This year, for the first time ever, Hampshire Bicycle Exchange is hosting a cycling event! The Red Leaf Rambler is a non-competitive event focused on what we find most fun about riding in the sometimes overlooked Amherst area. The three route options are designed around a collection of what we consider to be best spots to ride around us. Much of what is on the rides are places we ride regularly on our weekly group ride, but strung together for a longer day in the saddle. Profits from the ride will go to support our friends at RAD Springfield. The rides will all leave from our shop and will have a rolling start for 9:30 am - 11 am. The routes will be posted on Friday 10/1 and will not be marked, so riders will need to use GPS to follow the route. The ride will be self-supported, with a water cache for the longer rides. There are also a few places along the way to purchase snack, but folks should be prepared to be isolated for most of the ride. When we get back to the shop we'll hang out.
The Routes:
The Rimdinger:
The roughest and toughest route available at the Red Leaf Rambler. This ride is a patchwork of gravel roads were you will dip into rocky rooty 'New England' single track often. If you are on a gravel bike it is going to be a bumpy day. If you have a XC mountain bike you'll probably scoop up a few KOM’s. Most of our staff would choose rigid drop-bar bikes with 2.something tires. What ever bike you're riding, if you make it the whole way you get a gold star and probably a dent in your bike somewhere. If you are on the fence about this ride, the good news is there are lots of spots to jump ship and take some excellent gravel roads back to home base. Either way, if you enjoy bike rides that are general a bad idea and make most humans say “Wait you rode where?” This is the ride for you.
The Dustflinger
Your hands clench your brake levers while your free hub rings out softly over the sound of crunching of stone atop hard packed earth. A blur of reds and oranges passes by your perifery. In front of you lays a long day of scenic gravel riding and behind you a cloud of dust. This route is a compilation of what we consider to be forgotten gravel roads between Amherst and Wendell State Forest. This ride has a hand full of rough double track but no single track and loads of quiet, secluded dirt roads for your leaf peeping pleasure.
The Bellringer
This route is one of our favorite loops in the area. If your looking for a ride that is challenging but can be taken in at a more casual pace, this is the ticket. This one will start off with big climb followed by a long winding descent. The route should leav you with enough time to take long stops to hang out and enjoy sights and sound the hill towns.
Sign up on Bikereg:
Questions?
email us at:
redleaframbler@gmail.com
Or, come on one of our Wednesday night group rides and get a taste of what’s to come.
Follow our journey.
