Tyngsboro, Dracut, Hudson, and Pelham Loop
Join us on a friendly and fun exploratory loop ride as we explore the hills, reserves and parks of Lowell, Tyngsboro, Mass., Hudson, Pelham, N.H. and Dracut, Mass. This route may include some light gravel roads. We will start and end at the UMass Lowell Bike Shop and Outdoor Adventure Center. We plan to ride at a steady yet somewhat ambitious pace. Trip leaders will be sure to frequently check-in with the group- no one will be left behind and a mixed level of experience and physical fitness in participants is expected. Riders should be comfortable spending 3-4 hours on a bike with some breaks in between. Leaders will review basic bike touring topics like bike fit, biking with traffic, nutrition and addressing common mechanical issues. This is a self-supported bike tour and as such vehicle assistance will be reserved for emergencies only and may take significant time.
Estimated Physical Exertion Level: Vigorous
- Duration: 3-5 hours
- Distance: 30 mi./48 km.
- Climb: TBD
Nashua River Rail Trail, Pepperell, Mass.
What could be better than riding 45 miles of mixed paved roads, rail trails and gravel roads through multiple conservation areas in a big hilly loop from Lowell to Hollis, Pepperell, Groton and Back? How about doing it when fall temps are perfect and leaves are starting to turn? We’ll start and end at the UMass Lowell Bike Shop. We plan to ride at a steady and somewhat ambitious pace but of course without leaving anyone behind. This is a self-supported bike tour and as such vehicle assistance will be reserved for emergencies only and may take significant time.
Estimated Physical Exertion Level: Vigorous
- Duration:4-6 hours
- Distance: 35-43 mi./56-69 km.
- Climb: 1,400 ft./427 m.
Parlee Farms There-and-Back
Come ride to Parlee Farm in Tyngsboro and enjoy some Fall pickings! We’ll ride bikes from the UMass Lowell Bike Shop through the back streets of Lowell, to Lowell Dracut Tyngsboro State Forest and out to Parlee Farm! While there, bring money for some fall treats like apples, cider, and donuts. We plan to ride at a relaxed, inclusive, no drop pace great for bike touring beginners. Leaders will review basic bike touring topics like bike fit, biking with traffic, nutrition and addressing common mechanical issues. This is a self-supported bike tour and as such vehicle assistance will be reserved for emergencies only and may take significant time.
Estimated Physical Exertion Level: Moderate
- Duration: 2-3 hours
- Distance: 20 mi./32 km.
- Climb: 100 ft./30 m.
Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
Come ride the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, a converted railway that extends from Lowell as far as Acton and plans to continue to extend beyond! We’ll ride bikes from the UMass Lowell Bike Shop through the back streets of Lowell out to the BFRT trail head near Cross Point tower. Once we get on the trail we can ride as far as we want before deciding when to turn around and ride back. We plan to ride at a relaxed, inclusive, no drop pace great for bike touring beginners. Leaders will review basic bike touring topics like bike fit, biking with traffic, and addressing common mechanical issues. This is a self-supported bike tour and as such vehicle assistance will be reserved for emergencies only and may take significant time to reach participants/leaders.
Estimated Physical Exertion Level: Moderate
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Distance: 30 mi./48 km.
- Climb: 200 ft.
Midnight Marathon Bike Ride
UMass Lowell Outdoor Adventure will take part in this ride which is an annual Boston tradition where over 1,000 people bike the same route as the Boston Marathon in the early dark hours of Marathon Monday. During this time the roads are still open to vehicular traffic… and bicycles are vehicles! The ride is not a race nor is it a paid event; it is, however, a unique shared experience, a fun way to meet people, and a decent workout. We meet in the evening at our Bike Shop and Outdoor Center, drive to the start of the Marathon and then begin biking in the dark. Typically the ride takes about 4 hours. The route has some climbs and descents. The van will be driven by a staff member from point to point on the route to support those UML students who are riding. This information is specifically for the UMass Lowell program that will join the larger event. For Public event information, visit the event website.
Estimated Physical Exertion Level: Vigorous
- Duration: 4-6 hours
- Distance: 35-43 mi./56-69 km.
- Climb: 1,400 ft./427 km.
Skill Level
Experience using a bike with gears to ascend and descend hills is highly recommended. Day trips as described above are generally easier with some climbing and descending. The Midnight Marathon is challenging with climbs and descents, and always includes van support to assist bikers.
Tentative Itinerary for Day Bike Rides
Due to the nature of outdoor trips and uncontrollable variables, all itineraries are subject to change.
- 9 a.m. Meet at the Outdoor Adventure Center & Bike Shop
- 5 Lawrence Drive, Lowell, MA 01854
- 9-9:10 a.m. Prepare for Activity
- Check in, use restrooms, fill water bottles, apply sunscreen, etc.
- 9:10-9:30 a.m. Day Trip Overview & Introductions
- Introductions, intro game, equipment selection and fit, safety briefing, etc.
- 9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. Instruction & Activity
- Get comfortable on the bikes, practice signaling and shifting on the bike path, start riding; bring your own form of payment or snacks and lunch.
- 3-3:30 p.m. Debrief
- Arrive back at the at the Outdoor Center and Bike Shop, clean up, review course content/answer any remaining question, etc.
- 3:30 p.m. Latest Dismissal
- This will be determined based off of participants' needs and the intended goals of this trip.
Possible Curriculum Topics
- Leave Not Trace
- Trail Etiquette
- Bike Fit
- Signaling
- Biking with Traffic
- Common Mechanical Issues
Packing List
The items on this list are strongly recommended for your trip. The weather forecast and your thermal perception should be considered when packing.
- *Bike: We have bikes for you to use, no need to provide your own! However, if you have your own bike, we HIGHLY recommend that you bring it to the UML Bike Shop a couple weeks before the event to get it serviced/maintained. You can use free Open Stand Time, or our Bike Shop staff can do the work for you with 20% off labor as a UML student/faculty/staff. Please note: turn-around time may be longer in April, May and September.
- **Other Activity Specific Gear: Bike helmet, repair equipment, etc.
- Online medical questionnaire and waiver
- Personal Medications
- Medical Insurance Card
- Bug Spray
- Sunscreen
- Chap Stick / Lip Balm Sun protection
- Sunglasses Sun protection
- Baseball Cap/Full-Brim Hat Sun protection
- Bandanna Versatile: sweat rag, hanky, napkin, etc.
- Synthetic Clothing Quick dry; wear physical activity/outdoor clothing; avoid cotton, no jeans
- Lunch/Snacks Cold lunch
- *2 Water Bottles Hydration; start hydrating the day before
- *Rain Jacket
- *Wool or Fleece Hat Cold weather; synthetic
- *Insulating Jacket Cold weather; synthetic; compact/packable
- Sneakers or Cycling Shoes
- **First Aid First aid kit, trained staff, and emergency communication devices
*All items with an asterisk are available to check-out and included in the cost of your registration.
**All items under "First Aid" and "Activity Specific Gear" are supplied automatically by the Outdoor Adventure Program. All participant equipment is subject to trip leader approval. Please, contact us to review any personal gear you would like to bring in substitution of the gear we may provide.
Register for upcoming trips on our Trips and Events Calendar webpage
Contact
- Email: OutdoorAdventure@uml.edu
- Phone 978-934-1549