South Coast Bikeway

Connecting the Communities of South Coast Massachusetts by bicycle

News Archive

Bike and Hike

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Saturday, March 28, 2020
9:30am – 12:00pm

Join the South Coast Bikeway Alliance and the Buzzards Bay Coalition for a day of riding and hiking, to celebrate our local pathways and trails for bicyclists and pedestrians!
Start on bike at Fort Phoenix State Reservation and cruise the Phoenix Bike Trail/Mattapoisett Rail Trail to meet the Buzzards Bay Coalition at the new Carvalho Farm property. Park your bike at the trail head for a hike through woods bursting with spring wetland life down to the beautiful salt marshes that fringe Nasketucket Bay. After the hike, the group will bike back to the starting point.
Check-in for the ride begins at 9:30 am. Ride starts at 10:00 am.

RAIN DATE: Sunday, March 29

Cost: Free
REGISTER ONLINE

Pedal for the Path – 2019

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Dear Readers, 
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance would like to thank the 73 riders, 40+ volunteers and many supporters of our second annual Pedal for the Path fundraiser bike ride, held on Sunday, August 18, 2019. The ride was established to raise funds for the completion of the South Coast Bikeway, specifically the missing connection between New Bedford and Fall River.
The South Coast Bikeway, once realized, will be a 50-mile continuous system of bike paths (or multi-use paths) and bike lanes that will connect Rhode Island to Cape Cod.  Cities and towns included in this plan are Swansea, Somerset, Fall River, Westport, Dartmouth, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett, Marion and Wareham. Several segments of the bikeway already exist in Swansea, Fall River, New Bedford, Fairhaven, Mattapoisett  and Wareham.
We would like to thank our host venue, Dartmouth YMCA, our ice cream sponsors: Annie’s Ice Cream Shack, Acushnet Creamery (Pier 3 New Bedford and Dockside in Padanaram),and Alderbrook Farm and Head Town Landing Country Store for providing donuts for all of our riders. A special thank you to Kim Camara of Yesteryear Cyclery for providing support for the bicyclists before and along the route. Thank you to the Chase Farm Veterinary Hospital, Pare Corporation, Dartmouth Rotary and The Black Whale/Not Your Average Joe’s for their generous sponsorship. Thank you also to Moby Dick Brewery, Native Water, B4 Printing, Shaw’s Dartmouth, Stop & Shop Dartmouth and the United Way of Greater New Bedford for their support.
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is working to connect our communities with improved bicycle and pedestrian accommodations. For more information about our organization and how you might get involved please visit southcoastbikeway.com.
With gratitude,
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance


What is it?
​The South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) will hold its second regional bike-ride fundraiser, Pedal for the Path.
Beginning and ending at the Dartmouth YMCA, three distances (57, 20 and 12) offer miles of fabulous cycling, postcard perfect scenic views, more historic places than you can count, and, along the way, memorable ice cream and a donut! A post ride celebration features food and Moby Dick Brewing Co. beer for purchase!

Sponsored stops include: (Note: Each route has a different selection of stops.)
Acushnet Creamery at Pier 3 – ice cream
Annie’s Ice Cream Shack – ice cream
The Black Whale – water stop
Head Town Landing Country Store – donuts
Alderbrook Farm – ice cream
Dockside Ice Cream – Acushnet Creamery

A map and complete details will be available soon.
57 mile route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30758266
20 mile route:https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30795872?privacy_code=NoR2hPgiKtf6Q5dT
12 mile route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/30795677?privacy_code=f2swvhgC02Lz7QGy
Please refer to our Facebook page for the latest event updates. Contact us at thesouthcoastbikeway@gmail.com if you have any questions.  
Registration opens July 7th. As space is limited, sign up – right away! https://pedal-for-the-path-2019.eventbrite.com

Not planning to ride? Donate anyway on our website or Facebook page! Thank you! 

Volunteers Needed!
We will need plenty of help on the day of the event, Sunday 18 August.   If you don’t feel like riding but want to be outside doing something helpful and fun – then this is your opportunity to have it all. Click on the button above to sign up.
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What is it for?
This ride will help raise funds for an engineering feasibility study enabling the communities of Dartmouth, New Bedford, and Westport to move closer to completing their portions of a multi-use South Coast Bikeway spanning from Swansea to Wareham. Sections have already been completed in Fall River, Fairhaven, New Bedford and Mattapoisett. We need your help to bring the Path to completion!  

FAQs
What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

  • There’s plenty of parking in the YMCA parking lot. The Dartmouth YMCA is located at 276 Gulf RD, South Dartmouth, MA 02748.

When can I check in for the ride?

