10 Most Recently Upcoming Event Rides
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Saturday, May 11, 2024
Hello! We're excited to see you this Saturday, May 11, for a great day on the roads and trails, paved and unpaved. Please read this entire page, you are responsible to know everything contained on this page. There is a lot of very important information here, critical to having a successful and very fun day on the bike! If anything changes here, we’ll put updates at the very top so that you know about the change - if anything.
This ride begins at the very beautiful Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, Massachusetts.
Address for your GPS:
455 Highland Ave., Phillipston, MA 01331
Before going into the nitty gritty of the day, take down this number so you have easy access to it during the day Saturday. This number gets you direct access to support staff on Saturday. It is a different number from the one we have usually used for events so please put this in your phone now.
Dial this number if you need to reach us, or if you need to communicate anything to anyone while you’re out riding. If reception is challenging, please send a txt along to this number, it is more likely to go through in a spotty coverage area if anything is going to work. If you’re in a no-cell coverage area, keep walking on the route until you find reception. Often, this is at the top of a hill.
You filled this out when you registered via BikeReg.com. If you didn’t fill it out already, it’ll be emailed to you via BikeReg so you can sign it electronically. There are two waivers to sign.
The best place to park, whether or not you’re arriving tomorrow evening to car camp, is the large open parking lot across the street (not in the orchard). See the map below.
If you will be selecting the camping option, please email so we know you’ll be out there. connect@newenglandexpeditionriders.com
Feel free to show up to check-in sooner than your rollout time to grab a coffee.
When it’s your time to roll out, riders need to find the staff person who is working at the reserved table on the patio (see map) so we can mark you as present and record your start time to keep track of you.
Your start time is listed at the very bottom of this page.
There is one person managing rollout and it’ll be busy. Please don’t bring problems to the person rolling out people. This is not the time to learn how to load a route on your GPS computer. Get your problems out of the way Friday before the ride and email us with any issues or call 413-461-7433 if you have any problems prior to Saturday so we can get you sorted pre-ride.
For 150 mile riders: Check-in begins at 3:45am. After you check in, you’re welcome to depart on your ride. We ask that each of you check in with us prior to rolling out. We are timing our support of the 150-mile ride assuming a 12mph minimum average pace for the first 30 miles and an overall total of 10mph average for the rest of the ride. Remember that stops cause your average pace to go down. If you drop below a 12mph pace in the first 30 miles, we strongly suggest cutting the route at mile 30 so as to complete the 100km distance rather than attempt the full 150 miles.
If you are a faster gravel rider, you’re welcome to start as late as 5am, but be sure to do the math and ensure you can have a mechanical, stop as much as you’d like, and still make the minimum average.
At check-in there is a restroom and ample water (from the tap) if you need to fill up prior to rolling out.
Be certain to check out your driving times to the start so that you plan your drive properly to make your start time. It is important that you start riding on time. You’ll park about a 1-minute bike ride away from the check-in at the farm, so take this distance into account in your timing.
Our support person will gladly schlep your drop bag that you leave with us (with your name marked on the outside) so that you can refuel with calories of your choice during the ride and get any needed supplies like sunscreen, extra battery for your phone, etc, etc. We highly recommend taking a drop bag in case you want to add/remove clothing during the ride and test more/different types of foods throughout the day. Drop bags must be left with us at check-in before you roll out if you want to see them at our supported stop mid-ride.
Make certain you have enough food and water on you and your bike to get to each water/food stop. Plan on 3-4 hours of riding between the start and our supported food stop, and another 3-4 to the end. Better to be over-prepared rather than under. Don’t plan on seeing places to buy food or water during the ride since this route is on back roads through small towns.
Saturday will be a high of 57 degrees, partially cloudy. Could be ideal weather!
There is one food/water stop on the route where you’ll find a friendly staff member. Here you will have water and a variety of tasty food that you can grab and eat quickly. We have some bike tools in case you’ve got an issue that needs more than the tools you’re carrying on you.
150 mile riders see this stop twice during your ride and you’ll also encounter the nice Greenfield downtown which has good food options, be sure to bring money to buy food/water in Greenfield.
