NVP Events Calendar - NVPEvents

Ride: Long Way to Harvard Ride
Ride 1 = 65 Miles; level = 4-Hilly
Ride 2 = 40 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
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Both routes go through Acton, Littleton, Ayer, Groton, and of course, Harvard. The long ride also covers Dunstable, Pepperell, and Hollis NH. Both routes have an optional (hilly) 6 mile extension at the end. Lunch stop on the long route is in Hollis (store with sandwiches, drinks, and Powerball tickets). No official lunch stop on the short route, but there are places to eat at the 24 mile point. Both routes have one or more ~20 mile stretches without stores, so plan accordingly.
Terrain is rolling with a few larger hills, including some roller-coaster hills in Groton, a long gradual "flat" climb to Hollis, and a couple of good hills in Harvard. I measured 2400' of vertical gain for the 65 mile ride, which is not so hilly for a ride of this length. No leader on the second half of the short route, as he will be continuing on the long route. Steady rain cancels, call leader by 9:00 AM if weather looks questionable.

Directions: The station is on Central St. near Main St. (Rte 27) in S. Acton.

Ride: Thursday Night Fitness Ride
Ride 1 = 11 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
Ride 2 = 17 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
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6:30 PM start time, rain cancels. Lights are always handy to have
just in case you find yourself short of daylight. All rides start in West Acton and follow the same routes each week
so that you can measure your progress.

The classic 11-mile Thursday route through Acton and a corner of Littleton consists of a series of rolling hills; none of them are too big or long, but they come one right after another.
The longer route adds a few hills. Ride at your own pace - the purpose of the ride is to build up your speed and endurance in rolling terrain. Of course you are free to ride at a more leisurely pace if you wish.

Mary will be co-leader, usually on the 11-mile ride. We both lead from the rear

Rain cancels. Call if in doubt. My cell phone is 978-697-2791

Directions: Gates School is at the end of Spruce St. (off of Rte 111 and Arlington St.) in W. Acton.

Ride: Acton, Stow and environs
Ride 1 = 12 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
Ride 2 = 15 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
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Easy ride through Stow, Boxboro and Acton. 11 or 16 miles

Directions: Stow Shopping Center is on Rte 117 in Stow a few miles W of its intersection with Rte 27 in Maynard.

Ride: Rini's Country Ride
Ride 1 = 50 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
Ride 2 = 25 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
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From Stow Shopping Plaza the 50 ml ride goes through the beautiful towns of Stow, Harvard, Littleton, Ayers to Groton (lunch places) towards Dunstable, and back through Westford and the Lost Lakes region. The 25 mile ride turns around at the old Littleton train depot, back through Boxboro to Stow and an optional lunch at the Stow Airport cafe.

Directions: Stow Shopping Center is on Rte 117 in Stow a few miles W of its intersection with Rte 27 in Maynard.

Ride: Acton, Stow and environs
Ride 1 = 12 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
Ride 2 = 15 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
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Meander around towns near Stow.

Directions: Stow Shopping Center is on Rte 117 in Stow a few miles West of its intersection with Rte 27 in Maynard.

Starting at NARA park ride 15 or 21 miles through Acton and Concord,

Directions: NARA Park is on Route 27 in Acton, about 1/2 miles north of the intersection with Rt 2A, on Ledge Rock Way.

Ride: Nice and Easy / Nice and Hard
Ride 1 = 15 Miles; level = 1-Flat
Ride 2 = 19 Miles; level = 1-Flat
Ride 3 = 22 Miles; level = 1-Flat
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There are short and long rides. Nice and Easy is the shorter ride. It is the Saturday Conditioning Ride - there is one hill up Old Harvard in Boxboro.

Nice and Harder is a 22-miler that goes up Stow Road to Harvard, winds past Carlson Orchard, and comes back through Boxborough.

Directions: The station is on Central St. near Main St. (Rte 27) in S. Acton.

Ride:
Ride 1 = 16 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
Ride 2 = 22 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
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There are two rides - 16 and 22 miles.

Both rides proceed up to Arlington St, then past the west end of Nagog Pond, out to Foster St. The short ride goes back from there via Depot & Burroughs Rds.

