This Adventure Ride is an Introduction to Bike-packing via an overnight trip in Vermont, which debuted in 2021.  This 2 day loop ride starts and ends in St. Johnsbury, VT and features a 38 mile mixed surface ride on Saturday, tent camping at lakefront campsites at Ricker Pond State Park on Saturday night (https://vtstateparks.com/ricker.html), and a 39 mile mixed surface ride on Sunday. 

WHO IS THIS RIDE FOR?

It's for up to 14 adventurers who are both experienced riders and campers who want to try out bike-packing, which means all your water, food, and gear is carried on your bike and NOT your shoulders.

WHAT KIND OF CAMPING WILL BE DONE?

Two 8 person tent campsites are already reserved, and the state park features a refreshing swimming pond, fresh water at campsites, a modern bath house with lights, hot & cold water, showers, toilets, and a limited number of electrical sockets.  Riders will make their own dinner on Saturday evening and breakfast Sunday morning.  Lunch on Saturday and Sunday can either be carried, or sourced at a limited number of stores en route.

WHAT KIND OF BIKE IS NEEDED?

Bikes with 30-40mm tires in good working order are required, and can be road, gravel or mountain bikes.  Vermont is hilly, so your gear range should include at least a 1:1 ratio low gear, like a 34t front chain ring paired with a 34t rear cog for example.   There will be not technical support/SAG wagon on this ride, so be prepared to repair flat tires, etc. and bring needed tools/spares.   Gear carrying options include a rear rack with panniers, handlebar bags, seat bags, frame bags, top tube bags and/or a combination of these.  Backpacks should NOT be used, except for hydration packs like Camelbacks.  So dig out your existing stuff OR use the trip as a great excuse to buy new gear!

WHAT IS THE COST?

The only official cost is a 1/14th share of the already-paid state park camping fees.

WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION DEADLINE?

Please register no later than Friday, June 10th.  Trip limit is 14 riders and 1 leader.  Ride leaders will connect with riders as they register to discuss and understand their level of cycling and camping experience before finalizing trip registration.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please email Jerry Skurla at jskurla [at] comcast.net or call 781-799-2322

SHORTER ROUTE for early sunsets! We've removed Estabrook and added an out-an-back on the Concord section of the Reformatory. Should finish just as the sunsets. BRING FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS!!! Join us for a fun and social gravel/mixed terrain ride! This ride is mostly on wide gravel roads & rail trail. Some of it may be rough, sandy, & muddy. According to Strava, the route is 66% unpaved. Tires 32–35mm should be sufficient. If you are familiar with the route you can show-and-go at your own pace; if you are new, we will have a no-drop group.

A journey through Revolutionary War history. Start at Revolution Hall and ride via Meagherville trail and residential streets to the eastern entrance to Minuteman National Historic Park. Follow the Battle Road past several historic buildings, soldier graves, Paul Revere capture site, all the way to the other side of the park at Meriam's Corner. Continue over trails through Concord farmland and open space. Right out to Concord center and back on historic rail beds that connected Lexington-Bedford-Concord: Reformatory Branch & Minute Man Bikeway. Finish at Revolution Hall, and treat yourself to a beer! 

*** Bring proper navigation tools: GPS device, phone app, or cue sheet. Do not rely on others to help you with navigation. They may ride at a different speed than you. ***

Rain cancels. Ride leader will make the call by noon on the day of the ride.

SHORTER ROUTE for early sunsets! We've removed Estabrook and added an out-an-back on the Concord section of the Reformatory. Should finish just as the sunsets. BRING FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS!!! Join us for a fun and social gravel/mixed terrain ride! This ride is mostly on wide gravel roads & rail trail. Some of it may be rough, sandy, & muddy. According to Strava, the route is 66% unpaved. Tires 32–35mm should be sufficient. If you are familiar with the route you can show-and-go at your own pace; if you are new, we will have a no-drop group.

A journey through Revolutionary War history. Start at Revolution Hall and ride via Meagherville trail and residential streets to the eastern entrance to Minuteman National Historic Park. Follow the Battle Road past several historic buildings, soldier graves, Paul Revere capture site, all the way to the other side of the park at Meriam's Corner. Continue over trails through Concord farmland and open space. Right out to Concord center and back on historic rail beds that connected Lexington-Bedford-Concord: Reformatory Branch & Minute Man Bikeway. Finish at Revolution Hall, and treat yourself to a beer! 

*** Bring proper navigation tools: GPS device, phone app, or cue sheet. Do not rely on others to help you with navigation. They may ride at a different speed than you. ***

Rain cancels. Ride leader will make the call by noon on the day of the ride.

