Join us for incredibly beautiful cycling on the back roads of central Massachusetts! There are TWO distance options for you for this ride! Choose a 100-km route or 100-mile route to ride.
This ride is full of dirt roads, with nice paved roads as well. Most of the route is back roads, away from traffic and people. Keep reading to understand the logistics. This ride starts at Red Apple Farm in Phillipston, MA - so most people will need to drive to the start.
This is a group or solo ride, depending on how you want to ride it. You may get a group of your friends together, you may request to ride with others who are likely of your similar cycling pace and experience, or you’re welcome to ride it alone, though you’re hardly alone when there are so many people on the same route.
Ride with New People Option
Ride with people of your riding speed, but you don’t have to know anyone prior to the ride! This is an option for you if you’d like to ride with a group, but don’t have friends riding or simply want to meet new people who are of a similar strength.
We offered this option for the first time at the Rhode Island Trail Mix ride and it allowed many similar riders to find each other. Since it worked so well the last few times, we’re offering it again. Quite a few people selected to opt into a new group.
We’re riding on roads with very light traffic in an area you’re unlikely to be very familiar with. It’s wonderful riding, properly scenic, and probably not what you’d consider doing completely alone. This a way to ride in a new area that is fairly remote knowing there are other cyclists on the same route.
There is little to no cell coverage on many parts of the routes.
We are staffing a mid-ride food stop and serving a substantial meal post-ride. Enjoy a great ride, eat well throughout, and drink delicious, and famous, Ride Studio Iced Mochas!
We’re offering three fully-supported locations on the ride: one at the start, one mid-ride full of your favorite packaged bike foods, gummies, maple syrup packets, etc. and Iced Mochas, and a filling meal after the ride.
Note that 100 mile riders will see the mid-ride food stop twice during the ride. 100 km riders see the same mid-ride food stop once.
We accommodate all diets so just let us know what you require when you register and we’ll have something appropriate for you at both the mid-ride stop and end-of-ride meal.
In the past, we’ve brought huge salads, vegan chicken salad, bean salad, and more for vegans and gluten-free people. We do care that you get to eat as well as everyone that does not have a restricted diet post-ride.
Be absolutely certain you’re up for the rules of this ride. Read this page in its entirety, every single word.
Details
Ride Type: Remote paved and dirt roads, some mix of surfaces, but almost entirely rideable with little/no technical skill.
Time & Date: Sunday, September 19, 2021
Rollout times will be assigned between 7:00am and 9:30am
Longer riders are sent off first, shorter-distance riders are sent off a little later but still early
Starting Point: Red Apple Farm - Phillipston, MA
Distance: 100 mile or 100 km - you choose & all riders start with the same ~30 miles so if you want to switch from the 100 mile route to 100 km route, that is fine AS LONG AS YOU TELL A STAFF MEMBER!
What you get
A gorgeous, well-planned route: Route file for your GPS computer, parking directions/instructions.
Staffed starting location with water, portable toilets, friendly staff
Staffed food stop with water, bike food, special extra tasty food, famous Ride Studio Iced Mochas
Route Support - mechanic on route
Peace of Mind knowing there are other riders on the same route
Substantial lunch at the end of the ride of delicious, hearty food
Price
100 Mile Route
$105 if you register after September 12
Registration closes at 11:59pm on Friday, September 17
NO day-of registrations
100 Kilometer Route
$95 if you register after September 12
Registration closes at 11:59pm on Friday, September 17
NO day-of registrations
Refund Policy
The earlier you register, the more generous our refund policy. Logistics for the ride are not trivial and changes/cancellations cost us valuable time. We also greatly appreciate everyone who registers early!
If you register > 9 days in advance of the ride, and cancel more than 2 days before the ride starts, you’ll get credit for all but $20 applied to a future ride that we host.
If you register > 5 days in advance of the ride, and cancel more than 2 days before the ride starts, you’ll get credit for all but $30 applied to a future ride we host.
All other cancellations > 2 days in advance of the ride: You’ll get a $20 credit toward one of our future events that we host.
Cancellations within 2 days of the ride cannot be refunded or credited since food is already purchased and we’ve made financial commitments with the expectations that you’ll be joining us.
BikeReg.com offers cancellation insurance which we recommend purchasing.
If you need any alterations to your registration of any sort, please email us as early as possible: trailmix@rideheadquarters.com
Start Location
Phillipston, Massachusetts. Exact details and location information are emailed to registered riders by 12pm the day before the ride.
Estimated drive times:
About 60-80 minutes from most parts of the greater Boston area
Route Information
This is a new route! Like all of our previous routes, it’s adventure-filled, but also very appropriate for gravel bikes. You’ll ride plenty of dirt roads, trails, and what’s pavement will be on the quiet roads.
Expect elevation in the 75 ft. per mile range.
Pace Options - It’s a Ride for Most Everyone to Enjoy!
