About Our Rides
NBW organized rides are bicycling tours, not races; we attract cyclists of all abilities. The routes have been designed for enjoyment of the scenery, the riding, and the company. You can expect to find others riding at your pace.
NBW road rides are held in a different Southern New England location every Sunday morning year-round, rain or shine. We select rides from our curated library of over 150 ride maps. (this will link to the maps file) On a warm, sunny day, expect to join 50 to 100 or more friendly companions. Each ride typically has shorter (15-30 miles) and longer (~50 miles) distance options. Several rides per year also offer 100-mile (“century”) options.
Please make sure in advance that your bicycle is in good working order. We strongly recommend you bring water or energy drinks, and carry a multi-tool, tire levers, and a spare inner tube. Helmets are required. Riders are expected to ride safely and lawfully. See below for group riding safety tips.
Most NBW Sunday rides are officially “unsupported” (i.e., you should know how to handle common minor repairs like changing a flat tire), but it is common for riders to help each other out at the roadside when needed. Only rides designated on the schedule as “Beginner’s rides” will have ride leaders.
Ride routes are marked with arrows painted on the roads by volunteers. There will typically be two arrows before each turn, and a confirmation arrow pointing in the direction of travel after the turn. Where a route splits into multiple distance options, a two-headed arrow will indicate the different loop lengths. Intersections where the ride goes straight through are usually not arrowed.
Group Riding Safety Tips:
Ride on the right, about 3 feet from the edge of the tarmac (regardless of the position of the white line).
Ride single file, except where legal to ride two abreast. Return to single file when a vehicle is approaching from the rear.
Avoid overlapping your front wheel with the rear wheel of the rider ahead of you (if they have to swerve to avoid a pothole, their rear wheel (with their weight on it) will knock your front wheel (with your steering) out from under you.
Maintain a safe distance between you and other riders.
Pass other riders only on their left, saying "On your left" (“Good morning” works too). Alert them early enough to avoid startling them (so they don’t inadvertently swerve).
State Laws require you to signal turns or intentions to slow or stop with hand signals well in advance, unless unsafe to remove your hands from the handle bars. Call out your intentions verbally to any trailing riders.
Do not call out "clear" at intersections. Every rider is responsible for their own decision to proceed across.
Alert other riders about nearby vehicles by calling "Car back", “Car up”, Car left”, etc..
Alert other riders to road obstacles by calling out “Hole left”, “Branch right”, etc. and pointing if safe to do so.
Do not use earphones or answer your phone while riding.
Aero bars are unsafe to use when riding in groups because of poor steering performance and longer time to reach the brakes.
Make eye contact with drivers.
Know and obey all traffic laws.