Food & water stops:
:: Mi 30.1 - Fishing area 2, gate 31 at the Quabbin: you’ll see our support person, portable toilets, water, food, your drop bag - TIME CUT: 6:30am - this is when this food stop closes for a few hours.
:: Mi 72.2 - Downtown Greenfield, the route takes you right in front of a neat Mexican restaurant called Mesa Verde with quick ordering & outdoor seating, at the corner is Wild Roots (coffee, sandwiches) & Ice Cream Alley (ice cream!)
:: Mi 108.8 - Fishing area 2, gate 31 at the Quabbin: Same stop you saw at mile 30.1 with a different support person, more food, portable toilets, water, your drop bag - TIME CUT: 2:00pm - this is when this food stop closes for the day.
:: 150 - End - Hurrah!!
Check out the Red Apple Menu. There is also brick-oven wood-fired PIZZA! (These are two separate businesses at the farm, you can order from your ride and food will be ready for you when you arrive!) Yes, a variety of beer is on tap. The Brew Barn is open until 8pm Saturdays in spring.
We’re charging less for the ride so you have dollars left over for a meal post-ride. This is a fun venue that is nice for the whole family. Feel free to invite your family or friends to meet you post ride!
You’re welcome to bring your own food and enjoy it at your car if you prefer.
If you think you’re on the route, but you’re needing to do some bushwhacking, you aren’t really on the route. Take a step back and see if you’re really a few meters away from the route. Sometimes GPS thinks you’re a little ways away from where you really are.
Once in a blue moon, the route could direct you to a road or trail that doesn’t make sense to ride. If this were to occur, use common sense and your GPS computer to see what other road you can take to connect you up with the route.
This route has been vetted completely in the past 2 weeks. There are some new roads and trails open at the Quabbin that very recently weren’t open to bikes. We haven’t routed you anywhere bikes aren’t allowed. There are some confusing signs that look like “no bikes” but what they mean is “no riding mountain bike trails.” So where we’re having you ride is legal.
There are some large puddles of water, but we aren’t aware of any sections where you’ll need to get your feet wet. As always, a beaver dam could cause a flood we aren’t expecting. Sometimes there are new trails that allow you to walk around a puddle so it’s worth keeping your eyes open for a walk-around trail.
Further down, we provide you the route(s). There are a few general notes about the routes:
The route starts off by taking you south on Highland Ave (the road you drive in on to Red Apple).
The first 30 miles are the easiest (least technical) and fastest miles of the day, so keep this in mind and be aware that these miles will pass more quickly than most of the others.
The average rider will take 6-8 hours to complete the 100km ride. 150 mile riders could be out for as many as 15 hours.
There is no easy way to cut the course, but if you want to cut it, just let us know where you’re leaving the prescribed route so we have an idea of what you’re doing. You may be on busy roads not ideal for bike riding if you cut the route or on a road that doesn’t go through.
There are leaves on the trails left over from autumn. Ride leaves with caution, aim your bike to the more worn leaves and exposed trail. Be aware of the rocks, sticks, holes, etc that could hide under leaves.
Be aware of the lack of traction and stopping power you’ll have if you’re cornering or stopping hard on leaves or loose dirt. There are some sandy sections on trails that could be a surprise.
Loose/rough surfaces you don’t feel comfortable riding? Walk your bike the few feet it’s necessary. Be safe, do what you’re comfortable riding. 99% of the route is rideable for most skill levels of cyclists.
Expect approximately 75 feet per mile of elevation gain.
There are some potentially fast descents on rough roads. Don’t take these too fast since they are often washed out at the bottom. There are often turns off of these roads that interrupt the descent. If you’re riding with someone else, be certain you communicate your next move since someone could get surprised by a sudden turn off the current road.
Cars aren't expecting to see cyclists out riding as there are very few cars and even fewer cyclists in this area, so stay to the right-hand side of the road.
Follow all of the rules of the road. In an area without a lot of traffic, cars are more likely to take turns wide and not adhere to rules. All the more reason to ride predictably and as if the roads were full of cars.
There could be a time when you hear guns in the woods. This noise is coming from gun clubs. No gun hunting is legally allowed in any of the areas we'll be riding.
