What is the Fells Thursday Night Social Ride?
This is an all levels ride. There will be at minimum an advanced and a mellower group going out each week. If we have enough volunteer ride leaders, there may be an intermediate or other groups. Advanced and intermediate riders should know their own abilities. Experienced novice riders are welcome on the mellower ride. It's a great way to get out and meet fellow riders, learn about a great riding area and a great organization, and get in a good workout during the middle of the week.
Sponsored by Landrys Bicycles in Boston, MA. http://www.landrys.com/

When and Where?
We meet at the Flynn Rink parking lot at 6pm and ride at 6:15. Keep an eye on our website - www.gbnemba.org - we update the homepage regularly with the ride times if they change (sometimes a little later in the middle of summer). Also, in case of threatening weather we may cancel and that will be on the homepage. Directions to the Flynn Rink – this will get you real close (just go another 100 yards north on Woodland Road and turn left throught the median into the parking lot): DIRECTIONS

Who can go?
These rides are open to anyone who is interested in a fun evening ride, as well as current and prospective NEMBA members. All riders must be fit enough to handle strenuous activity for about 1.5-2 hours. Riders should bring a serviceable mountain bike, be over 18, have water and must wear a helmet. Remember that mountain biking may be an exhilarating sport, but it is also dangerous. Know your limits and don't take unnecessary chances. NEMBA assumes no liability...

So what's the ride like?
What you will first notice is our volunteer Ride Guides, who break off with small groups of riders with similar skills and pace and lead a fun and appropriate ride through the woods. We always need more Ride Guides, so if you know your way around the Fells and would like to volunteer, let Tim know.
We also use sweepers who are generally used to riding with certain leaders and know their routes. We always need sweepers, too, so if you would like to volunteer, let Tim know. It is the teamwork between these two folks that keeps a group together and having fun.
Some ride leaders also use a clever method to keep a group together and moving at the same time. It is a technique borrowed from the good folks at VORBA and entails having the first rider behind the leader stop at a trail intersection to wave the rest of the riders through until he or she sees the sweeper and is only then able to resume riding.
The ride itself depends on the ride leader, but typical terrain in the Fells is rocky, gravelly and rooty. There are hills, but mostly short and usually somewhat steep. There are no long grinding climbs. Most of the terrain is suitable to novice and intermediate riders. Expert riders will only be challenged by distance and pace.

About the Fells
Riding in the Fells is becoming more of an issue to all users and park managers. It is a privilege we do not want to abuse, so please be sensitive to the issues, such as soil/trail preservation, park hours, and the tranquility and safety of fellow users and park regulations.

Best practices include:

Thanks for keeping it cool.

Rain Policy
If it is cloudy, threatening, misty, sprinkling - we ride. If it is pouring down rain - we cancel...but check the website to be sure! We’ll try to post on the NEMBA Forum as well.

See you out there!