  • Registration check-in starts at 8:00 am. All riders must check-in at planned intervals (indicated on map and cue sheet). Riders must return by 3:00 pm; ride support will be provided up to 3:00 pm.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

What’s the refund policy?

  • No refunds, very sorry. And the ride will be RAIN or SHINE.

Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?

  • Print or online receipts are accepted. 
  • You will be required to sign a waiver when you arrive.

Is my registration fee or ticket transferable?

  • Not transferable, sorry. 

 What is the terrain?

  • The route traverses country roads as well as city streets and a few suburban blocks, depending upon the distance you choose. Two draw bridges, that open every half hour, may encourage you to pause and look at the boats! Water refills and bathrooms will be available at rest areas and ice cream stops.

How do I get my ice cream or donut?

  • Present yourself at the counter with your rider bib on. The 57 mile and 20 mile routes include a donut stop!

What kind of cycling support will be available?

  • Yesteryear Cyclery will provide assistance at the start, on the road as needed, and will sweep the course.

What if I can’t complete the entire route?

  • You will be provided an emergency phone number for assistance. 

What about maps/cue sheets?​

What do I need to bring on the day of the ride?

  • Remember to bring your confirmation email (electronic or hard copy) with you to check-in.
  • Helmets must be worn.
  • Water bottles are a must for this long ride. Water bottles will be given at check-in. Water stations will provide refills.
  • Bike gloves help prevent injury to hands from long hours on the handlebars.
  • Snacks and water are provided at the checkpoints. If you have other preferences (sports drink, juice, etc.) be prepared to purchase items at stores along the way.

Pathways Presentation

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The Unitarian Universalist (UU) Men’s Fellowship in partnership with the South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) is sponsoring a presentation on the impact of rails to trails bike paths and an update on upcoming plans for the South Coast Bikeway. The keynote presenter will be rails-to-trails advocate Craig Della Penna, to be followed by a conversation with regional bicycling supporters and experts. The free event will be held on Wednesday, January 9th at 7:00 PM at the Fairhaven Unitarian Universalist (UU) Memorial Church Auditorium (102 Green ST, Fairhaven, MA, 02719).

Craig Della Penna, well known to the South Coast, will give a high-energy presentation on the history of the rails-to-trails movement, its tie-in to both the South Coast and Cape Cod, and recent developments that are accelerating rail-to-trails project completion across the state. To learn more about Craig visit greenwaysolutions.org/shortbio.html. Craig’s talk will be followed by a short presentation by: Bonne DeSousa (President of the Friends of the Mattapoisett Bike Path, and an active founding member of the South Coast Bikeway Alliance), Bob Espindola (Fairhaven Selectman and President of the South Coast Bikeway Alliance), Galen Mook (Executive Director of Mass Bike), Kevin Hart (Deputy Counsel/Research Analyst for the Massachusetts House Transportation Committee) and  R. Bruce Donald (APBP Tri-State Greenways Coordinator East Coast Greenway Alliance). 
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All who have an interest in pathways for recreation, alternative transportation, promotion of tourism and economic development on the South Coast are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event.  Pre registration is appreciated. Use the link above.

For further information contact Dave Chevalier at dchevy5@aol.com or SCBA at thesouthcoastbikeway@gmail.com.

The Men’s Fellowship, formed in the Fall of 2001, convenes monthly in the Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven’s Parish House and offers men of the church and the community an opportunity to meet for companionship, friendly association and caring.

Trail Building Workshop #4: Map & Compass

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Thank you to all who participated in our Map & Compass Workshop taught by Paul Brookes.  It was a beautiful day to learn orienteering skills at the Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust (DNRT) Center at Helfand Farm. This workshop was funded through an educational grant from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. Thank you to Stop & Shop Dartmouth for providing refreshments for the participants.

 Map & Compass – Workshop #4
The South Coast Bikeway Alliance (SCBA) is recruiting participants for a Map & Compass Workshop, funded by the Massachusetts Department of Recreational Trail Building Grant program. The free workshop, held on Saturday, December 29, 2018, from 9-4, will be taught by Paul Brookes. 

Paul Brookes has been a hike leader for the Southeastern Massachusetts chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) for 6 years. He leads numerous three-season hikes as well as an annual winter hiking series out of the Blue Hills. He recently taught a Map and Compass course for the AMC. Paul is experienced in experiential and classroom teaching. He is faculty for Daniel Webster College in Nashua NH, teaching evening engineering courses.

The SCBA asks those who attend for these free workshops to pledge one hour of service on the South Coast Scenic Greenway or other SCBA project in exchange for each hour of classroom hour attended.

