Sunny Skies Greet Annual Bike to the Sea Day Riders

Stephen Winslow poses with two granddaughters on the beach.
Bike to the Sea Co-founder Stephen Winslow takes a break with his granddaughters, Hannah and Teagan, after riding about 10 miles to Nahant Beach.

Sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s prevailed yesterday during the annual Bike to the Sea Day ride from Everett to Nahant.

This was the first year that most of the 10-mile ride to Nahant was held on the newly-built, off-road path, called the Northern Strand Trail. The trail is complete from Everett, through Malden, Revere and Saugus but stops at the Lynn line. From there, bicyclists were given a police escort on roadways, courtesy of the Lynn police, to finish the ride to Nahant Beach.

Malden Mayor Gary Christenson (center, wearing dark suit) told the group before the ride that the construction of the bike path through Malden is the most important development to occur during his administration.
Malden Mayor Gary Christenson (center, wearing dark suit) told the group before the ride that the construction of the bike path through Malden is the most important development to occur during his administration.

The ride started at about 9:15 a.m. at the  Madeline English School, 105 Woodville Street in Everett, Mass., arriving at Nahant Beach at about 11 a.m. It ended with a free pizza lunch at the Dockside Restaurant on Centre Street, in Malden at about 12:30 p.m.

Malden resident holds up three fingers by the beach.
Malden resident Paul Sullivan signals that this is the third year he made the annual bike trip.

Riders took a short break near the Saugus River for water and bananas before continuing on to the beach, where they rested for about 20 minutes more before riding back. Some took advantage of the warm weather to take a quick dip in the ocean.

Three people walk out of the water at Nahant Beach.
A few riders took a dip in the ocean at Nahant Beach.
A mother on a bike with a trailer for her young son.
A mother and son from West Medford enjoyed the annual ride.

The 20-mile annual ride from Everett, through Malden, Revere, Saugus and Lynn to Nahant Beach is designed to bring attention and support to efforts to complete the Northern Strand Trail which began in 1993.

Portions of the trail in Everett, Malden, Revere, and Saugus were opened over the past three years and bicyclists, walkers, joggers, roller skaters, dog walkers, cross-country skiers and others have been enjoying it.

Bike to the Sea officials continue to talk to officials in Lynn who have not yet approved plans for the trail there.

Bicycle riders pose for a photo near the beach.
Some of the riders posed for a photo at the beach before heading back to Malden.

(All photos by Mark Micheli)