Ridge to Ridge on a Rigid / Lynn - Breakheart MTB Challenge
BAD ASS MOUNTAIN BIKE CHALLENGE
16 Mile Ridge to Ridge on a Rigid Mountain Bike Challenge.
If you have been looking for a new ride that can really challenge your technical climbing skills. This is the ride for you. I have been riding on Bow Ridge for 25+ years. Still a butt kick of a bike ride but many of us have upped that game. Fully Rigid Bikes are more common on Bow Ridge in the last few years. I know of about 10 folks doing it. So there must be more.
Now the only time me and a few friends go up on Bow Ridge is when we have our Rigid MTB or a Rigid CX bike. I love rock crawling and climbing. Have never had bike that climb that super chunky technical stuff better than a rigid. As a long distance rider, I like more than just a quick 2 hours of, bleeding, pain and fun.
Having done this ride on both Rigid Bikes and 29er Hardtails, it seems the Rigid Bikes do not wear you down as much... Just sayin....
Click here for the GPS Link <Ridge - Ridge Ride>
About the Trails:
Breakheart Reservation has a lot to offer the Experienced Mountain Biker. Because of the short amount of trails there (less than 8 miles) it is not often a destination for mountain bikers. It's proximity to Lynn Woods has allowed me to create this Super Rock Crawl Challenge.
Lynn Woods has long been known as the Standard for Technical Mountain Biking. Every technical mountain bike park in Eastern Mass and most of New England since the mid 1990's has been compared to Lynn Woods when trying to rate it's difficulty. Bow Ridge and most of the Northern Side of the park have a network of trails that can only be ridden to learn them. Almost 75% of the trails on Bow Ridge do not show on any map. If you go out there, you need a local to guide you around to the best stuff. No way you will ever find it on your own.
About a Fully Rigid:
Fully Rigid Mountain Bike. Many folks that join me for the ADA group rides have seen my Orange Fully Rigid mountain bike. It is a 29er and has 2.3 WTB Weirwolf Front / 2.3" WTB Trail Boss Back. Over 2000 miles on those tires, almost no sign of wear, lots of signs of rock damage. Super Grippy tires, have never failed me on a climb or a technical situation. I put nearly 800 miles a year on just that bike. It is always the first bike I grab for a long distance MTB ride. It weighs in at 24 pounds with all the equipment on it. Has a Tripple Ring with 20x36x46 gears and the rear has a 36x12. This bike will climb straight up a wall, and travel at 18 MPH on the road.
I love this bike because of the bumps and the challenge. That bike does not belong in the places I take it. The best part it takes a normal trail and makes it 3x more fun without the bumps being smoothed out for you. Yes, I get off the bike for rock drops. Not stupid....
Click this link to the Video:
Where the bugs live / 27 mile MTB Adventure ride
Where the bugs live
This is the 27 Mile Intermediate Level Mountain Bike Adventure Ride.
While almost all the trails are mellow, there are a few locations where the ride is above an Intermediate level if you are riding a Fully Rigid.
For a Mountain Bike, this is defiantly an Intermediate Level ride. Just as long as you can ride 27 miles.
This is a really nice ride. Just a great feeling being in the Boxford Forest. Every time I visit Boxford, it feels spiritual.
Start / End is the Danvers High School
WHERE THE BUGS LIVE...!
There are a lot of Water Locations along this route.
The Danvers Rail Trail heads through 3 different marshes,
Boxford Forest is always a moist location,
The Middleton Connector trail is between 2 marsh lands the entire length.
Middleton pond is not that bad, and the highlands of the
Power Lines keeps you away from the swamp bugs, but as we all know, power lines have their own breed.
Peabody Rail Trail is also along wetlands.
Bring Your Bug Spray
Despite all that is written above, this is a really great ride. Just pick your day accordingly.
Middleton Connector
This trail connects Boxford Forest to Downtown Middleton.
Surprisingly, as soon as you exit the Boxford forest, you can right on this connector trail, and you are headed to Middleton Pond.
Looks like a long abandoned Rail-Road. It is between two wetlands almost the entire length.
This is Where the Bugs Live.
Middleton Pond
Midway through the Harold Parker Link is Middleton Pond.
Just some really great views, you are sure to stop and look.
Middleton Power Lines
The Power Lines trail is a lot of fun. As expected, a lot of loose rock chunk, but does not mean it is not fun. Few steep climbs few fun challenges, and it is over before you know it.
