North Shore Cyclists The Best Cycling North of Boston

Mike Whalen 603-512-1122

Topsfield Plaza, Topsfield, MA
From Rte 95 N, take Exit 50 to Route 1 North. In Topsfield, turn left onto Rte 97 North. At stop sign, go left (Rte 97 continues right). Topsfield Plaza is 1/4 mile on right.

10:00 start for 40, 20 and 10 mile rides.

This ride will be covering flat to rolling terrain. POTHOLES, DIRT, CYCLOCROSS, maybe a new road if they pave it in time. Cue sheet and arrows.

May 9 Annual Mothers' Day Ride

Mike Whalen 603-512-1122

Montserrat Train Station, Beverly, MA
From Route 128 take Exit 18 (Route 22). Take Route 22 towards Beverly. The train station is on the right about 1 mile from the highway.

9:00 for 20 & 45 mile rides.

This ride is a Whalen tradition! Route travels towards Cape Ann.

May 16 CRW Spring Century

Charles River Wheelmen www.crw.org

Wakefield High School Rt. 129 & Farm Street, 1 mile east of Wakefield Center
Take Rt. 95 (128) to exit 40, Rt. 129 East. Follow signs for Rt. 129 East for 1.5 miles to Wakefield center. Follow Rt. 129 East as it turns left. Go approximately 1 mile past Wakefield center. Turn right onto Farm Street. Go .25 miles and turn left into Wakefield High School.

7:30 for 100 miles
9:30 for 62 or 50 miles
10:30 for 25 miles

Pre-registration: CRW members - $8.00 Nonmembers - $10.00
Day of the event: CRW members - $12.00 Nonmembers - $15.00

Details at http://www.crw.org/SpringCentury.htm. Four beautiful routes on slightly rolling rural road through the Merrimack Valley of northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. The 100 mile ride will take you through Exeter and Hampton Falls, NH. The other routes travel through such towns as Boxford, Groveland and Topsfield. All routes pass through the Harold Parker State Forest.

May 23 Rockingham County Ride

Lenny Sullivan 978-689-2884

Haverhill High School
From Rte 495 north, take exit 50. At end of ramp go straight across Broadway onto Monument St., then go straight through 4-way stop. Haverhill High School is on the right. From Rte 495 south, take exit 50. At end of ramp take a left onto Broadway, then take next left onto Monument St., then go straight through 4-way stop. Haverhill High School is on the right.

9:30 for 35 and 62 mile rides

The classic NSC ride touring scenic Rockingham County NH. Quiet roads, rolling terrain & moderately hilly - do your homework! Arrows, maps and cue sheets. (rained out...)

May 30 Rattlesnake Rendezvous

Jim White 978-689-9847

Greater Lawrence Vocational High School
From Route 93 North, take Exit 45 (River St, 1st Exit North of I-495). At the end of the exit, left at first set of lights onto River Road. Left at third set of lights into School Parking. From Route 93 South, directions are the same except right at the end of the Route 93 exit. Route 93 North is Exit 40B off of Route 495.

9:30 AM for 62 miles, 10:00 AM for 25 or 40 miles

Twisty, scenic ride through Andover-Tewksbury area, moderate hills. The long loop has a great route through Concord MA.

June 6 Essex County Heritage Ride

Ed Bolton 603-382-6989

Cummings Center, Beverly
From Rt. 128 take exit 23 East towards Beverly. Take a left at the fork .75 miles down, following Rt. 62. The Cummings Center is 2 miles from Rt. 128, on the left.

9:00 for 60 miles, 10:00 for 40 or 30 miles, 11:00 for 15 miles

$15 per individual, $40 per family for this fully supported ride, with food and exhibits at the start finish, and mechanical/sag support. The long routes travel along the coast with a rest stop at the Crane Estate on Castle Hill in Ipswich. The 15-mile route travels through Beverly Farms with a stop at the Wenham Museum. At the end of the ride there will be a festival. This ride is a joint production with the Essex National Heritage Council, Cummings Properties, and Landry’s Cycles.

June 13 Let's Go Northwest

Jimmy White 978-689-9847
Paula Bossone 978-887-0688

Topsfield Plaza, Topsfield
From Route 95, take Exit 50 to Route 1 North. In Topsfield, turn left onto Route 97 North. At Topsfield Center, go left (Route 97 continues right). Topsfield Plaza lot is a block ahead on the right. Park at the far end of the lot.

