Day 2: Monday: Bike and kayak Plum Island. This full day begins with a bike ride to Plum Island. The first stop is the Joppa Flats Audubon Center where we often see herons and eagles looking for food in the mud flats. From there a bicycle lane crosses the Plum Island River, offering outstanding views of the marsh. We'll ride to the Plum Island Lighthouse at the north end of the island and be joined by a guide from Plum Island Kayak for a leisurely paddle into the estuary to explore tidal creeks and salt marshes. Participants will gain confidence handling their kayak, learn safety precautions and be instructed on a variety of basic paddling techniques. Experienced kayakers may skip the introduction program and head out upon arriving. After taking a break for lunch, we'll cycle into the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge to the Hellcat observation tower rand explore the 1.5 mile freshwater marsh and dunes trails. View Ride

Extra cycling option: An enjoyable ride from Newburyport crosses the Merrimack River and takes you out to Salisbury Beach State Reservation, returning to the town of Salisbury and along the Clipper City Rail Trail extension back to Newburyport. View ride .

Day 3: Tuesday: Bike and hike, Maudslay State Park. Today we'll cycle to Maudslay State Park and enjoy a scenic walk through the former Moseley family 19th century estate. Azaleas and rhododendrons line the paths, and grassy meadows feed into a wooded mile-long trail that overlooks the wide Merrimack River. Roosting bald eagles occupy a section of the park in the winter. The trails are well-kept and level, great for hikes, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and afternoon strolls. Back on the bikes, our twelve-mile cycling loop takes us past the beautiful Artichoke Reservoirs and the Downfall Wildlife Management area before returning on Newburyport's Clipper City Rail Trail. View ride

After lunch, longer distance cyclists can join us for a 25 mile loop along the south and north banks of the Merrimack River, with a few miles on the bicycle path in neighboring Amesbury. View Ride.

Newburyport extras: During your free time you may wish to explore the local waterways with Newburyport Whale Watch, Plum Island Eco Tours or Ninth Wave Sailing Charters.

Day 4: Wednesday: Ipswich, Crane Beach and Salem. On Wednesday morning we'll check out of the inn in Newburyport and drive south 15 miles to Ipswich, our home for two next two nights. After arriving in Ipswich we'll cycle 5 miles along the salt marsh to Crane Beach for an amazing walk on the dune paths and along the white sand beach.. We'll have lunch in neighboring Essex. View Crane Beach Ride.

Extra Cycling Option: You'll have the option to return to the Ipswich inn or continue to historic Salem for a total of 35 miles. After crossing the harbor, we ride through the historic Chestnut St. neighborhood and spend a couple of hours in town so that you have the chance to visit the Salem Witch Museum, the House of Seven Gables or the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and the Friendship, a reconstruction of a 171-foot three-masted "Salem East Indiaman" built in 1797's.Our return takes us through historic downtown Beverly and Hamilton. a 32 mile total for the day. This evening we'll view the Ipswich Riverwalk Mural by artist Alan Pearsall. View Ipswich-Salem ride.

Day 5: Thursday: Bike , Hike and Canoe the Ipswich River . Today we'll cycle 5 miles from our inn in Ipswich to Foote Brothers Canoe to spend a couple of hours canoeing on the peaceful Ipswich River to the Ipswich River Sanctuary, Mass Audubon's largest property. You'll 'get a chance to stretch your legs on a 2 mile walk on the esker and Averill's Island trails. Then we'll enjoy the leisurely return back to Foote Brothers by canoe and bike back to the Inn.

Extra cycling option: For a 20 mile afternoon ride we'll take the bicycle trail through Bradley Palmer State Park, continuing on beautiful Perkins Row and River Road to Topsfield before returning along the Ipswich River to Ipswich. View the Old Stone Walls ride .

Day 6: Friday: Jeffrey's Neck and Boston Freedom Trail. After breakfast we'll enjoy an 8 mile loop out to Jeffrey's Neck for a panoramic view of Plum Island and Cape Ann. We return to the inn for check-out. View the Jeffreys Neck and Crane Beach rides.

Boston Freedom Trail. If you have time, join us as we drive or take the commuter rail to Boston Common for a 90 minute walk with Freedom Trail Tours, ending at Faneuil Hall Marketplace. We'll have lunch in the Italian North End, viewing the Paul Revere House, Old North Church, Copp's Hill Burying Ground and the USS Constitution before saying our farewells.

Dates and prices: View at Ciclismo Classico

Cycling Tour option: In Ipswich, avid cyclists may also want to substitute a scenic road ride to Cape Ann . The route takes you first to the Cape's rocky shoreline in Manchester By the Sea and Magnolia. We continue to Gloucester, a historic fishing community made famous in the book and movie "The Perfect Storm". After a short ride out to the Eastern Point Lighthouse and the rocky shores of Atlantic Road, you'll bike into Gloucester's charming downtown, returning to Ipswich through Essex, with options of 30 and 45 miles.

Inns: Five nights lodging, double occupancy, at the Essex St. Inn in Newburyport and the Ipswich Inn and the Kaede Bed and Breakfast in Ipswich. Extra charge for single occupancy.

Bikes: Road or hybrid bikes are required for this tour. Some rental bikes are available.

Activities and rides: Price includes kayaks and canoe rentals. Our rides generally start about 9 am. Your guide will ride at a moderate pace to our daily multisport activities. . The North Shore has a generally easy terrain, with a mix of coastal plain and glacial hills. Participants should be able to ride up to 20 miles per day at a minimum average pace of 12 mph and participate in two-hour walks. Van support is provided only for large groups