The reason this parcel is so important is it connects the Harold Parker Forest with the Peabody Rail Trail.
VIDEO LINK: Quick 2 Minute Video <CLICK HERE>
NEW 2020: Boxford Forest 15 Mile Adventure Ride
Explore Boxford Forest MTB or CX Adventure Ride
Newest Intermediate MTB Adventure Ride on the North Shore.
Explore the very under-used Boxford Forest.
NOTE: This ride has been maturing over the summer of 2020.
Have added new trails and will continue to improve this ride.
Not many folks have ventured into the Boxford Forest. I have spent the last few years exploring, and now I present this Adventure Ride to explore the park. These trails are suitable for a Cyclo-Cross Bike, or a Mountain Bike.
Full suspension is welcome, but not needed here.
Lack of direct access parking is the main reason this forest is not used. Using the Masconomet H.S. (@Rt 95 and Endicott St) as a large capacity parking area, you can access the park with just a 1.5 mile trip to the trail head.
The trails are not technical and not well maintained with the exception of the Bay Circuit Trail.
The BCT is maintained by the BCT Trail Organization which does a wonderful job keeping the trails open and clear.
The 6 miles on the BCT is the best part of this whole ride. You will get the feeling you are in the deep woods and on a true adventure while in Boxford. You should not ride the is a scarcely used park and getting yourself lost, you maybe out there for a while.
Lynn Woods Mountain Biking
Lynn Woods Advanced Level MTB Ride (11 Miles)
This Reoccurring Ride is a good technical-level training ride. If you can ride Lynn Woods, you can ride anywhere. Most of Lynn Woods is either Advance Level Riding, or Expert Level Riding. While there are fireroads that can get you around the park, there are very few trails that you can consider beginner or intermediate. This is an 11 mile loop designed to show you all corners of the park. Each side of the park is known for different riding skills. The South Side is endurance and cross country, and the North Side is Endurance, Technical Skills, and Big Balls... This 11 mile loop keeps both wheels on the ground and is considered and Advance Level Mountain Bike Ride.
This ride will be held on Weekend Mornings periodically through the ride season.
This is an Advanced-Level Mountain Bike Ride on rugged trails.
Please read the warnings on the ride page link.
NEW 7/2019: See the Video for this ride, it is not as scary as you think....
Lynn Woods Intermediate Level MTB Ride (10 Miles)
New Ride for this year at LYNN WOODS.
This is a 10 Mile Advance-Intermediate Level Ride.
This ride stays away from all the stunts and drops from the Northern part of the park.
This is still a very technical and very difficult ride.
You will need strong legs and great cardio to complete this 10 mile loop.
Expect 2 1/2 to 3 hours for this ride.
This ride has lots of climbing, then rewarded by lots of great downhills. This side of the park has many more hills and climbing than the Northern Side.
This ride was carefully constructed to make the climbs easier while taking maximum advantage of the hill you just climbed.
Look for this as a group ride later this ride season. Really must have your cardio and your legs up for this ride.
MTB-201 Learning Endurance Mountain Bike Rides
Mountain Bike Training for Better Adventures.
Intermediate Level Mountain Bike Ride.
This is a great mountain bike ride of 25 miles, with fewer than 4 miles of road riding in 2 small segments. Round-Trip ride starting and ending at the Danvers High School. See some great trails some you never knew existed. Nothing super technical on this ride, but lots of twisty trails, fun downhills, and a visit to 4 different MTB parks. This is the same route as the first 1/2 of the CX-201 ride. CX-201 is Advanced Level, because you are on a CX bike. This ride is Intermediate Level because MTBs have suspension, while a CX bike is fully rigid.
WHY 25 MILES???
I put a lot of rail-trail in this version so Intermediate Level Mountain Bikers can try some longer distance riding. This is a great route to advance your endurance level. This route is well thought out so you can experience different aspects of longer mountain bike rides. Some fun stuff, followed by more fun stuff, followed by more fun stuff, followed by a gentle rail-trail dirt ride return. Great training if you want to attend some of All Day Adventures Advance Level Mountain Bike Rides.
Ride time is less than 3-1/2 hours.
MTB 201 Second Half / 33 Mile CX Adventure Ride
MTB 201 Part 2. One of the best rides you can find on the North Shore
33 Mile round trip loop starting at Danvers High School.
This ride has 17+ miles of Really fun singletrack, 11 miles of gravel rail trails and a few short road ride segments.
