Minuteman Road Club

Hello team!
I am a brand new member who has just relocated from San Francisco and am looking for some biking partners and information here in Boston. I race cat 2 cyclocross, cat 2 MTB, and have been bike commuting daily for the past five years. I am really looking forward to the cross season here in New England; from the looks of the calendar there will be at least two races every weekend from mid-September to December!

In the meantime, I am looking for advice on communities that are bike commutable to my job in Watertown, specifically by Arsenal Mall. I am looking to purchase a house within the next few months, and ability to bike commute is a key factor. My previous commute was 11 miles each way, so I am targeting a 10 to 15 mile commute here.

What are the best bike commuting routes into Watertown? Any ones that should absolutely be avoided?

Appreciate any thoughts you may have, and look forward to joining some rides with you all soon.

Chris

Hi Chris,

Where are you riding from? I live and work in Watertown, I"d be happy to offer suggestions if I know which direction you're coming from.

Cort

Hi Cort-
Thanks for the reply. We've rented a short term place in Newton, right in Newton Corner. That commute should be pretty easy. We're looking at other communities to buy in, like Wellesley, Wayland, Weston, Concord, Lexington, Sudbury, etc. Are those all bike commutable? Any that we should avoid?

Checked out your blog...looks like you've got out to California for some spring training! I'm sure that was needed after a long winter.

Thanks again for any advice!

Chris,

You can't go wrong with any of those places, all offer great roads/routes leading into Watertown. As far as being in Newton Corner now is concerned, just stay off of Washington Street and you'll be fine!

Cort

All those places are good. From Wellesley, you'll probably come in on Beacon Street, or a variation, until you get to Newton Corner and then take the route you find now.

Beacon Street is my escape route from the city as once I get to Newton Corner, there's not many lights on it after and I can start getting a workout in...

I used to do the ride into H2O'ville from Marlborough quite a bit. It's an easy ride along route 20 with just a few hills in Sudbury and Wayland then it's pretty flat. A couple of spots (crossing 128) get sketchy when the traffic is heavy but I'm sure you're used to that.

Now...Lets talk about cyclocross!
I'm the 'cross director in the club. WELCOME.

Are you still a youngsta? or are you Master's elligible?
I mostly race with the 35+ crew but I do a lot of 2/3 races as well.
We have several other 2's lots of 3's and a whole ton of new but enthusiastic 4's
This is one of the most (if not the most) active 'cross clubs in New England although most of our numbers are 3's and 4's.

Look for posts year round about 'cross rides. I do one or two a week during the spring and summer. However, I live out in Hopkinton so you'll probably be hooking up with the "city crew" as opposed to the 495 crew.

Welcome Chris,
All of us could have predicted Coley's response to your post. To say this is an enthusiastic 'cross group is an understatement (that's coming from a 'cross newbie recently sucked into last Fall's vortex of leaves, mud and Belgian ale). By way of intro's, meet your 'cross captain and the rest of the group...



http://www.vimeo.com/2442903

As for bike commuting, here are my 2 pence. I live in Sudbury and bike commute when I can to Wayland (and before that to Natick). That neck of metro west is pretty good. Moderate traffic on the secondary roads (very manageable if you can get out early). From that area (Sudbury, Wayland, Weston) to Watertown you'd cross Rt 95/128 on either Rt 117 (definately the lower traffic option as there's no direct highway access) or Rt 20. Then the traffic will be denser the rest of the way in, but manageable.

Lexington is an interesting option. I lived there many years ago. While not the most direct route, there's a great bike bath that runs through Lexington all the way into Cambridge. From there you'd have a few hairy miles over to the river, where you could take the path again all the way in to the Arsenal Mall. Since I last worked in Cambridge the town has become much more bike friendly and has put in bike lanes on many of the major roads.

Happy house hunting. If you were coming from anywhere else but San Fran, I'd warn you about sticker shock, but compared to the bay area, we're a bargain... sort of.
Ian

Hey guys-
Thanks for the great posts.

Michael, I am 36, but this year raced open 2/3. Depending on the field strengths I'll either do open 2/3 or masters in 2009. Regarding the cross rides, once I settle in, I'd love to join you. Sounds like you are farther west, but I just might end up closer to 495 depending on housing costs.

Ian, thanks for the link to that sweet video. Can't wait to try all new courses with new riders in 2009. Good advice on the 117/20 route choice; I scouted the 20/95 crossing in the car this week and would want to avoid it in heavy traffic and bad weather.

Man, Andy, looks like you cross half the state going to work. That's a hell of a commute. Interestingly, our requirements line up pretty much one for one with your family's. I've been focusing on towns closer to 95 than 495 for commutes, but depending on how the housing market is holding up, we might have to push west.

Thanks again for the advice and looking forward to meeting and riding with you all soon.
Chris