Routes
The Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride offers three spectacular routes—100, 75, and 35-mile options—that wind through farmland, coastal villages, cityscapes, cranberry bogs, and the back roads between Rhode Island and Cape Cod to end with a waterfront finish line celebration in beautiful Woods Hole.
Where does the route start and end?
The Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride route begins at it's traditional spot in Little Compton, Rhode Island. It soon crosses over into Massachusetts, passing through Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Acushnet, Mattapoisett, Rochester, Wareham, Bourne, and Falmouth before ending in Woods Hole.
There are three separate start lines:
- A 100-mile start line that begins at Sakonnet Point in Little Compton
- A 75-mile start line that begins at Horseneck Beach State Reservation in Westport
- A 35-mile start line that begins at Eastover Farm in Rochester
For more information about the location of the start and finish lines, visit the Schedule and Directions page.
What is the route like?
The Buzzards Bay Watershed Ride winds across the beautiful Buzzards Bay watershed in southeastern New England, from Rhode Island's Farm Coast through the South Coast of Massachusetts and along Cape Cod's western shore. Whether you’re an avid cyclist or a casual rider, you’ll enjoy the Watershed Ride’s gorgeous scenery through coastal villages, farmland, working waterfront, colorful cranberry bogs, and woods awash in the shades of autumn.
The route is mainly open roads, but also includes limited sections of sidewalk. Riders travel along significant portions of several bike paths: the Saulnier Memorial Bike Trail ("The Blue Lane") in New Bedford, the Phoenix Bike Trail/Mattapoisett Rail Trail in Fairhaven and Mattapoisett, the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway in Bourne, and the Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth. Riders also cross the Bourne Bridge, which they must walk their bikes across.
"I’ve really enjoyed the event every time and will definitely plan to come back again next year. The route is fantastic, the water/rest stops are well placed and well stocked, and absolutely great support from the volunteers!"
Jeff G. of Dartmouth
How are riders supported on the road?
Safety & Support
The Watershed Ride is fully supported by expert bike technicians on the road and at all three start lines. Each rider is provided with a special phone number to call if they need support on the road. In addition, rescue personnel in every town that the route passes through are put on alert the day of the Ride in case of emergency.
All riders have until 5:00pm to complete the course. If a rider is still on the road at that time, a SAG wagon will pick them up and bring them to the finish line.
Food & Water Stops
All riders are served a hot, hearty lunch and dinner. A food truck serves lunch at Eastover Farm, which is also the site of the 35-mile start line. At the finish line in Woods Hole, riders savor their accomplishments at a finish-line celebration.
There are also three water stops stationed at Horseneck Beach, Fort Taber Park in New Bedford, and the entrance to the Bourne Bridge. Water stops are stocked with water, sports drinks, fruit, snacks, and energy bars and gels for riders to recharge along the route.
Spectators
Our riders love when spectators come out and cheer for them along the route! If you live nearby, visit one of the following spots on October 1 to catch the largest group of riders:
- Horseneck Beach in Westport: 9:00-10:15am
- Little River Bridge in Dartmouth: 9:30-10:45am
- Pope's Island in New Bedford: 10:30am-11:30pm
- East Over Farm in Rochester: 12:00-1:30pm
- Shore Road in Pocasset: 1:30-3:30pm
- Surf Drive in Falmouth: 3:00-5:00pm
- Woods Hole Village: 3:00-5:00pm