9:00 for 66 and 10:00 for 27 & 46 miles

This ride will be covering flat to rolling terrain. Come join Jimmy and Paula for a scenic route heading west and north. The long ride heads into New Hampshire. Cue sheets arrows and maps. Cookout after the ride at Howard and Ellen Wack's on the pond, 175 Haverhill Road (Rt 97), Topsfield. Bring food or $5 donation...swimsuit and lawn chair too.

June 20 Rockingham County Ride

Lenny Sullivan 978-689-2884

Haverhill High School
From Rte 495 north, take exit 50. At end of ramp go straight across Broadway onto Monument St., then go straight through 4-way stop. Haverhill High School is on the right. From Rte 495 south, take exit 50. At end of ramp take a left onto Broadway, then take next left onto Monument St., then go straight through 4-way stop. Haverhill High School is on the right.

9:30 for 35 and 62 mile rides

The classic NSC ride touring scenic Rockingham County NH. Quiet roads, rolling terrain & moderately hilly - do your homework! Arrows, maps and cue sheets.

June 27 Ride to the Sea

Donna Ventura 781-581-1243
Tony Salerno 978-352-2524

Perley School, Georgetown

8:00 for 75, 9:00 for 50, 10:00 for 25 mile routes

July 4 Independence Day- No Ride

July 11 Let's Go Coastal

Eric Shaktman

Cushing Park, Newburyport
From Route 95, take Exit 57 for Route 113 East. Go for 2 miles and take a left onto Kent Street. Parking lot is 2 blocks on right. From Route 1 go onto Merrimac Street (at the Newburyport end of the bridge over the Merrimack). Go ¼ mile west towards Amesbury. Take a left at the gas station lot 1 block on left.

9:00 for 65 & 35 miles.

Beautiful ocean views, and Portsmouth NH. Mostly flat with a few small hills. All rides feature NH coastline and rural inland. Long ride goes to Fort McLary, Maine.

July 18 NSC Supports the Emmaus House Cycle for Shelter

Bob Makowiecki

Northern Essex Community College Sport & Fitness Center, Haverhill, MA.
From Route 495 take Exit 52 (Route 110 West, toward Haverhill). Follow the signs to Northern Essex Community College.

7:00 AM start for 62 or 100 miles, 10:00 AM start for 20 miles.

$50 minimum contribution to Emmaus House for participants. More at www.emmausinc.org/Cycle.htm.

July 25 Tour of the Merrimacs

Eric Shaktman

Cushing Park, Newburyport
From Route 95, take Exit 57 for Route 113 East. Go for 2 miles and take a left onto Kent Street. Parking lot is 2 blocks on right. From Route 1 go onto Merrimac Street (at the Newburyport end of the bridge over the Merrimack). Go ¼ mile west towards Amesbury. Take a left at the gas station lot 1 block on left.

9:00 AM for 25+ & 50+ miles

Scenic tour of the Merrimacs. The 25+ mile ride will be mostly flat while the 50+ will be varying.

August 1 Scott and Dianalyn's New Adventure

Scott & Dianalyn Sirota 978-502-4697

Crossroads Plaza, Salisbury
From Rte. 95 take exit 58 and go east on Rte. 110. At the first set of lights take a right. The plaza is on your left.

9:00 for 60 miles, 10:00 for 30 miles

Some of the old roads and a bunch of new ones. Long route goes through the foothills of Southern New Hampshire. Arrows and cue sheets available at the start. Cookout at Scott and Dianalyn's house to follow the ride. Bring chairs and call for menu items to bring or donate $5.00.

August 8 Sarah's not so new ride

Sarah Weaver 978-664-1370

Ipswich River Park, North Reading
The park is in North Reading Center on Central St. between Chestnut St and Rte. 62. From Rte. 128, take exit 40, go around the rotary to Haverhill St. (Nat'l Guard Camp on the right). Follow Haverhill St. about 3 miles, turn left on Chestnut, 1/2 mile to right on Central St. and the park. From Rte. 62, Central St. is 1/2 mile west of North Reading Center at the Haverhill St. crossing. Take a left onto Central and to the park.

9:30 for 54 and 35 miles

Serene back roads, farmstands, ponds, and potholes of the northern burbs. Have a picnic lunch at Ingaldsby Farm. Terrain is moderately rolling. Short ride tours North Reading, North Andover, Boxford, Middleton. Long ride adds Groveland, West Newbury. Lunch note for long riders: There are not many food options before Ingaldsby Farm at 34 miles (and Ingaldsby does not sell Power Bars), so bring enough snacks to keep you going.

