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2005 rides

Date/time Ride name Leader info Ride description and start
April 3
10:00 for 40, 20 & 10 miles

The Y2K+5
season opening pothole inspection tour		 Mike Whalen (603) 512-1122
bikemike42 at yahoo.com		 Overview: This ride will cover flat to rolling terrain. Come join in Mike's annual season opening ride. POTHOLES, DIRT, CYCLOCROSS, maybe a new road, If they pave it in time.

Leaves from:Topsfield Plaza, Topsfield (Map to start)
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.
April 10
10:00 for 40-50 or 25 miles (shorter option planned too)		 Ponds and Cows Mike Habich
(978) 664-0187
mhabich at astseals.com		 Overview: Through Harold Parker State Forest, Middleton, Boxford, North Andover by a bit different route with the same old cows.

Leaves from: Ipswich River Park, North Reading (Map to start)
The park is in North Reading center on Central St between Chestnut St. and Rt. 62.  From Rt. 128, take exit 40, follow Haverhill St. 3 miles north, left on Chestnut St, 1/2 mile to park.  From Rt. 62, Central St is 1/2 mile west of Haverhill St/Batchelder School.
April 17
10:00 for 25 & 50 miles		 Tour of the Merrimacs Eric Shaktman (978) 948-7156
ericnsc at verizon.net		 Overview: Scenic tour of the Merrimacs. The 25 mile ride will be mostly flat while the 50 will be varying.

Leaves from: Cushing Park, Newburyport (Map to start)
From Rte. 95 take exit 57 rte 113 east. Go for 2 miles and take a left onto Kent St. parking lot is 2 blocks on right. From Rte 1 go onto Merrimac St. ? mile west towards Amesbury. Take a left at the gas station lot 1 block on left.

April 24
9:30 for 18, 26 or 44 miles		 Olde North Andover Ride Revisited Ray Porter
(781) 944-1292
rporter at ch2m.com		 Overview: Short loop goes through Harold Parker State Forest and Andover. The medium loop heads out to Georgetown. The 44 mile long loop combines the medium and short loops. Arrows and cue sheets. Refreshments after the ride.

Leaves from: Old North Andover Common (Map to start)
Rt.495 to Rt. 114. Left at lights onto Rt.125 (Bertucci's Pizza). At next set of lights right on to Mass. Ave. Follow to the common. Park on left side of common.
From Rt. 95 to Rt.114 take right at Rt.125 (Bertucci's Pizza) then same as above.
May 1
9:00 for 40 & 60 miles		 Heritage Ride Unplugged Jay Batson
(978) 682-4821
batsonjay at nscyc.org		 Overview: Following most of the Essex National Historic Association (ENHA) "Heritage Ride" held for the past 3 years (but not being held this year; thus, "unplugged.")

Leaves from: Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield, MA (Map to start)
From Rte 95 N, take Exit 50 to Route 1 North. Third set of lights at Ipswich Rd. take right towards Ipswich. One mile take right onto Asbury St. one quarter mile take left into Bradley Palmer Park. Follow roads to right and park near gate.
May 8
9:00 for 20 & 45 miles		 Annual Mother's Day Ride Mike Whalen
(603) 512-1122
bikermike42 at yahoo.com		 Overview: This ride is a Whalen tradition!  Route travels towards Cape Ann, choreographed by Mr. Map himself!

Leaves from: Montserrat Train Station, Beverly, MA (Map to start)
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.
May 15
10:00 for 20 & 30 miles		 Cape Ann Tour James Danis
(978) 388-2193
jamesdanis at earthlink.net		 Overview: Enjoy the harbors, light houses, beaches and salt marshes. Cue sheets. Food and beverages to follow the ride.

Leaves from: Stage Fort Park, Gloucester (Map to start)
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.
May 22
9:00 for 60 & 45 miles
10:00 for 25 miles		 East to the Coast Steve Viegas
(781) 944-3390		 Overview: The longer routes head to the seacoast and Gloucester.  The shorter routes go to Ipswich.