You'll see a lot of dirt, all kinds of roads, trails, some rough sections and some smooth pavement. Slow down when you're on the rough stuff, take it easy.
Be more careful once you’re fatigued. Your judgement is impaired with fatigue. Take this into account.
Front and rear lights are REQUIRED when the sun is weak or non-existent. 150 mile riders are required to start with lights front & rear.
When you finish the route, if there isn’t a staff person at Red Apple Farm at the table where you checked in, please sign in so we know you finished. A sign-in sheet will be located at this table.
THIS IS REQUIRED. If we don’t know that you’ve returned, we will assume you’re lost and will call you, your emergency contact, and even the local authorities. You don’t want us to do that if you’re not really lost.
All riders get a refreshing Crud Cloth! These feel great to wipe down after a ride to clean up. If there isn’t anyone at the table, look for a bin with these. Please take 1 per rider.
Red Apple Farm is a wonderful place with farm animals like goats and bunnies, a particularly friendly cat named Tomo.
They have nice indoor and outdoor seating and it’s easy to stay awhile!
It is very important for each of you to come with a well-tuned bike, lubed chain, air in your tires, have electronic bikes fully charged up, wireless shifting bikes: check the battery life in your levers. Be certain to bring flat fixing tools and two spare tubes. Don't expect anyone to be near you when you have a flat. You want to be able to fix your issue and continue on. There is no driving mechanic support.
Cell phone use: There are many parts of this route that don't have great cell phone reception. It's non-existent for miles at a time.
Gear Checklist: Read through this exhaustive list that Ride Headquarters has prepared. Let us know if you want us to bring anything to you at the start of the ride, they can charge you remotely so it’s all set for you at the beginning of the ride: https://www.rideheadquarters.com/gravel-checklist
REQUIRED: Front and Rear Lights
Wear bright colors so you can be seen from a distance, this is generally helpful to staff who may be looking for you and safer so cars can see you too.
Bring supplies for 2 flat fixes and basic mechanicals. Be sure to check your tubes to be sure holes haven't been worn in them; be sure your CO2 cartridges aren't spent.
Change of clothes for after the ride.
Pillow - will you be able to safely drive after this long of a ride? If not, bring a sleeping bag and pillow and sleep in your car at the farm.
Sunscreen & extra sunscreen to reapply (we are providing sunscreen at the start). There will be sunscreen at the water stop.
3 water bottles if at all possible.
A cell phone fully charged
Extra battery to recharge your GPS computer and/or phone
Your favorite bike foods, the things you know you can digest when you're hot, tired, and nothing sounds good - eat often throughout the ride!
A GPS computer with the route loaded, fully charged
Helmet
ID
Everything you need on your body and bike to be comfortable for a long, fun day in the saddle!
If you need us to bring anything for you, please email us no later than 5pm today, we offer remote payment options to make it simple.
Routes
First Half - 150 mi TM - 1 - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46586107
Second Half - 150 mi TM - 2 - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46586092
Most of the first 30 miles and last 34 miles are the same as what the 100km riders are taking on. However, there are differences in the routes, so be aware of this.
100km TM - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/46586114
We do not have the ability to load your GPS computer at the start of the ride. Be sure to let us know if you are having problems getting the route on your computer as soon as possible! Be sure to check that the route has loaded on your computer, too, once you think the route is on your GPS unit. You can do this by making sure to look at the map and see that it’s the same shape as what you see on the computer.
You'll need to have your GPS computer loaded before arriving, we will not be loading routes at the start.
If you're using a Garmin computer to navigate, be certain "Recalculation: Automatic" is TURNED OFF.
This is critical. A quick "how-to" on the Garmin 1030, all Garmins are some version of this:
Go to the Activity Profile you're using, it's likely called "Road"Select "Navigation"
Select "Routing"
Select "Recalculation" and turn it to "Off"
Make sure you have a fully charged GPS unit. Have an external battery in your pocket for backup.
If you're unsure if you're on or off the route or something seems weird on your GPS device, reload the route, and make sure you're on it.
If you think you got off route, go back the same way you came to where you know you were on route. It shouldn't be too terribly long before a rider who is associated with this ride comes along and can offer directional assistance.
