Hallowed Groad

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Hallowed Groad

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The Hallowed Groad is Closed FOR 2024

The Hallowed Groad is Closed FOR 2024 The Hallowed Groad is Closed FOR 2024 The Hallowed Groad is Closed FOR 2024

The Hallowed Groad will Reopen October 25, 2025

The Hallowed Groad is Closed FOR 2024

The Hallowed Groad is Closed FOR 2024 The Hallowed Groad is Closed FOR 2024 The Hallowed Groad is Closed FOR 2024

The Hallowed Groad will Reopen October 25, 2025

A SPOOKY CELEBRATION OF NEW ENGLAND'S HISTORY

During our self-supported scavenger hunt adventure mixed-terrain ride you and your team will follow the "Hallowed Groad" through the trails and backroads of Sherborn and surrounding communities in Metrowest Massachusetts.


Details are from 2024 and will change, because we can.

Hallowed Groad on InstagramHallowed Groad on Strava

BE AWARE, BE CAREFUL, BE KIND

 Watch for signs and heed all warnings – No mystic portal or route will be out of reach of cyclist or others, so stay true and don't trespass.


You will find others traveling along the Hallowed Groad on bike, by foot or four footed beasties without understanding or inclination of the mystic path they tread. Pass politely and give warning as appropriate.


While we may never hear if you and your team were mean of spirit during your ride, we believe in the rules of karma - which is it always comes back.

let the adventure begin.

Receive Your Route

Receive Your Route

Receive Your Route

As we enter the witching hour of Friday, October 25 a route, including a set of "Mystic Portals" will be released through means electronic.


You may decide to stray off the course, but know it will not gain you any favors with those judging your efforts.

Tell Your Tale

Receive Your Route

Receive Your Route

As you start your journey, you will announce your departure by sharing a story through the oracle of Instagram. 


As you approach each Mystic Portal, be sure to stop and add to your growing storyline. To declare your journey complete, share a reel with all the chapters of your journey.


Be sure to tag HallowedGroad in each story and final reel so your Groad Guides can track your progress and reward your efforts.

Receive Your Prize

Receive Your Route

Receive Your Prize

For each Mystic Portal  passed and documented, your team will receive one entry for our prize – a gift card to Fireside Tavern Sherborn, a establishment of good repute for food and drink.


From those who lived to tell the tale

groads gone by

Follow the links to see past exploits (and examples of how to tell your tale)

  • 2024 Results
  • 2022 Results

Prepare for adventure

YOUR STEED

Gravel, cyclocross, and mountain bikes will all work and each will have their advantages and disadvantages along the way.  The trails are fully rideable on a gravel bike with the exception of necessary dismounting for fallen trees and high bridges.


In this case, size does matter – The larger the tire the better with a recommended minimum of 40mm. 


If you show up squeezing 32mm tires in your road bike, your team will eventually leave you for dead.

YOUR ARMOR

While a medievel helm may feel theme appropriate, we suggest a bicycle helmet. Charms or other wards are encouraged.

POTIONS AND ELIXIRS

The Groad is long - see below for more – do not underestimate the time it will take!

While there may be places to seek sustenance, nothing in this life is guaranteed, so be sure to bring food and drink needed to sustain yourself and prevent you from fading into the darkness.

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

You and your team travel the Hallowed Groad without the support of mechanics or other tradesfolk. Follow the teachings of the Scouts of Girls and pack the tools you need to avert potential distaster.

ITEMS OF NAVIGATION

You will need a GPS device to follow the course.

Whether you are guided by the stars or by the gods and goddesses of Ride with GPS, be sure to bring the navigational devices needed to ensure your safe return home.


There are no course markings, although portions of the course are marked by the Bay Circuit Trail badges and other local trail blazes. It can work well to designate a primary navigator on your team, with others also following the GPS route as backup. 

PARKING AND POTTIES

The Hallowed Groad starts and ends in Sherborn, Massachusetts which has limited public parking. Teams looking for guaranteed parking availability are advised to park at Pine Hill School.

There are no public toilets available. We advise against peeing in public, and remind you before you "relieve yourself" behind bike shops or other businesses - there may be cameras catching your "business."

the 2024 mystic portals

The Hallowed Groad starts, and ends, outside The Pine Hill Cemetery, Sherborn's newest burial ground, dedicated in 1852. But do not pass through the gates lest we disturb the rest of those within.

Source: Find a Grave

Situated on what was once Edward's Plain, the Burial Ground was established in 1792 by "The Friendly Society," a group of residents from the Plain and Sherborn for "the express purpose of assisting each other when in distress by the death of our friends."

Source: Find a Grave

As the Hallowed Groad passes along the Bay Circuit trail through Harley's Hollow Farm, stay aware and keep an eye out for horses and their riders, both headless and otherwise. 

