Description: The Horizon Chasers Century is a long, fun road ride for a beautiful autumn day!
Sept 30 UPDATE:
This ride is running rain or shine. Come prepared! Bring front & rear lights, fenders if you have them (fenders aren’t required). Bring extra layers, a rain jacket, and and extra pair of warm gloves.
The route has been updated for a convenience store stop at mile 45. This is described below.
We’ve been hosting and involved with many gravel rides this year with some century road rides sprinkled in. Time for an October century!
The average pace is 17 mph. Be sure you’re capable of a 16mph avg solo pace for a ~30 mile ride with the endurance to be able to ride for 6+ hours. This means that once you’re in with the group and drafting, you’ll be fine keeping up. We ride slower and steady on hills, have fun on fast descents and regroup so no one is lost/dropped.
We expect to split people up into three or more pace groups, so if you want to average higher than 17mph, you are very likely to have company. The number of groups depends on the number who show up. We're riding for endurance. We ride steady to have an overall higher average.
We have a Super Domestique present to get the ride rolling out and leading the last group to go out which is the least fast (a moderate, endurance pace, approx 16mph average). If you choose too fast of a group to start, just stay on the route and the group(s) who have left after you will pick you up. If you’re under a 16mph average, come prepared with the route and expectation to potentially ride alone.
Ride Type: Road Ride
Location: Concord, MA
Date & Time:
Saturday, October 1, 2022, 9am rollout
Distance: 103 miles
Price: Free
Complete details are below
RSVP: Required, see simple form ->
RSVP Now Here
RSVPs are required to attend each Horizon Chaser ride. Note that it is inconsiderate to RSVP to a ride that you are not sure you can attend. We understand if something comes up last minute, please email us at connect@rideheadquarters.com if you can’t make it after RSVP’ing!
Proper Bike for this ride: 23-32mm road slick tires, clipless pedals, drop handlebars; no aero bars.
**Prepare in advance**: Come with a bike that has been recently tuned up, that has a lubed chain, tires checked for wear, brake pads checked for wear, bolts properly tightened. Batteries should be charged and lever batteries should be checked for how much life they have left (if you have a wireless or semi-wireless bike).
Please check your flat fix kit - you’re expected to have everything necessary for 2x flats. If your spare tube has been in your saddle bag for months, it’s not going to hold air!
Have a plan if your legs or bike choose not to keep working so you have a way to get home.
Route: The route should be 100% pavement on regular roads. Most of the roads in this area are full of potholes and roughness and other hazards to watch out for and point out to fellow riders.
The route is here: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/41048768
The ride goes north to NH, with a tasty stop at the Hilltop Cafe in Wilton, NH.
The route directs riders into each water/food stop via a bubble on the map so these are very hard to miss if you’re trying to stay on course.
Mileage of note & route notes:
Mile 21.8 - 7-Eleven convenience store to fill water, grab calories if needed
Mile 27.7 - Route begins to overlap itself until Mile 29 when riders take a left to stay on course, be sure to be on Meeting House Hill Rd. Do NOT go straight here, otherwise, you’ll be going backward on the route.
Mile 32 - Parker’s Maple Barn - treats & drinks are available. Not necessary to stop here.
Mile 45 - Willard’s Convenience store - stop here for water. Call in your lunch order to the Hilltop Cafe so it can be ready for you when you arrive there in 10 miles! Phone number to Hilltop: 603-654-2223
Mile 55.6 - Lunch at Hilltop Cafe
Mile 81.6 - Bruno’s Pizza - fill water bottles if needed
Mile 103 - Done! Back in Concord Center next to the parking lot where we started
Riders are expected to have the route loaded on a GPS device that has battery power for 7+ hours.
Starting Location & Parking: At the big, red van in Concord Center, off of Keyes Rd. This is the place to park your car for the day as well, if you’re driving to the ride.
Pin to navigate to the parking lot: https://goo.gl/maps/XXzvUCw8bEiHw6vG8
Start Time: 9:00am
The Ride HQ big, red van will be in the parking lot by 8:30am. Let us know if you need us there earlier for whatever reason!
Estimated total time: 6-8 hours beginning to end. Includes estimated time to stop for food and water. We are going to enjoy the stops since it’s going to be a beautiful day. If you’re in a rush, you’re welcome to start with us and take other riders with you who would like to return more quickly. We just ask that this is done in a thoughtful manner such that we stop by the side of the road and announce a split. Please tell us your interest in going faster when you RSVP.
Last Minute Information: We will email those who RSVP letting you know anything important if something arises beyond what we’ve published here.
Contact Information: Email - connect@rideheadquarters.com, Phone - 413-461-7433
Riding Rules, What to Bring, How Our Rides are Different: All riders are required to read and are expected to abide by These Rules.
Waiver: Ride Headquarters requires a signed waiver before your first ride. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride of each year.