North Shore Cyclists The Best Cycling North of Boston

The Merrimack River Ride from Newburyport has been canceled due to Hurricane Kyle

Leader: Jocelyn Jakubik . Email: Jakubik.Jocelyn@idenix.com . cell phone : 781-588-2352
Start: Cushing Park, Newburyport map to start

Directions: 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. 1/4 mile west towards Amesbury. Take a left at the gas station lot 1 block on left..

Time: Sunday, September 28, 2008: 10:00 AM for 25, 35, 50 and 64 miles

What to expect: Scenic tour of the Merrimack River . The 25 mile ride will be mostly flat while the 50 and 60 mile loops will be varying. The ride passes through Newburyport along the Merimack River, goes through a nice bit of forest, then continues along the Merrimack River crossing at the Rocks Village and Chain bridges. The longer rides follow the river to West Newbury, crossing and following the north side of the river, then do a loop beyond Amesbury before rejoining the short loop. Very scenic views, riding right along the river for miles.

60 mile cue sheet

25, 35 and 50 mile cue sheet

25 and 50 mile route map

full 64 mile route map

closeup map for 25, 35, 50 and 60 mile splits

Map My Ride page for this ride

Leader: Gordon Harris (978) 979-6598 email : gordonharris2@yahoo.com

 
Start: Hammatt St. downtown parking lot, Ipswich, MA map to start

Directions: Take Ipswich Rd. from Rt. 1 in Topsfield. As you enter downtown Ipswich, cross the tracks and take a left on Depot Square, and bear right around the back of the downtown stores. The parking lot is on your right before Rt. 1A/133 (Central St.)

Date and Time: Sunday, October 5, 2008: 10:00 AM for 29, 39, or 53 miles

What to expect: A very scenic tour of Cape Ann's rocky coastline. With the tourist season winding down, this is the best time of year for the ride to Rockport. Setting out from Ipswich, we take back roads to Manchester by the Sea and on to Magnolia. The ride continues counter-clockwise through Gloucester and along Atlantic Ave. The short loop turns back to Ipswich from Magnolia, the Medium route turns back after Gloucester, and the longest route goes on to Rockport, back through Annisquam Village.

The return for all three mileage versions follows Rt. 133 and scenic side routes in West Gloucester and Ipswich. There is an optional extra loop to the Eastern Point Lighthouse in Gloucester for the medium and long routes, plus an extra ride out to Conomo Point in Essex for all mileage options.

The route is marked with a yellow "Dan Henry", a circle with a line pointing the direction, as shown on this page. Take time to view the route on Map My ride (listed below) so that you are familiar with the frequent turns. 
 

  
Turtles:   Diane Isenberg and Joy Ketchum
 are familiar with the route and welcome anyone 
who would like to join the "Turtles" as a leisurely
pace.  
 
 

Cue sheet and map downloads: (There will be a limited number of printed handouts available at the ride start.)

Long route cue sheet

Medium route cue sheet

Short route cue sheet

All options cue sheet

Route map

Short route on Map My Ride

Medium route on Map My Ride

Long route on Map My Ride

Leader: Arnold Nadler, 978-745-9591 ardnadler@aol.com 

Start: Commuter RR Station in South Hamilton, MA map to start

Directions: Rt. 1A to South Hamilton. Where the RR track crosses Rt. 1A, right into the shopping center. Continue through the shopping center to RR station parking. Parking is $2 at this lot. Other nearby parking locations are the shopping center lot, and in front of Bay Road Bikes on Railroad St.

Date and Time: Sunday, October 12, 2008: 10:00 AM for 53, 37 or 28 miles

What to expect: Enjoy some of the nicest cycling in our area. Generally quiet, scenic country roads in Hamilton, Topsfield, Ipswich, Georgetown and Boxford. Long ride adds Newbury and Newburyport. Generally flat to rolling, with a few small hills.
Ride arrow is a white letter "A". Cue sheets will be distributed at the ride.

Leader: Steve DiPietro
phone: 617-901-8285
email: stephen.dipietro@comcast.net

Start: Great Brook Farm, Carlisle Mass-paved parking lot

Date and Time: Sunday, October 19, 2008: 9:00 am for one hour beginner ride, 10:00 am for 2 hr. intermediate and experienced mountain bike ride .

map to start

Directions: Park Directions
From Rt. 128: Take exit 31B. Follow Route 225 West for 8 miles to the Carlisle center rotary, then turn right on Lowell St. (following the sign to Chelmsford.) Fern's Market is on the corner. The Park entrance is 2 miles ahead on the right. The Park Office (984 Lowell St) is just beyond the entrance also on the right. Make right hand turn onto North Road. Parking area is 1/2 mile down on left.

From the North: Take 495 South to Exit 34. Follow Route 110 West for .6 miles to Chelmsford Center, continue through light onto Route 4 South for 1 mile, then take right fork onto Concord Road towards Carlisle. The Park office is 2 miles ahead on the left. The Park is just beyond the office , go left on North Rd, parking lot is 1/2 mile down on the left.

What to expect: The first ride will began at 9:00 am and will be a 45 minute to an hour for first time and beginner riders. It will consist mainly of fire roads and will serve as an introduction to mountain biking. Rigid, hardtails and full suspension bikes will all work for this ride.

The second ride will start at 10:00am and will be for experienced and intermediate riders at a pace that will be determined by the groups. This rides will last 1 1/2 to 2 hours long. Rides will be designed to accommodate

Leader: Tom Quintal email: tquintal@comcast.net , cell phone: (978) 869-6005

Start: Old North Andover Common; Osgood St., North Andover, MA
map to start and driving directions

Directions: I-495 to Rte 114 East (toward Middleton). Left at lights onto Rt.125 (Bertucci's Pizza). At next set of lights (.2 mi) take right on to Andover St. Follow for approx .7 mi to the common. From I-95, take Rte 114, R at Rte125 (Bertucci's Pizza) then same as above.

Parking:On-street parking at start location, and and public parking lot at the Hermann Youth Center, corner of Johnson and Salem Streets, only a block from our ride start location. map to Hermann Youth Center

Date and Time: Sunday, October 19, 2008: 10:00 am for 48, 28, and 20 miles

What to expect: Quiet wooded roads through North Andover, Boxford, West Boxford, Topsfield, Georgetown and Ipswich. The road mark is a white chevron

Cue Sheet

route Map

View route on Map My Ride (note: a couple of variations, but otherwise identical