August 15 Some Cheese with your Whine

Ann Pernice 978-373-6647

Lake Gardner, High Street, Amesbury, MA
Rte 95 to exit 58 for Rte. 110 Amesbury. Go to the first traffic light and take a right onto Elm Street. At center of town is the lamp post rotary, go straight up the hill, which is High St. Go about .3 mile, on the right is Lake Gardner, pull into the parking lot. From Rte. 495 take exit 54 for Rte 150 Amesbury. Take the 3rd right going around the lamp post rotary, which is High St. Go about .3 mile, on the right is Lake Gardner, pull into the parking lot. The sign for Lake Gardner is hard to see because of the fence. If you go over a bridge, you have gone too far. I will mark the entrance with balloons.

9:00 AM for 65, 35 and 25 mile loops

This year the ride will start and end at beautiful Lake Gardner. The loops go through scenic back roads some beautiful farm country of southern New Hampshire. The long loop goes up to Durham, NH. Please join us for sandwiches and a swim after the ride at the lake. Bring your beach chair and bathing suit to go for a dip in the lake. Feel free to bring your canoe or kayak. Sorry only nonalcoholic beverages and no floats permitted.

August 22 Rattlesnake Rendezvous

Jim White 978-689-9847

Greater Lawrence Vocational High School
From Route 93 North, take Exit 45 (River St, 1st Exit North of I-495). At the end of the exit, left at first set of lights onto River Road. Left at third set of lights into School Parking. From Route 93 South, directions are the same except right at the end of the Route 93 exit. Route 93 North is Exit 40B off of Route 495.

9:30 AM for 62 miles, 10:00 AM for 25 or 40 miles

Twisty, scenic ride through Andover-Tewksbury area, moderate hills. The long loop has a great route through Concord MA.

Saturday, August 28 North Shore Cyclists Blazing Saddles Century

Ride along beautiful rivers, lakes, and bridges, and see New England churches, town halls, and farms. The scenic routes will travel through the North Shore of Massachusetts and into southern New Hampshire including Amesbury, Georgetown, Merrimac, West Newbury, Newbury, (site of our 50-mile stop) and many more beautiful towns and sights. The 100-mile loop swings through Ipswich, Essex, Manchester-by-the-Sea, and Beverly. The terrain includes rolling hills, long flats, and rural roads. The nearby ocean furnishes cool breezes, trees along the route provide plenty of shade, and the sun lends warmth on those open flats.

There are three loops: the 100-mile ride starts at 8:00 AM, the 62-mile loop at 9:00 AM, and the 25-mile ride at 10:00 AM. Registration starts at 7:00 AM.

If you register before August 20, the cost is $12 for NSC members and $14 for non-members. Ride day registration is $15 for everyone. The fee covers cue sheets, maps, arrowed route, sag wagon, 50 mile stop with food and refreshments, after-ride refreshments, and water bottles (first 300 registrants). Massage therapists will be available after the ride for a nominal fee. T-shirts are available to early registrants for $15 each (sizes S, M, L, XL). Only the first 500 entries will be accepted so sign up early!

All rides start at Georgetown High School. From I-95, take exit 54B (Rte. 133 west) toward Georgetown center. After about 2 miles, turn right onto Winter Street...the parking lot is directly in front of the high school.

August 29 Let's Go Coastal

Eric Shaktman

Cushing Park, Newburyport
From Route 95, take Exit 57 for Route 113 East. Go for 2 miles and take a left onto Kent Street. Parking lot is 2 blocks on right. From Route 1 go onto Merrimac Street (at the Newburyport end of the bridge over the Merrimack). Go ¼ mile west towards Amesbury. Take a left at the gas station lot 1 block on left.

9:00 for 70, 50, and 35 miles.

Beautiful ocean views, and Portsmouth NH. Mostly flat with a few small hills. All rides feature NH coastline and rural inland. Long ride goes to Fort McLary, Maine.

September 5 Tour of the Merrimacs

Eric Shaktman

Cushing Park, Newburyport
From Route 95, take Exit 57 for Route 113 East. Go for 2 miles and take a left onto Kent Street. Parking lot is 2 blocks on right. From Route 1 go onto Merrimac Street (at the Newburyport end of the bridge over the Merrimack). Go ¼ mile west towards Amesbury. Take a left at the gas station lot 1 block on left.

9:00 AM for 25+ & 50+ miles

Scenic tour of the Merrimacs. The 25+ mile ride will be mostly flat while the 50+ will be varying.

Monday September 6 Labor Day Show & Go

Montserrat RR Station, Beverly MA.
From Route 128 take Exit 18 (Route 22). Follow Route 22 south about 1 mile. RR station is on the right.

