By Ken Schwarz

CRW debuted a new seaside route on Saturday, August 23 with the North Shore Lobster Loop, a figure-eight ride through Essex, Gloucester, and Rockport. Starting and ending at Woodman’s of Essex—the mother of all lobster shacks—the ride delivered everything it promised: ocean views, rolling hills, and a proper lobster-roll finish.

We set out at 9 AM, intent to make it back just in time for that well-earned lunch. The loop covered 44 miles with 2,300 feet of climbing. No single climb was high (the tallest peak just 130 feet), but the route packed in plenty of short, punchy rollers that kept riders honest. At mile 20.5, the adventurous took the unpaved spur to a hidden beach, while others stayed on the main road to rejoin the loop a mile later.

Midway through Rockport, the group paused in town at The Ice Cream Store and the Bean & Leaf Café, a well-timed chance to recharge and tempt riders into spoiling their appetites for lunch! (Nobody succumbed.)

Back at Woodman’s, riders dug into mountains of seafood. Katie seemed worried that she may have ordered too much fried food but fortunately Ken and Matt were sitting nearby and able to help her out. 

The day couldn’t have been more spectacular. Clear skies, dramatic seas, and great CRW company made the miles fly by. Hopefully we can turn this ride into an annual CRW summer tradition.