North Shore Cyclists' Blazing Saddles Century travels through the rural towns of the North Shore and southern New Hampshire.
NSC Blazing Saddles Century, Byfield MA, August 16, 2025
Tag: 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 Cape Ann from Ipswich
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 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 round trip. Turns… Continue reading Ipswich to Plum Island, “Out and Back”
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 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 the… Continue reading The Best of Ipswich
Beverly-Ipswich MA Ride
Start: Cove Elementary School, Beverly, MA. map to start What to expect: This Beverly-Ipswich loop travels quiet woodland and open roads near Cape Ann area, including North Beverly, Centerville, Essex, Ipswich, Wenham, and Hamilton. Long and medium rides go out to Jeffrey's Neck loop from the town wharf in Ipswich. After the ride, many participants… Continue reading Beverly-Ipswich MA Ride
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. What to expect: Ride along the quiet roads between Ipswich, Essex, and Hamilton. Short ride… Continue reading Ipswich MA 15-Mile Ride
Salt Marsh Ride, Ipswich, MA
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 Salt Marsh Ride, Ipswich, MA
Old Stone Walls Ride from Ipswich, MA
Start: Ipswich, 16 Hammatt Street parking lot, 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. Cross tracks and… Continue reading Old Stone Walls Ride from Ipswich, MA
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 Haverhill riding north
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 Exeter to Great Bay
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 Saturday ride, Boxford
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 NSC Hamilton to Newburyport
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 Tyngsborough Pepper and Maple
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 Over Hill and Dale from Ballardvale
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 NSC North Reading pigs, ponds and potholes
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 NSC pothole inspection tour, Topsfield
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 Wakefield Thursday ride
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 Bradley Palmer winter ride
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 North Reading evening rides
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 Haverhill-Bradford Tuesday evening rides
Cycling New England 