​Course objectives

In this course you will learn basic and intermediate navigation skills using a map and compass. You’ll learn how to read a topographic map and how to use a compass and map together. You’ll also learn some basic orienteering skills such as how to bushwhack from one trail to another by following a bearing.

Prerequisites
This class is for beginners and those needing a refresh, there are no prerequisites.  You do not need to have taken any prior classes or have any prior experience reading a topographic map or using a compass.  
Course Outcomes
After completing this course, you should be able to use a topographic map (even without a compass) to provide assurance after an intersection that you’re on the right trail and not a deer path or bootleg bicycle path.   
You should be able to use a compass in tandem with your map to safely leave the trail and bushwhack to a peak or overlook.  You should also be able to leave a trail, bushwhack to another trail and not miss it or get lost.

The material is broken down into small segments that build on top of each other and no prior experience necessary.   We’ll often break into small groups to practice the skills taught.  Some exercises will be in the classroom and others will be in the field outside.   Facilitators will be on-hand to help lead the small-group exercises. 

We will finish the day with a short hike where you will get to put into practice many of the skills you learned during the day including a bushwhack to an intersection or landmark.

​The Details
Date:    Saturday, December 29, 2018   (Rain or shine)
Time:    9 am to 4 pm
Where:  Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust (DNRT) Center at Helfand Farm 
              318 Chase Road, Dartmouth MA 02747
Lunch will be provided. 
Supplies needed: You will need to bring your own compass. The instructor recommends the Suunto M-3 which he will be using during the class. 
Click on the link below to be considered for participation.  Space is limited. 

Trail Building Workshops #3: Wetland Crossings

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The South Coast Bikeway Alliance is pleased to announce that we have been awarded a 2017 Massachusetts Department of Recreation (DCR) Recreational Trail Building Grant. This “Trail Documentation, Stewardship and Skills Training” grant will engage people from all of the communities along the South Coast to take part in a series of workshops. These workshops will be taught by Peter S. Jensen & Associates. 

The SCBA asks those who register for these free workshops pledge to volunteer one hour of service on the South Coast Scenic Greenway or other SCBA project in exchange for each hour of classroom hour attended.



Join Westport Land Conservation Trust, South Coast Bikeway Alliance and Peter S. Jensen & Associates, LLC for a two-day
wetland crossing workshop at Dunham’s Brook Conservation Area (1520 Main Road). 
The workshop will cover the ins and outs of permitting, designing and building footbridges for pedestrian traffic over streams, wetlands and waterways. Participants will take part in the hands-on construction of two 12-foot wooden footbridges over Dunham’s Brook—one of the largest freshwater tributaries to the west branch of the Westport River. The footbridges will serve as the main pedestrian access trail to over two miles of hiking trails at the 159-acre Dunham’s Brook Conservation Area.
“WLCT is very excited to partner with the Town and with South Coast Bikeway Alliance to improve the robust trail system at Dunham’s Brook Conservation Area,” said WLCT’s executive director Ross Moran. “We hope this project encourages hikers to explore the trails and get inspired by the beauty of Dunham’s Brook Conservation Area!”
With this grant funding, SCBA have retained professional trail builder Peter S. Jensen & Associates, LLC to lead the two-day instructional workshop. “This funding allows members of the public to complete the workshop free of charge,” said SCBA president Bob Espindola. “The workshop is a great opportunity for hobbyists and for those interested in professional development.”

Tools, supplies and certified instructors will be provided.

Advance registration is required for this program—no exceptions. To register, please email Brendan@WestportLandTrust.org. 
Space is limited! This event is free and open to the public.

Trail Building Workshop #2: Trail Stewardship & Basic Skills

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Trail Stewardship and Basic Skills Training Workshop #2
 Saturday, October 28 & Sunday October 29 8 am – 4:30/5:00 pm
​ This two-day workshop will focus on exploring the fundamentals of sustainable trail layout and design as specifically applied to tread and drainage structures for up to 10 participants. A basic understanding of hillside hydrology, how trails should work, developing trail eyes, structural options, construction tactics, proper pruning techniques for woody plants, restoration of damaged trails, and prioritizing maintenance through trail triage will be the basis for this workshop. Participants will demonstrate trail stewardship skills by applying knowledge learned thru hands on demonstration throughout the workshop. Participants will receive direct feedback from the instructor on how to improve construction techniques.

Workshop #2 resulted in the setting of stairs on the DNRT Ridge Hill Reserve trail off Copicut RD in Dartmouth. A special thank you to all who volunteered, DNRT for providing the site, project and materials, DCR for awarding SCBA the Educational Grant and Erin and Carl from Peter S. Jensen and Associates for their instruction.