Seeking Route from Worcester, MA to Provincetown, MA
 

I'm planning a ride from my home in Phillipston, MA (near Gardner) through Worcester to P-town. Since I don't have a good knowledge of the state from Worcester to the Cape I would welcome any suggestions regarding a potential route. Thanks!!

Can you download route maps/cue sheets from the Pan Mass Challenge website? It's run from Sturbridge to Provincetown every August.

What time of the year are you planning to do this?

What time of the year are you planning to do this?[/QUOTE]

I'm thinking late summer - perhaps Labor Day weekend

I'm thinking late summer - perhaps Labor Day weekend[/QUOTE]

Labor Day weekend would probably be about the second worst time to ride on any of the main roads of the Cape, topped only by Memorial Day weekend. Weekly rentals run Saturday to Saturday, so you'll hit changeover traffic. Many summer residents will leave on Sunday, and on Monday, the weekenders head back. The one saving grace is that schools now start the week before Labor Day in many districts, so the summer resident exodus on Sunday isn't as bad as it used to be.

Mid September would work a lot better. Lot less tourist traffic.What I would suggest is picking up the PMC route somewhere nearest to you, and follow the first day route to Buzzards Bay. From there, cut through the parking lot near the train bridge, follow the Canal bike path to the Sagamore Bridge, and cut through that parking lot, ride about 3/4ths of the way up that short hill, and go into the commuter lot at the Shell gas station. Take to foot path to the bridge sidewalk, walk your bike over the bridge, and then go into the Christmas Tree Shop parking lot, and follow the road to where it joins route 6A. You can follow route 6A all the way to Orleans, or you can look at the PMC route map and follow that when it cuts off onto secondary roads. When route 6A ends at the Orleans rotary, you can ride along the Cape's main highway, US 6. It has about a 6' shoulder, but you have to be on the alert for right hooks from cars turning into parking lots, as well as cars leaving them. There are some secondary roads in Welfleet that will take you off the main drag and give you some hill work, too. If you stay on 6, there are a couple of long, gradual hills, and often you'll have the wind in your face, so save some gas in the tank for them. Despite the traffic, the Cape's roads aren't all that dangerous if you ride defensively, but on busy holiday weekends, you'd be better off by choosing another time to do it.

I live close to the bridges, so I'm not that familiar with the secondary roads farther down the Cape.

Thanks for the good counsel, mprelaw!

1. From worcester, you could take the commuter train to Boston South Station (off peak) and then check out this site Outriders.org. They make a one day run from Boston to P'town every year. There are cue sheets and they paint symbols on the pavement so you can follow.
2. From head East on Rt 9. and look for connecting roads to Rt 117 to Waltham to Rt 20 to the Charles River paths into Boston.
3. Look up the Clair Saltonsall bike route to the cape.
4. get (if you can find it) the Ruebls Bike maps for North Shore & the Cape (excellent maps, may not be updated often, but still good)

I have been this way to the Cape several time so mail me off list if you need more info

You didn't say if you are using motels or camping

I biked to the cape staying on 140 until the end and then getting on 44. It might be part of the same route as the PMC. Its the easiest way if you don't have GPS.

Once on the cape, take the bike path.