When you register for this ride, we ask you for your best estimate of your average pace when you ride a 30-mile all-paved ride. We don’t expect you will know what your pace will be on this route, we’re just interested in knowing approximately where each person will be after starting out.
You’ll see the selection of average speeds on the Registration form. From 10mph - 20mph+. If you choose to ride faster than this on the day of the ride, that is alright. We are staffing the food stop assuming a 10 mph minimum pace.
Be sure you’ve got the route and at least one back-up power source to charge your GPS unit and phone during the day. Do not plan on having cell service since there are quite a few portions of the ride with weak to no service.
COVID Protocol:
We ask that all riders adhere to state guidelines (in this case it’s MA and NH) where it comes to mask wearing and proper social distancing. We will include these in the email we send to all participants just prior to the ride since guidance is continually changing. Basically, masks are not mandatory since we’re outside the whole time.
Please simply be respectful of others since everyone has a different level of nervousness where it comes to COVID worry.
If we think you’re being unsafe, you will be asked to leave the ride. You will not be invited to return to any group rides as well. This applies for all aspects of cycling and general behavior.
Additional Guidelines and Rules:
If you’re not signed up to ride with someone(s), you may not ride with that person(s) during the ride. If you want to find new people to ride with, please register in that category.
Everyone must bring a mask that covers your nose and mouth completely for use when it’s appropriate to mask up. As stated, a mask is unlikely to be necessary, but bring one in case you need to enter a business that requires it or are in another situation where it’s good to have.
We’ll be giving everyone specific starting times, please adhere to these. This allows for proper ride organization and smooth coordination at the start, mid-ride, and at the post-ride meal. We spend a lot of time figuring out starting positions to allow for the best flow of the day.
We’ll provide you with a very tasty, hearty meal to eat afterward. Bring a lawn chair, this will make the after-ride socialization much more relaxing and fun.
There is no ride leader, even if you ride with a group; you’ll be following your GPS computer, therefore owning a GPS computer is a must with at least one back-up power source.
Don’t risk fast descents or not eat enough causing you to bonk. Drink plenty of water considering how hot it may be! This is common sense for any ride, especially smart when you’re riding further away from people who can give you a ride home.
We will not shuttle riders anywhere, it’s your responsibility to have a plan in case your bike or legs stop working.
We’ll send a very detailed email by 12pm the day before the ride, with the route, instructions, and details so you understand logistics and exactly what to do.
Preparation
What to bring, we recommend:
Everything necessary for common mechanicals. Items include:
2 x tubes
Hand pump
Co2 cartridges & Co2 inflator
Tire levers
Boot/dollar bill if your tire gets ripped
Patch kit
1 pair of quick links compatible for your chain
Chain pliers
Chain breaker
Multi-tool (if your chain breaker is on your multi-tool, even better)
If your bike uses a replaceable derailleur hanger, be sure to have an extra that is compatible with your bike
Rain jacket - this works well for chilly descents too
2 x 26 oz water bottles
Food/nutrition in case you need a zap of energy before the food stop
Read this article about social distance riding preparation written by Ride Headquarters for more help in packing for the day. Even though we’re no longer needing to officially social distance, it’s really nice to be prepared to take care of yourself or a riding friend if the situation arises.
If there’s anything you need, we can sell you whatever it is remotely assuming we have it at the store, and we will bring whatever it is to you in a clean bag, only handled with disinfected hands. Email us with anything you would like to have.
Proper Bike for this Ride
35mm-40mm tires are best suited for the ride. Err on the side of bigger, especially if you’re newer to gravel riding. Feel free to use bigger tires. Your gravel bike is the most appropriate bike for the ride. Mountain bikes and flat-bar bikes are welcome. Narrower than 28mm are strongly discouraged. There is some loose gravel on the roads. Narrower tires are more likely to pinch flat and are less stable than 28mm or bigger. We welcome mountain bikes, fat bikes, and any bike that you feel comfortable completing the distance on in the time frame allotted for the ride.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control.
A bike that’s in safe working order. Make very certain your bike comes clean, lubed, safety checked with fresh brake pads, and tires in good shape. If it's wet on the road or raining, please put a rear fender on your bike to keep you from getting wet. If you’ll be riding with others and it’ll be wet, please be nice to your co-riders and use full-coverage fenders.
Weather: We will ride rain or shine. Dangerous weather (like an electrical storm) cancels the ride or postpones the start time.
Last Minute Information: We will email everyone who registers with the latest information and details concerning parking, timing, route, etc. by 12pm the day before the ride.
Unregistered riders or riders who haven’t signed the waiver may not participate.
Waiver: Ride Headquarters requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
Contact Information: Email connect@rideheadquarters.com with questions. We will email you the cell phone number of the contact person who will be present at the beginning of the ride and available during the ride.
Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different: All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules. Note: ALL rules stated here on this page override any conflicting rules you see on our typical ride rules.