North Shore Cyclists rides

Vintage rides and cue sheets for routes on the Massachusetts North Shore. These routes are from the previous NSC site. For the most recent versions, visit North Shore Cyclists.

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NSC Blazing Saddles Century, Byfield MA - North Shore Cyclists' Blazing Saddles Century travels through the rural towns of the North Shore and southern New Hampshire.… Continue reading

Hamilton MA “Hey you, get off my road!” - Start: Hamilton-Wenham Regional School, 775 Bay Rd, 01982 South Hamilton , MA See map: Google Maps Routes Miles Elevation (ft) Print Download 30 1,276 Cue sheet, Map GPX, TCX 40 1,760 Cue sheet, Map GPX, TCX 30 miles 40 miles

Haverhill riding north - Start: Northern Essex Community College 100 Elliott Street, Haverhill, MA (View map) Meet in the Technology center Parking Lot. Description: This ride takes us on familiar roads, some a bit hilly, and travels north of the Merrimack River into Merrimac and Amesbury, with longer rides continuing through Newton, Kingston and South Hampton in New Hampshire. Distance… Continue reading

Exeter to Great Bay - What to expect: The rides go through the scenic farm country of southern New Hampshire. The terrain is rolling hills with old barns, scenic vistas, and lots of quiet roads. All the loops go by historic Kingston NH common, picturesque Newfields, Great Bay, Newmarket, and the lively college town of Durham. This ride is marked… Continue reading

Topsfield to Merrimack River bicycle ride

NSC Saturday ride, Boxford - Start: Masconomet Regional High School, Boxford MA map to start. Directions: From Route 95 take exit 51 (Endicott St) east towards Topsfield. The school is 1/4 mile on right. The ride leaves from the parking lot closest to I-95). What to expect: The North Shore Cyclists Saturday Fitness Ride meanders through Middleton, Boxford, Georgetown, Byfield, Newbury… Continue reading

NSC Hamilton to Newburyport - Start: Cutler Elementary School, Asbury St., South Hamilton, MA map to start Description: Enjoy some of the nicest cycling in our area. Generally quiet, scenic country roads in Hamilton, Topsfield, Ipswich, Georgetown and Boxford. Long ride adds Newbury and Newburyport. Generally flat to rolling, with a few small hills. Ride created by Arnold Nadler. Combined NSC… Continue reading

Tyngsborough Pepperell Hollis bicycle ride

Tyngsborough Pepper and Maple - Start: Tyngsborough Elementary School, 205 Westford Rd, Tyngsborough, MA (map). Arrow Shape: White T. Description: The ride is remarkable for staying on so many low-traffic roads with excellent pavement. The short ride goes through Tyngsborough, Pepperell, Hollis NH, Nashua NH, and Dunstable; the long ride adds Townsend and Brookline NH. The short route has 0.5 miles of packed gravel,… Continue reading

NSC Over Hill and Dale from Ballardvale - Start locations: Ballardvale MBTA Station, Andover is the traditional start. map to start ($4 parking charge is enforced. There is some parking available on side streets off of Tewksbury St, where the ride stats, up the hill from the Ballardvale T-Station. ) Directions: Rte 93 to Dascomb Road, take the ramp towards Andover, turn right… Continue reading

NSC North Reading pigs, ponds and potholes - A North Shore Cyclists ride Start: Ipswich River Park, North Reading map to start Description: Serene back roads, farm stands, ponds, pigs (plus sheep, chickens, and bunnies), and lots of potholes of the northern burbs. Have iced coffee at Smolak Farm (on the short ride) or a picnic lunch at Ingaldsby Farm. Terrain is moderately… Continue reading

Topsfield Ipswich North Andover bicycle ride

NSC pothole inspection tour, Topsfield - Start: Topsfield Plaza, Main Street, Topsfield, MA. map to start Directions: From Rte 95 N, take Exit 50 to Route 1 North. In Topsfield, turn left onto Rte 97 North. At stop sign, go left (Rt. 97 continues right). Topsfield Plaza is 1/4 mile on right. Description: Flat to rolling terrain on some of our favorite… Continue reading