Leaves from: Perley School, Georgetown
Take Rt 95 exit 54 west and follow Rt 133 to Georgetown center. At the lights, take a right onto North Street.  Perley School is 1/4 mile on the right.
May 29 & 30
 Champlain Valley Ride Kim Simonds
(802) 879-8664
Macyclist at aol.com		 Overview: I have a garage made for many bikes and many beds in the house..even for couples.  Privacy is at a premium though.  There will be maps for you gappers, perhaps some native ride leaders if they are around..and rolling Vermont hills. Some of the roads have traffic and trucks but you have to take them to get to other roads.

Loops vary from 17 to 45, and the gap loop runs about 70-75. If some prefer, there is also a bike path and interconnecting system of trails..MTB'ers..yup you can ride too, We can download ride maps..you don't have to ride either, just come and visit!  There is great kayaking and hiking too, not to mention a nice city (Burlington) to see.

Leaves from: 27 Wildwood Dr. Essex, VT (Map to start)
93 N to 89N Keep on going until exit 11 in Vermont (passing an exit 11 in NH). At the bottom of the exit turn right onto route 2 then immediately another right onto route 117. Go along the Winooski river for 6 miles... go through lights. Next right turn onto Pinewood Drive follow to end. At stop sign, turn right onto Valleyview and follow to end and at stop sign, turn left onto Windridge. Go to end and turn right onto Wildwood Drive. My house is the 3rd on left up the steep driveway. The house is sage green with black shutters. Expect the drive to be 3 1/2-4 hours...any longer and you might end up in Canada.
May 29
9:30 for 62 miles
10:00 for 25 or 40 miles		 Rattlesnake Rendezvous Jim White
(978) 689-9847
jdwhite.2@netzero.net		 Overview: Twisty, scenic ride through Andover-Tewksbury area, moderate hills

Leaves from: Greater Lawrence Vocational High School (Map to start)
I-93 N, Exit 45 River Road (1st exit north of I-495), Left at 1st set of lights onto River Road, left at 3rd set of lights into school parking.  I-93N is Exit 40B off I-495
May 30
9:00		 Memorial Day show and go None yet Overview: No set route. To be determined by leader.

Leaves from: Centerville School, Beverly
Take Rt 128 N to exit 18, left at end of ramp to Rt 22N (toward Essex), follow approximately 1 mile, then right onto Hull Street at curve and first right into school parking lot.
June 5
9:00 for 60 miles
10:00 for 30 miles		 Scott and Dianalyn's Adventure Scott & Dianalyn Sirota
(978) 502-4697
sds5774 at comcast.net		 Overview: 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.

Leaves from: Centerville School, Beverly
Take Rt 128 N to exit 18, left at end of ramp to Rt 22N (toward Essex), follow approximately 1 mile, then right onto Hull Street at curve and first right into school parking lot.
June 12
9:00 for 50 or 65 miles
10:00 for 25 or 35 miles		 Some Cheese with your Whine Pam Houck
(978) 388-2986
pahouck at adelphia.net
Ann Pernice
(978) 373-6647
darkhorse01835 at yahoo.com		 Overview: The loops go through scenic back roads some beautiful farm country of southern New Hampshire. The long loop goes up to Durham, NH. BBQ at Pam's house after the ride. Bring salads or deserts (call Pam for ideas) or a $5 donation.

