North Shore Cycling

Newburyport

Elegant Newburyport Massachusetts sits at the mouth of the broad Merrimack River and has some of the finest Federal, Georgian and Victorian architecture in New England. Bordered by Plum Island, the Atlantic Ocean, the Merrimack River, the Great Salt Marsh, Maudslay State Park, the Artichoke Reservoirs and the Downfall Wildlife Management area, the area around Newburyport offers miles of safe scenic cycling. Bicycle lanes on High St.and out to the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island join the recently completed Clipper City Rail Trail in making Newburyport a world-class cycling destination.

Merrimack River: On this ride you'll cycle through the former 19th century estate Maudslay State Park, past the beautiful Artichoke Reservoirs and along the Merrimack River. View Ride

Great Salt Marsh: Ride through neighboring Newbury past several homes predating the Revolutionary War. You may wish to stop at the Spencer-Pierce-Little Farm, in continuous operation since 1690. The ride crosses into the Great Salt Marsh after passing Old Town Hill, a Trustees of Reservations property where you can explore trails along the marsh's edge through lush wetlands. View ride.  Short route, Medium route, Long route

Plum Island. Ride through historic colonial era neighborhoods to the start of the bike trail on Ocean St., continuing past the Joppa Flats Audubon Center on the Plum Island Turnpike. Reaching Plum Island, turn right on Sunset Blvd. and continue through the gates of the refuge for 4 miles of paved roads in the estuary.  Mountain bikers may wish to continue out to Sandy Point State Reservation. View ride View 25 mile ride View 18 mile ride

Coastal New Hampshire. We recommend a remote start from the municipal parking lot in Hampton NH in order to bypass the crowded roads near popular Hampton Beach. Take High St. to Rt. 1A on the coast and ride as far north as you wish. The loop to Portsmouth NH offers 40 miles, or turn back for a 20 mile loop with easy quiet roads through rural Rye NH. On the way you'll pass historic Strawberry Bank, which tells the stories of the many generations who settled in the community. View full ride from Newburyport

View more cycling routes in Newburyport

Ipswich

Ipswich Massachusetts is one of the most historic communities in Massachusetts and is a central location for several great short and longer rides on the North Shore. Crane Beach is a popular summer destination and Jeffreys Neck offers outstanding views of Cape Ann and Plum Island.

Jeffrey's Neck. From the Ipswich Bed and Breakfast or Kaede Bed and Breakfast a 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. View ride.

Historic Salem Head out past scenic meadows on an easy ride through neighboring Hamilton. After crossing the harbor to historic Salem, You ride through the historic Chestnut St. neighborhood and stop for lunch near the Old Town Hall. Plan to 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 Seven Gables. The return takes you through historic downtown Beverly and Hamilton for a 32 mile total for the day. View ride.

Cape Ann: This ride takes you along wooded back roads to Manchester by the Sea on Cape Ann. After a break, continue along the rocky Atlantic shoreline through tiny Magnolia on the way to Gloucester, a classic New England seaport town, continuing to the Fisherman's memorial statue and 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. The 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. View ride.

The Old Stone Walls Ride For those of us who live here, these are our favorite cycling roads, winding through the area's many state forests. The route heads out 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, you continue on to tiny Topsfield, a classic New England village. The return takes you on quiet paved roads that wind through Willowdale State Forest. This is a half day ride, offering the opportunity to take the commuter rail into Boston or spend some time hiking in our wonderful nature preserves. The ride is 20-30 miles. View ride.

The Merrimack River, Newburyport and Plum Island. This full day ride takes youthrough the Great Salt Marsh on the way to Newburyport. Reaching the Merrimack River, you stop for a break at Audubon's Joppa Flats. The longer distance ride continues to Plum Island for a loop through the Parker River Wildlife Sanctuary. After lunch in Newburyport, begin the 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 32-42 miles.  View ride

Crane Beach: Ride out Argilla Rd. to Crane Beach, a Trustees of Reservations property, and a walk along the shore. On the return, stop in at Russell Orchards to sample their home-made munchies and cider! View ride.

The Best of Ipswich This ride starts at the Ipswich Riverwalk Mural which portrays the fascinating history of the town. Continuing through the town’s historic district, you’ll pass by dozens of well-preserved “first period” homes, built soon after the town’s founding in 1630. Then head out to Jeffrey’s Neck and beautiful Argilla Road for a view of Crane Beach. and the Great Salt Marsh. View 55 mile ride, 37 mile ride, 24 mile ride

Tours: Group tours from the Essex St. Inn in Newburyport and the Ipswich Bed and Breakfast and Kaede Bed and Breakfast in Ipswich are available by special request. Contact Gordon Harris, owner of Bike New England, coordinator for North Shore Cyclists and cycling writer for the Ipswich Chronicle.

Bicycles: Jamis Coda bicycles are available at $25 /day for tour participants only.

View more cycling routes in Ipswich