North Shore Cyclists Wakefield bicycle ride

NSC Wakefield Thursday ride - Start: Quannapowitt Parkway, northern end of Lake Quannapowitt in Wakefield MA, the end nearest the Rt. 128 interchange. Directions: Rte 128 to Exit 40. Follow Rte 129 south to the park at the north end of the lake and turn right almost immediately on Quannapowitt Parkway to the parking area. Map to start Description: Gently rolling… Continue reading

NSC Bradley Palmer winter ride - Start location: Bradley Palmer State Park parking lot, Asbury Street, Topsfield MA. From the Asbury Street entrance, take the first right, and the parking lot will be on your left in a short distance. Map to start. A North Shore Cyclists ride. Map and Cue sheet (PDF) PRINT MAP FROM BROWSER PRINT CUE SHEET FROM… Continue reading

NSC North Reading evening rides - Start Location: Edith A. O’Leary Senior Center, 50 Bow St., N. Reading MA map to start. The building is at the intersection of Haverhill and Bow St. There are also some parking spaces at a small lot across Haverhill St. which belongs to N.Reading High School which could be used for overflow. This location is… Continue reading

NSC Haverhill-Bradford Tuesday evening rides - Start: Bradford Christian Academy, 97 Oxford Avenue, Haverhill, MA. Map to Start. Oxford Ave and the brick school building is across Rte. 125 from Josephs restaurant, and behind the Cedardale complex. Description: NSC ride with long stretches of scenic riding with a few rolling hills. Loop into Boxford and North Andover. The arrow is a white ” 7 ” pointing… Continue reading

NSC Old Stone Walls Ride Ipswich - Start: Ipswich, 16 Hammatt Street parking lot, behind Market Street and Central Street. map to start 2015 Alternative Start: Cutler School, Asbury St. in Hamilton MA. Directions: From I-95, take Rt. 133 east to the center of Ipswich. Turn right one block before downtown center. Hammatt St. parking lot will be on your left. From… Continue reading

NSC Portsmouth to Maine Seacoast ride - Start: Parrott Ave. Parking Lot, Portsmouth, NH. MAP TO START Directions: From I-95 N, take Exit 3 To Portsmouth. In 1.2 mile, bear Right onto South St. In another 0.9 mile, turn Left onto Junkins Ave. In 0.3 mile, Parrott Ave will be on your left and the entrance will be an immediate right. If the lot is… Continue reading

NSC Hamilton-Salem Halloween Ride - Description: This ride starts in Hamilton and winds into downtown Salem where there will be large crowds of revelers. Fancy costumes aren’t expected but everyone should try to be creative and help us make a memorable group of cyclists when we arrive in the Witch City. 10 miles each way. Created by : Jimmy White and Paula Bossone… Continue reading

NSC Quiet Roads North of Boston, Reading - Start: REI, Salem St in Reading. map to start Directions: Route 128 to Exit 40; go around rotary to Route 129 (Salem St.) West. REI parking lot is third left. Please park away from the shops. The Reading commuter rail station is 1.3 miles away. Description: Mostly flat to rolling, shady roads. All rides go through… Continue reading

NSC Ride to the Sea, Georgetown - Start: Perley School, Georgetown map to start Directions: Take Rt. 95 exit 54 west, then follow Rt. 133 west to Georgetown center. At set of lights take right onto North St., Perley School is 1/4 mile on the right. What to expect: Scenic ride through Georgetown, Rowley, Boxford and Ipswich. 25, 40 and 50 miles.… Continue reading

NSC Salt Marsh Ride, ipswich - Start: Ipswich MA downtown central parking lot on Hammatt St. behind Market Street and Central Street map to start Directions: From I-95, take Rt. 133 east to the center of Ipswich. Turn right one block before downtown center. Hammatt St. parking lot will be on your left. From Rt. 1, take Ipswich Rd. from Topsfield.… Continue reading

