Biking South Shore, MA, and a tank away

South Shore, Massachusetts

Myles Standish State Forest - Plymouth, MA

One of our favorite places for bike rides! The paved bike paths are hilly with lots of turns, so it feels like a roller coaster. We prefer to park at parking lot 7 (P7) off Bare Hill Road next to Rocky Pond, Plymouth, not the main entrance.

Wompatuck State Park, Hingham, MA

What we like most about the paved bike trails here is how wide they are, and although the park is big, there are signs throughout to bring you back to the visitor center.

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Shining Sea Bikeways - Falmouth - 10.7 miles long

We don’t have a favorite section on this trail; we love it all! Mile 0 is at Woods Hole and ends at mile 10.7 in North Falmouth. We like to split up the ride. Sometimes, we start at Woods Hole and bike to mile marker 5, which takes us along the beach. Then, we turn around at mile 5. Other days, we start at the other end at mile 10.7 and bike down to mile 5. That part of the trail passes marshes and cranberry bogs. Every mile is just as delightful as the last.

Cape Cod Rail Trail - CCRT - 25.5 miles long

When we have time to stay overnight, we like Four Point by Sheraton Eastham. It has an excellent indoor pool, and the trail is directly behind the hotel.

Biking for the day, we park at Nickerson State Park or GPS Ferretti’s Market Brewster (the lot is across the street from the market), then take a left on the trail toward Harwich. We prefer that section of the trail (ride miles 10.8 to mile 3) because we pass the lakes and cranberry bogs.

Cape Cod Canal, Bourne, MA

When we bike the Cape side of the canal, we park at the Sandwich Recreational Area.  We bike to the other end of the canal, which is 7 miles.  When we return to the parking lot, we enjoy lunch or dinner at the Fisherman's View, which is right there.  

On the other side of the bridge, we park at the Sagamore Recreational Park.  With the kids, we prefer this side. There are more interesting places to stop for ice cream and a playground, and you can spend time at Scussett Beach before biking back.

Rhode Island

East Bay Bike Path

a 14-mile off-street trail along the Independence Park shore in Bristol to India Point Park in Providence.

We started in Warren. There is a parking lot across the street from Del’s Frozen Lemonade, or park at the bus stop on Franklin Street by the dog park and bike towards Bristol.

 Stops we made along the way include the long boardwalk at Audubon Society Environmental Education Center, and we biked the scenic loop at Colt State Park along the shoreline. We end at Independence Park. Before biking back, take a break at a restaurant, ice cream shop, or sit and enjoy the harbor.

Rail Explorers

For our excursion at the Rail Explorers, we took the Southern Circuit this year. Both the Northern Ramble and the Southern Circuit are 6 miles. If you book the Northern Ramble trail, you pedal 6 miles, all in one shot.  On our tour, a bus took us from the check-in station to the start of the trail, then we biked back to the station.  The next group starts their ride at the check-in station, pedals 6 miles, and gets the bus back to the station.  Either way, there is a bus involved in the Northern Ramble.

The Southern Circuit starts at the station. You bike for 3 miles, stop, and hang out at a scenic cliff overlooking the ocean. The Rail Explorers have baskets to pack food and eat at the 20-minute break, then do the 3 miles back. We prefer the Southern Circuit. It’s more scenic, and the stop makes for some nice family time.