Ride 3

The Natick Center Ride

This club long ride is a bit shorter than usual and quite a bit flatter. In fact, the total elevation gain is less than 1,000 feet. We’ll get some nice scenery traveling past the Sunshine Dairy and along Dug Pond in Natick before rolling onto the Natick Common. After a brief stop, we’ll travel along Everett Street in Natick which offers a real country feel. Then, following a quick spin down Route 27, we’ll roll up and down the picturesque hills of Maple Street in Sherborn before returning to the Farmers Market in downtown Ashland.

Here's a link to a map of the ride: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3105327.

Click here for Cue Sheet for Long Ride.

Total distance: 20.1 miles.

Total elevation gain: 974 feet.

Avg gain per mile: 48 feet.

Maximum grade: 6.0%.

The short ride stays with the long ride for 5.6 miles before charting its own course in search of some great scenery. After rolling past the Sunshine Dairy with the long ride, the short route heads down to Dowse’s Apple Stand at the end of Coolidge Street. Then, after a short run down Route 27, you’ll turn onto Hunting Lane which offers some beautiful views and a challenging hill or two. As Hunting Lane winds left, you’ll continue onto Brush Hill Road which is truly a club favorite. Finally, after a quick spin south on Western Avenue, you’ll be heading back to the Ashland Farmers Market.

Here's a link to a map of the short ride: http://ridewithgps.com/routes/3107406.

Click here for a Cue Sheet for the Short ride.

The short ride’s statistics are:

Total distance: 15.5 miles;

Total elevation gain: 831 feet;

Avg gain per mile: 54 feet;

Maximum grade: 6.7%.