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Maynard to Lowell using Assabet River Rail Trail to Bruce Freeman Trail
I'll be doing this round trip periodically thru the year, I think, taking some heat off the Minuteman :-) So thought I'd start a thread to come back to seasonally, or whatever. Lots of crossover tho w other threads on BF
Assabet River Rail Trail to Bruce Freeman Trail ending in Lowell approx. 17 miles to Alltown gas station (980 Chelmsford St, Lowell, MA) approx 34 miles round trip approx. 3 miles Maynard to South Acton Train Station on roads & top part of Assabet River Trail approx. 4 miles (on the road, only 1 mile w a designated bike lane on the road (ending at Kmart), to trail bridge entrance 318 Great Rd Acton) approx 11 miles to the parking lot at the end of the BFT & an Alltown gas station, 980 Chelmsford St, Lowell, MA w Dunkin Donuts, restrooms & Wifi! (but no seating) Saturday 8/4/18 chores, errands & bike maintenance, then late in the day 5 pmish? time for a ride temps in the 90s & humid. dodged passing showers the same day/time a tornado touched down 40 miles southwest in Dudley/Webster, MA what's good: can ride from home, no car required trip is broken up by several milestones/changes making the whole trip seem less monotonous mostly protected trail away from cars not heavily used end/turnaround has place to get snacks & use a bathroom with Wifi! what's bad: 4 miles on the road, 1 mile with a designated bike lane but 3 sketchy miles on the road w/ no bike lane & in some places no shoulder whatsoever! lots of road crossings, mostly quiet but several requiring a hard stop https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f7effffb9e.jpg it's a pretty trail & will be interesting as the seasons change https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b9682fde2c.jpg this intersection in Chelmsford can be busy & when there is no traffic it's very tempting not to follow the signals. gotta watch myself https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ea222f64d2.jpg don't care for the section w/o a bike lane, not much room for cars to pass & when the weather turns foul will present additional hazards. there's a narrow sidewalk on the other side but you can't ride 18 mph on it, especially with pedestrians on it. was "checked out" by two separate Police cars. don't think they are used to seeing cyclists in this area https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0179d656d3.jpg |
took another run at this, mid-week, mid-day
the mile markers are a nice feature https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ae21d2d70c.jpg parts of route 27 look like this https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1328c87b2b.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...015c9023e5.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1c8a67b1fb.jpg other parts look like this. was using my mirror so when I saw a semi approaching I hopped on the sidewalk for tiny bit, until it passed. why push my luck, right? https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...53d35694e6.jpg the sharp right turn from route 27 to 2A/119 is a bit awkward, especially considering the other crossing on 2A/119 to get on the trail. would be nice to find a shortcut bypassing this intersection & that road crossing * think I'll try Brook St which would take me to the trail behind Donelan's Market https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...c50ca0048e.jpg |
Nice description and photos, @rumrunn6. Are the trails paved, i.e for 25 C tires? Nice to know about the South Acton train station as a way to access this ride from Boston on the Fitchburg Line. MBTA > Riding the T > Bikes on the T
BTW, I came across a few earlier posts from you about this route:
Originally Posted by rholland1951
(Post 20491219)
Connecting the Assabet River Rail Trail to the Bruce Freeman hadn't occurred to me. What roads do you use for that?
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
(Post 20491256)
Route 27, it's right there at the S. Acton train station. then just turn right at 2A/119 until you see the big new bridge. there's an entrance ramp on the northbound side of 2A/119
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
(Post 20416974)
I guess this is the recent extension of the Assabet River Rail Trail. a new section opened crossing Acton St parallel to Route 27 in Maynard, MA. coming South on Route 27 (now that the trees have filled in) when you make a right onto Acton St.
