Metro Boston: Good ride today?
10-26-16, 01:01 PM
#5652
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thanks I'm going to spend more time with your reply later today. I'm developing some preferences for the bike which are actually leaning toward straight and flat and avoiding MTB trails. the Reformatory Branch trail is actually ideal but it's too short. thanks for your suggestions I will be back to review them.
forests are ok if there are forest "roads" to ride :-)
forests are ok if there are forest "roads" to ride :-)
I hear there are some fantastic unpaved roads in Western MA/Berkshires, NH, VT... Don't think they're mostly flat though. I'm yet to check them out.
5 Great Gravel Grinder Rides - Vermont Sports Magazine
Beautiful Vermont Dirt Roads | Harris Cyclery
https://bikenewengland.com/2016/06/1...massachusetts/ (mostly paved probably, but may include some dirt roads)
Also check out Caleb's instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/bike_less_ordinary/
He's based out of Northampton, I believe, and he'd be a great resource for off-road trails in Western MA if you're inclined to venture out that way.
10-26-16, 01:25 PM
#5653
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Groton Town Forest
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...wn-forest.html
Douglas State Forest, MA (which I rode twice so there's another more detailed post (see below)
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...forest-ma.html
Southern New England Trunkline Trail (starting in Douglas State Forest)
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...ine-trail.html
Mass Central Rail Trail (next on my list for this Sunday)
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...ail-trail.html
10-26-16, 01:51 PM
#5654
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I posted in the Northeast section:
Groton Town Forest
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...wn-forest.html
Douglas State Forest, MA (which I rode twice so there's another more detailed post (see below)
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...forest-ma.html
Southern New England Trunkline Trail (starting in Douglas State Forest)
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...ine-trail.html
Mass Central Rail Trail (next on my list for this Sunday)
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...ail-trail.html
Groton Town Forest
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...wn-forest.html
Douglas State Forest, MA (which I rode twice so there's another more detailed post (see below)
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...forest-ma.html
Southern New England Trunkline Trail (starting in Douglas State Forest)
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...ine-trail.html
Mass Central Rail Trail (next on my list for this Sunday)
https://www.bikeforums.net/northeast/...ail-trail.html
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/ed...VFgWs9co5E8Cxw
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/vi..._IPnyx0mcCep10
You can make a longer loop around the Reformatory Branch Trail, Estabrook Road, Great Brook Farm SP, and the Bedford Narrow Gauge Trail:
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/17368083
10-26-16, 02:00 PM
#5655
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thank you. I'm challenged keeping track of turns & street names. I'm really digging getting on a dirt rail trail & following it wherever it goes, turning around & heading back
10-27-16, 11:52 AM
#5656
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I'll assume you're interested in non-straight, non-flat trails as well since you listed the town forests. There are some interesting loops you can find out there in state forests, e.g.
Harold Parker
Great Brook Farm
Middlesex Fells (fire roads)
Minuteman National Park (one of my favorites)
Reformatory Branch
Billerica Town Forest (stay away, IMHO, it's not very nice there)
Rock Meadow in Belmont has a number of flat trails and you could possibly even bike the Western Greenway - I was just out there this weekend, and this place has lots of flat, wide trails. Saw a number of bikers out there.
(ones I haven't been to but want to check out some day)
Ware River Rail Trail
Topsfield Linear Common
Methuen Rail Trail
Google Maps with the cycling layer is a good way to find places to explore (look for brown):
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6916.../data=!5m1!1e3
OpenCycle map (OpenStreet with the Cycling layer):
OpenStreetMap
NEMBA (read descriptions first, as it's MTB-oriented):
massachusetts | NEMBA
Harold Parker
Great Brook Farm
Middlesex Fells (fire roads)
Minuteman National Park (one of my favorites)
Reformatory Branch
Billerica Town Forest (stay away, IMHO, it's not very nice there)
Rock Meadow in Belmont has a number of flat trails and you could possibly even bike the Western Greenway - I was just out there this weekend, and this place has lots of flat, wide trails. Saw a number of bikers out there.
(ones I haven't been to but want to check out some day)
Ware River Rail Trail
Topsfield Linear Common
Methuen Rail Trail
Google Maps with the cycling layer is a good way to find places to explore (look for brown):
https://www.google.com/maps/@42.6916.../data=!5m1!1e3
OpenCycle map (OpenStreet with the Cycling layer):
OpenStreetMap
NEMBA (read descriptions first, as it's MTB-oriented):
massachusetts | NEMBA
10-29-16, 09:01 PM
#5657
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Thread Starter
These are great discussions. I try to compare many of them to the MAPC trail map. It is pretty good but doesn't go out of State or to Korea. I travelled to Korea many times and walked and jogged but never biked. Nice to see the hubways of Korea.
Didn't get out this week but plan to ride up to Carlisle and back tomorrow midday.
Didn't get out this week but plan to ride up to Carlisle and back tomorrow midday.
10-29-16, 09:25 PM
#5658
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14 cool, gray miles on the Minuteman Saturday afternoon.
Outbound, I passed a young couple standing trailside in Lexington quarreling in Chinese. On the return, they were still at it, with body language indicating that neither had given an inch, she with her head thrust forward and jabbing with her index finger, he with his arms crossed, looking defiant. I was reminded of Tolstoy's line to the effect that each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Glad I was riding a bicycle.
rod
Outbound, I passed a young couple standing trailside in Lexington quarreling in Chinese. On the return, they were still at it, with body language indicating that neither had given an inch, she with her head thrust forward and jabbing with her index finger, he with his arms crossed, looking defiant. I was reminded of Tolstoy's line to the effect that each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Glad I was riding a bicycle.
rod
10-29-16, 09:28 PM
#5659
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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We may see you there. Didn't ride this week or last weekend. Stuff gets in the way.
