Atlantic coast, Salem MA to Portsmouth NH

This tour of coastal New England for upper intermediate to advanced cyclists offers six days of cycling, with up to 350 miles or riding in the beautiful North Shore area that extends from Boston MA to Portsmouth, NH. the rides offer immense diversity with quiet forested roads through Historic villages, and miles of rocky shorelines and of white sand beaches. For this week we recommend staying in two  North Shore inns and bed and breakfasts, doing loops each day..  View also our  one-way  innn to inn tour description from Salem to Portsmouth. 

Ipswich Itinerary

Sunday, Day 1: Ipswich MA For the first three nights, we recommend  the Ipswich Inn and Kaede Bed and Breakfast in Ipswich MA, one of the oldest communities in New England. After fitting your bikes, enjoy a 10 mile loop to Jeffreys Neck, where youll have a panoramic view of Plum Island , Cape Ann, and the Great Salt Marsh . On the return, explore the streets of historic Ipswich, and take a ride out to Crane Beach.   Cue sheet   map

Monday, Day 2: Cape Ann Today you ride to Cape Ann, first cycling through Manchester By the Sea and Magnolia. Continue along the rocky Cape Ann shoreline 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 a ride along the rocky shores of Atlantic Road, you have the option to bike into Gloucesters charming downtown, or continue on the full ride to charming Rockport for a visit to Bearskin Neck or a walk at Halibut Point State Park. Return to Ipswich through Annisquam and Essex for 45 or 60 mile options .You might wish to check out the fried clams and Ipswich Ale tonight at the ever-popular Choate Pub in Ipswich.  Cue sheet  map

Tuesday, Day 3 : The "Old Stone Walls Ride"
Today's ride takes you  through a wooded and sparsely populated area of Essex County where you'll find roads lined with stone walls, thanks to the labors of our farming settlers. Ride along the Ipswich River and through several state forests, passing through some of the areas charming Colonial era villages such as Byfield, Topsfield, and North Andover. This is the favorite cycling area for members of the local North Shore Cyclists club. Spend a third night in Ipswich.  Cue Sheet   Map

Wednesday, Day 4: Hamilton and Salem In the morning you will need tocheck out of our rooms first, and then ride from Ipswich through nearby Hamilton and Wenham, where "gentlemen farmers" from Boston took their families out to the country from Boston during the guilded age. Cross the bridge from Beverly to Salem and spend an hour exploring that historically fascinating town. The ride back takes you past the beautiful grounds of Appleton Farms in Ipswich. Cue Sheet   map

Extra ride:  Merrimack River from Ipswich     cue sheet   map 

View a Ipswich-based itinerary for this tour

Newburyport Itinerary

Arriving back at the inn, drive your car just 15 miles to popular Newburyport where we recommend the  Essex St. Inn,  or the Compass Rose Inn for the next two evenings. You'll still have time for a ride out to Plum Island for a loop through the ParkerRiver Wildlife Sanctuary, a coastal haven for migrating sea birds. 

Thursday, Day 5:   New Hampshire Coast from Newburyport  This moring  head north to Portsmouth, NH, for a 50 mile ride with the first half all along the Atlantic coast. On the way you'll pass historic Strawberry Bank, which tells the stories of the many generations who settled in the Portsmouth, NH community. After lunch, return to Newburyport via New Hampshire back roads, with a side trip to Exeter. Cue sheet   Map

Friday, Day 6:  The Merrimack River from Newburyport  In the morning you'll need to get off to a quick start from the inn, setting out past historic sea captains houses on Newburyports High St. Our ride takes us through the Great Salt marsh and along the banks of the wide Merrimack River, crossing at the Rocks Village bridge and returning along the other side of the river. We pass by Lowells Boat Shop, a national historic landmark and working museum before reaching Newburyport in time for checkout . Cue Sheet  Merrimack River Map  Map with Merrimack River and Plum Island 

Other rides: 

Amesbury to Boston, returning by commuter rail
Description   Cue sheet   First half map   Second half map 

Newburyport to Great Bay
Cue sheet   Map

View our 2011 Road Scholar version of this tour, only $995 for 6 days!

Price $1295 / person. Add $350 for single occupancy. Minimum group size 6 people. 

Lodging: 5 nights at inns in Ipswich and Newburyport MA.

Meals: Continental breakfasts and dinners are included in the tour price. We pay for our own lunches.

Rides: Rides generally start about 9 am. You will be led by Bike New England owner Gordon Harris. Maps and cue sheets are provided for each ride. We prefer that our guides accompany participants on bikes rather than accompany as van support, thus offering a short and long version each day.

Bike Rentals: Jamis Coda hybrid road bikes with straight handlebars are available for $100 /week. Email tour director Gordon Harris to rent a bike.

Bicycle Shipping and rental: Assembly, transportation of your bikes is available for an additional charge.

Getting there: Ipswich is a few miles east of I-95 and is on the Commuter Rail, 30 miles north of Boston. Please let us know if you would like to be picked up at Bostons Logan Airport.