9:30 AM

Show-and-Go format. Distance and direction determined by the participants.

September 12 Ride to the Sea

Ride leader wanted to start ride; it's arrowed.
for info, contact Eric Shaktman

Perley School, Georgetown

Take Rt. 95 exit 54 west, then follow Rt. 133 west to Georgetown center. At set of lights take right onto North St., Perley School is 1/4 mile on the right.

8:00 for 75, 9:00 for 50, 10:00 for 25 mile routes

The longer routes head toward the seacoast and Gloucester. The shorter loops go into Ipswich.

September 19 Ipswich Lions Ride for Sight

Jeff Cann, Ipswich Cycle (978) 356-4500

Ipswich Middle/High School
From Route 95 take exit 54 Route 133 which merges with Route 1A in Ipswich; school on right.
From Route 128 take exit 25 to Route 1A North towards Ipswich school on left.

Registration at 7:30 AM
8:30 for 50 mile and 9:30 for 25 mile and 10:00 for 10 mile family ride.
Register online at www.ipswichcycle.com

The long ride heads through Topsfield, Georgetown, Amesbury, and Merrimac with a spectacular view of the Merrimac river and heads back with rolling hills to Ipswich. The 25 mile loop heads through Ipswich, Topsfield, Boxford and Hamilton with gentle hills and farmland. The 10 mile ride is for families. All rides are arrowed and have cue sheets. The cost is $20 or $15 for NSC members. If you register by September 4, you'll receive a commemorative t-shirt. Refreshments and Medals to all. All proceeds will benefit the Lions Club pursuit to cure blindness.

September 26 Some Cheese with your Whine

Ann Pernice 978-373-6647

Lake Gardner, High Street, Amesbury, MA
Rte 95 to exit 58 for Rte. 110 Amesbury. Go to the 1st traffic light and take a right onto Elm Street. At center of town is the lamp post rotary, go straight up the hill, which is High St. Go about .3 mile, on the right is Lake Gardner, pull into the parking lot. From Rte. 495 take exit 54 for Rte 150 Amesbury. Take the 3rd right going around the lamp post rotary, which is High St. Go about .3 mile, on the right is Lake Gardner, pull into the parking lot. The sign for Lake Gardner is hard to see because of the fence. If you go over a bridge, you have gone too far.

9:00 for 65 mile loop, 10:00 AM for 25 and 35 mile loops

This year the ride will start and end at beautiful Lake Gardner. The loops go through scenic back roads some beautiful farm country of southern New Hampshire. The long loop goes up to Durham, NH. The loops will have some hills, which could not be helped. Bring your beach chair and bathing suit to go for a dip in the lake. Feel free to bring your canoe or kayak. Sorry only nonalcoholic beverages and no floats permitted.

October 3 Olde Newbury Turnpike Ride

Nancy Dudley 978-462-2634

Little Farm, Newbury MA
Route 1A, on east side, south of Hanover Street.

10am-3pm

On Sunday , Historic New England and North Shore Cyclists present the second annual Olde Newbury Turnpike Ride. Bike along the Olde Newbury Turnpike (Route 1A) from the Little Farm in Newbury to Cogswell's Grant in Essex.. Enjoy marsh views and historic towns along the way. Stop for refreshments and a complimentary tour of Cogswell's Grant and return for a festival under the beech and maple trees at the Little Farm. Enjoy refreshments, prizes and a quick massage after a thirty mile round trip. This year an optional fifty mile round trip to Beauport in Gloucester is offered for hearty souls. Cosponsored by North Shore Cyclists . For more information and directions, please call: 978-462-2634 or visit www.HistoricNewEngland.org

The Little Farm, Cogswell's Grant, and Beauport are three of 35 historic house museums owned and operated by Historic New England. Historic New England (also known as SPNEA), headquartered in Boston, is a museum of cultural history that preserves, interprets and collects buildings, landscapes and objects reflecting New England Life from the 17th century to the present. For more information, visit Historic New England online at www.HistoricNewEngland.org or send for our Historic New England House Guide at 141 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114 or call 617-227-3956.

October 10 North Shore Almost Coast-to-Coast

Arnold Nadler, 978-745-9591

Montserrat RR Station
From points west and south: Rt. 128 to Exit 19. Right on Brimball Ave. south about 1 mile. Right on Rt. 22 southwest 0.1 mile to the RR Station. From downtown Beverly: Rt. 22 northeast about 1 mile.