NSC Salt Marsh Ride, Rowley - Location: Pine Grove School, Rt. 1A, Rowley MA Directions: Pine Grove School is on the right when going north on Rt. 1A shortly after the intersection with Central Street. Map to start location Description: The Salt Marsh Ride starts at the Pine Grove School on Rt. 1A in Rowley MA and starts out on a beautiful… Continue reading

NSC Bradford ride - Start: Bradford Elementary School, 118 Montvale Street, Haverhill, MA (map to start) Description: All rides (27 miles), medium(40 miles), and long (61 miles) visit the communities of Bradford, West Boxford, Groveland and West Newbury on a mix of local and rural roads. The 61 mile ride (metric century) adds a loop through Newbury to Plum Island and back.… Continue reading

NSC Willowdale mountain biking - Start: Linebrook road in Ipswich MA, across from the Marini farm field on the right hand side parking lot. Coming from Rt. 1, this is on the right, well before Doyon school. map to start Willowdale has 40 miles of trails for all levels, and great fire roads to learn on. The Forest exists as two… Continue reading

NSC North from Cushing Park, Newburyport - Start: Cushing Park, Kent St., Newburyport, MA. Google Directions and Map to Start Location. This is a North Shore Cyclists ride. Directions: From I-95, Exit 57 for Rte 113 E. Go 2 miles and take a left onto Kent Street. Parking lot is 2 blocks on right. From Rte 1, go onto Merrimac Street (at the… Continue reading

Arrowed rides on the North Shore Cyclists site - Ride name City and arrow Applecrest Amesbury Back to the Saddles Again Byfield Bagels and a Witch Boxford Best of Ipswich Ipswich Bradford ride Bradford Breakaway ride North Andover Cape Ann from Ipswich Ipswich Cape Ann from Manchester Manchester-by-the-Sea Cheese and Whine Amesbury Coastal New Hampshire Hampton Farm and Sea Danvers Grub, Sweat and Gears Topsfield… Continue reading

NSC North to Great Bay, Amesbury - Start: Amesbury Elementary School, 20 South Hampton Rd., Amesbury map to start Directions: Rte. 95 to exit 58 for Rte. 110 Amesbury. Go to the 1st traffic light and take a right onto Elm Street. At the rotary take the 1st right onto Market St. (Rte. 150). Go about 0.5 mile; bear left onto South… Continue reading

Nashua River Ramble - Start: Tyngsboro Elementary School; 205 Westford Rd, Tyngsboro, MA map to start Directions: Take Exit 34 on Hwy 3. At the end of the exit ramp, turn West (left, for those coming from the south), toward Westford. At the third stoplight, turn right. Tyngsboro Elementary School is on your right in less than a 1/2… Continue reading

NSC Topsfield Monday ride - Start: Topsfield Plaza, Topsfield map to start Directions: From Rte 95 N, take Exit 50 to Route 1 North. In Topsfield, turn left onto Rte 97 North. At stop sign, go left (Rt. 97 continues right). Topsfield Plaza is 1/4 mile on right. We park at the far end of the lot Description: This is an… Continue reading

Minuteman Ride from Lawrence, MA - Start: Greater Lawrence Vocational High School 57 River Road, Andover MA map to start Directions: I-93 N, Exit 45 River Road (1st exit north of I-495), Left at 1st set of lights onto River Road, left at 3rd set of lights into school parking. I-93N is Exit 40B off I-495 What to expect: Scenic ride… Continue reading

Cheese and Whine bicycle ride from Newburyport MA

NSC Cheese and Whine from Amesbury - Start location: Amesbury Elementary School, So. Hampton Rd., Amesbury, MA. Map to Start. From Rte 95 to exit 58 for Rte. 110 Amesbury. Go to the 1st traffic light and take a right onto Elm Street. At the rotary take the first right onto Market St. (Rte. 150). Go about .5 mile, bear left onto… Continue reading