Leaves from: Amesbury Elementary School, So. Hampton Rd., Amesbury
Rte 95 to exit 58 for Rte. 110 Amesbury. Go to the 1st traffic light and take a right onto Elm Street. At the rotary take the first right onto Market St. (Rte. 150).  Go about .5 mile, bear left onto South Hampton Road. The school will be on your left.
From Rte. 495 take exit 54 for Rte 150 Amesbury. At the rotary, go 180 degrees or second right onto Rte. 150. Go about .5 mile bear left onto South Hampton Road. The school will be on your left.
June 19
9:00 for 70, 50, or 35 miles		 Let's Go Coastal Eric Shaktman
(978) 948-7156
ericnsc@verizon.net		 Overview: 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 McClary, Maine

Leaves from: 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 1/4 mile west towards Amesbury. Take a left at the gas station lot 1 block on left.
June 26
9:00 for 40 & 60 miles		 Heritage Ride Unplugged Jay Batson
(978) 682-4821
batsonjay at nscyc.org		 Overview: (Rescheduled from May 1 due to rainout.) Following most of the Essex National Historic Association (ENHA) "Heritage Ride" held for the past 3 years (but not being held this year; thus, "unplugged.") Route goes east to Gloucester, north to Crane's Beach, and back to BPSP.

Leaves from: Bradley Palmer State Park, Topsfield, MA (Map to start)
From Rte 95 N, take Exit 50 to Route 1 North. Third set of lights at Ipswich Rd. take right towards Ipswich. One mile take right onto Asbury St. one quarter mile take left into Bradley Palmer Park. Follow roads to right and park near gate.
July 3
9:00 for 58, 9:30 for 45 & 24 mile routes		 Ride to the Sea Tony Salerno
978-352-2524
litespd1 at hotmail.com		 Overview: Scenic ride through Georgetown, Rowley, Boxford and Ipswich. Medium and long rides go out to Ipswich Neck. Cookout and swimming in the pond at Tony’s house after the ride.  Bring salads or desserts (call Tony for ideas) or $5 donation.

Leaves from: 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.
July 10
9am for 68 miies, 10am for 25 & 40 miles		 Grub, Sweat & Gears Howard & Ellen Wack 978-887-6338 Overview: Some familiar roads through familiar towns with the long ride going to Newton & Plaistow, New Hampshire. Cookout and swimming at Howard & Ellen’s house after the ride. Bring side dishes/salads or a $5 donation.

Leaves from: 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.
July 17
9:30 for 65 or 35 miles		 Whine & Cheese Goes North Ann Pernice 978-373-6647 darkhorse01835@yahoo.com
Pam Houck (978) 388-2986 pahouck@adelphia.net		 Overview: Beautiful country roads and other roads less traveled. Long loop goes to Durham, New Hampshire.

Leaves from: Lincoln Street School, Exeter, New Hampshire
Route 95 North to Route 101 West (NH) to Route 108/Exeter. Left off exit onto Route 108 South past Exeter Hospital. Right on 108 South/111 West over river. Left on 108 South/111 West. Bear right on 111 West. Go about half a mile to Lincoln Street. Right on Lincoln. School is on the right.
July 24
7:00 for 100 or 62 miles, 10:00 for 20 miles		 NSC Supports the Emmaus House Cycle for Shelter Rachel Thompson (978) 241-3437rachel@emmausinc.org Overview: Cyclists can choose from three exciting routes of 20, 62 (100K) or 100 miles, all winding along the Merrimack River and through historic Rocks Village. Both the 62 and 100 mile loops travel along the scenic New Hampshire seacoast and quiet country roads while the 100 mile loop adds the back roads of Northern Essex county (Newbury, Rowley and Georgetown). $75 minimum contribution to Emmaus House required. More information at www.emmausinc.org/cycle.htm

Leaves from: Northern Essex Community College Sport & Fitness Center, Haverhill, MA
From Route 495: Take exit 52 for Route 110 East. Take first left (Elliot Street/Way); look for Northern Essex Community College on your left and follow the signs to the Sport & Fitness Center (Cycle for Shelter start). From Rt. 95: Take exit 58 (Rt. 110 west) and/or follow signs to Rt. 495 South. Take exit 52 (Rt. 110 East), bear right off ramp onto Rt. 110 East. Take first left (Elliot Street/Way); look for Northern Essex Community College on your left and follow the signs to the Sport & Fitness Center (Cycle for Shelter start).