2024 Tour Schedule (Archive)

Arrive in Providence, check in at 3:00 p.m. and gather in the lobby to get acquainted with each other. If you're renting a bike from us, look for us in the parking lot to get your assigned bike fitted and adjusted perfectly for you. After that we'll walk next door to the famous Narragansett Brewery to discuss our plans and expectations for the week over a Rhode Island native beverage and some dinner on their deck overlooking the bay.

28.6 miles -- We'll begin our week with a cycling tour of the southern 2/3 of the Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor, known as the "Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution," the place that ignited America's transformation from farm to factory. We'll van up to N. Uxbridge MA to Blackstone River & Canal Heritage State Park and ride back south, crossing eight bridges with beautiful views of the Blackstone River and Canal and including a stop to view the historic Millville Lock.
Once we cross back into Rhode Island, the trail from Woonsocket, RI, to Cumberland passes by four rolling dams, and takes us through the Blackstone River State Park with a stop at the Capt. Wilbur Kelly House & Transportation Museum in Lincoln. As we enter Pawtucket, home of the Old Slater Mill National Historic Landmark, we'll follow the designated Bike Route along city streets. Of the remaining 5 mile return route to our hotel, about half is on a separated bike path, and half on city streets.

15 miles -- Today we'll ride right out from our hotel following the gorgeous East Bay Bike Path south, enjoying water views half the time and straight to our luxurious accommodations at the Bristol Harbor Inn, in time to enjoy the afternoon relaxing on a deck overlooking the water or exploring the town. You can extend your morning by stopping and taking in some extra natural wonder at the Audubon Society Nature Preserve 3.3 miles north of town, or with a visit to Colt State Park, on the peninsula across Bristol Harbor from our hotel.

10 miles + ? On Wednesday we'll start by getting in the van for a quick 20 minute ride down to Sandy Point Beach on the east side of Aquidneck Island, which hosts the towns of Portsmouth, Middletown, and Newport. Then we'll saddle up and follow quiet country roads to explore the quiet side of the Island, which features farms, wineries, and a pick-your-own berry farm (side trip anyone?) . We'll work up an appetite taking in the salt air while circumnavigating the Sachuest Point National Wildlife Refuge jutting out where the Sakonnet River meets the Atlantic. After a few miles pedaling right along the ocean we'll slake our hunger and our thirst with an authentic New England seafood lunch at Flo's Clam Shack, overlooking First Beach and Easton Bay. After lunch we'll check into our hotel, and the afternoon is yours to explore downtown Newport by bicycle or on foot, or perhaps take in the famous Cliff Walk.

16 miles – After breakfast we'll jump on our bikes for a short 1.5 mile ride along quiet streets and marked bike lanes on America's Cup Avenue to the high speed Ferry terminal at Perrotti Park on Newport Harbor. After a scenic hour's ride, we'll disembark in the town of New Shoreham on Block Island, and start our self-guided tour of the island. We'll pause for lunch at the classic "Dead Eye Dick's" -- of course, more authentic New England seafood! After lunch you can spend some time on the beach or on foot exploring the town, or even visiting the quixotic 6 acre Abrams Animal farm that features camels, kangaroos, emus and a yak. We'll catch the 5 pm ferry back to Newport, freshen up and then enjoy a waterfront dinner watching the sun set to celebrate our week.

12 miles -- To make sure you haven't missed any or Newport's spectacular vistas, after a quick breakfast we'll take a 12 mile loop ride from our hotel, down Bellevue Avenue past several of the Cliff Walk mansions to the water, then head west along the shore over to Brenton Point, back north past the Castle Hill Lighthouse and U.S. Coast Guard Station, and visit Fort Adams, a majestic 19th century fort at the mouth of Newport Harbor that now serves as the host of the annual Newport Jazz and Newport Folk Festivals. Then we'll cruise back over to our accommodations, check out and jump in the van for the hour's ride back to our starting hotel.