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BEST GROUP RIDES IN MASSACHUSETTS--SEPT 24
Posted Date: 9/24/2003
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BEST GROUP RIDES IN MASSACHUSETTS--SEPT 24



1. PLAINES BIKE, SKI AND SNOWBOARD
An alternating Tuesday MTB and road schedule. Meet at the shop 6 p.m. If no race there will be an intense Sunday morning training ride led by Master of the Mountains Champion Rick Latimer. See if you can keep up. Town: Pittsfield. Contact: (413) 499-0294

2. BICYCLES UNLIMITED
These are Wednesday rides for beginners and intermediates meet 2 p.m. The ride location is mixed up every week. Ten to 20 people. Montague Plains is a favorite: a 2000 acre park with flat or rolling trails. Town: Greenfield. (413) 772-2700

3. EXPERT RIDE
Meet 6:15 p.m. at Bicycles Unlimited. Rocky Mountain Park is right behind the shop. All singletrack, 800 feet from top to bottom; sharp, nasty, rocky and very steep terrain. Will stop at the good drops. Town: Greenfield. Contact: (413) 772-2700

4. LAUGHING DOG BICYCLES
Two p.m. Sunday at the shop. Ride Amethist Brook, Leverette, Shutesbury, Wendell State Forest and more. Ten riders and a recreational pace. Mostly singletrack trails and a decayed, eroded surface. Town: Amherst. Contact: (413) 253-7722

5. COMPETITIVE EDGE BIKE
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. is the more casual ride. Meet 8:30 a.m. at the shop. The group usually cycles to the Notch. It has a load of singletrack that flows across steep terrain. There are some stunt obstacles. Town: Hadley. Contact: (413) 585-8833

6. TAKE NO PRISONERS RIDES
Competitive Edge Bike's race team is based out of this location. The 8:30 a.m. Sunday ride is a technical, high-speed ride for advanced riders only. There are long climbs and nice descents at the Notch. Town: Hadley. Contact: (413) 585-8833

7. NONOTUCK SERIES
A Thursday evening race series held over summer. Racing starts at 6 p.m. Sixty riders and up to five different categories are held. A two mile, mostly singletrack course. Call Competitive Edge for info. Town: Holyoke. Contact: (413) 538-7662

8. GRAVITY WAREHOUSE
Wednesday's 6 p.m. XC ride has some freeride thrown into the mix. The shop rides mostly at Grandville. "It's all mountain and valley with rocky singletrack. We ride full suspension around here." Town: Southwick. Contact: (413) 569-1874

9. PLATEKILL ROAD TRIPS
Gravity Warehouse does monthly bike busses to the ski resort. The new north face lift has just been opened. There are 50-plus freeride and downhill courses to chose from. Leave 6 a.m. Sunday from the shop. Town: Southwick. Contact: (413) 569-1874

10. COMPETITIVE EDGE BIKE & SKI
Ride the easy, smooth and rolling terrain at Robinson Park, the steep and rocky terrain at Shenippsett, plus other spots. The group leaves 6:30 p.m. Thursday, 1 p.m. Saturday and 8 a.m. Sunday. Town: East Longmeadow. Contact: (413) 737-7495

11. FAMILY BIKE & SPORTS
While Shenippsett is renowned for being technical, there are tamer sections suited for beginning riders. The group of 15-30 generally splits up into recreational and race groups. Ride start is 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. Town: East Longmeadow. Contact: (413) 525-2346

12. SOUTHBRIDGE BICYCLE
The freeride group meets 4 p.m. Saturday. They ride a route that his the best concrete, dirt and manmade obstacles in and around town. "Out of this shop we're all DH riders -- you need a 35 lb. bike to go." Town: Southbridge. Contact: (508) 764-3657

13. GEAR WORKS CYCLERY
Check for the current ride info on www.gearworkscyclery.com. Mostly weekend mornings rides at Leominster State Forest. "An active, but not competitive, ride on moderately-technical singletrack. Town: Leominster. Contact: (978) 534-2453

14. WACHUSETT CYCLE AND MULTISPORT
Sunday, 8:30 a.m. at Leominster State Forest's Rocky Pound Rd. entrance. "There's 90 miles of rocky, rooty and steep singletrack. It's recreational in general, but not when Sam Talbot shows up. Town: West Boylston. Contact: (508) 835-6100

15. BICYCLE ALLEY
Call up www.bikealley.org and get added to the team's ride list. "There are always rides leaving here daily between 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Between road and mountain rides there's plenty to do around here." Town: Worcester. Contact: (508) 752-2230

16. THURSDAY NIGHT RIDE
Meet the ride group 6 p.m at Asnabumskit. A fun, spirited ride with five to 15 others. But the guys and gals always end up getting a little punchy with each other and it often turns into an aggressive pace. Town: Worcester. Contact: (508) 752-2230

