About cycling & running in BostonBoston Base Miles And River Loops
Running: Boston runners use the Charles River paths, Comm Ave, Fresh Pond, Mystic Lakes, and Battle Road Trail. The Charles River paths keep long runs easy because they have limited road crossings, bathrooms, water fountains, and very little elevation change. Comm Ave through the Newton Hills gets busy every weekend with solo runners, training groups, and make-shift aid stations. The Heartbreakers, Trail Animals Running Club, BAA, November Project, Boston Bulldogs Running Club, Cambridge Running Club, and Heartbreak Hill Running Club give the week structure. The 11th Annual Run for Recovery 5K and Race to Cure Sarcoma Boston sit on the local calendar.
Cycling: Charles River Wheelers and CRW anchor the riding scene with hundreds of rides, a Ride With GPS club account, and a deep route library. Locals roll the Charles River paths, Minuteman Bikeway, Charles River loop, and Boston Marathon Course for steady Z2. The Boston Marathon Course runs 7 km with 220 m elevation through Newton, Wellesley, and Natick. Middlesex Fells Gravel Bike Route from Somerville runs 44 km with 489 m elevation and gives you gravel close to Somerville. Tip2Tip Quincy Gravel Mixer gives water views around Quincy Bay. Heartbreak Hill, Summit Ave, Comm Ave, and the Newton Hills hold the climbs.
Season: Fall in New England is the best time of year, with warm days, cool nights, and foliage that makes base miles feel easy. Summer keeps the Charles River paths useful because water fountains are available during the summer. Fresh Pond also helps in summer because water fountains sit on the loop and the ranger station has restrooms and water from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. year round. Winter changes the feel for both sports because daylight gets short, rain or snow becomes more likely, and thirst response drops in colder weather. Cyclists change tires for better grip, and runners keep intervals simple when surfaces get slick.
