Wachusett All-Roads Expedition from Cambridge: 116 miles

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Cambridge, MA, US

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Eastern Massachusetts All-Roads Cycling

Gravel and All-Roads Adventures from Greater Boston to Beyond...

187 km

1.869 m

From Alewife Station in Cambridge to Mount Wachusett and back on all types of roads and paths: paved (85%) and unpaved/gravel (15%) roads and rail trails. The route takes you out of metro Boston and tours you through classic new england towns, forests, and to the top of the tallest mountain in central Mass. A long day in the saddle, or can be split into 2 days as a bike packing trip or staying in a hotel/motel.

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# Route
From Alewife Station in Cambridge to Mount Wachusett and back on all types of roads and paths: paved (85%) and unpaved/gravel (15%) roads and rail trails. The route takes you out of metro Boston and tours you through classic New England towns, forests, and to the top of the tallest mountain in central Massachusetts. A long day in the saddle or can be split into 2 days as a bike packing trip or staying in a hotel/motel. Start and finish is at Alewife on the MBTA Red Line. While the route passes many towns and locations for food and water, it is mapped to be rural, so you should plan to refuel at set points. Great spring, summer, and fall, once the snow has melted off the roads of Mount Wachusett.

Start at Alewife, joining the Minuteman Bike trail and taking this 10 miles out to @poi[Bedford Depot](102200615) where there is water and bathrooms. At mile 6 in Lexington Center you can find coffee and food. At mile 10.4 you join the @poi[Reformatory Trail](102200616), a well-packed dirt trail on a former railroad. At 14.7 miles you pass @poi[Concord Center](102200617), where there are multiple coffee and food options and public bathrooms.

From Concord head west across Route 2, then briefly join the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail which will take you over Route 2 on a beautiful cycling bridge. Exit the rail trail going west, and head NW to Acton and Littleton before turning SW and climbing Oak Hill towards Harvard. You are now in apple country and will pass @poi[Colson's Orchard and Cidery](102203382) before climbing into the picturesque town of Harvard where you should stop at the @poi[Harvard General Store](102200618) for coffee, a sandwich or whatever you need. Sit at a picnic table out back and soak up New England.

From Harvard you head SW up and down rolling hills through Lancaster. You will ride a short section of @poi[old gravel road](102203383) at 44.7 miles and then shortly will join the @poi[Mass Central Rail Trail](102203384) at mile 49. This beautiful, crushed stone trail parallels the Quinapoxet River. Turn north and climb, climb, climb to the town of Princeton. Continue climbing and at mile 61 turn west onto @poi[Echo Lake Road](102203386), a dirt road that leads to trails up the southern aspect of Wachusett. Climb gravel roads and trails before joining the auto road at mile 62.4. From here it is a medium, but steep, climb to the @poi[summit](102203385). Enjoy the views!

Speed down Wachusett on the auto road, but be careful, especially in spring when snow on ski trails can cover the road. At the bottom there is a visitors center with water and bathrooms. You continue to descend, going NE and crossing @poi[Redemption Rock](102203391) Road at mile 67. (Short detour to see historic @poi[Redemption Rock](102203391)) Enter @poi[Leominster State Park](102203388), and continue east on unmaintained gravel roads. Careful as there may not be cell service here. After exiting the forest continue south then east back to Lancaster.

Head east through beautiful countryside passing through multiple towns before rejoining the route out in West Concord. East of Concord you will join the dirt @poi[Battle Road trail](102203390), part of Minuteman National Park. Ride through history. From Lexington you rejoin the Minuteman Bike trail, back to Alewife.

# Notes

* Best time of year to do the ride: Can be ridden from when snow melts on Wachusett until late fall. Fall will have spectacular New England foliage, but its good in any season (except snow covered winter)
* Suggested variations on the route: Can be shortened by starting further west in Lexington or Concord.
* Recommended equipment & attire: The route is 15% dirt and gravel, and short sections are rough, so would recommend a gravel bike or a road bike with wide, tough tires (32mm minimum).
* Required fitness level to enjoy route: As a one-day ride it is long with significant climbing, so need to have high fitness.
* Water, food, and other services availability: There is plentiful water and food along the way. As the route is purposefully rural, you will often not ride through main business districts, so reroute if needed to emergency resupply.
* Cautions: The section in Leominster State Forest has areas with no cell service, so be cautious not to get a flat here or be prepared to fix it or walk.

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Wachusett All-Roads Expedition from Cambridge: 116 miles

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