Location: Start and end in Waltham, MA at the Mighty Squirrel Parking Lot
Ride Type: Mixed Terrain Training Ride
Date & Time: Wednesdays in June, 2023
Distance: 13-16 miles. The ride is always done before 9am
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
We have a designated Super Domestique leading the group. The purpose of this ride is to get focused training in. The group warms up together with the ride over to Prospect Hill via mixed terrain trails, then we do hill intervals at the same time with everyone going the pace that makes sense to each person. There is no need to participate in the intervals to the top of Prospect if your body doesn’t want to do it.
Each hill interval is ~6 minutes in length. Faster riders will be closer to 5 minutes, slower closer to 7 minutes. All speeds of riders are accommodated since it’s just an up/down on the same road on Prospect Hill.
There are a total of 4 intervals on offer for the first Wednesday in June. It’s always fine to sit one out or ride slowly if one wants fewer. Some people select a shorter portion of road to go harder for a shorter period of time. Entirely up to each person.
Intervals should not be performed at max effort/hr, they should be done such that it’s possible to complete the full workout. Steady results in better results than max. It’s also far more pleasant to execute steady intervals rather than max.
Distance
The ride is ~13-15 miles in length.
Parking
Mighty Squirrel Parking Lot
411 Waverley Oaks Road , Waltham, MA, United States, Massachusetts
Route
Please load BOTH of these routes into your GPS computer:
6 To Prospect: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43189908
6 From Prospect: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/43189955
Estimated Ride Time
Plan to be back before 9am, we’ll learn exact timing after the first “official” running of this ride.
Route Notes
Be prepared for rocks/roots and single track riding over to Prospect Hill. Dab a foot or walk what you need to. If you aren’t comfortable with riding rocks/roots on your gravel bike, this isn’t the best first ride to come out on to learn it.
After the Ride
Everyone needs to get to work or start their day. Ride Headquarters shows up to this with the big, red van. HQ will stick around with anyone who would like to discuss bikes or any bike shop business. Please tell Ride HQ to expect you post-ride if you want to discuss new bikes so we can bring demo bikes with us and have the time set aside for you!
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 anytime 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
New England Expedition Riders (NEER) requires a signed waiver before your first ride. This was implemented in December of 2022 (VERY RECENTLY). Please fill it out 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
Gravel, mtn or fat bike with 40mm tires or wider are the most common on this ride.
Clip-in pedals: This is an important element of bike control.
Front and rear lights that will last the duration of the ride when it’s dark (if it’s dark) and WILL NOT blind your riding friends. Eye-piercing rear lights (look into it, does it hurt your eyes?) should be pointed downward or replaced with non-eye-piercing bright lights. All rear lights should be set on steady, not blinking.
A Tuned Bike: 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.