Boston to Provincetown Route Suggestions

[xeladragon]

Weather-permitting, I plan on biking from Boston to Provincetown over July 4th weekend with a small group of friends.

I know this is a pretty popular ride. Any route suggestions? A quick Google search resulted in the following routes:

Harbor to the Bay route - 122.16mi (http://www.bikely.com/maps/bike-path/Harbor-to-the-Bay288026)
Claire Saltonstall route - 134.5mi (http://cyclingnewengland.blogspot.com/2011/02/boston-to-provincetown.html)
Random MapMyRide route - 124.71mi (http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2905768)

Thanks in advance!

[moose8]

http://www.outriders.org/about/theroute.html

I've done this route - it's good, and often arrowed, but I am doing a slightly modified version later this year where we are going to get on the rail trail right where it starts as the traffic on the roads before the rail trail can be killer.

[xeladragon]

http://www.outriders.org/about/theroute.html

I've done this route - it's good, and often arrowed, but I am doing a slightly modified version later this year where we are going to get on the rail trail right where it starts as the traffic on the roads before the rail trail can be killer.

Cool. Good to know. The OutRiders route is actually the same as Harbor to the Bay, FYI.

[druptight]

Recently rode the Best Buddies ride to Hyannis:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/187605870

Compared to the routes you've shared, it keeps you closer to the water up in Quincy, and the Marshfield/Duxbury area, which was nice. Not sure how the riding is more inland in those areas. You would most likely want to cut out the big inland cut it makes at Kingston to get it to 100 miles.

If you go Sagamore bridge like this route does, be careful. You'll have to walk the bike across and the sidewalk is plenty wide for that - but there's no fence between you and traffic that's moving at 50+ mph which can be a little terrifying.

How are you getting back? Ferry?

[xeladragon]

Recently rode the Best Buddies ride to Hyannis:

http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/187605870

Compared to the routes you've shared, it keeps you closer to the water up in Quincy, and the Marshfield/Duxbury area, which was nice. Not sure how the riding is more inland in those areas. You would most likely want to cut out the big inland cut it makes at Kingston to get it to 100 miles.

If you go Sagamore bridge like this route does, be careful. You'll have to walk the bike across and the sidewalk is plenty wide for that - but there's no fence between you and traffic that's moving at 50+ mph which can be a little terrifying.

How are you getting back? Ferry?

Yep, taking the ferry back. Current plan is to do this over 2 days, spending a night in Hyannis.

[Bruce K]

You could look up the route for the MS Society Cape Cod Getaway, which us happening thus weekend

BK

[xeladragon]

You could look up the route for the MS Society Cape Cod Getaway, which us happening thus weekend

BK

Thanks for the head's up, Bruce. Their route appears to be 150mi. I think I'd prefer to stay around/under 130mi though.

[shovelhd]

I've done the Claire Saltonstall a bunch of times. It's a nice route. I think it was laid out before the bike path existed. If there are thunderstorms in the bay, the ride back can be choppy. Eat and drink accordingly. Have fun!