Charles River Bicycle Ride

Join Jim W. as he leads a tour along the Charles River.

This bike ride will be a tour of the bike paths around the Charles River in Boston and Cambridge. The route is 1 4 miles long and is primarily on pedestrian/bike paths. This is strictly a ride to sight see Boston and not for fitness or speed.

The ride will start at the Lechmere Canal Park in Cambridge at 11:00am which has easy access from either the Tobin Bridge, Msr Obrien Hwy, Sullivan Square, or I-93 without driving into the heart of Boston.  Lechmere Green Line riders can go directly to the start by going down 1st Street to the Lechmere Canal.

Parking: It is recommended to park at either the City of  Cambridge 1st Street Garage (entrance on Spring St) or at the CambridgeSide Mall (formerly Galleria). The Canal is on the north end of the Mall , between Sears and Blaze Pizza . The 1st Street Garage is only $5 to park all day on Sundays.

You can also take a commuter train to North Station where you will wait for us at 11:20am to start. 

We will begin with a view of the Duck Boats entering and departing the Charles River boat ramp  at North Point Park , go under the Zakim Bridge using the stunning  N Bank Bridge  to Paul Revere Park , and cross the Charles River boat locks to go around to North Station/TD Garden. A stop at the Bobby Orr statue for pictures, bathroom  break , and to meet any of those who used the T or Commuter Rail to get in. Then off to the esplanade bike path and a stop at the Hatch Shell which also has bathrooms and a bridge out on the Charles for fantastic back rounds for pictures. We have the option of going over the Arthur Fiedler Bridge to see the swan boats and statues on Boston Common. We get off the bike path in Allston to see Harvard and a bicycle skill park that is next to Harvard Stadium that people can try.  We continue on the Boston bike path  to the Eliot Bridge to cross into Cambridge. Once on the Cambridge side, you will see the spectacular Boston skyline across the Charles. We also have the option of going over the newly refurbished Longfellow Bridge.   I expect the ride to finish by 1:30pm and the lunch options are the Art Bar at the Royal Sonesta  Hotel or the food court at the CambridgeSide Mall where you can eat at outdoor tables.  The ride is strictly follow the leader with a sweep and frequent stops to gather. The Esplanade path  has some deep freeze cracks so can be annoying if you are on a road bike but it is manageable and not dangerous. A hybrid ,  gravel , or mountain bike  with at least 700 x 32 tires is more recommended to handle the urban terrain but i t is all asphalt.

When you register please indicate if you are joining us at the Lechmere start or at North Station so we can look for you. 

TOHG General Guidelines

1. No groups larger than 12 members, including the activity leader, are permitted
2. Physical distancing rules must be followed, 6 feet or more
3. When physical distancing cannot be achieved, masks must be worn
4. No inside activities can be planned
5. When it is necessary to go inside, such as for restrooms, masks are required