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Cape Ann from Ipswich, (Sunday June 5, 2011)

Jun 5 2011 9:00 am

cycling along the Atlantic in Gloucester MA Leader: Mitchell Lowe

Start: Hammatt St. downtown parking lot, Ipswich, MA map to start

Directions: Take Ipswich Rd. from Rt. 1 in Topsfield. As you enter downtown Ipswich, cross the tracks and take a left on Depot Square, and bear right around the back of the downtown stores. The parking lot is on your right before Rt. 1A/133 (Central St.)

Date and Time: Sunday,June 5, 2011: 9:00 AM for 30, 40, 54 or 61 miles

What to expect: Quiet local roads from Ipswich takes 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 fortress. The short (30 mile) and medium (40 mile) routes turn back to Ipswich from Gloucester near the famous ‘Man at the Wheel’ statue. The long (54 mile) and extra long metric century (62 mile) routes cross to Cape Ann in Gloucester where we ride out to Atlantic Ave.,   then on to Rockport and  back through Annisquam Village.  The return for all versions follows Rt. 133. The routes return  on Rt. 133 and  Concord Rd. in West Gloucester, with the option of Rt. 133 all  the way.  Argilla Road brings you back into Ipswich and along the Ipswich River to the Town Wharf. The 40 and 61 mile routes go out to Jeffreys Neck and have spectacular views of the ocean andCape Ann. The last mile is through Ipswich along East Street and High Street, with the largest concentration of First and Second Period houses (pre-Revolution) in the nation.

This is a scenic tour with frequent turns, and is not designed for paceline riding. The route is marked with a yellow circle with a single line pointing the way. If you are riding in a pack, make sure that the leader knows the route.

Downtown Ipswich has some good places for after-ride snacks. I highly recommend Zumi’s on Market St. for coffee, ice cream and baked items after the ride,  as well as Down River Ice Cream, at the Ipswich / Essex border on 133 on the way back.   In downtown Rockport with the eclectic Bearskin Neck area, you'll find several food shops.

Cue Sheets: Please download the current cue sheet and map from the links below. There will be a limited number of printed handouts available at the ride start.

Cue sheets

Overview Route Map 

Links to Map My Ride

 Links to RideWithGPS