Have you ever thought about bicycle touring but didn’t know where or how to start? Now is your chance. Join leaders Harriet Fell and Mary Kernan for our Intro to Touring ride, taking an easy pace along a flat route, down to Providence and back.

We’ll start in Newton and meander through Wellesley and Natick, following a southwesterly route using as many bike trails as possible. The trip to Providence is 52 miles with only 1,900 feet of elevation and we’ve got all day to do it. We’ll enjoy the ride, stop to take in the sites and answer questions along the way. After an overnight stay and dinner in Providence, we’ll retrace some of our route for the return trip, with a few deviations.

You do not need a touring bike for this ride. It’s designed as a credit card tour, meaning we’ll travel lightly and stay overnight in a hotel, negating the need to bring lots of extra clothing, camping or cooking gear, etc. How much you carry is up to you, depending on the amount of storage you have on your bike and how attached you are to clean clothes.

Many people will find they can fit all they need in a large saddle bag, perhaps supplemented by a handlebar or top tube bag. Riding with a backpack is not recommended as the weight can cause a lot of discomfort on a longer ride. You can choose to bring a second set of cycling clothes for the return trip, rinse things out overnight and hope they dry, or use the same clothing for both days. We’ll be having dinner in a Providence restaurant but promise to pick something that allows for casual attire.

You should be able to comfortably ride 50 miles. Everyone will ride at their own pace and we’ll have regular stops to keep the group together. There will be a leader and a sweep and no one will be left behind. Be sure that your bike is in good working order and plan to carry the tools you’ll need to change your own flats. You must also have your own navigation, either a GPS device/app with the route loaded or a printed copy of the map and cue sheet. At the end of the weekend, we hope you’ll have learned enough to feel comfortable participating in other CRW Adventure rides.

There’s no cost for this ride. You are responsible for your own meals. We’ve reserved a discounted block of rooms at a Providence hotel and they'll be available for you to book until April 21st. You’ll make your own reservations directly with the hotel and you should do this soon to insure the discounted rate. We'll be holding a Zoom information session on Tuesday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. to answer questions for registered riders. Please click here to register. 

Harriet and Mary have extensive touring experience, both supported and unsupported, fully and lightly loaded. For more information or to register, contact Harriet Fell or Mary Kernan. This ride will be limited to 16 participants.