Best place for putting in big miles.....

[Scott O]

Looking for ideas as to where I can put in a 35-40 mile xc ride within 90 min of Boston. Best two I can think of would be Freetown and Arcadia (RI). Any other ideas? Thanks.

[bdee]

Big River is a hair closer and you could get 35 + out of it. There's a map on our site - rinemba.org.

[AA]

long rides are available all around the Boston area, you just need to be creative and have some local knowledge to link multiple properties together. Here are some examples.....

It is possible to take the train to Gloucester (with your bike) and ride mostly off road back to Lexington MA

From Acton MA you can easily get a 40 mile ride in going to Great Brook in Carlisle and back

From my house in Stow I did a 46 mile off road ride 2 weeks ago, this past friday I did a 41 mile ride and did mostly different trails that the previous long ride (most of the riding is Bolton vs. Stow) see GPS map attachment.

We used to do a 60+ mile ride that started (and ended) in Bedford MA

Look in the MA ride board and hook up w/ DavidJ, he'll drag you around the Groton area until you cant stand it any more.

Try the Midstate. I've ridden most of it this year and am hoping to do it in 2 days before the snow flies (with the help of my wife droping me off and carrying the camping gear). Day 1 NH border to just south of Rutland, camp in Oakham and then the southern stretch the next day to the RI border. There are a few stretches that are off limits to bikes but can easily be worked around. Send me a PM if you want details. A killer ride on the Midstate is an out and back from the Wachusett Inn, heading north to the NH border. It is somewhere in the vacinity of 35 miles but trust me it feels like a LOT more.

[splat]

Just ride with PK on one of his death marches , he'll pile the miles on you .

also You can Interconnect Vietnam , peppercorn Hill, Upton SF , Lake Whitehall SF and Hopkinton TF , for quite a ride. ( also Know as the triple Basin Blast with 15, 25,35 mile options )

Midstate Trail, N-S trail In RI , Bay Circuit trail, etc

Just do the Rayburn loop twice

[Mr Magoo]

I can ride 4 hours in blue hills with very little overlap. It also eliminates any point to point car issues. I bet you could put together a 4 hour loop in Wampatuck as well. More time riding, less time driving to ride.

[ragerider]

I did a long ride with a group a little while ago using a section of the Bay Circuit Trail... http://www.baycircuit.org/
We started in Andover near RT 93 and rode to Georgetown but you you can ride out to Harold Parker State Forest, do a loop then ride back.
You can also get that many miles and more by riding Harold Parker State Forest, Ward Hill and Boxford State Forest together with a very high percentage of technical singletrack :)
I will be happy to lead such a ride when my broken ankle is healed.

[Scott O]

Great suggestions. I was thinking about the Mass Bay trail (is that the name of the one that goes from the North Shore to Metro West to the South Shore?) but I don't want to worry too much about navigation.

I agree AA, Midstate does feel like more than 35 miles. I've had a few humbling experiences on it, including having to knock on stranger's doors to beg for h2o.

I'm thinking Big River may fit the bill. Thanks for the suggestions.

[hogboy]

AA suggestion is spot on. start in carlisle, concord, or acton, and make
the loop thru estabrook/punkatasset, acton trails, and great brook

easily do a 35-40 miler and see tons of trails and historical lands

[Slappy]

I second the recommedation to join in on one of DavidJs Groton rides - damn good time. (Just don't forget a spare der hanger or you could end up SSing a loooong way :o .) If you're going to do something on the northern midstate, my house is a convenient place to stash supplies, or stop in for a midride pizza/beer break ;).

That Bedford BADASS ride is something I'd like to take another shot at too - we only made it into the high 50's the year I went.

[hammerhead]

If you want 35 miles that is reputed to be a heck of lot tougher than either the Jay 60 or Vermont 50 get in touch with Alf and the gang in Petersham. About 70 miles from Boston 10 miles from Route 2.

You will be glad you did.

[steve_b]

Douglas State Forest. You can ride for a real long time there, just be prepared for a tough ride with lots of rocks. The Midstate trail runs through the center of it, and the North/South trail starts right next to it on the south side. There's additional public land with trails available adjoining Douglas SF in both RI and CT. Plus there's the official beach/picnic area and also a more remote swimming hole with a rope swing. The tri-state marker is pretty cool, too. Bring a few tubes and plenty of tools/food/water. Parts of the park are nowhere near a road. It can be a long walk back to the car if you have a mechanical, and no tools or spare parts. Splat and I have done several 4-hour tours at Douglas.

It's Dave M. favorite ride....ever. He loves bouncing around there. :D

[EricH]

The Warner Trail, hands down. I have a map somewhere. Not many people know about it, but if you email Bill Boles his ears might perk up at the mention of it. It goes from Canton MA to Diamond Hill RI, and most of it is off road.