10:00 AM for 28, 37, 46 or 62 miles

Enjoy generally quiet roads north and east of Beverly. Long route goes to Newburyport. Others go as far as Newbury, Rowley or Topsfield. All include the 28 miles short route. Should be lots of fall color. Arrowed with cue sheets and maps.

October 17 Danvers North

Judy and Don Roy

324 Maple St. Danvers
Route 1 in Danvers. Take route 62 east 1/2 mile. House is on the right. Plenty of parking in yard.

9:30 for 50 miles, 10:00 for 30 miles

Easy ride with few hills through Danvers, Middleton, Boxford, Topsfield, Ipswich, and Hamilton. Most roads will be familiar. Cue sheets and maps, no arrows.

October 24 Cape Ann Tour

James Danis (978) 388-2193

Stage Fort Park, Gloucester Route 128 N Exit 14. Turn right onto Route 133 towards Gloucester. Go 2.5 miles to the end of Route 133. Turn right (West) onto Route 127, then immediately left into Stage Fort Park. Parking is 0.2 mile up the hill on the right, opposite the Gloucester Visitors Welcoming Center.

10:00 AM for 22 & 31 miles

Enjoy the harbors, light houses, beaches and salt marshes. Cue sheets. Food and beverages to follow the ride.

Mountain Biking

Ride Coordinator: Lenny Sullivan (978) 689-2884

Mountain Bike Clinic

Saturday October 23 Rain Date Saturday October 30 Lynn Woods

Rick Zagdangross (781) 596-2294

Rt. 1 Saugus to Walnut St. exit. Head east toward Lynn. Go through lights at Central St. Pass Birch Pond on left, Captain Bob's on right. Left at lights on Pennybrook Rd. Go straight to parking lot for Lynn Woods.

9:00 am

This will be geared toward beginners and novices who want to learn some of the skills that make off-road riding fun. More advanced riders may want to brush up on their skills. Helmets and hydration packs or bottles required as we will be out in the woods for 2 to 3 hours. Please mountain bikes required; no hybrid or comfort bikes. Some instruction, then ride to spots I have picked out for practice. Additional clinic instruction can be geared toward student interest. Example roadies looking to sharpen their handling skills, etc.

Sunday November 7 Great Brook Farm Carlisle, MA

Lenny Sullivan (978) 689-2884
Jim Sullivan (978) 667-7486

Rt. 3N to Exit 29 (Rt. 129) East (left) 1 mile and take right onto Rangeway Rd. Straight across Nashua Rd. at stop sign. Take a right on to North Rd. Parking lot will be on your right.
From Rt. 495, take Rt. 3S in Lowell. Exit 29 is the first exit off Rt. 3. Right onto 129, then as above.

10:00 am

Great Brook Farm has miles of trails through the woods, corn fields and single track for all skill levels.

Sunday November 14

No ride. Slushy snow...

Sunday November 21 Harold Parker State Forest

Bob Moccaldi (978) 474-4093

Harold Parker State Forest Andover/N Andover/N Reading MA
Route 93 exit 41 (for Route 125 North). Take a right at the 3rd set of lights (State Police Barracks are on the right). Bear left into HPSF on Harold Parker road and park in the dirt lot 300 yards down on left.

10:00 am

Plenty of fire roads, single track and some pavement for all levels surrounding many roads that are part of our road riding season.

Sunday November28 Lynn Woods Lynn, MA

Rick Zagdangross (781) 596-2294

Rt. 1 Saugus to Walnut St. exit. Head east toward Lynn. Go through lights at Central St. Pass Birch Pond on left, Captain Bob's on right. Left at lights on Pennybrook Rd. Go straight to parking lot for Lynn Woods.

9:00 am

Single track and fire roads. After some warmup riding expect to take the loop around the whole park.

Sunday December 5 Georgetown/Rowley State Forest Georgetown, MA

Lenny Sullivan

10:00 am

From Interstate 95 take Exit 54B and follow Route 133 west for 1.9 miles. At the lights in the center of Georgetown, bear left (south) on Route 97 and continue 1.6 miles to Pingree Farm Road. Turn left and follow the road to the parking lot at the end. Be careful not to block the trailhead gates or neighbors' driveways when parking. PARKING IS LIMITED. If you can double-up and share a ride it will make things a lot easier for everyone. You can also park at Boxford Meetingplace just south on Rt 97.

Straddling an interstate highway, this 1100-acre state forest offers a surprisingly secluded mountain biking experience. The 15 miles of single- and double-track trails include options for every cyclist, from rough footpaths to smooth woods roads, while rolling terrain and an array of wetlands provide an ever changing backdrop. This state forest gets less use than other riding locations so the trails are typically abandoned.