Short Bike Rides in Eastern Massachusetts, 3rd (Short Bike Rides Series)
Posted by Levon in Books
Short Bike Rides in Eastern Massachusetts, 3rd (Short Bike Rides Series) Massachusetts is blessed with an impressive network of thousands of backroads, most of them paved but not heavily traveled. Beyond the built-up metropolitan areas, which compose a very small percentage of the state, the landscape is rural enough to give a cyclist a sense of remoteness and serenity, and yet the nearest town, village or grocery is never more than a few miles away. The terrain is refreshingly varied for such a relativity small state. This book is a guide to cycling in the portion of Massachusetts within a reasonable commuting distance of Boston, covering the area between the Cape Cod Canal and a north-south line just each of Worcester and Fitchburg. The region, along with along with the sections of Rhode Island and New Hampshire just over the state lines, offers ideal cycling. Each ride includes precise written directions, excellent route maps, safety tips, availability of food and facilities, vivid descriptions f points of interest, and level of difficulty, including mileage.
Customer Review: I’m sorry, but I have to disagree
While the other reviewers appear to be very satisfied with this book, I have to disagree. I have now tried three different rides in this book throughout MA, and EVERY one of them had significant errors or unclear directions at various points along the route. I would only suggest buying this book as a guide of where to bike, but NOT to use it routes.
When I tried one of the rides recently, the directions indicated the rider to “bear left” at a non-existed merge, while the map showed a hard right. The correct path to follow turned out to be a hard left (greater than 90 degree turn). There was another error on the same route.
Customer Review: More than just route directions
I have enjoyed many of the rides detailed in this book. They are among the most scenic I have experienced. But the author goes beyond simply choosing routes based on scenery, terrain, mileage, etc. He also seems to have a knowledge and appreciation for the different elements of the routes themselves. It’s not uncommon for him to mention historical highlights of the communities the rides pass through, or the significance of landmarks along the routes. What the cyclist gets from this book is not just “go 1.2 miles, turn left and go to the end”, but also a wealth of information about the rides that adds a whole new dimension to the cycling experience. This book is a must for anyone who enjoys a good bike ride.
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