Neponset Greenway Spring Bike Ride
Saturday, April 7, 2018

Celebrate the ~~first~~ third weekend of spring with a bike ride along Boston Harbor and the Neponset River on existing and future portions of the Neponset Trail from Castle Island to Paul's Bridge and back. We'll discuss the history of the trail and enjoy its beautiful bridges as we bike on moderate terrain with very little climbing for a distance of around 27 miles. It was postponed from March 24 due to precipitation forecasts and cold (which ended up not being so dire) and the next Saturday is Passover, so April 7, unless there is a downpour, it is.

This ride is sponsored by the Neponset River Greenway Council. A helmet is required, and you should dress warmly.

Here are some of our past rides along the river as the Neponset Trail has been built:
2018:[Photos] 2017:[Ride] [Photos] 2016:[Ride] [Photos] 2015:[Ride] [Photos] 2014:[Ride] [Photos] 2013:[Ride] [Photos] 2012:[Ride] [Photos] 2011:[Ride] [Photos] 2010:[Ride] [Photos] 2009:[Ride] [Photos] 2008:[Ride] [Photos] 2007:[Ride] [Photos]

2011 cyclists overlooking the Lower Mills power plant

Details

Where: Meet at Sullivan's on Castle Island, Fort Independence Park, South Boston (at the end of Day Boulevard).
When: Departing at 10:00 am, Saturday, March 19, 2016
Distance: about 28 miles.
Pace: Relaxed, probably averaging 6-10 MPH.
Terrain: Mostly flat.
Route: Mixture of on-road (50%) and shared-use path (50%).
Leader: Jessica Mink

Maps and Cue sheet

Printable map and cue sheet (4.8Mb PDF file)
Cue sheet only
Map only (6.1Mb JPEG file)
Altitude profile (129kb file)

Getting There

Bicycle

The Boston Harborwalk passes through Castle Island. Or take Summer St. to First St. and take the new cycle track on the left side of the road to its end and go as straight as you can toward Fort Independence.

MBTA

The closest Red Line stop is Andrew Square. MBTA Bikes on the T details are on the MBTA website.

From Andrew Station (Red Line):

From Andrew Square, take Preble St. east.
Where Preble St. ends at the rotary, use the rotary or crosswalks to reach the Columbia Road side and pick up the path.
Cross Day Blvd. by the L Street Beach and join the path there

Car

Take the JFK exit from Rte. 3 and follow Day Blvd. to the end. Please consider carpooling to the ride.

Click for Google Maps

Bailout points

You can turn around at Pope John Paul II Park or Mattapan Square. Because you cannot take your bike on the "High-Speed" (Ashmont-Mattapan) trolley line, the closest T station to most of the ride is Ashmont on the Red Line, but it is a hike. In Mattapan and Hyde Park, we'll be near bus lines with bike racks which can get you to a T station or maybe home. North of PJPII Park, the Savin Hill and Andrew Red Line stations are closest.

Masspaths

Neponset Greenway Spring Bike Ride Saturday, April 7, 2018