Best Buddies Challenge North Shore Training Ride
Saturday, April 8, 2023
9 AM pedals up
Teddie Peanut Butter
100 Santilli Highway
Everett, MA 02149
Route Details: 31 miles, 635 feet of elevation
Route Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35934535
Estimated Ride Time: 2-3 hours
Our kickoff ride starts from the parking lot of one of our best supporters, Teddie Peanut Butter. From there, we’ll roll easily north along the Northern Strand Trail, a transformative rail trail through urban neighborhoods, gritty rail yards, and spectacular salt marshes. We’ll casually pedal to the tip of Nahant, overlooking Boston Harbor. We’ll pedal back to enjoy drinks at Night Shift Brewing. Want to kick it up a notch? The faster riders will tack on a spin up to Marblehead Neck before rejoining the group.
NEW! Weekly Rides
Tuesdays, 6:30 a.m.
April 4th to September 26, 2023
Caffe Nero,
321 Broadway
Arlington, MA 02474
Ride style: Group ride
This 90-minute ride along the Minuteman Bikeway starts and finishes at Caffe Nero. This ride focuses on developing cycling skills and confidence, with some guidance on pacelines, drafting, and performance cycling. This ride is “no drop” so no rider is left behind. Join our ride leaders after each ride for a coffee!
Best Buddies Challenge Harvard General Store Training Ride
NEW DATE: Saturday, May 27, 2023
9 AM pedals up
Harvard General Store
1 Still River Road
Harvard, MA 01451
Route details: 37 miles, 2,170 feet in elevation
Route Map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42022877
Estimated Ride Time: 2.5-3.5 hours
This spectacular route provides every rider with a sense of accomplishment for riding around the Wachusett Reservoir. Along the way are farms stands, orchards, and a breathtaking tour of the massive dam and spillways that created this major water supply. Just a touch longer, this rolling route without any singular major climb adds up to nearly 500 more feet in elevation. But to help get everybody through, we’ll stop at Darby’s Bakery. Want to kick it up a notch? The stronger riders may start this ride in Concord at 7:30 AM.
Virtual Training Rides
On Zwift
Click here for full event details. Our Virtual Training Rides are open to everyone, regardless of cycling ability. Plus, automatically unlock our exclusive Best Buddies Challenge kit when you join our ride. It will be added to your garage after the ride so you can wear it anytime you Zwift. Let’s pedal together!
Best Buddies Challenge Concord to Harvard Training Ride
Saturday, May 6, 2023
9 AM pedals up
Concord Visitors Center
58 Main Street
Concord, MA 01742
Route details: 33 miles, 1,730 feet of elevation
Route map: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/42022785
Estimated Ride Time: 2-3 hours
This is a slightly more challenging road ride. These roads wind upwards into the orchards and farms of the Central Highlands. The route will showcase Strawberry Hill, Nagog Hill, and Oak Hill before stopping at the Harvard General Store. After all that up, it’s a pleasant (mostly) downhill roller coaster back to Concord. Want to kick it up a notch? The faster riders may start the ride from Belmont Town Hall at 7:30 and then continue around to the Fruitlands loop in Harvard before rejoining the group. Please note: Please park along the cemetery wall on Massachusetts Avenue.
Best Buddies Challenge: Hyannis Port Summer Training Series
South Shore Saturdays
Saturdays, starting July 17th to September 25th
Pedals up at 9:00 AM
Independent Fermentation
127 Camelot Drive, Plymouth, MA, 02360
Distance: 35 miles
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36709811
This is a no-drop, show-and-go ride led by experienced Best Buddies Domestiques with decades of cycling experience. Routes may vary slightly depending on the ride leader, conditions, and the will of the group. These are safe and fun routes through the cranberry bogs and rolling roads of the South Shore. (Note: there are no restrooms at the start but the brewery will be open for post ride amenities).
Sundays in Concord
Sundays, starting July 18th to September 26th
Pedals up at 9:00 AM
Caffe Nero
55 Main Street, Concord, MA 01742
Distance: 30 miles
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/36681997
This is a no-drop ride led by experienced Best Buddies Domestiques with decades of cycling experience. Routes may vary slightly depending on the ride leader, conditions, and the will of the group. These are safe and fun routes through the orchards and farmlands of Middlesex County. The route will include a stretch along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. There are restrooms at the Concord Visitors Center.
Tuesday Fitness Rides
Tuesdays, starting July 13th to September 21st
Pedals up at 6:00 PM
Shannon Beach Parking Lot, Mystic Lakes State Park
Mystic River Path, Winchester, MA 01890
Distance: 5-mile loop
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35085692
These are structured fitness rides held on a five-mile circuit around the Mystic Lakes. Riders may join at any point during the ride which will be between 3 and 5 laps with a dedicated ride leader structuring each lap to suit the goals and objectives of each rider.