NSC Merrimack River ride from Newburyport, MA - Start: Cushing Park, Newburyport MA map to start Directions: From Rte. 95 take exit 57 Rte 113 east. Go for 2 miles and take a left onto Kent St. parking lot is 2 blocks on right. From Rte 1 go onto Merrimac St. 1/4 mile west towards Amesbury. Take a left at the gas station… Continue reading

coastal bicycle ride from Newburyport, MA

NSC Let’s Go Coastal from Newburyport, MA - Start: Cushing Park, Newburyport map to start Directions: From Route 95, take Exit 57 for Route 113 East. Go for 2 miles and take a left onto Kent Street. Parking lot is 2 blocks on right. From Route 1 go onto Merrimac Street (at the Newburyport end of the bridge over the Merrimack). Go 1/4 mile west towards… Continue reading

Grub Sweat and Gears bicycle ride from Topsfield MA

NSC Grub, Sweat and Gears - Start: Main Street Plaza , Topsfield , MA map to start Directions: From Route 95, take Exit 50 to Route 1 North. In Topsfield, turn left onto Route 97 North. At Topsfield Center , go left (Route 97 continues right). Topsfield Plaza is on the right behind Cumberland Farms. Park at the far end of… Continue reading

NSC Danvers Farm and Sea - Start: 14 Otis St. Danvers, MA. The start is the dirt parking lot of Tiggies Field across from St. Mary of the Annunciation School. From Rte 1 or 95 take the exit for Rte 62 East (Maple St). In about 1 mile turn right on Pine St. and at 0.2 mi left on Otis. Parking… Continue reading

NSC New Hampshire Coast from Hampton, NH - Start: Town of Hampton, NH municipal parking lot. Hampton is on Rt. 1, about 10 miles north of Newburyport. (This is not Hampton Beach, which is on Rt. 1A). Map to start Directions: Take Rt. 1 North to Hampton NH. Turn right on Rt. 27, High Street. The large (free) parking lot will be immediately… Continue reading

Cape Ann bicycle ride from Manchester by the Sea

NSC Cape Ann from Manchester, MA - Start: Memorial Elementary School, Manchester, MA. map to start. It is the older elementary school, not the new high school. Description: Ride counter-clockwise along the Cape Ann coastline, through Gloucester, out to the Eastern Point Lighthouse and Atlantic Ave., to Rockport and back through Annisquam Village. The short and medium routes return to the start location in… Continue reading

NSC Breakaway Ride, North Andover MA - Location: Breakaway Computraining, 27 Charles St., North Andover, MA 01845. Map Description: 25, 42 and 60 mile rides. There is plenty of parking at Breakaway and a place to change as well as restrooms. Host: Steven Dipetro 60 Mile long route 60 mile NSC cue sheet PDF 60 mile cue sheet at RWGPS 60 mile route map at… Continue reading

NSC Ipswich to Boston ride - Description: 47 miles along back roads and bike lanes to North Station in Boston. Return by commuter rail to Ipswich. Created by Gordon Harris. Quiet local roads from Ipswich take us to Topsfield, North Reading, Wakefield and Stoneham. We then ride along the Mystic River to Arlington, take the Minuteman Bike Path to Cambridge, and follow the… Continue reading

NSC Topsfield hills - Start: In front of The Bicycle Shop along the Topsfield Linear Path, at the Topsfield Shopping Center, Topsfield MA. Map to Start Description: This little gem of a ride takes on the rolling glacial hills of Topsfield on quiet beautiful roads. From the center of town in tackles Howlett St., then heads to River Road… Continue reading

NSC Wednesday Ipswich MA 15 mile ride - Start: YMCA, 110 County Rd. (Rt. 133 east and 1A south ), Ipswich Massachusetts. map to start and driving directions Directions: Take Rt. 133/1A heading east from Ipswich. Before the highways split, the YMCA will be set back on the left. The driveway is between the two sets of new apartment buildings. We have permission… Continue reading

