Merrimack River from Newburyport allows all riders to enjoy very scenic stretches along both sides of the Merrimack River. All routes head out of Newburyport on Hale Street then along the Upper Artichoke Lake before doing several scenic miles along the river. The 30 mile medium route follows the short route but avoids Rocks Village Bridge by continuing through West Newbury to cross the Merrimack on 113 in Groveland then follows scenic E Broadway to rejoin the short on the north side of Rocks Village Bridge. The long route is almost the entire medium route (excludes the right on Kent) and continues on Merrimac St to Water then a right on Rolfe's Lane. Turning South on 1A riders have a chance to stop at Tender Crop Farms for refreshments before continuing to Rowley and a special treat of climbing up to Sea View for a sea view. Back down and head over to a short piece of Rte. 1 then return to Newburyport following Middle. Highfield, Parker and Johnson. The extra-long route includes going out to Plum Island, north to the lighthouse and back. The route does not include the southern end of Plum Island and the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge but it can be added for a rather enjoyable and excessively flat 8.5 miles for a beautiful metric century.
