A Guided Mixed Terrain Experience:
Bring your Gravel or Mountain Bike!
Location: Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Ride Type: Gravel and Mountain bikes will enjoy this Mixed Terrain Experience
Date & Time: Sunday, November 20 (rain date: Sunday, December 4). See details of timing in the details, riders from the mainland will catch a ferry.
Distance: 30-40 miles depending on weather and other factors
Price: $185 / registration is capped at 35 people. Register at BikeReg.com.
Latest updated info on this page since you last visited:
10/27/22 - Page published.
Details of this Special Adventure with Mike & Mary:
Come join mountain bike legends, Mary McConneloug and Michael Broderick, for a fun day of riding bikes on and off road on charming Martha’s Vineyard! They are taking you on a mixed terrain tour showcasing some of their favorite quiet back routes over ancient trails and roads. Highlights will include full immersion into the natural island beauty, cycling to remote areas, offering views from a favorite high point and a beach stop to to take in the Atlantic Ocean.
Ride Headquarters’ founder, Patria Vandermark, is also joining in to assist with getting you from your car to the ferry in the morning, and offering additional ride support for the day.
What You Get
An exciting full day adventure on the bikes with Mike & Mary.
A day to just ride and enjoy nature with like-minded people.
Tasty Snacks, hot beverages, water fill ups, and hot lunch. Enjoy a craft beer at the end of the ride to celebrate a great day!
All diets and preferences are accommodated.
Opportunity to enjoy ferry crossings of the Vineyard Sound which offer picturesque calm during the trip to/from the island. (Tickets for the ride aren’t included in event price.)
A morning greeter where you park in the morning prior to catching the ferry.
There are 3 ride guides and 2 professional mechanics so you’re well taken care of.
An intimate cycling experience with locals, a chance to meet some new friends and gain knowledge of special places to ride off-road on Martha’s Vineyard!
Very special Seven Cycles bike purchase opportunity! See details further down this page!
Food & Water During the Day
Once riders arrive on Martha’s Vineyard, all food and drinks are provided.
After arriving to Martha’s Vineyard on the ferry, Mike and Mary will greet riders and treat everyone to a homemade muffin, coffee and tea.
Snacks are available to riders throughout the day and there are stops for water.
Riders will enjoy a hearty lunch toward the end of the day. All dietary preferences are accommodated, we ask for this information when you register.
Smiles and food go together on a super fun bike ride on Martha’s Vineyard!
Price
$185 for registrations November 14-17. Registration closes 11:59pm Nov 17.
Refund Policy
Please be sure you’re able to ride on the rain date of December 4 if we need to move the ride from November 20 due to rain or inclement weather that stops the ferry from running. Full refunds less $20 per person will be issued if the ride has to be canceled due to weather less than 48 hours prior to the ride.
If you cannot make it to the ride and notify us 4 or more days in advance, you’ll receive a 75% refund. Less notice than this up to 48-hours in advance results in a 25% refund. No refunds will be given with less than 48 hour notice.
Parking for People Coming from the Mainland & Ferry Details
For riders coming from off-island, parking is at the Palmer Avenue Parking Lot. Parking is $10/day.
Riders are expected to be parked and ready to ride at 7:15am from this lot. Look for the big, red van! Ride HQ is meeting you here and is leading a ride from here to the ferry in Woods Hole. It’s a 4-mile ride. Riders will buy tickets and board the 8:15am ferry.
The ferry arrives in Vineyard Haven at 9am.
Schedule of the Day
7:15am - Riders from the mainland meet at the parking lot (sunrise is at 6:41am)
8:15am - Ferry departs for Martha’s Vineyard
9:00am - Ferry arrives Martha’s Vineyard, at Vineyard Haven
9:00am-9:30am - Everyone meets up at Vineyard Haven and all enjoy hot coffee, tea, muffins
Leave your day bag here before starting the ride.
9:30am-9:45am - Start Riding
Periodic snack stops, bathroom stops, then enjoy lunch in a special place!
