New England Randonneurs

Hey NERds,

June we are featuring 3 events (there are 4 different “rides” total) that for the regulars we all know and love; Registration for all 4 rides are up on BikeReg.

6/7/2025:  Portland DayTrip (400km) and Portland Express (200km).  Start time for both ride will be at 4:30am instead of 4am at Woburn HIE.  Very minor detour of the route from last year.  Ride page will have more detail.  Ride organizer (Tsun) is looking for 1 or 2 additional help at the Woburn finish (or simply supportive spouse to wait for their rider).  Please thank Rob G for providing a staff control at Wells this year and please also thank Christian R for opening their home and be the gracious host at the turn around point/Portland Finish for the 200km whenever you see him.

6/14/2025:  MidCoast Maine 300km.  5AM start at Sewall St Portland ME.  NER’s “easiest” 300km that is being offered this year.  Strava or Garmin climbing do egregiously estimate more climbing than actual due to all the bridges we crossed on this route.  If you don’t come for “easier” climbing, at least come for the company and the Pemaquid light house rest stop.  We are going to reuse the entire route so we will make eBrevet app use available for this ride but please stop further into the Pemaquid light house to look for your lunch and check in at the end of the ride at the hotel (we are likely to be outside if the weather is nice and in the lobby if the weather is lousy…).  For the Mainer here who may be available to help as volunteer, either contact the ride leader Mike A directly if you know him or via board@ner.bike.

6/28 to 29/2025:  White Mountain 600km.  4AM start again at Woburn HIE and we will more or less use the same route.  Challenging yet scenic 600km ride involve climbing the Kagamancus Hwy (hopefully before sunset).  Overnight at the Westbrook Community center.  Expect to be fueled by NER volunteers at the overnight and ride on the remaining ~200km with stride (and much more forgiving terrain).  As above, please contact board@ner.bike (which ride organizer Jacob will get a message) if you would like to volunteer.

Please note that the starting/finishing hotels are not associated with the ride other than we are having/had grace with them in prior years.  Hotel cost doesn’t look terribly bad this year (in comparison to previous years) but room sharing/car pooling are highly encouraged.  For all 3 rides (sans the one way 200km) if riders bring their own towels, you can expect to have shower access immediately after the ride at Tsun’s hotel room.

Hope our mind and body meet somewhere in Maine (or adjacent) in June.

Tsun and NER board

On May 3rd NER had first VT brevet of 2025: A semi-dirt 200k out of Waterbury, VT It was the fourth wet NER event of the year and the fourth in a row with pouring rain for most of the event. But we still had a nice turn out with 23 riders starting the dirt-heavy, fairly hilly 200k and only one rider deciding to end their attempt early. Results have been posted at normal spot: https://results.ner.bike

On May 10th, NER had a 200k & 300k out of Concord, MA. You can read Emily O’Brien’s pre-ride report or Jake’s post-ride organizer’s report.

On the weekend of May 16th we have the annual New England Fleche and Trace team events. In 2025 we’re going to Old Saybrook, CT. These team events are often considered the highlight of the randonneuring season as you get to ride with friends on a route you design. New for 2025 we also have “Open Invitation” teams that use a route designed by the organizer. If you’ve wanted to participate but didn’t have team, this is a nice option. Please email organizer Jake with questions about this team event: jakekassen@gmail.com. Applications for teams are due May 11th but late registrations will be considered.

Hey folks,

Kudos to all who showed up yesterday to brave the cold rain on the second half of the ride of Providence 200km.  Makes one wonder if we can ever have a Providence start ride that doesn’t go South (literally in terms of weather and route direction…).  Thank you Ted’s family for opening his home to a bunch of wet cyclists some random Spring afternoon/early evening (and obviously for being the ride leader).

We have next Saturday (April 12) at 8:30AM start of the Sterling Populaire at Lincoln Station.  Registration is open on BikeReg and route has been verified.  Minor tweaks have been implemented as specify on RWGPS and on ride info page.  Please remember to register by Friday.  Thank you Melinda L for leading this iconic ride.

The event after that will be on April 26 at 7:00AM for the 5 Hills of New Hampshire start from Sir Kassen and Madam O’Brien’s estate in Medford.  Expect same route as last year.  Registration is open on BikeReg.  Thank you for Jake and Emily agreeing to host once again.

The 1st VT event will be held on May 3rd at 6:30AM for the Dirtier Bakery Brevet with a revised start at Waterbury Park and Ride and finishing at a nearby hotel.  Expect increase of dirt segments in comparison to past event (31 vs 22%).  Registration is open on BikeReg.  Thank you Robert for agreeing to get his toes wet to lead a ride.

All our rides are volunteer run and if you want to help out at one of the upcoming event, please get in touch with the board by sending an email to board at ner dot bike.  I think Jake is looking for a volunteer or 2 for his 300/200km on May 10 and we certainly can get some not sleepy heads to help out at the finish for the longer brevet in June in Woburn.  I will also shout out to our Mainer friends who definitely is looking for a volunteer or 2 to help at the lighthouse on 6/14.

Thank you for your attention and happy Spring/4th mild Winters of 2025 in New England

Tsun