Updated ride regulations: Per the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the mask order is rescinded for fully vaccinated individuals. In general, people are considered fully vaccinated: ±
2 weeks after their second dose in a 2-dose series, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or
2 weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine
Weekly Fitness Rides
Practice riding in a group, hone your bike handling skills, and improve your fitness. Each ride will follow a short loop course and the group will complete as many laps of each route as sunlight allows. Each lap will take the group between 10 – 15 minutes to complete and will be followed by a regroup and restart. Riders may join late or depart early. All rides are limited to 25 people and masks are required.
Tuesdays Fitness Rides
Time: Pedals Up @ 6:00 p.m.
Address: Shannon Beach, Mystic Lakes State Park
Mystic River Path, Winchester, MA 01890
Route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/35085692
June Strava Challenge
Record 20 cycling activities this month for the chance to win BBC swag! Best Buddies Challenge Strava Club members that complete the Challenge will be automatically entered into a drawing at the end of the month. Two winners will be selected at random and will receive Best Buddies Challenge swag.
Here’s how to enter:
1. Follow @bestbuddieschallenge on Instagram and join our Strava club here.
2. Record 20 cycling activities in June.
3. Comment “Done” on our June Strava Challenge Instagram post once you’ve done 20 activities, both indoor and outdoor count!
That’s it! Two winners will be selected at random and announced at the end of the month.
Don’t forget to tag us in any social media posts and stories you create while you’re getting active and use hashtag #bestbuddieschallenge. We’ll repost our favorites!
The Fine Print: Winners must be following the Best Buddies Challenge on Instagram and Strava to be eligible win. Activity totals will be recorded at the end of each week to verify eligibility. You must be a member of the BBC Strava Club in order for activities to count towards the month’s total. Not a member? Join today!
NEW! Strava Challenge
We’re kicking off February with a new monthly Challenge on Strava. Record 10 activities this month for the chance to win BBC swag! All activity types count so get active your way. Best Buddies Challenge Strava Club members that complete the Challenge will be automatically entered into a drawing at the end of the month. Two winners will be selected at random and will receive a Best Buddies x BMC water bottle.
Don’t forget to tag us in any social media posts and stories you create while you’re getting active and use hashtag #bestbuddieschallenge. We’ll repost our favorites!
The Fine Print: Activity totals will be counted at the end of each week. You must be a member of the Best Buddies Challenge Strava Club in order to participate. Not a member? Join today!
The Columbus Day Revolutionary Ramble
Monday, October 14th
10:00 AM arrive
Alewife MBTA Station, Cambridge, MA
This family-friendly historic tour of Arlington, Lexington, Bedford and Concord takes you on multi-use paths. There will be plenty of stops for coffee, snacks, photos, historic markers, natural beauty, visitor centers, and rapturous fall foliage. This is the perfect ride to invite a beginner to join you! We will meet at the corner of the Alewife Station Access Road.
Total distance is 31 miles. Travel time is four hours. The ride is free to attend, but plan to purchase refreshments along the way!
The Buddy Network has a few upcoming events!
Evening of Opportunity
Thursday, December 1st
6:30- 9:00 PM | Cocktail attire
Southline
135 William T. Morrissey Blvd,
Boston, MA 02125
An Evening of Opportunity is an annual celebration highlighting the growth and success of the Best Buddies Jobs program in placing participants in integrated fulfilling roles with employers throughout Massachusetts.
Join us at Southline, a brand new event space formerly inhabited by the Boston Globe. We are thrilled to be celebrating the vast accomplishments of our over 400 Jobs participants, employers, and partners in this up-and-coming venue.
For more information about an Evening of Opportunity, click here.
Purchase TicketsTEAM AND COMMUNITY EVENTS
In addition to events organized by Best Buddies Challenge staff, many of our event’s teams organize their own events that are open to the public. If you are a Team Captain and would like to have your event listed below, please contact Coach@bestbuddies.org.
Nove p/b ProThirteen Fundraiser Ride
Sunday, April 30th
Pedals up: 8:00 AM
Nove Yoga & Wellness
581 Main Street
Dennis, MA 02670
Best Buddies Challenge staff and domestiques will be supporting Jitka and Bart, the team captains of Team Nove p/b ProThirteen, as they lead participants on a fully supported group ride complete with provided nutrition, hydration, maintenance help, and sag support on beautiful Cape Cod.
After the ride bring your best buddy to experience a special class led by Jane Costello at Nove Yoga & Wellness Studio. Jane, a special education teacher of 30 years and certified instructor in yoga for special populations, will be leading the 30 minute class beginning at 11:15, following the ride. All participants are also welcome and encouraged to stay and Join us for lunch from 12-12:30, provided by Aredo Cafe and Catering.
There will be two offered routes, a 23 mile beginner option, and a 50 mile option for our more experienced, ambitious cyclists.
Join This Ride