Bicycle Tour: Otter River State Forest, Day Five

On Monday, June 3, 2024, on the fifth and last day my tour to Otter River State Forest, I rode from Spacious Skies Minute Man Campground to home on a route that has become very familiar. (For the fourth day of this tour, see Otter River State Forest, Day Four).

I woke up with the sunrise at 5:00 a.m. to another beautiful day.

My shady campsite at Spacious Skies Minute Man Campground

I left at 8:25 a.m.

I rode past Silverstone Stables on Strawberry Hill Road north of Concord.

Silverstone Stables and Farms

Three horses at Silverstone Stables and Farms

New England stone wall at Silverstone Stables and Farms

I took the Bay Circuit Trail, the Dike Trail, and the Reformatory Branch Trail from Lowell Road in Concord to Bedford. (These are one continuous trail and are labeled Reformatory Branch Trail on the Ride with GPS map.) This was much more pleasant than riding on Route 62. While I was trying to find the trailhead on Lowell Road, a recreational bicyclist stopped and asked if I needed help. We had a nice chat; he rides in this region frequently and rides on Cape Cod with his brother while on vacation. He had a business call on his cell phone, so he took off and conducted his business while riding ahead of me on the trail.

The Bay Circuit Trail in Concord

The Dike Trail in Concord

In Bedford, I stopped at Depot Park for lunch.

Depot Park at the head of the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway in Bedford

I rode the last 12.5 miles home along the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway, Alewife Linear Trail, and Somerville Community Path; this is a ride I do frequently.

The Minuteman Commuter Bikeway in Lexington

I stopped near Lexington Green for a snack and a drink of water; the temperature was 76 °F.

The Buckman Tavern on Lexington Green

I arrived home at 11:55 p.m., taking three hours thirty minutes to ride 31.5 miles. The weather was very pleasant. Since I had ridden this route two weeks ago on May 20 (see Spacious Skies Minute Man, Day Two), I did not make any wrong turns.

I did an excellent job of managing my riding effort. (Perhaps I was also getting into better touring condition). My effort was 58% Zone 1, 34% Zone 2, and 8% Zone 3.

For the five day tour from Somerville to Otter River State Forest, I rode a total of 141.45 miles, with zero miles on the third day. I enjoyed camping with the Worcester AMC tour group on Saturday night. I would like to do another tour to Otter River State Forest someday, perhaps extending the tour to campgrounds in Western Massachusetts.