Most of the route is back roads, away from traffic and people. Keep reading to understand the logistics. This ride requires starting near Voluntown, Connecticut - so most people will need to drive to the start.
This is a group or solo organized ride. You may ride with your friends, as long as you register saying you’ll be riding together.
New Option! Ride with New People!
We’ve just added a new category: ride with people of your riding speed, but you don’t have to know anyone prior to the ride! This is an option for you if you’d like to ride with a group, but don’t have friends riding or simply want to meet new people who are of a similar strength.
We’re riding on roads with very light traffic in an area you’re unlikely to be very 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.
We are staffing a mid-ride food stop and serving a substantial meal post-ride. Enjoy a great ride, , and drink delicious, and famous, Ride Studio Cafe Iced Mochas!
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 after the ride. We accommodate all diets so just let us know what you require when you register and we’ll have something appropriate for you at both the mid-ride stop and end-of-ride meal.
Be absolutely certain you’re up for the rules of this ride. Read this page in its entirety, every single word.
Details
Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads
Time & Date: Saturday, June 26, 2021
Rollout times will be assigned from 7:30am-9:00am
Starting Point: West Greenwich, Rhode Island
Distance: 65 miles.
Price: $65 - Register Here
What you get
Gorgeous, well-planned route: Route file for your Garmin, parking directions/instructions.
Staffed starting location with water, portable toilets, friendly staff
Staffed food stop with water, bike food, Ride Studio 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
Substantial lunch at the end of the ride of delicious, hearty food - BBQ for all dietary needs!!!
Start Location
Updated location: Greenwich, RI. This is near Voluntown, CT which you may have heard us mention in relation to this ride in previous communications. Parking details will be shared individually with each registrant before the ride.
Estimated drive times:
About 90 minutes from Lexington
About 85 minutes from Ride Headquarters in Sherborn
Route Information
Here is some general information about the route:
~65 Mile Route
Miles of dirt: ~40% of the miles are on dirt roads.
About 50 feet of climbing per mile. Approximately 3,500 feet of total ascent.
1 staffed food stop approximately mid-ride
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 when you ride alone for a 20-mile all-paved ride in the Boston area. 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.
You’ll see the selection of average speeds on the Registration form. From 10mph - 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. This is a good “first” gravel ride or if you’re not feeling like you’re in great shape, this is an easier route than many.
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.
COVID Protocol:
We ask that all riders adhere to state guidelines (in this case it’s CT and RI) where it comes to mask wearing and proper social distancing. We will include these in the email we send to all participants just prior to the ride since guidance is continually changing. Basically, masks are not mandatory since we’re outside the whole time.
Please simply be respectful of others since everyone has a different level of nervousness where it comes to COVID worry.
If we think you’re being unsafe, you will be asked to leave the ride. You will not be invited to return to any group rides as well. This applies for all aspects of cycling and general behavior.
Additional Guidelines and Rules:
If you’re not signed up to ride with someone(s), you may not ride with that person(s) during the ride. If you want to find new people to ride with, please register in that category.
Everyone must bring a mask that covers your nose and mouth completely for use when it’s appropriate to mask up. As stated, a mask is unlikely to be necessary, but bring one in case you need to enter a business that requires it or are in another situation where it’s good to have.
We’ll be giving everyone specific starting times, please adhere to these. This allows for proper ride organization and smooth coordination at the start, mid-ride, and at the post-ride meal. We spend a lot of time figuring out starting positions to allow for the best flow of the day.
We’ll provide you with a meal to eat afterward. Pack a lawn chair, this will make the after-ride socialization much more relaxing and fun.
There is no ride leader, even if you ride with a group; you’ll be following your GPS computer, therefore owning 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. Drink plenty of water considering how hot it may be! This is common sense for any ride, especially smart when you’re riding further away from people who can give you a ride home.
We will not shuttle riders anywhere, it’s your responsibility to have a plan in case your bike or legs stop working.
We’ll send a very detailed email by 12pm Friday, the day before the ride, with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do.
Preparation
What to bring, we recommend:
Everything necessary for common mechanicals. Items include:
2 x tubes
Hand pump
Co2 cartridges & Co2 inflator
Tire levers
Boot/dollar bill if your tire gets ripped
Patch kit
1 pair of quick links compatible for your chain
Chain pliers
Chain breaker
Multi-tool (if your chain breaker is on your multi-tool, even better)
If your bike uses a replaceable derailleur hanger, be sure to have an extra that is compatible with your bike
Rain jacket - this works well for chilly descents too
2 x 26 oz water bottles
Food/nutrition in case you need a zap of energy before the food stop
Read this article about social distance riding preparation written by Ride Headquarters for more help in packing for the day. Even though we’re no longer needing to officially social distance, it’s really nice to be prepared to take care of yourself or a riding friend if the situation arises.
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-40mm tires are appropriate. Feel free to use bigger tires. Narrower than 28mm are strongly discouraged. There is some loose gravel on the roads. 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 ride rain or shine. Dangerous weather (like an electrical storm) cancels the ride or postpones the start time.
Last Minute Information: We will email everyone who registers with the latest information and details concerning parking, timing, route, etc. by 12pm the day before the ride.
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.