it is not easy to see bikes or pedestrians. someone not familiar with the area & maybe going too fast may have a bad interaction at this spot…. anyway, if you're riding this trail, in this area, please be careful. I suppose I can write a letter or something to MASS DOT, just to get something on file
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
(Post 20429796)
was having a nice ride on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail heading from Acton toward Lowell until our ride came to a crashing halt (5 miles from the car) at Pond St, Chelmsford when Wifey struck a stanchion hiding in the shade & broke her wrist (crack in the radius bone). she was distracted by the lovely beach we just passed…
before the crash, while we were enjoying our ride she was talking about how she could work a partial bike commute into her daily work schedule. well that's not going to happen. & her first ride of the summer was her last. I doubt if in mid-August she will want to ride again, even tho she loves it so much. too far into the future to consider right now she did enjoy the new insulated water bottle holder *sigh* |
Originally Posted by Jim from Boston
(Post 20511124)
Nice description and photos, @rumrunn6. Are the trails paved, i.e for 25 C tires? Nice to know about the South Acton train station as a way to access this ride from Boston on the Fitchburg Line. MBTA > Riding the T > Bikes on the T
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
(Post 20510750)
the sharp right turn from route 27 to 2A/119 is a bit awkward, especially considering the other crossing on 2A/119 to get on the trail. would be nice to find a shortcut bypassing this intersection & that road crossing * think I'll try Brook St which would take me to the trail behind Donelan's Market. Brook St. is MUCH more pleasant than continuing on 27 to 2A. Or Concord Rd. past the Acton Congregational Church too. However, have you considered going round the southeast side of Great Hill and the Aboretum? School St. (past the South Acton Congregational Church)->Piper Rd./Taylor Rd.->Minot Ave.->Concord Rd? -mr. bill |
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
(Post 20511271)
yes the trail is paved, I run 25mm tires as well. these are the hazards t watch out for...hmmm, not sure the trail is worth traveling by train for. I guess maybe if you want to try a new trail
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Originally Posted by mr_bill
(Post 20511279)
Brook St. is MUCH more pleasant than continuing on 27 to 2A. Or Concord Rd. past the Congregational Church too.
However, have you considered going round the southeast side of Great Hill and the Aboretum? School St.->Piper Rd./Taylor Rd.->Minot Ave.->Concord Rd? |
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
(Post 20511302)
Wifey also mentioned Concord Rd! thank you! & I have taken that school St shortcut when I don't feel like waiting for that left onto 27 coming back from Staples or Trader Joe's. you know the area well!
Originally Posted by mr_bill
(Post 17810245)
....
I will take cobbles over machine cut tarmac any day: http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...psesimpj0n.jpg .... All in all a glorious day to be out and riding. -mr. bill |
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
(Post 20491044)
this intersection in Chelmsford can be busy & when there is no traffic it's very tempting not to follow the signals. gotta watch myself
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ea222f64d2.jpg |
took another crack at the trail avoiding route 27 altogether starting on Concord Rd near ice House Pond (small new parking lot) & stopped before that intersection in Chelmsford. so it was only 20 miles round trip
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f61e396dff.jpg https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...be5bf26643.jpg https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e7ed80d977.jpg lot is a good size, but next time won't be parking next to the blue box https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...6c573c9b65.jpg one of the bollards at Pond Street, Chelmsford is missing https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0fa2d0e30b.jpg flyer at the Brick House Restaurant end about how to wear a helmet https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...935f244654.jpg route 225 is definitely a hard stop unless you get lucky w others ahead of you, getting the light to turn in your favor https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...31004fcd18.jpg just realized there is an arrow pointing the opposite direction of the upcoming turn. I'm sure it's there for a reason :foo: https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ae340baf0b.jpg |
used Concord Rd last night. it was helpful to cut out part of route 27
had a close call on the BFRT at a road crossing, most rd crossings are pretty tame, or, if not, they are obvious hard stops, or obvious to use caution, slow or stop, etc. but last night, in the darkness I approached a crossing, was able to see the rd in both directions well before the crossing & saw no headlights & heard nothing. it was dark & quiet. as I crossed a car appeared out of nowhere to my right moving at a good clip. it startled me but I was well ahead of it exiting the roadway well before it wanted to occupy the same roadway. the unique problem with that crossing is a hill that separates the oncoming traffic & blocks my view of it, & their view of the crossing. the car was exceeding the speed limit, I think & I didn't stop because there were no cars. but if I wind up dead it doesn't matter who's fault it was, even if it was shared. I need to make note of that location thankfully on the way home I spotted that sewer grate with parallel bars before riding over it. it is near where route 27 crosses route 2. luckily the traffic was light & I have a good light overall a very pleasant evening there were some ppl on bikes that caught in the darkness w/o lights some more experienced (& faster) riders showed up later in the evening one guy had a light & when he saw me in the distance started to blink it don't know what his deal was I dipped mine lower & he seemed to do the same but then as we got closer he flashed me in the eyes ... WTF? returning south I could hear maybe a band at Nara Park? but it was weird cuz I could hear it then not then hear it then not. as I passed the park itself I saw nothing ... spooky riding the sidewalk, looking back after passing route 2 I think? https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b323e4b8dd.jpg significant sand in the bike lane after passing the train station & near/opposite gas station / hardware store / Dunkin Donuts https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...12ce3c8790.jpg blind driveway getting closer to Concord Rd https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...36f6756122.jpg |
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a9a691ceda.jpg |
got out for a ride today. didn't want to deal with cars so drove my bike to the Ice House Pond parking. is it ironic that after getting a snack in town & on my way to the trail, I witnessed a boy get hit by a car on the Assabet trail, at a road crossing. he seemed OK & I posted about it elsewhere post no. 8452 here
I had a safe ride. hope others had one as well today https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3f19ba1fb6.jpg https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f90ec96c0d.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f381e11aac.jpg the leaves are piling up, but at least they're dry. saw only one small puddle https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ae21470dcc.jpg |
meanwhile 2-3 months later is a bit different now
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f2c8fa16a1.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...9e36807f35.jpg https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...cd1303ccca.jpg https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...4679107d79.jpg https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a47180fef0.jpg https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...8df4dd51f1.jpg |
Looking forward to getting on this route and off of the crowded minute man. My friends and I usually head up the Minteman to get north of the city and then take some roads from there.