12:00pm - Light Lunch
2:15pm - Celebrate a great day with Warm Food and Libations
3:45pm - The Sunset Cruise ferry departs. The ferry ride back is 45 minutes in length. Want to stay later? Ferries run nearly every hour until the last ferry at 9:30pm.
Sunset is at 4:18pm.
Route & Distance
This is a guided experience so no one needs to have the route. No one is getting dropped or lost. The route will be appropriately adjusted if the weather or time requires. The route length is 30-40 miles. Note riders catching the ferry have a 4-mile ride to the ferry in the morning, and a 4-mile ride back to the lot at the end of the day.
Terrain Details
Mostly off road paths, dirt roads, and some pavement, very light traffic. Most trails are not technical, fairly flat with minor elevation changes. You’ll see some secret spots very few people have visited!
Riding Pace
This ride is for people who are fit and enjoy exploring the outdoors during this time of year. You can ride a bike at a moderate pace (7-8mph offroad, or 16mph if you were on a road ride for reference) for 4+ hours in a group setting. It will not be extreme or very technically demanding off road terrain but you need to be able to handle your bike off road. With three ride leaders, we will break into groups if/when appropriate to offer every rider a great experience. Everyone will have the chance to stop and take photos when a photo op presents itself!
Estimated Ride Time
The ride is approximately 4 hours of moving time with total time being approximately 6 hours including snack, lunch, water, and restroom stops.
Who are Mike & Mary?
Mike Broderick (born on Marthas Vineyard, MA) and Mary McConneloug (born in Fairfax, CA) met at a MTB race in Northern California during the Spring of 1999. Their first date, a 70 mile road ride out to Point Reyes National Seashore set the back drop for a life time of adventures on the bikes - which they continue to enjoy today. Their second date was a week long road trip to race at the NORBA National XC in Big Bear, CA…. They were smitten from the start, by each other and the challenge of racing, riding bikes and pushing their limits to improve. They have supported each other, creating their own 2 person team, alongside a handful of great companies, pursuing many disciplines of off road cycling - mainly XCO, cyclocross, stage race and Enduro. For the past 22 years M and M have built their life around sustaining a career in racing bikes and continue to be involved at domestic and international events.
Read more about both Mike & Mary at the bottom of this page!
Very Special Bike Promo for Attendees!
Mike and Mary worked closely with Seven Cycles as sponsored athletes for ~12 years during the height of their racing careers. Mary raced her Seven Cycles Sola to a Top 10 place in the Olympics! They still ride their Seven Cycles bikes and sing the praises of their bikes.
Ride Headquarters and Mike & Mary are all committed to you having the best-ever cycling experiences and great cycling experiences are facilitated by riding awesome bikes! Seven Cycles is home to very experienced frame builders who use the best materials and engineering knowledge accumulated from 35,000 frames built in Seven’s 25-year history to build the best-ever bike for each rider, in Watertown, Massachusetts.
If you attend this special ride and order a new Seven Cycles bike from Ride Headquarters before the end of 2022, you’ll get the following:
The opportunity to work with Ride Headquarters AND Mike & Mary on your new bike!
If you order your bike with TWO wheelsets, you’ll get the second wheelset, along with cassette, rotors and tires, all at 1/2 price! This is like buying two bikes for the price of one, since the second wheelset swapped onto a Seven which is designed for dual wheelsets, literally turns the bike into a second bike.
Get a very special HQ+M&M Collaboration stem cap on your bike!
Bikes already on order do not qualify for this special promo.
Last-Minute Information
Taking in the views of Aquinnah.
We will email all registrants two days before the ride with information pertaining to catching the ferry, where to park, and what to expect.
We will also email any critical late-breaking news should anything come up that we need to share.
Inclement Weather Plan
In case of inclement weather that stops the ferry or that would make the day too uncomfortable for riders, we’ll move the ride to Sunday, December 4 with all of the same details and schedule as outlined here. Registered riders will receive communication should an inclement weather plan need to be implemented.
