harrier6

No guarantees, but I'd go ask around at some of the more C&V oriented bike shops in the area, such as Woody's Cyclery in Middleton, MA or maybe Cambridge Used Bicycle in Cambridge, MA.

Brad L 

I did just that, and I’m terrible at publicity. I tried to get it started in my local weekday ride, but that failed. I then started a Facebook group where we have a monthly ride. I mentioned it to a few friends and got them to show up. After three years we’re still small, and that’s okay. The FB group has 100+ members, but a small core group that usually show up. Give it a try, you might be surprised.

1989Pre 

Yeah.., that's probably about as far as Boston, proper, extends westward. Anyway, Washington St. in West Newton is a good bet for a start to a ride west. Especially, I thought that in honor of Harris Cyclery, 1353 would be a good spot.

1989Pre 

I'm just wondering how important that is.

gugie 

Set a date and a route, publish it here. That's pretty much what people have done. Eventually you'll get a few people to ride with you, make new friends, and act as the core of the regularly scheduled ride. Or not, but it won't just happen on it's own.

"If you plan it, they might come."

nlerner

For the people who live in those different places, very important! Everything is local here.

mhespenheide 

Oh, and if you want a heavy dose of cycling hipsterism and interesting people with a little C&V mixed in, you could also keep an eye out for the Nutmeg Nor'easter.

1989Pre 

Maybe for some, who, for some reason, feel defensive about being thought of as living in "Boston", but it is not only not-important, in regards to the original post, but impertinent. Let's say you are right: Newton is a separate political entity from Boston. What has that got to do with anything cycling-related?

nlerner

Yeah, why keep bringing up Boston-area geography?

1989Pre 

Just answer the question.

gugie 

Is it time for cat videos?

nlerner

I've lost track of the question--was it why does local geography matter to cycling? If so, I can tell you that cycling infrastructure commitments really vary in the Boston area. Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville are leading the way; Brookline and Newton not so much. I'm on Brookline's Bicycle Advisory Committee, and it's a struggle to advocate in the face of a car-centric town.

nlerner

Cat riding a Rivendell?

gugie 

Oof, now we'll have a 10 pager!

ironwood

But not a very good idea, Harris used to be on Rte 15 at an interchange with the Mass Pike, cars speed there. The road surface is full of potholes, and broken concrete. After a couple of miles you come to the Rte 128 interchange, one of the more dangerous places to cycle in Eastern Mass. Wellesley has a lot of traffic on Rte 16. Then on Rte 135 the speed limit is 45mph from the College out to Natick., but the average speed can be 55..The only time the marathon route is safe is when they close it for the race.


However there are some nice routes in Needham, Wellesley, Dover, South Natick and Sherborn. I've met small groups riding vintage bikes there. It isn't as bucolic as it was forty years ago, but it is still nice

gugie 

2017 I had a post-French Fender Day Tour of Boston with @nlerner. I'm pretty sure it was 26.2 miles, so there's a marathon route for you.


Riding next to Boston Habah

I have no idea what towns/cities/neighborhoods we rode through. I did learn that Neal likes to stop often for coffee.


great cannolli heyah

nlerner

A year or two before the Marathon bombing (2013, I.e., back when you could), I partook with a group of friends that tradition of cycling the Marathon route Boston to Hopkinton, turning around and coming back to Copley Sq. The wrinkle was that you had to finish at 9 am or the like, so it was a very early start. The way out there was traffic free, but the way back had me wishing I was on different roads. Very chaotic! Checked that one off the bucket list, and once was enough.