Sixth Annual Gravel Bike Meetup to Take Place May 2

On Saturday, May 2, starting at 9:00am, Greenbelt will host its sixth annual Gravel Bike Meetup at Vineyard Hill Reservation in Hamilton. The event is free and welcomes riders of all levels; pre-registration is required.

The ride will kick off at Greenbelt’s Vineyard Hill Reservation and take participants through a scenic network of connecting local trail systems, covering a total distance of 25–35 miles. Participants will receive a Ride with GPS route in advance, and volunteer pace group leaders will be on hand to ensure everyone has an enjoyable experience and makes it back to the starting point safely — feeling happy and tired.

“What’s especially exciting about gravel riding in this area is the ability to link together so many trails and properties with minimal time on the road,” says Danvers resident Noah Leavitt, one of the event organizers, well known for leading gravel rides throughout the region.  “That’s what this Gravel Meetup is all about — showing how you can travel across the North Shore by connecting Greenbelt and other protected lands, rail trails, and a wide variety of paths, all while avoiding busy streets.”

Event participants will need a gravel or cyclocross bike, as mountain bikes are not ideal for gravel trails. Light refreshments will be provided at the end of the ride.

Vineyard Hill Reservation, located between Bradley Palmer State Park and the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, offers one of the most picturesque landscapes in Essex County. The trails throughout the reservation provide access to scenic vistas and connect to other nearby conserved lands. This area, shaped by a classic glacial landscape, features steep drumlins, streams, and boggy depressions. Riders will enjoy filtered ridgeline views of the Ipswich River.