Short Bike Rides in Eastern Massachusetts, 3rd (Short Bike Rides Series) [Mass Market Paperback]

Howard Stone (Author)

Book Description

Series: Short Bike Rides Series | Publication Date: July 1, 1999

Massachusetts is blessed with an impressive network of thousands of backroads, most of them paved but not heavily traveled. Beyond the built-up metropolitan areas, which compose a very small percentage of the state, the landscape is rural enough to give a cyclist a sense of remoteness and serenity, and yet the nearest town, village or grocery is never more than a few miles away. The terrain is refreshingly varied for such a relativity small state. This book is a guide to cycling in the portion of Massachusetts within a reasonable commuting distance of Boston, covering the area between the Cape Cod Canal and a north-south line just each of Worcester and Fitchburg. The region, along with along with the sections of Rhode Island and New Hampshire just over the state lines, offers ideal cycling. Each ride includes precise written directions, excellent route maps, safety tips, availability of food and facilities, vivid descriptions f points of interest, and level of difficulty, including mileage.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Massachusetts is blessed with an impressive network of thousands of backroads, most of them paved but not heavily traveled. Beyond the built-up metropolitan areas, which compose a very small percentage of the state, the landscape is rural enough to give a cyclist a sense of remoteness and serenity, and yet the nearest town, village or grocery is never more than a few miles away. The terrain is refreshingly varied for such a relativity small state. This book is a guide to cycling in the portion of Massachusetts within a reasonable commuting distance of Boston, covering the area between the Cape Cod Canal and a north-south line just each of Worcester and Fitchburg. The region, along with along with the sections of Rhode Island and New Hampshire just over the state lines, offers ideal cycling. Each ride includes precise written directions, excellent route maps, safety tips, availability of food and facilities, vivid descriptions f points of interest, and level of difficulty, including mileage. (5 X 7, 398 pages, index, maps, black-and-white photos)

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 416 pages
• Publisher: Globe Pequot; 3rd edition (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0762704349
• ISBN-13: 978-0762704347
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,613,295 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent bike trips - with attention to safety, August 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Short Bike Rides in Eastern Massachusetts, 3rd (Short Bike Rides Series) (Mass Market Paperback)

Howard's routes are excellent - he always finds the most scenic routes through towns, managing to avoid the larger busier roads in most cases. He pays close attention to safety details - ie: when you take his trips, you won't come across a stop sign at the bottom of a steep hill unless he specifically mentions it.

I have done several of the rides, and highly recommend this book or any of the others he has done.

Brad Charbonneau

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just route directions, October 2, 2000

By 

Steve (Massachusetts) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SHORT BIKE RIDES(TM) IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

I have enjoyed many of the rides detailed in this book. They are among the most scenic I have experienced. But the author goes beyond simply choosing routes based on scenery, terrain, mileage, etc. He also seems to have a knowledge and appreciation for the different elements of the routes themselves. It's not uncommon for him to mention historical highlights of the communities the rides pass through, or the significance of landmarks along the routes. What the cyclist gets from this book is not just "go 1.2 miles, turn left and go to the end", but also a wealth of information about the rides that adds a whole new dimension to the cycling experience. This book is a must for anyone who enjoys a good bike ride.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for recreational cyclists, September 29, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: SHORT BIKE RIDES(TM) IN EASTERN MASSACHUSETTS, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

I concur with rweiner's review. Over the past 8 years I have enjoyed many of the routes that Howard has written about. I have found that his ride descriptions, directions, and assessment of the level of difficulty are very clear and consistent. His books have introduced me to areas of New England that I never would have experienced any other way. I look forward to enjoying more of his rides in the future as I continue to try out new routes from his books.