Do you want to get started bikepacking but not sure how? Have you been looking for something new to do with your 5-9 after your daily 9-5?

We’ll be heading out for a weeknight bikepacking “microadventure” to Wompatuck State Forest using the Hingham and Hull commuter ferries for a belated summer solstice celebration on Wednesday, June 26th – Thursday, June 27th. This trip is designed so that we do not take time off work/university. Whether you want to meet new bikepacking friends, roast marshmallows, or just impress your classmates and coworkers with how epic (and stinky) you are upon return, all are welcome!

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Prerequisites:

• You are expected to have a functioning bike and know how to perform basic repairs.

• We’ll bike at a chill pace and this is a no-drop ride once on the trip, but as a rough estimate you should be able to maintain around a 10-12mph pace unloaded and have done a 15mi+ ride recently.

• Comfort with urban biking / cars. Although Hingham is much quieter than Boston, there will be sections of main roads that we will have to either cross or travel on the shoulder at rush hour the first night.

• You do NOT need to have bikepacking-specific bags, but you will need some way of carrying your own gear – rear rack with straps/ bungees, etc. We're happy to help guide you with suggestions beforehand and MITOC has a small collection of bikepacking bags for rent.

Timing:

• We will meet at Rowes Wharf on Wednesday to take the 5:40PM ferry to Hingham (arrive 6:20PM).

• Bike 8 miles / 350ft elev gain to Wompatuck, camp out.

• Leave campsite 6:30AM Thursday, bike 13 miles / 200ft elev gain to Hull to take the 8:40AM ferry back to Long Wharf (arrive 9:05AM), potential time for café/swim en route if time allows.

• If you need to get back into downtown Boston earlier than 9AM, you have the option of dropping out at the Cohasset station at 7:20AM at mile 5 on the Thursday (arrive South Station 8:09AM).

Route:

The route (rough draft) is mostly paved with some gravel segments – depending on the group’s bikes and wishes we can adapt it to fully paved, or add more gravel/woods.

Cost:

You will need to cover your own ferry fares ($9.75 each way) and we will split the dinner food/campsite/firewood cost (estimated around $15 per person).

Required Gear:

• A functioning bike (except a BlueBike)

• Ability to carry your own camping gear (a rear rack and some cheap bungees work a dream! See DIY handlebar and seatpacks - leaders are happy to help with suggestions beforehand and check your setup at the pretrip meeting)

• Phone/GPS for navigation

• Basic bike repair kit (pump, tube, multitool)

• Sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and tent (can be rented from MITOC)

• Reusable cup, bowl and utensil

• Bike lights & headlamp

• Helmet

• Water

• Bug repellant/sunscreen

• Snacks/breakfast that does not need to be cooked, or money for Dunkin/ferry muffins (we will procure a communal campfire dinner but will not be bringing stoves for breakfast)

Extra Notes:

Being so urban, this trip will operate with a greater degree of independence compared to MITOC hiking trips. You should be self-sufficient in terms of basic bike repair like changing a flat, and/or understand you may need to make your own way home using bus/train/uber if you cannot repair your issue. We will not have a backup vehicle and your leaders are going straight to work on Thursday!

Leaders may cancel or reschedule if forecast turns out to be rainy.