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Originally Posted by wykaman
(Post 21274862)
Looking forward to getting on this route and off of the crowded minute man. My friends and I usually head up the Minteman to get north of the city and then take some roads from there.
https://brucefreemanrailtrail.org/ if you're into exploring the undeveloped end of this trail, at the opposite end, I went to follow the end of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail where pavement turns to dirt & the old RR tracks keep going. Started at the Concord Middle School Sanborn campus approx 835 Old Marlboro Rd, Concord. in July |
weather & trail conditions improved enough to make it past the waterfall finally. kinda weird that it's February. Ice House Pond, Acton to Brickhouse Rest. Chelmsford
it was a bit rainy & dark. wish I got out earlier but glad I got out for 19 miles https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...dbbec9686c.jpg |
early spring ride after work on a decent day. largely quiet a cpl hours before dusk
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...34cd58d6d3.jpg some old tracks can stilll be seen https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...3b330048eb.jpg some side trails closed by Nara Park, Acton. probably due to the COVID Pandemic & trying to keep ppl from gathering in groups & sharing play equpiment? https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b6150b72de.jpg summer is coming ... gotta have faith! https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b7637a7fee.jpg |
ppl are not pushing cross-walk buttons. many on this trail are auto-activated, but not all. at one busy road, while ppl were waiting at both sides, I used the back of one of my gloved knuckles to push the button. had to keep remembering not to wipe my nose with that finger. & when I got back to my car had to remember to spray it w/ my special sauce
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b87703bb1a.jpg |
New Year's Eve, day 20.16 miles on the BFRT
43 degrees & humid but not wet from Ice House Pond, 120 Concord Rd, Acton to Brickhouse Center Restaurant 1 Central Sq, Chelmsford last cpl hrs of the year recent rain, but the path was clear of water & no ice or snow now for 2022, I certainly hope to: https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b5c9ce2758.jpg the Pearl Izumi Men's Elite Softshell Glove size XXL were just right https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...0ee34270a1.jpg uneventful & that's not a bad thing |
Originally Posted by livedarklions
(Post 20519508)
That crossing is the worst--it's totally unclear which way you are supposed to cross to stay on the bike path as neither the lights nor the crosswalk line up that way. I've probably done that crossing 20 times, and I still don't know what they expected bicyclists to do there.
I live in Chelmsford and yes, the center is impossible to figure out, for bikes and cars alike, if you're new to it. We first moved here over 20 years ago and it was even worse, if you can believe it--no traffic lights, just go for it and pray. Sheer madness and known locally as "chicken corner." I can't even imagine what it would have been like back in the day when the trains were still running. To follow the BFRT, you're supposed to use the brick lane on the right hand side in the photo, both ways. A stupid design because getting to and from there involves multiple 90 degree turns, stretches of sidewalk, and locating push buttons for the lights. The official trail runs between the fences by the yellow building (old town hall, now Chelmsford Center for the Arts), which btw also has designated trail parking (unlike the lot by the Brickhouse restaurant). But I usually cut through the parking lot, slowly, rather than weaving two 90 degree turns between light posts. Did I mention this was stupid? |
Originally Posted by rumrunn6
(Post 20491044)
this intersection in Chelmsford can be busy & when there is no traffic it's very tempting not to follow the signals. gotta watch myself
https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ea222f64d2.jpg |
And here ya go, now that I'm allowed uploads. Hope it's OK that I grabbed your pic.
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...614390a77c.jpg |
And this is the parking situation. Enter on the far side of the yellow building, the parking lot is behind the trees and is pretty sizable. The lot along the 1922 brick building is for those businesses only.
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...073c90fdb0.jpg |
Originally Posted by EVlove
(Post 22639147)
And this is the parking situation. Enter on the far side of the yellow building, the parking lot is behind the trees and is pretty sizable. The lot along the 1922 brick building is for those businesses only.
https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...7d4340f0bd.jpg https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...37d1efe55b.jpg |
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