6-Day Cape Cod & Martha's Vineyard Coastal Bike Tour

The two pick-up locations today are Falmouth Bus Staton at 5:45pm or the Inn on the Square at 6pm. The inn is nestled among the wonderful shops, galleries and restaurants of this village. In the evening, the group gathers for the short stroll to one of the area’s finest restaurants followed by a friendly get together in the common area of the inn.
Accommodation: Inn on the Square
Meals:

Monday’s ride is spectacular. Part of the day we follow the famous Shining Sea Bikeway as we weave our way past salt marshes, cranberry bogs, bird sanctuaries, beaches and harbors. We follow some quiet roads to the shores of Vineyard Sound in Falmouth, and then follow Surf Drive and Beach Road past Little Pond and Inner Harbor where hundreds of yachts and sailboats sway at anchor. We skirt past Oyster Pond and can pause here to breathe in the sea air or watch osprey and herons.
Accommodation: Inn on the Square
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 24 or 34 miles (38 or 54 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

After a superb breakfast, you ride back into Woods Hole to start our ferry ride together to Martha’s Vineyard. This is a delightful transition from mainland to island and includes gorgeous views of the harbor and Vineyard Sound. You arrive 45 minutes later in Vineyard Haven. Ride from there along a lovely route (that includes a seaside bike path) to the easterly end of the island. Streets lined with handsome 18th-Century houses surrounded by white picket fences and topped with widow walks announce that you have arrived in Edgartown, a world-renowned seaport that still reflects the wealth and good taste of the phenomenally successful whaling captains of the early 1800’s.

Now’s a great time for a short stroll and lunch. If the rooms are not ready yet, then cycle to a 2-minute ferry crossing to Chappaquiddick for a spin. You return via the short ferry to Edgartown to check in at the elegant Harbor View Hotel — your home for the next three nights — just a few minutes’ walk from all the boutique shops and waterfront galleries for which Edgartown is so rightfully famous. Dinner is on your own in Edgartown tonight.
Accommodation: Harbor View Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

Biking: 30 or 40 miles (48 or 64 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier

Today’s ride first takes you to Menemsha, a supremely picturesque fishing village situated on Menemsha Pond and Vineyard Sound. This historic harbor serves as the point of departure for most of the local fishermen and is usually bustling with activity. Then head through quaint and quiet villages that evoke the island’s maritime past. Fuel your ride and indulge your artistic side with a picnic lunch at the Field Gallery and Sculpture Garden.

Then ride out to Aquinnah Cliffs (formerly Gay Head), one of the most spectacular spots on the island. After enjoying the multi-mile views from the lookout, you take the boardwalk to the beach so as to better see the mosaic of colors for which the cliffs are rightfully famous. You might also stop at the top of the cliffs to visit the several interesting shops owned by the indigenous Wampanoag Indians.
Accommodation: Harbor View Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Biking: 23 or 38 miles (37 or 61 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

Follow bike paths to West Tisbury, home to a number of Vineyard artists, and galleries, and to Alley’s, a quintessential New England general store. You then weave your way past Lambert’s Cove and take back roads into Vineyard Haven where you visit the handsome West Chop Lighthouse with its great view over Vineyard Sound. Here you might also enjoy the numerous small shops in the village and maybe stop for refreshments at the iconic Black Dog Tavern.

Then cycle along a beautiful bike path to Oak Bluffs. Here you explore famous labyrinthine streets lined with fanciful rainbow-colored gingerbread cottages and visit the town’s antique Flying Horses Carousel. You may also want to splurge at one of the local ice cream emporiums before finishing the day’s ride along the Beach Road bike path as it cuts its way between the ocean on one side and beautiful salt marshes on the other.

You end your ride in Edgartown to get ready for our celebratory last evening together.
Accommodation: Harbor View Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Biking: 26 or 40 miles (41 or 64 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier to Intermediate

On Friday you ride to Katama, where you can relish the morning light along the beautiful three-mile barrier beach, then return to the hotel for a quick shower. You end your tour with a ride on the ferry back to Woods Hole, when we can shuttle you to your car. Or catch the 2:15 p.m. bus from the Woods Hole ferry bus stop back to Boston’s Logan Airport.
Accommodation: Not applicable
Meals: Breskfast

Biking: 17 miles (27 kilometres)
Terrain: Easier