Mileage: 37 miles
Breakfast stop: Stone Soup, Ipswich
GPS Map: Click Here! Courtesy of Cape Cod Mike
Note: Route includes an out-and-back to Crane Beach.
Travel up 1A through Beverly to Dodge Street (on the right, crossing RR tracks, just before Depot Diner). Dodge Street travels back roads through Beverly and into Hamilton. Right turn onto Larch Row to Essex St/Miles River Road. Left onto Miles River Road to Bridge Street. Right on Bridge St., Left on Sagamore, passing Candlewood Country Club (on the left) to Route 133 to Argilla Road. Follow Argilla Road to the beach -- and back. Ipswich for breakfast at the very popular Stone Soup (if not too crowded!)
New! Stone Soup/Crane Beach Loop
New! The Lost Route (to Boxford)
Mileage: 33 miles
Breakfast stop: Wayne's (Boxford General Store)
GPS Map: Click Here! Courtesy of Lynda
Back roads through Beverly, Wenham, Topsfield and Boxford, with breakfast at the Boxford General Store. Route made famous in 2007 when several wayward Cyclopaths got impossibly lost on a back road headed towards Boxford. Cell phones and Cyclopath-Ethan (who rode out to rescue the Losties) saved the day.
Updated! Rockport/Annisquam
Mileage: 55 miles
Breakfast stops: The Morning Glory, Lee's
GPS Map: Click Here! Courtesy of Lynda
A gorgeous ride that follows the coast through Manchester, Magnolia, Gloucester, Bass Rocks, Rockport, Pigeon Cove, Halibut Point and Annisquam. Beautiful scenic vistas, the spray of salt air, and a glimpse of a lighthouse or two. Be prepared for a 6 hour trip (with breakfast stop, of course). Check out Lynda's GPS map for specific roads, too numerous to list here.
Coolest part of the trip: Walking your bike across a narrow wooden bridge spanning Lobster Cove.
Manchester/Singing Beach
Mileage: Approx 18 RT
Breakfast stop: Beach Street Cafe
Map: Click Here!
This route can be tricky for new riders as we stray off 127 to follow the hilly, quiet back roads through Beverly.
Cross the Beverly Salem Bridge, taking the second Right at Rt 127/Stone St. Turn left at Lothrop Street/Rt 127. At the traffic light/intersection of Hale Street and Lothrop, continue straight on Lothrop. (Note: 127 continues right on Hale Street). Stay on Lothrop Street as it turns into Cross Lane. Turn Right on Foster Street, and then Right at Common Lane. Turn Right to stay on Common Lane, Slight Left at Thissell St and Left at the end onto Hale Street/Rt. 127.
Continue to follow Rt 127 into Manchester. After passing the church, take your first right on Beach Street. The BSC is on the right, near the train tracks!
After breakfast, head to Singing Beach by following Beach Street to the end!
Beverly Airport
Mileage: Approx 12 RT
Breakfast stop: Beverly Airport
Map: Click Here!
Our shortest ride, this route is popular in the early spring on cold, damp days. After crossing the Salem/Beverly bridge, bear Left onto Rantoul Street. At the end of Rantoul Street, take a Left onto Cabot (1A). Regroup at the dry cleaners (junction of 1A) before moving on. Continue on Cabot St (now Route 97) to Henderson Rd/Beverly Airport.
North Beverly
Mileage: Approx 12 RT
Breakfast stop: Depot Diner
Map: Click here
Another popular early spring/fall route. This follows the same basic route as the Beverly Airport. After regrouping at the drycleaners, continue on Route 1A (passing under Rt 128) where Cabot Street becomes Enon Street. The Depot Diner is on the right, after passing the railroad tracks.
Gloucester/Twin Lights
Mileage: 40 miles
Breakfast stop: Morning Glory Cafe or Sugar Magnolia's in Gloucester
GPS Map:
Note: Side loop to Magnolia is not included in mileage.
Gorgeous ride around Gloucester following our regular route up 127 through Manchester. After breakfast in Gloucester, continue on 127A to Rocky Neck/Bass Rocks. The road loops through a residential area along the coast, passing the Bass Rocks artist colony, large homes, private beaches and hotels. The twin lighthouses on Thatcher Island can be seen off the coast. A great ride!
Cohen Tri-State Classic
Mileage: 26-90 RT, see below.
Breakfast Stop: The Friendly Toast, Portsmouth
Map: GPS from last year's Cohen Classic provided by Cape Cod Mike! Click Here!
Route: 1A North/1B to Rt. 103. ***USE CAUTION ON BRIDGES!
The Annual TriState Cohen Classic leaves Newburyport's Port Plaza at 6:00 am. (Late option from Wallis Sands State Park between ~7:15 and 7:30am.)
Breakfast at "The Friendly Toast", just before the Portsmouth Bridge (121 Congress St, Portsmouth, NH, 603.430.2154)
Continue riding up the coast. Return and have a late lunch downtown Newburyport at "Not Your Average Joe's".
Traditional Routes (***mileage is approximate):
Wallis Sands to breakfast and back ~26 miles.
Newburyport to Wallis Sands State Park and back ~30 miles.
Newburyport to breakfast and back ~ 56 miles.
Newburyport to York, Captain Simeone Store and back ~70 miles.
Newburyport to York Beach Lighthouse and back ~ 90 miles.
Bring lots of water/Gatorade, a spare tube, cell phone, and good weather.
Tour de Fruit Cup
Lynda's quest to find the best fruit cup on our Saturday morning breakfast rides!
Reviews to come.
