A gentle trail ride thru the Georgetown/Rowley, Willowdale, and Bradley Palmer State Parks and a short stretch along the Topsfield rail trail. Suitable for beginner gravel riders, as well as advanced. 35 mm tires or wider recommended.
The terrain is category 1+ - 2.
Gravel ride
Category 2
Dirt/gravel roads, wide single-track, or dual-track trails with potholes, washboard, and occasional loose surfaces. Larger tires size and lower pressure is recommended. Ideal bike: Endurance, all-road, or gravel Tire size: 32-35mm See Types of Gravel Rides
Mile 4.7 Pond street onto rail trail: ride to left of electric substation to pick up trail
Mile 6.5 Water/mud/rickety bridge feature: suggest dismount if you are meek/old/wimpy
Mile 9 Difficult surface: newish large bore gravel for 0.5 miles, ridable but jarring
Mile 14 Tree feature: large dead tree across trail. 4 feet of clearance under it. There is also a water/mud feature right after that so you can just stay off the bike and walk it.
Also, I (Melinda) will be at Zumi's (down Main St. from the ride start) from 9:15 to 9:45 for a coffee social. All riders are welcome.
Routes
Please download this latest version of the routes before each ride.