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With great bikes comes great responsibility.
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10-30-16, 10:08 AM
#5660
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Thread Starter
Carlisle plan.
We met up at the Citgo in downtown Sherborn and as stated I wanted to go north to Carlisle and another rider suggested we go south so we compromised and went south. Either way the weather was spectacular. 43 miles to Diamond Hill, RI, a ride you kids have made on your tandem. A few people were at Adams Farm to enjoy a corn maze and petting farm and on the way north shoppers were at the apple orchard.
10-30-16, 03:40 PM
#5661
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Fat biking the Fells - pt i
It seemed like everyone and their grandmother was out in the Fells today taking advantage of the warm but cloudy day. Lots of mud out there and lots of fun to be had as long as the hikers kept their kids and dogs under control
10-30-16, 05:28 PM
#5663
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Finally a weekend ride that wasn't in the rain or during hurricane force winds. I managed to log 640 miles this month and I'd say 500 of them were in the dark (with lights
), 100 in the rain and 40 in not so sunny daytime. Yesterday morning at 8:00 AM when I was 25 miles into my Saturday morning ride, I hit 5000 miles for the year so far. Today I took out my R3 for a nice Sunday morning 56 mile spin. The weather was absolutely perfect riding weather.
Cheers
), 100 in the rain and 40 in not so sunny daytime. Yesterday morning at 8:00 AM when I was 25 miles into my Saturday morning ride, I hit 5000 miles for the year so far. Today I took out my R3 for a nice Sunday morning 56 mile spin. The weather was absolutely perfect riding weather. Cheers
10-30-16, 05:32 PM
#5664
What??? Only 2 wheels?
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We didn't go north exactly and we didn't go south exactly. Sort of northwest. Our usual run from Waltham to Carlisle. Arrived about 11:30, departed about 15 minutes later, ate lunch in Concord Center.
Lots of goings-on in Carlisle though. Lots of color and bikes.
The bike I'm standing in front of and studying is a new Co-Motion tandem which rolled in about 5 minutes after we did. The couple riding it, with whom we conversed of a few minutes, had just picked it up yesterday and this was its maiden voyage. It had one of them newfangled Rollhoff (or Roll off or Rholoff or Rohloff or however it is spelt) drive trains with rubber belts instead of chains, no front shifting, and 14 speeds inside the rear hub via planetary gears. And wicked big tires, like 48-622. I told them our vintage tandem had (nyah!) 15 speeds!
It wouldn't be a great ride without a picnic.
Lots of goings-on in Carlisle though. Lots of color and bikes.
The bike I'm standing in front of and studying is a new Co-Motion tandem which rolled in about 5 minutes after we did. The couple riding it, with whom we conversed of a few minutes, had just picked it up yesterday and this was its maiden voyage. It had one of them newfangled Rollhoff (or Roll off or Rholoff or Rohloff or however it is spelt) drive trains with rubber belts instead of chains, no front shifting, and 14 speeds inside the rear hub via planetary gears. And wicked big tires, like 48-622. I told them our vintage tandem had (nyah!) 15 speeds!
It wouldn't be a great ride without a picnic.
__________________
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
Real cyclists use toe clips.
With great bikes comes great responsibility.
jimmuller
11-03-16, 08:38 PM
#5665
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Got a ride tonight, later and darker than usual, the air mild and moist, the Minuteman almost deserted and providing solitude for miles at a time, the pavement carpeted in places with glowing leaves in the headlights, the luminance depending on the species of the overhanging trees, dazzling at times and providing an enhanced sense of speed. Floated along on the big Snoqualmie Pass tires on the LHT, soft, quiet, and quick, the whirling spokes lit on the front wheel by low-set lights.
rod
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 11-05-16 at 08:24 AM.
11-05-16, 01:07 PM
#5666
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Somerville & Cambridge MA ride to Charles River
It felt like the Fall temperatures were never going to go above 50F this morning, not lot of sun out there early but lots of people and lots of construction!
11-06-16, 04:56 PM
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11-06-16, 04:59 PM
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I don't move for any obstacles with the Fatty now, unless it's a tree trunk or a hiker 
I got some good mud guards thankfully.
11-06-16, 07:05 PM
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It's totally a work in progress. See the Arlington Center Safe Travel Project for details.
-mr. bill
11-06-16, 07:26 PM
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Hit the Fells again today, a very overcast day, lots of hikers but no puddles like last weekend 
I knocked camera mount and it captured this by mistake
I knocked camera mount and it captured this by mistake
11-06-16, 07:55 PM
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11-06-16, 08:16 PM
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Celebrated the belated return of Eastern Standard Time with 14 dark and peaceful miles on the Minuteman this evening, temperatures falling through the 40s.
The AHS stadium was brilliantly lit for a girls soccer squad practice.
The crescent moon wore a veil of clouds.
Rabbits crossed the trail on several occasions, and once a fat possum waddled across in my headlights, reminded me of Pogo, and, by extension, of Walt Kelly. I found myself wondering what he'd make of the current election, and what animal personae he'd assign to the candidates. Riding in the dark is good for that sort of thing.
rod
The AHS stadium was brilliantly lit for a girls soccer squad practice.
The crescent moon wore a veil of clouds.
Rabbits crossed the trail on several occasions, and once a fat possum waddled across in my headlights, reminded me of Pogo, and, by extension, of Walt Kelly. I found myself wondering what he'd make of the current election, and what animal personae he'd assign to the candidates. Riding in the dark is good for that sort of thing.
rod
Last edited by rholland1951; 11-06-16 at 08:23 PM.
