Pigs Ponds and Potholes
Leader: Sarah Weaver 978-664-1370 sarah.weaver@comcast.net
Start: Ipswich River Park, North Reading map to start
Directions:
From Route 93, take Exit 39/Concord Street toward North Reading (a right off the exit if you're heading north). Bear right at the stop sign (1.3 mi); cross Rt. 28 at the light (1.8); bear right at stop sign onto Park Street/Rt. 62 (2.5 mi); turn right onto Central Street (3 mi); turn left into park. These mileages are cumulative.
From Route 128, take Exit 40 and the Haverhill Street/Camp Curtis Guild spoke off the rotary (you’ll pass the National Guard armory right after turning onto Haverhill Street). Turn left on Chestnut St. (at the blinking yellow light) after 3.2 miles; bear right around the curve and then turn right on Central St. The park is on your right.
Date and time: Sunday August 1, 2010: 9:00 AM for Short (26 miles) Medium (34 miles). Long 50 miles, your basic S-M-L.
What to expect: 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 rolling. Short and medium routes tour North Reading, North Andover, Boxford, Middleton. Long ride adds Groveland, West Newbury (crosses the Merrimac and goes by the llama farm). Lunch note for long riders: There are not many food options before Ingaldsby Farm at 34 miles (and Ingaldsby does not sell Power Bars; it is a farm stand/bakery), so bring enough snacks to keep you going.
Safety Note: The metal bridge in Groveland is deteriorating and has a very rough surface and chunks of concrete missing. It would be
smart to use the sidewalk and walk bikes--definitely walk them if it's at all wet that day. Also, don't crowd the bridge with a bunch of bikes. It's a narrow bridge and cars are trying the avoid the holes just like we are.
Please download cue sheets and overview map below so you can familiarize yourself with the route before arriving at the ride. Road mark is (was) a "mustachioed chevron," but most of these arrows are now quite faint. Because much of the ride passes through Boxford (including the snacks and splits), this ride has NOT been rearrowed this year. Please bring your own cue sheets, as only a handful of printouts will be available at the ride.
Cue sheet - long
Cue sheet - short and medium
Overview Route map
Upcoming Sunday Rides and Events
- Merrimack River Ride (Sunday May 20, 2012) 9:30 am(2 days)
- North Shore Tour de Cure (Sunday May 20, 2012)(2 days)
- Minuteman Ride (Sunday May 27, 2012)(9 days)
- Cape Ann from Ipswich (Sunday June 3, 2012)(16 days)
- Ipswich to Boston (Sunday June 10, 2012)(23 days)
- Best of Ipswich (Sunday June 17, 2012)(30 days)
- Bradford Ponds, Forests and Hills (Sunday June 24, 2012)(37 days)
- Burlington Bicycle Tour (June 30 - July 4, 2012)(43 days)
- Ride to the Sea (Sunday July 1, 2012)(44 days)
- North to Great Bay (Sunday July 8, 2012)(51 days)
- Beverly - Ipswich Ride (Sunday, July 15 2012)(58 days)
- Grub Sweat and Gears (Sunday July 22, 2012)(65 days)
- North Andover Ride (Sunday July 29, 2012)(72 days)
- Pigs Ponds and Potholes (Sunday Aug. 5, 2012)(79 days)
- Salt Marsh Tour (Sunday August 12, 2012)(86 days)
- Blazing Saddles Century (Saturday August 18)(92 days)
- Back to the Saddles Again (Sunday August 19, 2012)(93 days)
- Northern Essex County Ride (Sunday August 26, 2012)(100 days)
- NBW Flattest Century in the East (Sunday September 9, 2012)(114 days)
- Berkshire Weekend Tour (September 14, 2012)(119 days)
- CRW Fall Century (Sunday Sep. 16, 2012)(121 days)
- GSW Seacoast Century (Sep. 22-23, 2012)(127 days)
- Applecrest Farm Ride (Sunday Sept. 23, 2011)(128 days)
- Cape Ann from Manchester on the Sea (Sunday Oct. 7, 2012)(142 days)
- North to Newburyport (Sunday Oct. 14, 2012)(149 days)
- Bagels and a Buffalo (Sunday Oct. 28, 2012)(163 days)
Weekday rides
All weekday rides are now active for 2012