17. LANDRYS BICYCLES
The Thursday ride is varied from regional park to park to keep it fresh. Occasional weekends are scheculed as well. Group size varies from six to 25. Log on to www.landrys.com for the current ride schedule. Town: Westborough. Contact: (508) 836-3878

18. MILFORD BICYCLE
Six-fifteen p.m. Wednesday and 8 a.m. Saturday rides at Vietnam. The Upper Charles, a.k.a. 'Nam, is named such because of its dense foliage and formidable topography. Meet at the shop. Town: Milford. Contact: (508) 473-7955

19. MOUNTAIN BIKE MECCA
Through the tireless efforts of NEMBA and funded by New England mountain bikers, 47 acres of Vietnam are being purchased by the club. Look forward to a non-stop, round-robin flurry of activity here. Town: Milford. Contact: (800) 576-3622; (508) 473-7955

20. CYCLE STOP
A revolving schedule of weekday evening rides that meet at the shop. This is a recreational ride with ten others. It's singletrack with short, steep climbs. They usually ride over at Hal Parker State Forest. Town: Andover. Contact: (978) 749-3191

21. BAY ROAD BIKES
A central hub for Essex Country Velo (www.ecvcycling.org). The rides leave from various areas of north shore Boston. Options include rocky singletrack to easy doubletrack; trail riding to huckin'. Town: Hamilton. Contact: (978) 468-1301

22. SEASIDE CYCLE
The rides start from the shop 6 p.m Tuesday and 8 p.m. Thursday. From there ride directly into the woods. Expect technical trails through heavy foliage and over steep, jagged undulations. Up to 20 riders. Town: Manchester. Contact: (978) 526-1200

23. BOSTON URBAN
"These rides just kind of happen," says Seaside. "Call, because they can meet in the evening or at night and on any day." Head to Boston's concrete playground. Most of this group will be on trail bikes. Town: Manchester. Contact: (978) 526-1200

24. CYCLE LOFT FREERIDE
Show at Lynn Woods 6:30 p.m. Thursday and head out for a drop search. This ride caters more to the downhill crowd and big bikes. "But there will always be a few guys on XC bikes tagging along." Town: Burlington. Contact: (781) 272-0870

25. CROSS COUNTRY TUESDAY
Call Cycle Loft for info on the 6:30 p.m. Tuesday ride on the windy, tight singletrack at The Fells. The 10 a.m. Sunday ride is either there or at Lynn Woods. Eight riders and a fairly aggressive pace. Town: Burlington. Contact: (781) 272-0870

26. NORTHEAST BIKES
Riders group together in front of the shop 6 p.m. Tuesday. Pedal from the shop to Lynn Woods. There's 2500 acres of fire roads to super technical singletrack. "Border Cafe post-ride for Mexican and margaritas." Town: Saugus. Contact: (781) 233-2664

27. URBAN RIDE
Log on to www. northeastbikes.com and get on the mailer. They'll list the next Boston urban meet. The search is for bigger and bigger concrete drops and dirt jumps. Most of the riders will be on huckin' bikes. Town: Saugus. Contact: (781) 233-2664

28. NORTH SHORE CYCLE
The four hour freeride meets 1:30 p.m. Sunday at the shop or the at Lynn Woods' 129 entrance. "People do 30 foot drops out there." Take your big hit bike to the area's best built-up and natural stunts. Town: Lynn. Contact: (781) 581-2700

29. SALEM CYCLE
A relaxed, fun group of freeriding cross country riders that leaves 6 p.m. Wednesday and 4 p.m. Sunday. There are three local networks of trails to chose from. Salem Woods has some built-up obstacles. Town: Salem. Contact: (978) 741-2222

30. RACE TRAINING
This is the second group that organizes 6 p.m. Wednesday at Salem Cycle; a ride that is guaranteed to whip you into shape. Ride Salem Woods, Lynn Woods and the shop's own secret spot. Don't commit unless you want to ride at race intensity! Town: Salem. Contact: (978) 741-2222

31. RIDE WITH THE PROS
Bellmont is a championship dream team: Greg Orvitz, Kurt Begemann, Tom Norton and John Allis. When they're on a shop ride you will learn something. Private technique, setup and fitness classes available. Town: Belmont. Contact: (617) 489-3577
                                                                                                                                         32. BELLMONT WHEEL WORKS
Most of the shop rides are scheduled in the morning and before the shop opens at 10 a.m. Link together the local singletrack at Prospect Hill, Rock Meadow, The Fells and The Blue Hills. Then enjoy a 16 oz. latte' before heading to work. Town: Belmont. Contact: (617) 489-3577

33. ACE WHEEL WORKS
Gather 7 a.m. Tuesday at the Someday Cafe in Davis Square. The group usually heads out to the Fells. "Use something with seat height. This is more of an XC ride on flowing, technical singletrack." Town: Sommerville. Contact: (617) 776-2100

