Bike New England

Exploritas cycling tour of the Massachusetts North Shore

June 13-18, 2010, & September 12-17 , 2010

senior cyclistsBike 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:

Elderhostel bike tourDay 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 GablesOur 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. 

 
Coastal New EnglandDay 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.

Elderhostel North Shore tourDay 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.


Elderhostel North Shore tour
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.

cycling the North ShoreDay 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

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Gordon Harris of Bike New England 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


 

 

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