Ride counter-clockwise along the Cape Ann coastline, through Gloucester, out to the Eastern Point Lighthouse and Atlantic Ave, to Rockport and back through Annisquam Village. The short and medium routes return to the start location in Manchester from Essex. The longest option continues to Ipswich before looping back to Manchester. The coastal shoreline offers many scenic vistas by taking short excursions from the route.
Some challenging hills lead to Chester NH, a historic small town with a good General Store for lunch or a snack. Expect mostly wooded roads, old farms, and out-of-the-way historic districts such as North Danville. Chester's October scarecrow festival adds great local color, with several hundred scarecrows on display throughout the region. The 27 and 54 mile routes both depart from the Amesbury Elementary School. Note that the 27 is a shorter scenic route that does not include Chester. The 40-mile remote start option begins in Newton NH, partway into the long ride, to allow more riders to reach Chester and its scarecrows.
Flat to rolling loops through the North Shore. All rides pass through Boxford, Topsfield and Rowley. Medium ride adds Newbury and Newburyport. Long ride adds Plum Island including the paved bike lane on the Plum Island Causeway. Short ride lunch stop is in Topsfield. Long and medium ride lunch stop is in Newburyport at Abraham's Bagels. Abraham's is in the same block where a 17th century woman named Elizabeth Morse lived. She was convicted of witchcraft a dozen years before the Salem witch trials. Visit the plaque dedicated to her on the north side of the building. An optional stop is at Tendercrop Farm on the long and medium rides. Feel free to visit the farm store for coffee and fresh local products!
In honor of a former club president with a thing for classic tunes, “Twist and Shout” does its fair share of gyrations! For the cooler weather season, this is a shortened 34 mile take. The majority of the route is along quiet and somewhat hilly country roads, with a good refueling stop at Jones General Store in Kingston (mile 18). Historic homes are a common feature along the way. On Willow Rd in East Kingston we’ll pass one of the oldest farms around - Fieldstone Farm, dating from 1690. Kingston was originally granted to 15 fortunate men by King William and Queen Mary of England in 1694.
Post-ride lunch and libations at Flatbreads or The Barking Dog (Crave isn't open for lunch at this time of year).
The year is over and its time to celebrate. So we'll end as we began--the second bookend--with a ride from Flatbreads in Georgetown thru Topsfield and Boxford and back to Flatbreads for revelries.
