North Shore Merrimack River Ride

Locale: ; Scale: ; Features: ,
Miles 99
Ride Time 03:45 w/o stops
Endpoints DD in Beverly, MA, Middleton, MA
Surface Paved
Submitted By Ed Conde
GPX

Info on NER GPX Files Content

NER Notes

Great coastal ride best ridden off-season. Travel some very scenic roads around Cape Ann through Manchester, Magnolia, and Gloucester. Continue north through Newburyport and then on some really nice roads along the Merrimack River. Finish with twisty roads through Boxford to Richardson’s Ice Cream in Middleton.

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Average Rider Rating
North Shore Merrimack River Ride 5.00/5 (2 Reviews )

  • North Shore Merrimack River Ride

    Oct 22, 2020

    • Rider Rating


    Love this ride. There are some hidden gem moments where you'll definitely be surprised.  There is a section in Magnolia that you'll think you've gone back in time and some curvy roads later that will bring a big grin. Break it up with a walk down to the ocean at Halibut Point State Park or at Plum Island as Steve mentioned.  Lunch at the Black Cow is terrific.  Prefer to get an early start and/or go mid-week/off-season which beats the traffic.

    How were the road conditions at the time you RECENTLY rode?

    Good/Typical

  • North Shore Merrimack River Ride

    Jun 14, 2020

    • Rider Rating


    In my opinion, this is a quintessential New England ride that everyone who rides the area will enjoy. The first third of the ride traces the shoreline around Cape Ann, alternating gorgeous ocean views with the (very different from each other) seaside charm and character of Gloucester and Rockport. It deserves to be taken at a slower pace, though you won't have much choice with the usual traffic. Depending on the timing of your ride, I highly recommend a seafood stop at the casual Lobster Pool restaurant at the north tip of the cape, with outside seating overlooking Folly cove.

    The ride north through Ipswich starts with some nice narrow back roads followed by a scenic cruise by several sea marshes. In Newburyport, if it is not high beach season, I'd recommend a quick detour east out to Plum Island to get that sleepy beach village vibe. There is a small lighthouse to visit on the north end of the island.

    The ride along the Merrimac River is curvy with distracting views of the river. The final portion of the ride includes a lot of nicely wooded twisty back roads down to Middleton, where your ice cream awaits.

    How were the road conditions at the time you RECENTLY rode?

    Good/Typical