Source: Harley's Horse Farm

Constructed in 1885, the Ashland Dam and Spillway once provided water to residents of Boston beefore being taken out of commission in 1947. Can see the ghostly outline of the gatehouse that stood atop the Dam until 1976?

Source: Wikipedia

As you sit in the rustic amphitheater, perhaps you will hear the echoes of generations of Girl Scouts who once came together in this place, raising their voices in unison with friends of silver and gold.

A mystery awaits  within the Woodsy Trails near Pinecrest Golf Course – we can't help but wonder what once stood upon the foundations found here.

In the moonlight, a swing creaked & swayed,
Where a ghostly child once played.
With each eerie call,
It beckoned us all,
To join in the game, unafraid.

Once upon a time, the Boston & Worcester Railroad crossed The Bogastow Brook Viaduct. Today, it's easy to miss the beauty of the 8-Arch Bridge as you pass above on what is now part of the Upper Charles Rail Trail.

Source: Community Preservation

As you reach the end of the Hallowed Groad, your path will cross through the Haunted Woods. We take a moment as we pass the giant teepee to acknowledge we have stand, and ride, on traditional and of the Massachusett, Nipmuch, and Wampanoag tribes.

Source: Sherborn Historical Society

Notes from your guides

The full 32 mile course is a real treat of Metrowest mixed terrain riding, but that does mean you’ll

The more you pay attention to this section and preview the course map below, the smoother your ride will go. 


  • MILE 1.4: Enter the woods at the gravel road with the chain across the entrance. You will see the sign for conservation land at the top. Use caution on the descent with the slippery leaves. 
  • MILE 3.9: Cross the road to stay on the trail, which is through the break in the rock wall. Stay on the trail labeled “Sherborn Roadside Trail”. 
  • MILE 4.8: The owners of the horse farm graciously allow the Bay Circuit Trail to cross over their property. Once you leave Harley’s Hollow and enter the field, simply keep the left edge of the field to the exit at the far end (Follow the GPS track). If there is a horse event in the field, you may need to walk this short section to prevent spooking them. 
  • MILE 6.5: Walk over the railroad tracks. These tracks are the terminal end of the line and sometimes used for long term rail car storage. They are currently wide open. The trail is almost directly across. 
  • MILE 7.2: Exit the long, straight, rooty track onto Route 126.  It is much less stressful to simply exit the trail onto the sidewalk, and ride the sidewalk 100 yards before crossing the street into the Market Basket parking lot. Follow the GPS track out the back left corner of the lot onto the trail. 
  • MILE 8.2: If the spirits are feeling generous this year,  an oasis may be found along the Groad. Look for a large oak tree that grows in front of a dwelling of sunshine yellow. Near the tree and the boulder beneath our adventures may find snacks and refreshments (while, as they say, supplies last).
  • MILE 10.1: There is a power transformer box in a small lane. Follow the trail through to the apartment complex parking lot. Exit out the other side. Use caution with cars zig-zagging all over this lot.  
  • MILE 12.9: You are entering the Hopkinton YMCA . They are currently holding an evening Halloween themed theatrical event and the trail passes directly through a display. Continue across the parking lot and the trail continues at the corner by the high ropes course on your right. This section should be ridden during the day before they begin setting up for the evening shows, and if there are people you will have to bypass this area. 
  • MILE 25: Enter the field at the trailhead sign, but follow the GPS course to immediately take a left onto the trail. There is a newly mowed path straight into the field but this is not the trail. 
  • MILE 27: Bailey Trail Extension. Enter at the large sign post. This is a rougher rarely used trail which is covered in leaves and harder to follow. True adventurers will take this path, while others may choose to go around on the road. 

MORE Details

  • The course is 62% off-road by distance, and around 90% by time.
  • With the stops at the mystic portals, expect a moving average speed of 8-10 mph, plus another 30-45 minutes of stoppage time. This is a mixed terrain ride, not a gravel ride. Although you may miss some mystic portals and the full experience of the course, there are plenty of opportunities to shortcut if you are running long. 
  • The course includes smooth gravel paths, flowing woods trails, and rocky/rooty singletrack. You will frequently find yourself saying “these woods are amazing”; “where are we”; “I never knew this was here”; and “Ooof that section was rough”. 
  • There are more blow-down trees than normal. The woods are exceptionally dry right now. Lesser used trails are covered in leaves. 



Presenting .... the 2024 hallowed groad

are you ready to explore?

HOW TO JOIN

Anyone may ride the Hallowed Groad, but to be in contention for our prize, you must register and follow the rules of engagement (above).

  1. Find some friends, line them up in a row, and now pick your favorites dodgeball style. Teams of 3 –6 are ideal. The rejects can form another team hellbent to defeat you.
  2. Now think of a team name – no extra points for creativity.
  3. Use the form below to tell us about your team.
  4. Join the Hallowed Groad Group on Strava.
  5. Follow Hallowed Groad on Instagram for updates! 
  6. Follow the rules above.

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