The Olde Stone Walls Tour, from Ipswich
Leader: Gordon Harris (978) 979-6958 gordonharris2@yahoo.com
Start: Ipswich Hammatt St. parking lot, behind Market Street and Central Street map to start
Directions: From I-95, take Rt. 133 east to the center of Ipswich. Turn right one block before downtown center. Hammatt St. parking lot will be on your left.
From Rt. 1, take Ipswich Rd. from Topsfield. Cross tracks and turn left at the Ipswich Cooperative Bank, and bear right. Parking lot will be on your right.
Time Sunday, August 10, 2008: 9:00 AM for 13, 23, 42, 52, or 62 miles
What to expect: The Stone Walls Ride from Ipswich this year takes us out Argilla Rd. and crosses the Miles River twice, before turning on beautiful Waldingfield Rd. and on through Bradley Palmer State Park. We ride along the Ipswich River Sanctuary on Perkins Row and on winding River Rd. in Topsfield, then ride with Willowdale State Forest on either side as we head toward rural Boxford. The long loop here continues to Georgetown with a decent climb on Baldpate Rd. Our return takes us along Hood Pond and then the Ipswich River on Ipswich-Topsfield Rd. Mileage options are 13, 23, 42, and 52 miles. You can make it a "metric century" by adding on the Jeffrey's Neck loop from the Hammatt St. Parking lot. The ride is marked with a white circle and line ("Dan Henry") . Do not follow a yellow Dan Henry or a similar white mark with an arrow and circle that cross this route.
Special notes: There is a short section on Topsfield Rd. and Perkins Row where the route goes out and back using the same road. Road marks with an I mean you are heading back toward Ipswich, while a T means you are going towards Topsfield .
Note:
At about mile 14.5, I recommend turning right to ride through Bradley Palmer Park, which has a nice 2 mile paved road closed to most traffic. The alternative if you prefer climbs, descents and curves is to continue straight on Highland and take a right on Asbury, going around the park (for an extra 2 miles). With the Highland/Mill Rd. bridge closed, beware of heavier traffic on this winding narrow road.
Pool party and cookout after the ride at Gordon and Deb's house, 17 Mill Rd. in Ipswich, just off Ipswich-Topsfield Rd. a mile and a half before the end of the ride. All are welcome. Any salads or desserts, etc. are appreciated! And bring your bathing suits for our large inground pool. Follow the road mark with a G off of Topsfield Rd. to Gordon and Deb's house, or return to the start location for your car. .
Interactive Google map of this ride : http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1057328
Bridge on Perkins Row near the Ipswich River Sanctuary,
part of the Olde Stone Walls Ride for North Shore Cyclists.