Ride Information
Destination: Petersham, MA
Start Location: Hanscom Civil Airport, Bedford, MA
Start Time: 07:00
Length: 211k / 131mi
Time Limit: 13.5 Hours
Ride Leader: Jake Kassen / Dan Greene
Controls: Harvard, MA; Ashburnham, MA; Petersham, MA
Sanctioning: RUSA.
Preliminary Cue Sheet: Tweedo’s Revenge Cue Sheet [Updated 7-21-14]
Registration: Online Registration
GPS File: See below for Ride with GPS Links
Field Notes from Ride Organizer
This is the 200k route which is being offered as a shorter option to the 600k which takes place at the same time, though on an entirely separate route.
This 200k route, first offered in late May, takes in some of the most scenic backroads of north central MA. While advertised as a 200k, the actual distance is closer to 131 miles so please keep this in mind when pacing yourself on the route. This is a challenging course which features nearly 8,000′ of climbing. That said, the steepest climbs are short and the climbing is distributed fairly evenly over the middle 100 miles of the route. There are a number of opportunities for food and water along the route, both at the three controls and at various stores along the way.
This ride is being offered in an unsupported fashion — all three of the controls are stores. For those new to Randonneuring, please purchase something at each store and give the recipts along with your brevet card to Dan Greene who will meet you back at Hanscom.
Description of the route:
Leg 1: Hanscom to Harvard, MA (22 miles): This short section should go by quickly in the early morning as riders pass though the quiet suburbs of western Boston on flat and gently rolling terrain. Not much of note in this section outside of scenic farms and expensive houses. Don’t spend much time at the dunkin’ donuts as you’ll have better places to stop later on.
Leg 2: To Ashburnham, MA (30 miles): You’ll encounter a few hills along this section as you stay in the north western MA suburbs. The control is an interesting store / Pizzeria / Mini Golf Course / Ice Cream Stand in a residential lakefront area. Try not to waste time with a game of mini-golf. Please buy something from Tweedo’s if you ask to use their bathroom and be very kind to their staff as they have been very helpful and supportive of our events.
Leg 3: To Petersham, MA. You’ll continue with the 300k riders for the first 8 miles after the Tweedo’s control but then turn south and head straight to Petersham on rolling terrain. Highlights from this section is one of Massachusetts finest independent cheese makers and passing though downtown Tempelton.
Leg 4: To Hanscom Field (56 miles): This is the longest section so leave some energy. The first 30 miles include some short but steep rollers. You’ll spend 16 miles on Rt. 62 so you can take a short break from careful navigation until Sterling. Rt. 62 is a state road NER used to use frequently on older brevets and it’s still one of my favorite numbered roads due to the farms and lower levels of traffic. There is an ice cream stand 10 miles into the route and more comprehensive services in Stealing. From Stealing back to Hanscom is similar to the outbound on the MA100k. In the last 25 miles you’ll be back to the quiet wealthy suburbs as the hills slowly flatten out.
RideWithGPS Links for the 200k 2014 Route:
Leg 1: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/1112008
Leg 2: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2260295
Leg 3: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3893242
Leg 4: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/5370796