The long ride goes up and down Hill Rd into Boxborough, then nips through a corner of Harvard and back through Stow via Taylor and S. Acton Rds.

Ride leader will lead 22 mile ride.

Rain cancels.

Ride: Mount Vernon
Ride 1 = 62 Miles; level = 4-Hilly
Ride 2 = 40 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
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George Washington (did not) sleep here!

This route tries to bring NVP along some routes in NH that we don't get to do very often. Some of the route runs along our fall century ride, and other parts of it are from a CRW ride. We travel up into NH on some very nice roads, summiting Mount Vernon at the furthest point north. DOn't use all your energy on that climb; there is another nice climb on the return!

A shorter route which skips these hills will be included.

Ride: Outer 50
Ride 1 = 37 Miles; level = 4-Hilly
Ride 2 = 52 Miles; level = 5-Very Hilly
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This ride will be co-lead by Tom Fagan (long) and Michele Berry (short).

The Outer 50 is the outer and hillier half of a century route that was part of the Positive Spin for ALS in Wayland MA (hence the name outer 50). Starting in Berlin, it goes counter clockwise around the Wachusett Reservoir via Sterling, Princeton, and Westminster. As there are only so many roads that are good for cycling parts of the ride will be familiar if you have participated in Andy's annual Century Training Ride or the Climb to the Clouds. Highlights include climbs out of Sterling, up Justice Hill, Lucas, Pine hill, and the optional summit of Mt. Wachusett. Rewards include a glorious descent on Rte 62 out of Princeton and a chili dog truck! The shorter route avoids the big climbs.

Directions: The car pool lot is just W of I495 (Exit 26) on Rte 62. From the southbound off-ramp, turn R then immediate L into the lot.

Ride: Scribner Hill the Hard Way
Ride 1 = 15 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
Ride 2 = 24 Miles; level = 4-Hilly
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If you have ridden the long Century routes, you may recall the painful uphill out of the Dunstable water stop, and the thrilling downhill into Westford that follows. The long ride this evening (an easy 4) goes up that thrilling downhill, and explores other less-visited roads in the Westford-Dunstable area. The shorter loop avoids the steeper hills.

Directions: Robinson School is on Rte 225 a couple of miles W of its intersection with Rte 110 in Westford.

Ride: Marlborough Stow Ramble
Ride 1 = 21 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
Ride 2 = 31 Miles; level = 4-Hilly
Ride 3 = 44 Miles; level = 4-Hilly
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Rides meander from Marlborough high school through Hudson, Stow, Sudbury and back past the Wayside Inn Grist Mill. The longer routes give riders the chance to test their climbing legs on Hudson's aptly named Woobly Hill and spin through the rollers on Parmenter Road south of Rt 20. The 44 Miler adds a loop north of Rt 117 in Stow and rewards the riders with a last blast of climbing in the Marlborough Spoon Hill neighborhoods.

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ma/marlborough/637598650

http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/ma/marlborough/294978579

Ride: Round Westford
Ride 1 = 15 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
Ride 2 = 18 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
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Casual Wednesday Ride, 15 to 18 miles around Westford , visting the five districts; Forgevillage, Graniteville, Westford, Nabnasset and Parkervillage.

Directions: Robinson School is on Rte 225 a couple of miles W of its intersection with Rte 110 in Westford.

Ride: NOT Reservoir Again!
Ride 1 = 15 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
Ride 2 = 30 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
Ride 3 = 45 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
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Ride the rolling hills of Berlin, Hudson, Stow and Bolton. The long route provides an early-season challenge for those who have been building their mileage, while the shorter routes should be good welcome-backs if you're justgetting back on the bike.

Directions: The car pool lot is just W of I495 (Exit 26) on Rte 62. From the southbound off-ramp, turn R then immediate L into the lot.