34. URBAN TUESDAY
The ride leaves from Ace Wheel Works 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. It typically goes to the best urban obstacles speckled all over Sommerville and Cambridge. Some top notch vidoe stars join this group. This group defines "big." Town: Sommerville. Contact: (617) 776-2100

35. BACK BAY BICYCLES
This group gathers 9 a.m. Sunday at the Big Dog bar off Route 1 North. Then do a loop around Lynn Woods with ten others. "It's all granite; we call it the Moab of the east. Our ride is mostly XC in nature." Town: Boston. Contact: (617) 247-2336

36. 'NAM AT NIGHT
Usually on Tuesday, the group of five to 10 meets 7:30 p.m. at the shop. The pack hammers out a 20 mile loop at more of an aggressive pace. There are some chutes and ladders out there if you're interested. Town: Boston. Contact: (617) 247-2336

37. INTERNATIONAL BIKE
These sessions are a mix hard trails to full freeriding. They're held weekday evenings and on Sunday morning. Hit the drops and natural obstacles at Lynn Woods, Vietnam or the Fells. Meet at the shop. Town: Allston. Contact: (617) 783-5804

38. INTERNATIONAL BICYCLE CENTER
Group-up at the shop for these weekday evening and weekend rides. Then head out the front door and onto the local area trails, like at Cutler Park. It's more of an XC ride. Sugars and Fuels are THE bikes to have. Town: Newton. Contact: (617) 527-0967

39. LANDRYS II BICYCLES
The Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday morning rides are either at Callahan or Vietnam. A group of five to 20 rides at more of a moderate pace. Some freeride will be thrown into the mix. Call for start time. Town: Framingham. Contact: (508) 875-5158

40. THE BICYCLE LINK
A 6 p.m. Thursday group that goes to Wompatuck State Park. The flowing topography has a big variation of technical singletrack to easy fire road and doubletrack. Six riders and usually a recreational pace. Town: Weymouth. Contact: (781) 337-7125

41. BIKE EXPRESS
Informal Tuesday and Thursday evening rides, as well as Sunday morning outings. Ride Borderland and Wampatuck state parks, or Blue Hills State Reservation. An aggressive group of ten or more. Town: Randolph. Contact: (781) 961-2453

42. BIKE BARN
These are serious training rides with the shop team. Early morning and evening weekday meets and non-race weekend suffer sessions. Ride Borderland and Wompatuck with up to a dozen very fast riders. Town: Whitman. Contact: (781) 447-7223

43. SILVER CITY BICYCLES
The 7 a.m. Sunday recreational ride at Freetown leaves from the triangle at the end of Copicut Rd. For a hard paced ride join the 7 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday hammer session at numerous local ride spots. Town: Raynham. Contact: (508) 828-9722

44. SILVER CITY URBAN
Meet at the shop or session location for these aggro urban or dirt jumping outings. The rides mostly concentrate around the Providence, RI or Boston area. There will be five riders and a casual pace. Town: Raynham. Contact: (508) 828-9722

45. PLYMOUTH FITNESS
Organized with the help of Serious Cycles, the ride meets 8:30 a.m. Saturday at the fitness location. Then the group decides on the type of terrain, locations and intensities that they want to do. Town: Plymouth. Contact: (508) 746-2756

46. SERIOUS CYCLES
"Everybody seems to be coming here for the riding," says Seth. "Just across the street are the mountain trails at Pine Hills. It's one mile from the ocean and the scenery is just incredible." Bring a camera. Town: Plymouth. Contact: (508) 746-2756

47. SCOTTEE'S WESTPORT BICYCLE
On non-race Sundays there is a 10 a.m. at the Freetown. The 6 p.m. Tuesday rides are also at Freetown. A sport level pace with ten to 15 riders. Ninety percent of the ride is on technical singletrack. Town: Westport. Contact: (508) 636-1266

48. CROSBY CYCLE CO.
From the shop it's five miles to Freetown's trailhead. The ride generally is on Sunday morning. There's 5000 acres with quite a network off trails. It's more technical than fast. Call for info. Town: Fall River. Contact: (508) 679-9366

49. BIKE ZONE
A weekday night and weekend morning ride schedule. Meet in the parking lot or out at the start of the trails at Rt. 151. The Otis Trails are made of aggressive singletrack with up to 500 foot climbs. Town: E. Falmouth. Contact: (508) 540-2453

50. BIKE ZONE II
This shop is IT when it comes to rides. Meet at the shop for these usually Thursday evening and Sunday morning rides. The group decides if they want to go to the 151 trails, Trail of Tears, or other destinations. Ten to 20 riders. Town: Hyannis. Contact: (508) 775-3299

 



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 WARNING: Much of the action de­pict­­ed in this magazine is potentially dan­gerous. Virtually all of the riders seen in our photos are experienced ex­­perts or professionals. Do not at­tempt to duplicate any stunts that are be­­yond your own capabilities. Always wear the appropriate safety gear.