Neponset River on the First Day of Spring
Saturday, March 20, 2010

Celebrate the arrival of spring with a bike ride along Boston Harbor and the Neponset River Greenway from Castle Island to Paul's Bridge and back. We'll be especially interested in checking out the new bike path along the Truman Parkway in Milton and Hyde Park. We'll be riding on moderate terrain with very little climbing for a distance of a bit over 25 miles. Helmets are required, and it is a bit long for kids unless they're in a trailer or on a trail-a-bike or tandem with an adult.

This ride is cosponsored by MassBike's MetroBoston chapter and the the Boston Natural Areas Network.
[2009 Ride] [2009 Photos] [2008 Ride] [2008 Photos] [2007 Ride] [2007 Photos]


In 2008, we met a trolley on the High-Speed Line.

Details

  • Where: Meet at the concession stand on Castle Island, Fort Independence Park, South Boston (at the end of Day Boulevard).
  • When: Departing at 10:00 am, Saturday, March 20, 2009
  • Distance: about 27 miles.
  • Pace: Relaxed, probably 6-10 MPH.
  • Terrain: Mostly flat.
  • Route: Mixture of on-road (50%) and shared-use path (50%).
  • Leader: Doug Mink

Maps and Cue sheet

route map
Click for full size route map

Getting There

Bicycle

The Boston Harborwalk passes through Castle Island. Or, take 8th St. from South Boston to Day Blvd. and follow either the road or the parallel path.

MBTA

You can take your bike on T rapid transit lines and some bus lines for no extra charge. Details are on the MBTA website.

From Andrew Station (Red Line):

  1. From Andrew Square, take Preble St. east.
  2. Where Preble St. ends at the rotary, use the rotary or crosswalks to reach the Columbia Road side and pick up the path.
  3. Cross Day Blvd. by the L Street Beach and join the path there

Car

Take the JFK exit from Rte. 3 and follow Day Blvd. to the end. Please consider carpooling to the ride.

Castle Island map
Click for Google map of starting point

Bailout points

You can turn around at Pope John Paul II Park or Mattapan Square. The closest T station to most of the ride is Ashmont on the Red Line, but it is a hike.