This ride takes us on some familiar roads through Topsfield, Boxford and Rowley, including quiet, scenic roads that travel through Cleveland Farm and Willowdale State Forests as well as the Topsfield Hills. NOTE the ride has been changed for the 2025-26 winter season. Please download the latest version.
Parking is available at MASSDOT Park & Ride at Main and Park Streets in Topsfield.
The Sunday Winter Ride will run each Sunday throughout the winter with a start time of 11 AM. The ride begins at Perley School in Georgetown and uses a series of quiet, scenic back roads to and from Newburyport. The ride leaders will rotate throughout the winter. Severe temperatures and slick roads will result in cancellation so please check the club email if the weather looks questionable. Please come dressed appropriately for the weather and with your bike in good condition.
Rescheduled from 12/15 to 12/18 due to cold weather. Regular schedule will resume on 12/22.
Join us as we wend our way through North Reading and Harold Parker State Forest. The longer route crosses RT 114 before returning back to Middleton and North Reading. Average speeds vary between 14 MPH and 18 MPH. We regroup as needed. Restroom facilities are located nearby at Cumberland Farms and Dunkin.
Please join us for a post ride debriefing at Dunkin. Plan to arrive early for the pre-ride safety talk.
Weekly Zwift Rides will take place Saturday mornings at 8:30 for the next month. Zwift riders simply need to join the Zwift club: “North shore cyclists ma"and they can hop on the NSC club rides.
This favorite mid-week ride is being scheduled for 11:00 am Tuesdays during the 2025/26 winter season. The 19-mile route traverses the hills of Topsfield on quiet, pastoral roads and offers over 1200 feet of climb and descent.
The ride is a no-drop ride. It combines an optional interval workout with social interaction, as riders will regroup at the bottom of each hill before advancing along the route. You will feel great at the end of each session, and by the end of the series you will be ready for most hills waiting for you during the summer season.
Riders typically average 12-15 mph for this ride, with climbs being slower and descents faster, of course.
Rides will be canceled when the combination of temperature and wind chill is less than 25F or when road conditions are unsafe due to precipitation or freezing runoff.
The usual route is 18 miles with 1000 ft of elevation. You can easily skip some hills, by choosing the 14 mile ride. [There is a split around mile 8] [marked on pavement] This route has a nice flow, and the surface is pretty clean. If wet surfaces are expected, it’ll cancel, as there are some sections of downhill. Usually there is a faster paced group 17-20 MPH. Often a slower group of riders 15-17 MPH goes also but that is not guaranteed as it depends on who shows up. For this reason, please download the route and be ready to navigate.
Parking lot behind East Boxford Fire Station
(Google map)
Road ride
This route travels on quiet roads that many of our riders know from the Saturday Fitness rides. Lunch will be at the Boxford Community Kitchen right behind the parking area.
Parking lot behind East Boxford Fire Station
(Google map)
Road ride
This route travels on quiet roads that many of our riders know from the Saturday Fitness rides. Lunch will be at the Boxford Community Kitchen right behind the parking area.
The Wednesday Hamilton route follows mostly quiet roads as it moves through east Beverly, MBTS, Essex, Ipswich, and Hamilton.
Route Option: If roads are dry, the ride leader may steer riders to take the quieter pathways of Apple, Belcher, and Choate streets and Candlewood and Fellows roads thru Essex to get to Lakemans Lane in Ipswich.
The Wednesday Hamilton route follows mostly quiet roads as it moves through east Beverly, MBTS, Essex, Ipswich, and Hamilton.
Route Option: If roads are dry, the ride leader may steer riders to take the quieter pathways of Apple, Belcher, and Choate streets and Candlewood and Fellows roads thru Essex to get to Lakemans Lane in Ipswich.
The Ipswich winter ride is the classic Ipswich figure eight route: rolling west along the northside of Ipswich, thru Boxford and Topsfield, and coming back to south Ispwich thru Bradley Palmer State Park.
A ride over to Groveland and then back along the northside of the Merrimack River is almost as beautiful in the wintry, leafless months as it is the rest of the year.
There are several lunch options nearby in Newburyport.
A ride over to Groveland and then back along the northside of the Merrimack River is almost as beautiful in the wintry, leafless months as it is the rest of the year.
There are several lunch options nearby in Newburyport.