SHORTER ROUTE for early sunsets! We've removed Estabrook and added an out-an-back on the Concord section of the Reformatory. Should finish just as the sunsets. BRING FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS!!! Join us for a fun and social gravel/mixed terrain ride! This ride is mostly on wide gravel roads & rail trail. Some of it may be rough, sandy, & muddy. According to Strava, the route is 66% unpaved. Tires 32–35mm should be sufficient. If you are familiar with the route you can show-and-go at your own pace; if you are new, we will have a no-drop group.

A journey through Revolutionary War history. Start at Revolution Hall and ride via Meagherville trail and residential streets to the eastern entrance to Minuteman National Historic Park. Follow the Battle Road past several historic buildings, soldier graves, Paul Revere capture site, all the way to the other side of the park at Meriam's Corner. Continue over trails through Concord farmland and open space. Right out to Concord center and back on historic rail beds that connected Lexington-Bedford-Concord: Reformatory Branch & Minute Man Bikeway. Finish at Revolution Hall, and treat yourself to a beer! 

*** Bring proper navigation tools: GPS device, phone app, or cue sheet. Do not rely on others to help you with navigation. They may ride at a different speed than you. ***

Rain cancels. Ride leader will make the call by noon on the day of the ride.

SHORTER ROUTE for early sunsets! We've removed Estabrook and added an out-an-back on the Concord section of the Reformatory. Should finish just as the sunsets. BRING FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS!!! Join us for a fun and social gravel/mixed terrain ride! This ride is mostly on wide gravel roads & rail trail. Some of it may be rough, sandy, & muddy. According to Strava, the route is 66% unpaved. Tires 32–35mm should be sufficient. If you are familiar with the route you can show-and-go at your own pace; if you are new, we will have a no-drop group.

A journey through Revolutionary War history. Start at Revolution Hall and ride via Meagherville trail and residential streets to the eastern entrance to Minuteman National Historic Park. Follow the Battle Road past several historic buildings, soldier graves, Paul Revere capture site, all the way to the other side of the park at Meriam's Corner. Continue over trails through Concord farmland and open space. Right out to Concord center and back on historic rail beds that connected Lexington-Bedford-Concord: Reformatory Branch & Minute Man Bikeway. Finish at Revolution Hall, and treat yourself to a beer! 

*** Bring proper navigation tools: GPS device, phone app, or cue sheet. Do not rely on others to help you with navigation. They may ride at a different speed than you. ***

Rain cancels. Ride leader will make the call by noon on the day of the ride.

SHORTER ROUTE for early sunsets! We've removed Estabrook and added an out-an-back on the Concord section of the Reformatory. Should finish just as the sunsets. BRING FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS!!! Join us for a fun and social gravel/mixed terrain ride! This ride is mostly on wide gravel roads & rail trail. Some of it may be rough, sandy, & muddy. According to Strava, the route is 66% unpaved. Tires 32–35mm should be sufficient. If you are familiar with the route you can show-and-go at your own pace; if you are new, we will have a no-drop group.

A journey through Revolutionary War history. Start at Revolution Hall and ride via Meagherville trail and residential streets to the eastern entrance to Minuteman National Historic Park. Follow the Battle Road past several historic buildings, soldier graves, Paul Revere capture site, all the way to the other side of the park at Meriam's Corner. Continue over trails through Concord farmland and open space. Right out to Concord center and back on historic rail beds that connected Lexington-Bedford-Concord: Reformatory Branch & Minute Man Bikeway. Finish at Revolution Hall, and treat yourself to a beer! 

*** Bring proper navigation tools: GPS device, phone app, or cue sheet. Do not rely on others to help you with navigation. They may ride at a different speed than you. ***

Rain cancels. Ride leader will make the call by noon on the day of the ride.

This ride is largely a repeat of last Sunday's "Center of the Universe" gravel ride on hopefully a less rainy day.  A few intrepid riders rode in about 3 hours of cold rain.  And then it was just cold. This gives those that prefer to stay dry another chance at this ride. 

It still goes to Rutland, MA, which is the geographic center of Massachusetts, but it no longer goes to Center Tree.  I've also moved the ride starts and rerouted the section near Rutland.  Choices for this ride are 27 or 35 miles.

Start will be at the MCRT lot at 190 Manning Street in Jefferson, MA.

