It’s time to register for the 21st annual Bike to the Sea Day rides. This year’s rides are the first to follow portions of the trail that are now complete in Everett, Malden, and Saugus.
Two rides – a 14-mile family ride to the Saugus River and a 20-mile ride to Nahant Beach – will both start at the Madeline English School, 105 Woodville St., in Everett at 9 a.m. on Sunday, June 2, 2013. Both rides will end back at the Dockside Restaurant on Centre Street in Malden for lunch.
Participants can register online here or by filling out a registration form (see below) and sending it along with a check made out to Bike to the Sea, Inc. to 57 Hammersmith Drive, Saugus, MA 01906. Same-day registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Madeline English School, but will cost more. This year registration fees are being waived for volunteers who help marshal the ride (see below).
Prices are as follows:
- Individuals: $15 ($20 day of ride), includes lunch and a T-shirt.
- Families: $25 ($30 day of ride), includes lunch for four and two T-shirts.
- Additional family members: $10, includes T-shirts.
Optional donations to the MassBike Coalition (suggested donation $5) and Bike to the Sea are encouraged. A $50 optional donation to Bike to the Sea comes with a commemorative bicycle bell.
The ride is open to all riders 8-years-old and up. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Helmets are required.
Participants won’t have to worry as much about cars this year because some of the ride will follow newly built portions of the trail. The ride out will be mostly on-road, while the ride back will use portions of the trail that are complete in Saugus and Malden.
Police will escort riders through intersections, clearing traffic. There is also a van that follows the group in case someone gets a flat, or needs help.
The annual Bike to the Sea Day Ride is a great way to help promote the construction of the Northern Community Strand Trail. The 20-mile round-trip lasts about three hours.
Volunteers Needed
Volunteers are needed to help “marshal” and “sweep” the 13 and 20 mile rides. Marshalls lead their group of riders along the route. Sweeps help ensure the back of the pack riders make the ride and call sag wagons in case of a breakdown, flat or a tired rider.
To encourage new marshals this year, Bike to the Sea is waiving the registration fee for volunteers who attend the “marshals” practice ride on Sunday, May 26th. That ride leaves at 9 am from Madeline English School in Everett.
If you’re interested, please reply to swinslow4152@gmail.com or call Steve at 781-397-6893.
You can also register online here.