Contact Information
Email: mv@rideheadquarters.com
Phone: 413-461-7433
Riding Rules, Rider Responsibilities, and What to Bring for any of our Rides
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 each calendar year. Please fill it out online prior to your first ride.
Proper bike & Equipment
35mm knobby tires minimum. Wider tires are nicer but you’ll be fine and able to keep up if you have at least 35mm knobby tires. Tire choice depends on your riding skill set. We expect to see gravel bikes and mountain bikes at this ride.
Clipless pedals and shoes. These are important elements of bike control. If you are an experienced cyclist who has used platform pedals and sticky shoes extensively, this is acceptable. Note that mountain-style pedals/cleats are significantly better than road-style. We strongly discourage road pedals/cleats.
Lights - If you’re taking the ferry back after the ride is over, you’ll need a headlight for the ride to your car. We highly recommend riding with a rear light throughout the day for visibility.
A Tuned Up Bike: A bike that’s in safe working order that is properly lubed and tuned. If your bike is electronic, be sure all batteries are full. If your bike is wireless, check each shifter lever to be sure each has ample life left in each.
It is MORE IMPORTANT than ever at the end of a long season to verify your bike is in good condition with a professional and double check your gear to be sure your spare tube doesn’t have a hole in it, etc.
Be sure you have supplies necessary for all common mechanicals including extra derailleur hangers (very important since these are different for nearly every bike), a multi-tool, tubes, multiple CO2 cartridges or a hand pump, quick links for your chain. You are responsible for you and your bike. We do have mechanics on this ride, but it’s good practice to be self-sufficient and our mechanics won’t be carrying equipment for your specific bike/setup.
Things to Bring in addition to on-bike supplies
The ferry ride over is beautiful, but also may be chilly. We have a place for you to store a day bag during the ride so feel free to bring gear for varying temperatures and conditions.
Backpack for transporting your things to/from ferry
Warm jacket - for ferry ride
Warm hat - for ferry ride
Wind and/or Rain jacket - good for warmth and/or weather during the ride
Neck gaiter
Warm-weather cycling cap
Cold-weather cycling cap
Warm gloves for riding
Warm gloves for ferry
Lights - Required front and rear for everyone taking the ferry to or from the ride
Change of clothes
Snacks for ferry ride
More about Mary McConneloug!
Mary was born and raised in Fairfax, CA . She received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from Santa Clara University, CA (1993). She was always interested in sports - but did not discover competitive xc mtb racing until 1997 while living in Bend, Oregon. She has since been hooked on the ultimate challenge of pushing her mind, body and spirit to be the best she can be on her bike and in life.
She is a 2 x Olympian (Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008), 4 x US National MTB Champion and also the 2017 Masters Enduro MTB World Champion. She loves to get creative in the kitchen, fueling their days with good healthy foods. Mary loves the outdoors, riding in new places where the car cannot go. She manages many of the fine details necessary to run their professional race team.
Mary loves to cook, garden and is learning to surf waves on her SUP. An advocate for healthy active lifestyles, and sharing that with others, she is excited for the potential ahead! She has coached herself from the beginning and is currently starting her own practice of coaching /mentoring others. She holds a nutrition based philosophy combining lifestyle balance and periodization training techniques to reach fitness goals
More about Mike Broderick!
Mike was born and raised in Chilmark, MA and has always enjoyed riding in the woods, shredding dirt and surfing waves since he was a kid. In his 30+ years of mtb competition, he has ranked among the top of his field in Cross Country, Cyclocross, mixed team stage racing (with Mary) and most recently in the Masters Enduro World Series. Legendary for his technical handling skills and fitness, Mike has raced on the US National Team for over 10 years alongside Mary. He earned the Masters Enduro MTB World Champion Title in 2016. His mechanic skills have stood by him as he continues to tune and refine both his and Mary’s race machines. He earned his University degree with a Bachelor in English and minor in Art from Springfield University, MA (1995).