Ride: CRW Fitness Ride
Ride 1 = 19 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
Ride 2 = 28 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
Ride 3 = 42 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
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Start in Newton; go into Dover, Needham, Natick, and Medfield. The rodes are bicycle friendly, rolling terrain, and opportunities to stop for lunch. From 128 south take Exit 19B (just after cross Rt. 9) onto Highland Ave heading west, then almost immediate left at lights onto Hunting Rd, then left at lights onto Kendrick St which crosses over Rt 128, park ing lot is on right after office building. I invite NVP cyclists to join me for this pleasant ride through these beautiful towns.

Ride: Beast
Ride 1 = 20 Miles; level = 4-Hilly
Ride 2 = 24 Miles; level = 4-Hilly
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The original in Howie's Beast Series, The purpose of the Beast Series is to climb hills, pure and simple. Steep hills. And what better place to climb steep hills than Harvard? This version includes Oak Hill, Vaughn, West Bare. and the nasty Schoolhouse, with bailouts in case light or legs should fail ...

Directions: The old train station is on Taylor St. in Littleton. Taylor Street is the first exit to the west of Route 495 off Rte 2. After the exit, drive towards Littleton for about a mile. Park on Taylor Street.

Ride:
Ride 1 = 62 Miles; level = 4-Hilly
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This 62-mile ride travels through Acton, Harvard, Berlin, Bolton, and Littleton. The ride covers mostly back roads and has some nice downhills. Includes stops in Northboro and Harvard. Most of this ride is based on the Berlin Country Tour used by CRW, so there may be road markings (but it does deviate near the end!).

Ride: Jane Poole's Carlisle Wander
Ride 1 = 16 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
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Jane Poole's Carlisle Wander; Visit Westford, Chelmsford and Acton and remember one of the NVP's most loved members.

Directions: Nagog Park is off of Rte 2A in Acton about 1 mile NW of its intersection with Rte 27. Park in the right side of the lot away from the stores.

Ride:
Ride 1 = 23 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
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23-mile Groton/ Lost Lake Ride starting from Foster Street. There are whee hills around Lost Lake and a climb up to Nashoba Hospital, but it is a moderate ride all and all. I will sweep the ride or wait for you if you are slower.

Ride: Century 25 and 50
Ride 1 = 25 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
Ride 2 = 50 Miles; level = 4-Hilly
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Come and help us check out the shorter routes for this year's century. The 25 mile ride is a gentle ride. The 50 mile ride follows the century to Harvard and then turns back. Most club riders opt for the 100 mile ride, so ride organizers don't get much feed back on the 50. So this is your chance to contribute to the century by telling us how you would rate the rides. Karen will lead the 25 and Steve, the century's new route director, will lead the 50. Rain cancels.

In the mood for Mexican food ?

If you want to join me on Friday July 25th at Acapulcos in Sudbury, please let me know, so I can reserve a table for us.

The restaurant is located on 694 Boston Post Road (Rt 20) in Sudbury, MA.

Ride:
Ride 1 = 17 Miles; level = 2-Gentle
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17-mile Dwight Howe Orientation ride, which is a flatter variation of the Saturday conditioning ride & 11:20 10 mile ride to West Concord and back.

Ride:
Ride 1 = 9 Miles; level = 1-Flat
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MTB-nubby hybrid ride.

Ride: Butterfly Backroads
Ride 1 = 22 Miles; level = 3-Rolling
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Pleasant ride through backroads of Westford & Dunstable.
Ride goes past the Butterfly Museum, which you may want to stop at.
Rain cancels.

Robert Kamen and ATA Cycle will talk about:

We're all aware of the revolution in material that has swept through the road bike industry. Essentially all of the bikes in major racing events are now made from carbon reinforced composite materials instead of the traditional steel, aluminum and titanium. Most of these are available to consumers. I've been learning about different types of composite materials and how they are used to built bikes during the past couple of years, including visits to some interesting factories to see how it's actually done. My talk will summarize much of what I've learned, focusing on the more recent developments. I'll try to define some of the key terms thrown around by the marketing folks to help you understand what it all means in the riding experience. To illustrate the different materials and construction methods, I will bring along a number of 'goodies' from ATA Cycle - a set of the latest and greatest composite frames from around the world, including the brand new Museeuw carbon-flax composite frames from Belgium.