Highlights include- many sections of the Mass Central Rail Trail, the newly developed Quinapoxet Rail Trail, ruins of the Old Rutland Prison Camp, the Center Tree Bar and Grill lunch stop and many quiet unpaved and paved roads.  This ride is not very hilly by gravel ride standards, but it does have a high percent of gravel.  Expect to hold about 9-10mph if you are an average rider.  Note that at about mile 12 Ware road becomes unmaintained, and the next 0.70 miles are rough with a 0.25 mile steep rocky downhill.  It is certainly ride-able, but if you are not experienced with bumpy, slightly technical descents I recommend walking.  Or email me (lindaandwesbcd [at] gmail.com), and I can give you routes that avoid this section.  Otherwise, this ride is quite good for those that are new to gravel riding.

Rain cancels.  This time I mean it!

Note: WEAR BRIGHT CLOTHES DURING HUNTING SEASON (December)!!!! SHORTER ROUTE for early sunsets! We've removed Estabrook and added an out-an-back on the Concord section of the Reformatory. Should finish just as the sunsets. BRING FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS!!! Join us for a fun and social gravel/mixed terrain ride! This ride is mostly on wide gravel roads & rail trail. Some of it may be rough, sandy, & muddy. According to Strava, the route is 66% unpaved. Tires 32–35mm should be sufficient. If you are familiar with the route you can show-and-go at your own pace; if you are new, we will have a no-drop group.

A journey through Revolutionary War history. Start at Revolution Hall and ride via Meagherville trail and residential streets to the eastern entrance to Minuteman National Historic Park. Follow the Battle Road past several historic buildings, soldier graves, Paul Revere capture site, all the way to the other side of the park at Meriam's Corner. Continue over trails through Concord farmland and open space. Right out to Concord center and back on historic rail beds that connected Lexington-Bedford-Concord: Reformatory Branch & Minute Man Bikeway. Finish at Revolution Hall, and treat yourself to a beer! 

*** Bring proper navigation tools: GPS device, phone app, or cue sheet. Do not rely on others to help you with navigation. They may ride at a different speed than you. ***

Rain cancels. Ride leader will make the call by noon on the day of the ride.

SHORTER ROUTE for early sunsets! We've removed Estabrook and added an out-an-back on the Concord section of the Reformatory. Should finish just as the sunsets. BRING FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS!!! Join us for a fun and social gravel/mixed terrain ride! This ride is mostly on wide gravel roads & rail trail. Some of it may be rough, sandy, & muddy. According to Strava, the route is 66% unpaved. Tires 32–35mm should be sufficient. If you are familiar with the route you can show-and-go at your own pace; if you are new, we will have a no-drop group.

A journey through Revolutionary War history. Start at Revolution Hall and ride via Meagherville trail and residential streets to the eastern entrance to Minuteman National Historic Park. Follow the Battle Road past several historic buildings, soldier graves, Paul Revere capture site, all the way to the other side of the park at Meriam's Corner. Continue over trails through Concord farmland and open space. Right out to Concord center and back on historic rail beds that connected Lexington-Bedford-Concord: Reformatory Branch & Minute Man Bikeway. Finish at Revolution Hall, and treat yourself to a beer! 

*** Bring proper navigation tools: GPS device, phone app, or cue sheet. Do not rely on others to help you with navigation. They may ride at a different speed than you. ***

Rain cancels. Ride leader will make the call by noon on the day of the ride.

SHORTER ROUTE for early sunsets! We've removed Estabrook and added an out-an-back on the Concord section of the Reformatory. Should finish just as the sunsets. BRING FRONT AND TAIL LIGHTS!!! Join us for a fun and social gravel/mixed terrain ride! This ride is mostly on wide gravel roads & rail trail. Some of it may be rough, sandy, & muddy. According to Strava, the route is 66% unpaved. Tires 32–35mm should be sufficient. If you are familiar with the route you can show-and-go at your own pace; if you are new, we will have a no-drop group.

A journey through Revolutionary War history. Start at Revolution Hall and ride via Meagherville trail and residential streets to the eastern entrance to Minuteman National Historic Park. Follow the Battle Road past several historic buildings, soldier graves, Paul Revere capture site, all the way to the other side of the park at Meriam's Corner. Continue over trails through Concord farmland and open space. Right out to Concord center and back on historic rail beds that connected Lexington-Bedford-Concord: Reformatory Branch & Minute Man Bikeway. Finish at Revolution Hall, and treat yourself to a beer! 

*** Bring proper navigation tools: GPS device, phone app, or cue sheet. Do not rely on others to help you with navigation. They may ride at a different speed than you. ***

Rain cancels. Ride leader will make the call by noon on the day of the ride.