Northshore magazine showcases the best that the North Shore of Boston, MA has to offer.
Issue link: http://read.uberflip.com/i/1125082
55 JULY 2019 son Boulders" (where life advice such as "stay out of debt" is etched into the rock) and an expansive network of trails and connections to Essex County Greenbelt properties such as Carter Reservation, Natti Woodlands, and Kleimola Reserva- tion. The hiking (and finding the opportunity to get pleas- antly lost) is easy. Hike through the classic agricultural landscape at Appleton Farms on the Plains Loop Trail (blue blaze) for beautiful views across the Great Pasture. I N G O O D C O M PA N Y Not in the mood for a solo hike? Not in the mood for a hike at all? There are other ways to hit the trails and the road on the North Shore this summer. ON A BIKE: Join free group rides at Riverside Cycle's Haverhill and Newburyport locations through mid-September. The rides vary by distance, speed, and rider ability; check river- sidecycle.com for upcoming rides. Rides from the Haverhill location, for instance, might include loops through Brad- ford, Rocks Village, West Newbury, and Boxford. For trail rides and mountain biking beyond the group rides, take a tip from Haverhill store manager Kurt Johnson, who loves the Beverly Rail Trail, Haverhill's Winnekenni Park, Bradley Palmer State Park in Topsfield, Martin Burns Wildlife Management Area in Newburyport, and Harold Parker State Forest in Andover. "People don't realize all the places we have to mountain bike here on the North Shore," he says. ON A HORSE: You don't have to cross the Mississippi River to experience Western-style horseback riding along beauti- ful woodland trails; you don't even have to cross the state. Instead, venture to Bobby's Ranch in Westford, which does hourly guided trail rides on horseback through more than 1,500 acres of open space. The horses are calm, quiet, and per- fect for beginners and use Western-style, rather than English, saddles. "A lot of people want to feel like they're a cowboy," says owner Robert Haigh. bobbysranch.com G E T YO U R PA D D L E O N Grab a paddle and head out into the ocean with Coast to Coast Paddle, which offers kayak and standup paddleboard rentals, lessons, and group tours and events. With two waterside ki- osks—one at Beverly's Independence Park, the other at Salem Willows—it's easy and convenient to join in the fun. "People just have to show up. All the equipment is right there," says S U M M E R T I M E T I P Run with friends! Join either (or both!) of the two free weekly group runs at New England Running Company in Beverly, which tackle two distances—5K and 5.5 miles—and welcome runners of all paces. nerunningco.com