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A
scenic New England tour for experienced cyclists age 55 and over
 Bike New England and Olde Ipswich Tours host a wonderful bicycle tour of the Cape Ann / North Shore area for
experienced cyclists age 55 and over. Our 30 -45 mile daily rides include alternative shorter loops and
the option of a van supported return on the two longest days. The tour is designed for
active cyclists who can average 12-14 mph for the day's ride, although we will stop frequently to explore the North Shore's many scenic attractions. All routes are marked, and we provide maps and cue sheets.
Faster and slower groups ride together so that no one is ever left behind!
Depending on the size of the group, you will be led by one or two
guides, offering a choice of distance and speed. Lodging and all meals are included.
For reservations, visit the Elderhostel site. We also offer the guided tours to commuting participants (no inn provided). For information, call Jean Moss of Olde Ipswich Tours at (978) 356-5163 or email
jean@ipswichtours.com
.
Price: $920.00 per person
Dates:
Sunday, June 15-Friday, June 20, 2008
Sunday, August 24 - Friday, August 29, 2008
Bike Rentals:
Jamis Coda
hybrid road bikes (straight handle bars with adjustable positions) are available through Gordon Harris, the tour leader, $100 for the week.
Contact Gordon Harris at Bike New England
 Detailed Itinerary:
Day
1, Sunday: Pineswamp. You can
check in to the Ipswich Bed and Breakfast and Kaede Bed and Breakfast
after 1 am. At 4:30, we'll take a short ride to Willowdale State Forest, returning through
historic downtown
Ipswich and a visit to the new pedestrian park.
Day 2, Monday:
Hamilton and Jeffrey's Neck. We head out for our morning rides
around 8:30 am. Today we take an easy ride out to neighboring Hamilton and Wenham, cycling by some scenic meadows
and passing occasionally over the Miles River. After
lunch in Ipswich, we continue with a short ride out
Jeffrey's Neck Road, crossing the Great Salt Marsh and enjoying a
modest climb on Great Neck, with a spectacular view of Plum Island ,
Cape Ann, and the Atlantic. We'll stop by the Cuvilly Arts and Earth Center,
to visit it's garden and shelter for farm animals, and then the day with a short
"out and back" ride to Labor in Vain Creek.
Today's ride totals 32 miles.
 Day
3, Tuesday: Cape Ann.
Today offers one our two longest ridea, taking us on wooded back roads to
Manchester by the Sea. We'll ride along the ocean as we pass through tiny Magnolia on our way to the historic seaport of Gloucester.
You'll enjoy our ride out to the
lighthouse at Eastern Point, before we cycle for a few
miles right along the rocky shores of Atlantic Road. Returning
to Stage Fort Park, there is an option for a van return to
Ipswich. The full route continues through the woods and along
the Salt Marsh in West Gloucester, then opens up for some
great speed play on wide-shouldered Rt. 133 back to Ipswich. Today's
ride is 45 miles, or 30 miles with van return from
Gloucester.
 Day
4, Wednesday: The Old Stone Walls ride. (Half Day) For
those of us who live here, these are our favorite cycling roads,
winding through the area's many state forests. Heading out
Waldingfield Rd. we cycle near the Trustees of Reservations property Appleton Farms,
and a couple on the paved bike path at Bradley Palmer State Park.
After riding along the Ipswich River Sanctuary
on beautiful Perkins Row, we continue on to tiny Topsfield and
Boxford, we begin our return on quiet paved roads that pass through Willowdale State Forest.
Today is a "half
day", offering the opportunity to take the commuter rail into
Boston or spend some time hiking in our wonderful nature
preserves. Today's ride is 32
miles.
Day
5, Thursday: The Merrimack River, Newburyport and Plum Island.
This full day ride takes us through the Great
Salt Marsh on our way to and from Newbury. Reaching the Merrimack River, we take a bake path out to Plum Island
for a loop through the Parker River
Wildlife Sanctuary. After lunch in Newburyport
, we begin our return on quiet local roads through Byfield, passing
again through the Marsh. After we reach Rowley, you'll want to stop at White Farms
for some of the best ice cream in New England. Today's ride is a relatively
flat 45 miles. Van support back to Ipswich after lunch in Newburyport offers the option of
30 miles.
 Day
6, Friday: Crane Beach: For our last
morning together, we ride out Argilla Rd. to
Crane Beach, a Trustees of Reservations
property, and a walk along the shore. On our we return, we
like to stop in at Russell Orchards to sample their home-made
munchies and cider! We return by 10 am for room
checkout, and our farewells.
Reviews from our June 2007 Elderhostel
tour:
"This was an outstanding trip. Thank you Gordon for the wonderful
rides."
"Wonderful biking area and knowledgeable
guide made this program outstanding"
"Gordon was helpful and patient while
explaining the mechanics of shifting to me."
"Gordon did the best trip we have been
on. He had everything covered."
"Gordon is so well prepared not only for
the biking but on the history, geography etc of the area."
"Gordon was always helpful to everyone,
flexible well informed, good natured and sensitive to everyone's
needs."
"Very enjoyable experience: Gordon was an excellent guide and
teacher. He planned the daily rides very
well. Alternate routes and plans were
thorough throughout. We appreciated the
effort he put forth. Nothing was left to
chance."
View
photos from the June 2008 tour.
Click here to sign up for this tour at the Elderhostel Site
Email
Bike New England 
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