One of the largest groups ever participated in the 27th Annual Bike to the Sea Day Ride on Sunday, June 2.
About 103 bicyclists pedaled the 20-mile route from Everett to Nahant Beach, and then back to Malden, under mostly cloudy skies.
This year’s ride was special as the family of former Bike to the Sea Board Member Bob Shaw rode in his honor and led the group from the Saugus line to Nahant Beach. Bob Shaw lived in Everett and passed away in December, 2017.
Members of the Shaw family from Andover who rode in honor of Bob Shaw included (from left to right): granddaughter Katie Conti; daughter Kathy Conti; son Bob Shaw; grandson Nick Conti; and Katie’s fiancee Angela LaRochelle.
Also riding this year was Lynn Mayor Thomas M. McGee who supports efforts to extend the off-road Northern Strand Community Trail through Lynn.
Malden Mayor Gary Christenson (at right in suit) introduced Lynn Mayor Thomas M. McGee (center) at the start of the ride in Everett.
The ride followed the Northern Strand Community Trail, built through the efforts of Bike to the Sea Inc. over the past 27 years. The trail starts in Everett and travels along a former railroad line through Malden, Revere, Saugus and Revere before ending in Saugus on the Lynn line. There are plans to complete the trail through Lynn and to Nahant Beach within the next couple of years.
Bicyclists travelled over a bridge along a marsh in Saugus just before getting to the Lynn line.
Participants in this year’s ride mostly came from nearby cities in towns including Medford, Malden, Everett, Melrose, Saugus, Revere, Lynn, Somerville, Arlington, and Andover. However there was at least one rider from as far away as Scituate on the South Shore.
Brian St. Marie and Brittany Carey said they moved to Malden from Jamaica Plain in 2016 and that one of the things that attracted them to the area was the Northern Strand Community Trail.
Although many participated in the ride in previous years, for some this was their first time.
For Melrose resident Man Nguyen and his 3-year-old son, Hugo, this was the first time participating in the annual ride.
Riders took a break in Saugus near the Lynn line where Bike to the Sea provided bananas, water, and portable toilets.
Bike to the Sea President Janet Green poured water for the cyclists at a pitstop on the Lynn line. Angela Zarella and Cindy Walsh, both of Everett, took a break with other bicyclists in Saugus near the Lynn line.
Although it’s not recommended to have children under 8 ride themselves, many parents provide pedal power via bike trailers and child seats.
From left to right, Andrew Freeman of Arlington; Carie Cardamone of Malden; David Kovacs of Medford; Elisa Marshall of Medford; Thomas Freeman, 3; William, 2; and Joshua, 7.
Most of the ride is done off-road with police and ride monitors blocking traffic at intersections. In Lynn, where the off-road trail has yet to be built, police escort the bicyclists to ensure their safety.
A Lynn police officer stopped traffic to allow cyclists to ride onto Lincoln Avenue, which turns into Boston Street in Lynn.
At Nahant Beach most cyclists took a break on shore but a few brave souls put their feet, or more, in the ocean.
Herb Nolan, of Wellesley, had some fun putting seaweed on Clay Larsen, of Malden, to the delight of Bike to the Sea President Janet Green.Larsen was a good sport and posed for this shot after jumping in the ocean at Nahant Beach.
The ride, which began at 9 a.m., ended at the Dockside in Malden at about 12:30 p.m. where riders got free pizza. Beer was an additional charge.
Bicyclists rode into the home stretch, crossing Route 60 in Malden before traveling on the trail again to the Dockside Restaurant.
Additional Photos
Government officials pose for a photo with the cyclists at the start of the ride in Everett. In the front row, from left to right, are Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis, State Land Policy and Planning Director Kurt Gaertner, Malden Mayor Gary Christenson (in suit and tie), Lynn Mayor Thomas McGee and Bike to the Sea Co-founder and Malden City Councilor Steve Winslow. Bike to the Sea Co-founder Helen Weitz rode the trail through the marsh and over the bridge near the Lynn line. This was the sixth time they participated in the Bike to the Sea Day ride. From left to right are Nam Wong and his nephews Chi Wong and Ken Wong, all of Malden. One of the more scenic spots on the trail is the marsh in Saugus, near the Lynn line. Andreas Correa (left) and the Bertocchi family, Dennis, April, and Dennis Sr., participated in the ride for the first time this year. All are from Malden.