Expect 4+ hours on this adventure, and expect to have a lot of fun. Either a trail rated CX bike or a mountain bike, you will have a great time. The Boxford Forest experience is intense, and you will feel like you are lost in the woods.
This is a very Satisfying Adventure Ride
This is an Advance Level CX Ride, or an Advance-Intermediate Mountain Bike Ride.
7 Miles in Boxford Forest has great climbing trails, and that great feeling you are lost in the woods.
8 Miles in Harold Parker hits some of the toughest trails including Black Ops and a few others.
Download the ride below and go for it...!
New 2020 / 38 Mile MTB Salem - Fells Fun Ride Adventure
38 Mile CX Fun Ride Adventure Loop Ride From Salem to the Fells
New for 2020, I have ridden this route a few times now and it is a Great Ride.
Hit some great parks along the way. Spring Pond, Lynn Woods, Breakheart Reservation, 4 miles in the Fells, 8 miles of the Commuter Bike path, and 3 miles on the Marblehead Rail Trail. An Advance-Intermediate rider will find this to be a fun ride.
While this ride was designed for a Cyclo-Cross bike, it is just as much fun on a Hardtail MTB, just a little more work. Bring some food. This ride is over before you know it. A great introduction ride for my other adventure rides.
Self-Guided Advanced Level Mountain Bike Rides
Willowdale - Georgetown Forest MTB Ride
The Willow-George MTB 25 Mile Adventure Ride is a long advanced level mountain bike ride that connects 2 of the best parks on the North Shore.
As a long endurance ride, you should be ready for 4+ hours of very-hard mountain biking and always ride with a partner.
Ipswich to Salem MTB Adventure
The Ipswich to Salem MTB 28 Mile Adventure Ride is a long advanced level mountain bike ride that connects 7 of the best parks on the North Shore.
This is my Favorite Extended MTB Ride, Long endurance + Advanced Level Skills.
ADA's Best Intermediate Level Mountain Bike Ride
About this MTB Ride:
The Decordova Sculpture Park and Explore Concord Intermediate Level Mountain Bike Ride, is designed for a day of adventure riding on a great trail system in Concord, Mass. This is a great ride for the cycling couple.
As a 18 Mile Mountain Bike Adventure, this ride lets the intermediate level trail user expand or test their own endurance, for a multi-hour trail riding experience. Expect 3-5 hours for this ride.
About the Trails: The trail systems in Concord are wide and well-groomed single tracks. Easy to ride, not too many bumps. You will not encounter many other trail users. In wet conditions you may want to wait for a better day, because of the slippery tree roots. These trails are easy to navigate, some moderate hill climbs, but mostly just peaceful solitude for you and your other
Get the Ride Information here....
Go to the link below for the ride description. Get the APP from ridewithGPS and download the GPX map and you are good to go. Follow the route just like Car Navigation, and have a wonderful day on the trails.
Harold Parker / Boxford Forest Mountain Bike Adventure
25 Mile Intermediate Level Mountain Bike Adventure Ride
Some rough stuff, lots of fun flowing trails. A perfect mountain bike adventure with just 2 short miles of connecting back roads. Explore the Boxford Forest via the Bay Circuuit Trail and see that primitive forest at it's best.
Much Harder MTB Rides
Boston to Salem Tarzan Adventure
Boston to Salem Advanced Level Mountain Bike Ride: This is a specialty bike ride designed for mountain bikes ONLY and for riders with endurance experience. This ride is over 40 miles with a lot of restive dirt trails and paths. The average time to complete this ride can be 5-8 hours.
Rated as "Extreme" take this warning seriously. Do not ride alone, some of these trails are sparsely used.
Rockport to Salem Tarzan Adventure
The Rockport to Salem Mountain Bike Tarzan Adventure Ride is one tough day of mountain biking on the North Shore. Part of the Tarzan Ride adventure series, this ride ranks with the same difficulty level of the other Tarzan Adventure Rides.
Expect 34+ miles and 5 – 8 hours for this ride at a pace of 6 MPH, slower if it is wet.
MTB Expert Level Ride / Bow Ridge Lynn Woods
The Bow Ridge Hike and Expert Level Mountain Bike Ride hits the most beautifully-rugged terrain you will find in the Greater Boston Area. A 6 Mile ride in only 2-3 hours.
See this Video-Link at this Ride Page for a demo of riding this part of Lynn Woods.