Concord’s Trinity Episcopal Church Bike Club
This club was established as a way for parishioners of Trinity Episcopal Church to get together on a Sunday afternoon for a pleasant bike ride. Local rail trails are a safe way to ride bikes at your own pace for any distance you choose. This is a great way for kids, teenagers, parents, couples and individuals to enjoy a New England outdoor activity. It is a good way to get to know other parishioners, have fun, and fulfill some of your required weekly cardiovascular requirements.
We sometimes start the season off with a night in the Parish Hall for tune-ups. Parishioners Brian and Sally McInnis have been kind to offer their services to tune-up our bikes. Brian takes time from his bike shop in Medford, JRA Cycles (Just Riding Along Cycles) to make sure the gears and tires are ready for our adventures.
Starting in the spring we’ll meet at 1:30 PM on a Sunday afternoon in a designated parking lot of one of the rail trails. Don’t forget to bring your helmets and a bike in good working condition. Inclement weather cancels the event. You and your family can ride at your own pace and for any distance you desire. Most of the trails are 10 miles one way. There is usually an ice cream shop along the trail or nearby so bring some change for a scoop or two. Let Patricia or John know if you are interested so they can look out for you. Below is the 2017 season schedule and instructions on how to get to the parking lots.
Of note, for the 2017 season, the September and October rides will be on roadways (not for families). We received feedback that families were very busy during the school year on the weekends with other sport activities, so decided to try something other than the rail trails.
2017 Season Schedule:
May 28 Minuteman Bikeway (families)
July 9 Bruce Freeman Trail (families)
August 24 Nashua River Rail Trail (families)
September 24 TBD (ride on road with adults)
October 15 TBD (ride on road with adults)
Directions to parking lots and meeting place:
- Minuteman Bikeway in Bedford. From Concord take a right onto Loomis Street off Rt 62. Parking lots on the left. Meet behind the Freight House.
- Nashua River Rail Trail in Ayer. Take Rt 2A into Ayer Center. Take right onto Park Street at intersection of Mobil Station and Sovereign Bank. Take first right onto Groton Street, then right into parking lot.
- Bruce Freeman Trail in Westford. Off of Westford Road (Rt 225) take a right onto Acton Road. Take a left onto Pond Street (first left after Lakeside Ave where there is public parking for Hart Pond and the rail trail.
- Boston Harbor Walk. Take Mass Pike to Waterfront. Meet in the ICA (Institute of Contemporary Art) or Peer 4 parking lots off ot Seaport Blvd.
- Falmouth Shining Sea Trail. On the Cape, take Rt 28 South to Falmouth. Take a right on Depot Ave for public parking.
Please email (patricia.kent@comcast.net) or (john.ahern@comcast.net) to let us know if you are interested in a ride so we can look out for you. On the days of the rides you can contact us on our cell phones (Patricia 617-827-1437or John 978-273-7898).
Internet Resources:
http://www.trinityconcord.org/bike.shtml
Information about Trinity Episcopal Church’s Bike Club
http://www.massbike.org/resourcesnew/pathstrail Information about all the Massachusetts bicycling paths and trails with links to specific trails
http://www.massbike.org/resoursesnew/bike-law
Information about Massachusetts state bike laws and safety issues
Interesting Rides:
- Granite State Quest fundraising century ride is an annual event in Exeter, NH that supports the Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Unit at MassGeneral Hospital for Children.
www.give.massgeneral.org/gsq/register
- Hub on Wheels is a pleasant ride every September through the neighborhoods of Boston.
- Five Boro Bike Tour is a great was to see New York City with 30,000 other bike riders.
www.bikenewyork.org /ride/five-boro-bike-tour
Link to MassBike … Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition