[bike] Winchester Loop

[dmaze]

This is one of my "routine" trips, but I don't seem to have it online yet. This is a straightforward 10-mile trip (my bike computer says 10.08, counting the distance to and from Ball Square) up to Winchester and back. It actually is reasonably scenic, especially the two miles along the Mystic Lakes, and (Boston Ave. aside) isn't too horrifically trafficky. (Route map)

From Ball Square, head north along Boston Ave. At Tufts, continue as straight as you can without crossing the commuter rail tracks and stay on Boston Ave. After about 2 miles you'll reach the end of Boston Ave.; go right-and-straightish to come out on Grove Street continuing north. After about another two miles you'll reach a rotary with a street sticking out the side. Make the forbidden left turn (or be a good biker and go around the rotary) to go down the hill on Bacon St. Just after you pass under the commuter rail, turn left on Mystic Valley Parkway. Go about two miles to come to a rotary; turn left on High Street (MA-60), then in several blocks turn right on Boston Ave. to head back to Somerville.

Comments

[gigglefest.livejournal.com]

Yay! My first year of grad school involved fieldwork at one of the Mystic Lakes; yes, pretty, and perhaps I'll try this one.

[fredrickegerman.livejournal.com]

I'd love to check this out, but your JavaScript still sucks.

I've taken to a "long plus intervals" route around the Mystic Lakes, which is 10.25 miles:

Up the hill on Packard to the top past your old place to the top of Tufts, down and right on Pearson to Boston Ave intersection. L on Boston Ave across 16 to Sagamore Ave (continuation of Boston across 60) to Mystic Valley Pkwy. Follow the lakes unti the Parkway meets Bacon St after the commuter rail station. L on Bacon, then L at flashing light onto Everett. This takes you through to 3 (Cambridge St.). L onto 3, past the country club. Bear R after country club parking to Old Mystic St. Head uphill, R onto Hutchinson Rd. Climb past the back 9 of Winchester Country Club (warning: just past the course is steep and dark). Bear L at top of ridge onto what might be Forest St. (R at this point is an interesting ridge ride, too, but much longer.) Follow Forest down the hill, bearing L when Park Ave Ext meets dead ahead. Join Summer and jump onto the bike path at the Rink to stretch out a bit (yes, this is better-lit than the hilltop). Back home via Chestnut/Warren/Broadway avoiding Mass Ave in Arlington Center.

I've done this in reverse, and it's less of a workout and more hair-raising; you're doing the dark bit at 25-30mph rather than 7-10mph. 3 big hills: Tufts (short and steep), Turkey Hill in Arlington (the actual hill) and the climb from 16 to Teele (not bad but goes on a bit).

Also, you can take Park Ave Ext to Park Ave and climb to the tower, which is another piece of big fun.

After you've done this a few times as a sprint, more level ground suddenly gets a whole lot easier.