NSC winter ride, Georgetown MA 26 miles - Start: Perley School, Georgetown MA map to start Date and Time: Sundays at 11:00 AM weather permitting. Alternate times and cancellations announced on the NSC listserver. Please check your email for announcements and weather cancellations Description: The 26 mile recurring weekend ride is hosted on Saturdays or Sundays by North Shore Cyclists throughout the winter when… Continue reading

NSC Old Stone Walls ride from Hamilton MA - Start: Cutler Elementary School, Asbury St., South Hamilton, MA map to start Distance: 16, 26, 35 and 43 miles. What to expect: The Stone Walls Ride from Hamilton takes us past Bradley Palmer State Park, along the Ipswich River Sanctuary to Topsfield, Boxford and Georgetown. There are no road marks in Boxford. The road mark is an upside down yellow… Continue reading

NSC Beverly-Ipswich MA ride (“Scotty Dog Ride”) - Start: Cove Elementary School, Beverly, MA map to start Directions: Exit 18 off of Rte 128 and take Rt. 22 into Beverly. In 1.1 mile turn left on Corning St. After .7 miles turn left on Rt. 127. Take the third left on Eisenhower Ave. (after green crosswalk and crossing signs), and the school will… Continue reading

Ipswich to Plum Island, “Out and Back” - Start Location: Ipswich Middle and Senior High School, Ipswich MA., We start from the parking lot behind the school). This ride takes recently-repaved Rt. 1A from Ipswich through Rowley to Newbury, and then offers options to continue to Newburyport for a 22 mile round trip, or out to the Parker River Wildlife Refuge on Plum Island for a 32 mile… Continue reading

Bradford Ponds and Forests - Start: Bradford Elementary School, 118 Montvale St., Bradford MA (South Haverhill) Description: This ride heads from Bradford (a historic village in South Haverhill) to nearby Groveland, then continues through Boxford State Forest on quiet local roads not often travelled on NSC routes. The short and medium rides turn back toward Bradford without crossing Rt. 114.… Continue reading

NSC Bagels and a Witch, Topsfield - Start: Masconomet High School. 20 Endicott Rd, Boxford, MA (map) Description: Flat to rolling loops through the North Shore. All rides pass through Boxford, Topsfield and Rowley. Medium ride adds Newbury and Newburyport. Long ride adds Plum Island including the paved bike lane on the Plum Island Causeway. A nice food stop is Tendercrop Farm on the… Continue reading

The Best of Ipswich - Start: Ipswich Massachusetts, Hammatt St. parking lot, behind Market Street and Central Street map to start Description: The Best of Ipswich ride features our favorite cycling favorite roads from downtown Ipswich with a great mix of state forests, cycling along the Ipswich River, and scenic ocean vistas from Crane Beach and Jeffreys Neck, returning through… Continue reading

NSC Cape Ann from Ipswich - Start: Hammatt St. downtown parking lot, Ipswich, MA map to start Description: Quiet local roads from Ipswich take us to Manchester by the Sea, continuing counter-clockwise for a very scenic tour of Cape Ann’s rocky coastline. All routes go through beautiful Magnolia bordering the ocean, and continue past Hammond Castle, a replication of an English medieval… Continue reading

NSC Applecrest Farm ride - Start: Amesbury Elementary School, 20 South Hampton Rd., Amesbury, MA map to start Directions: Rte. 95 to exit 58 for Rte. 110 Amesbury. Go to the 1st traffic light and take a right onto Elm Street. At the rotary take the 1st right onto Market St. (Rte. 150). Go about 0.5 mile; bear left onto… Continue reading

NSC North Andover Ride - Start: Old North Andover Common; Osgood St., North Andover, MA map to start and driving directions Directions: I-495 to Rte 114 East (toward Middleton). Left at lights onto Rt.125 (Bertucci’s Pizza). At next set of lights (.2 mi) take right on to Andover St. Follow for approximately .7 mi to the common. From I-95, take… Continue reading