Below is the path that that members and friends of Danvers Bi-Peds enjoyed, starting with a ride along the rail trail in historic Salem and a scenic tour through the picturesque coastal town of Marblehead on the North Shore of Massachusetts.
Historical
Note: The Marblehead Branch
of The Eastern Railroad Company of Massachusetts, authorized early in 1839,
was ready for business on December 10, 1839. Other branches of the line were:
East Boston to Salem (13 miles), completed August 27, 1838; Salem to Ipswich
(12 miles), completed December 18, 1839; Ipswich to Newburyport (9 miles),
completed August 28, 1840; and Newburyport to the New Hampshire line (10
miles), completed November 9, 1840. [Information courtesy of Harvard University's
Baker Library Historical
Collections.] This wonderful postcard view of the original
Marblehead Railroad Station can be
found on www.lightlink.com/sglap3/,
where you can also find a treasure trove of post cards of railroad stations
in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Marblehead's rail bed is now used as
a pedestrian and biking path.
View a slideshow with music of the 2005 Northampton and Marblehead rides with the Danvers Bi-Peds. [Caution! Large file, not recommended for slow Internet connections. QuickTime movie 5.8MB: ]
Start/end at Salem State College Central Campus parking lot (MapQuest map) - Loring Ave. (Rte 1A)
Directions
1 - Right out of Salem State Central Campus parking lot for ~100 yards.
2 - Right onto Salem Bikeway to Lafayette St., Rte 114.
Walk bikes across Rte 114 to Marblehead Nature walkway. (Stone dust surface)
3 - Use Nature Walkway crossing West Shore Drive and Maverick St., then BEAR RIGHT ! to cross Maverick St. again. Still on Nature Walkway, cross Pleasant St. (busy) and go to next intersection, Smith St.-(Post Office)
4 - Left on Smith St. to Atlantic Ave., Rte 129 (busy).
5 - Left on Atlantic to Beach St- go right.
6 - Follow Beach St. and bear right onto Ocean Ave.
7 - Stay on Ocean Ave. over Causeway bearing right at fork to Castle Rock.
Short stop for Ocean views (if you wish).
8 - Continue on Ocean Ave bearing right at circle and take left on Follett St. into Chandler-Hovey Park and Marblehead Light.. - 10 minute stop for water and great view.
9 - Right out of C-H Park onto Kimball St. then left at Nahant St. to Harbor Ave.
10 - Right onto Harbor Ave. going right after tennis courts to Foster St.
11- Left on Foster St. to Harbor Ave.
12 – Right onto Harbor Ave. across Causeway which becomes Ocean Ave.
13 – Staying to Right, follow Ocean Ave. to Atlantic Ave. (busy)
14 – Right on Atlantic Ave. to Chestnut St. (Ace Hardware).
15 – Right on Chestnut St. to end. Short (Stop for view.)
16 – Left onto Cliff St. and left again onto Commercial St. to Gregory St.
17 – Right onto Gregory St. (Gregory St. becomes quite narrow but is one way) – Keep moving slowly and watch for cars, pedestrians and opening doors of parked cars.
Those wishing to see the “Spirit of 76” painting should go left at Waldron St to Washington Square and Abbott Hall. See map for details. Then join the rest at Fort Sewall.
18 – Stay on Gregory St. to STOP SIGN at Union St.. Go Right on Union down tricky hill. (Walk bike down if you wish)
19 - Left onto Front St. (Also narrow one way). Views of Harbor and Crocker Park.
20 – At end of Front St. Bear right to Fort Sewall. Walk bikes into fort. Park on left.
(15 – 20 minute stop for view and lunch)
21 – Leave Fort Sewall as you entered and take right onto Franklin St. (Right Turn Only sign!)
22 - Follow Franklin St. to intersection and go right onto Orne St.
23 – Stay on Orne St. to end and go right onto Beacon St. (Moderate hills, great views.)
24 - Beacon St. becomes West Shore Drive and follow it to the Tower School on left.
25 – The Marblehead Nature Walkway is to your right across from school.
26 – Follow Nature Walkway to Lafayette St., Rte 114 (Walk bikes across to Salem Bikeway)
27 – Ride Salem Bikeway to first intersection, then take two lefts into Salem State Central Campus parking lot.
--- END --- Hope you had a great ride!
