What we’re about
This group is for people who would like to bike on the various rail trails in northern MA and southern NH, both paved and unpaved. When mountain biking on unpaved trails, we will definitely NOT be rock hopping or stump jumping; none of that crazy stuff. We'll stick to mostly flat rail trails and parks, maintaining a moderate pace and with several water breaks along the way. We'll be offering both weekend and mid-week rides, possibly some evening rides, too.
Most of the trails we'll do are in the range of 15 - 25 miles round trip, which translates into a riding time of approximately 2 - 3 hours, depending on the length of the ride and the breaks we take along the way. Our rides are intended as social activities, rather than physical challenges or a biking competition. Participants are encouraged to bike at their own pace, whatever that may be. We'll stop and regroup from time to time, to make sure that we don't lose anybody on the trail. See our Rail Trail Resources page for links to descriptions of the trails we ride.
You can also check out the trails we ride by visiting our Virtual Bike Ride page in the group's message boards.
Come join us on Sunday, August 24, for a day of fun and comradery to support our troops. Hosted by Soto Cycles, the ride starts and finishes at Pomps Pond, Andover MA.
Ride Details
The ride takes place on the streets of Essex County, MA. There will be four courses to match your interest and capabilities. Each course will be marked by signs.
- 10 - 11 miles -- For recreational riders. If you'd like to participate but don't want to go all out, this is the option for you.
- 25 miles -- The first 5.5 miles will be at a controlled pace. Everyone should return around 9:30 - 10:00 am.
- 41 miles -- For experienced riders. Return around 10:30 - 11:30 am.
- 71 miles -- For very experienced riders who want more distance. Return time is 11:00 am - 12:30 pm.
Mechanical assistant, snacks and sandwiches will be provided during the ride, along with beverages and a warm meal at the end of the ride.
Bike in-person or virtually, all levels welcome!
Location: Pomps Pond, 147 Abbot Street, Andover, MA
Check-in/Registration Time: 7:00 am.
Start time: All rides start at 8:00 am.
Online Registration: To participate, please visit the ride's Race Roster sign-up page.
Event Contact: Bruce Farmer, 978-852-4695, rfttregister@gmail.com
Ride for the Troops, Event Host
Soto Cycles
26 Essex Street (rear)
Andover MA
978-270-4895
info@sotocycles.com
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Londonderry Concert on the Commons-Martin & Kelly265 Mammoth Rd, Londonderry, NH
- Wednesday, August , 202
- 7:00 PM 8:30 PM
- 265 Mammoth Road Londonderry, NH, 03053United States (map)
This dynamic duo is rapidly ascending as a must-see act, bridging the gap between traditional and contemporary country. With a resume boasting support slots for legends like Willie Nelson and Alison Krauss, Jilly and Ryan are poised for a major breakthrough.
Every year they bring an undeniable energy to their performance on our bandstand.Bad weather venue - TBD
- A Bike Trail SmorgasbordThe Ghost Trail, Salisbury, MA
Come join us on one of our favorite group events, as we combine FIVE short rail trails in the Amesbury, Salisbury, and Newburyport area into a single 24-mile ride through a varied landscape and over some historic trails. This is our smorgasbord ride -- a little bit of everything on this one! See the historic photo album in the site's photo section!
- Garrison Trail
- Amesbury Riverwalk
- Ghost Trail
- Old Eastern Marsh Trail
- Clipper City Rail Trail
From the solar farm, our ride starts out on Rabbit Road and then crosses Elm Street (Route 110) to the Garrison Trail, which takes us via the Whittier Bridge over the Merrimack River. After biking down and back, we'll transition to the Amesbury Riverwalk, taking a short break in the historic lower mill yard before returning to the parking area and the start of the Salisbury Point Ghost Trail -- now back open with a new layer of stone dust!
At the end of the Ghost Trail, we'll turn north onto the Old Eastern Marsh Trail and ride up to Seabrook, NH. Upon returning to Salisbury, our ride continues to the other section of the Marsh Trail, which takes us out to the old railroad bridge over the Merrimack River. We'll stop here to regroup and enjoy the scenery for a few minutes.
The trip resumes when we travel over the Gillis Bridge via the dedicated bike lanes to the Clipper City Rail Trail on the Newburyport side of the river (We'll use the bike underpass on our return).
LUNCH: The exciting new Market Landing Park on Newburyport's historic waterfront is amazing. We'll eat lunch either on the boardwalk or at one of the benches in the new park. If you need a sandwich, Port Sandwich is nearby and offers some great food.
Port Sandwich
40R Merrimac St #102E
Newburyport, MA
(978) 358-8628After lunch, we'll bike along the Clipper City Rail Trail and ride through various marinas, past the Coast Guard station, and behind the Custom House Maritime Museum to Joppa Park. Eventually, we'll stop and regroup at Parker Street, which is the end point for this section of the trail. We'll travel on the new trail extension on Parker Street for a short time, until we cross over to the courthouse parking lot (avoiding the busy Route 1 rotary). From there, we'll regroup once again at the start of the second section of the trail, which is located across from the train station. We'll ride north to the Merrimack River and back to the Gillis Bridge. After that, we'll just double back the way we came.
The guest option is ON for this ride. Feel free to bring a friend!
Watch a virtual ride of these trails, courtesy of Steve, the virtual biking guy from YouTube and a member of our group.
The nitty gritty for this ride:
- Total distance: Approximately 24 miles.
- Surfaces: The Ghost Trail is packed stone dust/dirt; all other trails are paved. You CAN bike the Ghost Trail with a road bike if you take it SLOW.
- Location: Rabbit Road, Salisbury MA. Park in the dirt lot next to the solar farm.
- Lunch: Bring a lunch or snack.
- Rest rooms: McDonald's in Amesbury; the Tuscan Restaurant or the harbor master headquarters in Newburyport.
- Safety: Bike helmets are mandatory on our rides.
- Post-ride ice cream: Hodgie's Too is down the road from the parking lot. Best ice cream you'll find in the area. Italian ice, too!
Hodgie's Too
136 Rabbit Road
Salisbury, MAWatch a virtual ride of these trails, courtesy of Steve Albert, the virtual biking guy from YouTube's New England Virtual Cycling channel.
AS A CONDITION OF ATTENDING THIS MEETUP, YOU AGREE TO: Hold harmless, and indemnify the organizers and their relations and heirs, and all members and participants of the Meetup group from any and all claims for injury, illness, death, and/or property damage including those caused by negligence, ignorance, inexperience and other reasons. You also agree to assume all mental, physical, financial, and/or other risk associated with this meetup. Kayaking, camping, hiking, bicycling, and other similar activities pose inherent risks and dangers. Participation in these activities is voluntary and dependent upon your own personal judgment. As organizers, we make no claims regarding any expertise for this outing. This is not a guided tour.
Consuming alcohol before or during any of our events is prohibited.
- Londonderry Concert on the Commons-Studio Two Beatles Tribute Band265 Mammoth Rd, Londonderry, NH
- Wednesday, August 13, 2025
- 7:00 PM 8:30 PM
- 265 Mammoth Road Londonderry, NH, 03053United States (map)
Get ready for a sensational Old Home Days Concert. We're thrilled to welcome back Studio Two for their fourth consecutive year.
Studio Two meticulously recreates the Fab Four sound, look and stage presence. From their vintage instruments to their spot-on banter, they'll have you dancing to all your favorite hits.
We always have a large crowd for this concert, so be sure to arrive early.
Bad weather venue - TBD
