Exploritas cycling tour of the Massachusetts North Shore
June 13-18, 2010, & September 12-17 , 2010
Bike New England and
Olde Ipswich
Tours host a wonderful bicycle tour of the Massachusetts North Shore
area, based in historic
Ipswich. designed for experienced adult cyclists through
Exploritas
(formerly known as Elderhostel). Our 30-45 mile scenic rides visit some of
the most beautiful and historic areas in New England . 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 local attractions. In addition to receiving
route maps and cue sheets, you will be
led by one or two guides offering options for distance and speed. Lodging and meals are included.
For reservations, visit the Exploritas site. We also offer tours to commuting participants (no inn provided). For signup or logistics information, call Olde Ipswich Tours at (978) 356-5163 or email jean@ipswichtours.com . For ride information, email Gordon at info@bikenewengland.com or call (978) 312-1006
Click here to sign up at the Exploritas site
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 for bicycle rentals.
Detailed Itinerary:
Day 1,
Sunday: Jeffrey's Neck.
You can check in at the Ipswich Bed and Breakfast and
Kaede Bed and Breakfast after 1 am. At 4:00, we'll take a short
ride to Jeffrey's Neck, crossing the Great Salt Marsh and enjoying a modest
climb with a spectacular view of Plum Island , Cape Ann, and the
Atlantic. On the way back, we may stop by the Cuvilly
Arts and Earth Center before returning through the town's historic
district.
Dinner tonight is at Theo's Restaurant, followed by a brief "Get
Acquainted" session at the inn.
Day 2, Monday: Historic Salem At 8:30 following breakfast at the inn, we head out on an easy ride out through neighboring Hamilton, cycling past scenic meadows and riding occasionally over the meandering Miles River. We cross the harbor to historic Salem, stopping for lunch near the Old Town Hall Historic District. We'll spend a couple of hours in town so that you have the chance to visit the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and the Friendship, a reconstruction of a 171-foot three-masted Salem East Indiaman built in 1797, the Salem Witch Museum, or the House of the Seven Gables. Our return takes us through historic downtown Beverly and Hamilton. Today's ride is 32 miles. We'll be treated to a presentation of the Ipswich Riverwalk Mural by artist Alan Pearsall before taking in the local fare at the Choate Bridge Pub.
Day 3, Tuesday: Cape Ann Today's
ride takes us along wooded back roads until we reach
Manchester
by the Sea. After a short break, we'll continue along the rocky Atlantic
shoreline through tiny
Magnolia on our way to Gloucester, a classic New England seaport town. Here you'll
view the Fisherman's memorial statue at Stage Fort Park before having lunch
on the town's charming Main St. Long distance cyclists may wish to continue out to the
lighthouse at Eastern Point, and cycle for a few
miles right along the rocky shores of Atlantic Road. Our route continues
past glacial erratics and through the salt marsh to historic Essex, one of
colonial America's first ship-building towns. Today's ride is 32 miles
with a 45 mile option.
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. We start out cycling past the Trustees of Reservations property Appleton Farms
and a couple of miles 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, a classic New England
village. Our return takes us on quiet paved roads that wind 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. Our ride is 25 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 Newburyport. Reaching the Merrimack River, we
stop for a break at
Audubon's
Joppa Flats. The longer distance ride continues to
Plum Island for a loop through the ParkerRiver Wildlife Sanctuary. After lunch in
Newburyport, we begin our return cycling past historic colonial homes
and salt hay fields in
Newbury. In 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 30-40 miles. Tonight we enjoy a slide show and
presentation by Bill Sargent,
NOVA consultant and author of 5 books on science and the environment.
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 previous Elderhostel / Exploritas tours:
"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.
Click here to sign up for this tour at the Exploritas Site
Recommended reading for cycling in New England