This past weekend I rode a nice 45 mile circuit from Cotuit, through Mashpee, Falmouth, north to Bourne and along the Cape Cod Canal before returning through Sandwich via the service roads.

For the first time I avoided the highway that runs between the two bridges on the Cape side of the canal and used the bike path beginning at the railroad bridge and ending at the powerplant.

This was my first time on the path, something I've avoided because I don't want to wipe out some family and their golden retriever on a Sunday morning. It was actually very nice to get away from the constant paranoia of traffic and never once did I think I was being a menace to society (I didn't ride at full 18-22 mph pace, but backed off to 16-17).

Now I'm thinking of using the Cape Cod Railtrail to spare myself the hell of Route 6A on my rides to Provincetown. Is this a good idea or will I be dodging rollerskaters, joggers, and tricycles? I always assumed roadbikes were for the road and bike paths were for tourists, after last weekend I'm not so sure.

I went on the Rail Trail this weekend from Nickerson State Park to the end in Wellfleet around 1:00 in the afternoon. While there were families and kids, it was not too bad. I would not advise you to go 18+ mph. I ride around 15mph or so and it is ok. You certainly have to slow down on occasion, but it does not bother me. Earlier in the morning is even better, you avoid a lot of people.

Basically, you have to give in to the fact that you cannot go full blast the entire time. There are also many times you have to cross over roads, which requires you to slow down, and some times stop.

The best time of year to ride the Rail Trail is in the off season, the use drops quite a bit.

Thanks. I look forward to giving the rail trail a try. Lord knows the pickup truck drivers on Route 6A in Brewster seem to expect every cyclist on the shoulder to be there and not on "their road." My fantasy is to see 6A closed to motor vehicles every Sunday morning from 6 to noon. Right.

Any suggested routes for riding backroads from Wellfleet to P-town would be appreciated. I checked out the Pan Mass Challenge website and nailed their pdf map, it uses the Atlantic side road from Eastham north. I suspect there is an alternate route on the Bay side from Wellfleet through Truro as well.

Looking forward to the off-season!

Can't help you on the Wellfleet to P-Town back roads. I live in Centerville and probably only make it down to the end of the Cape on my annual P-Town visit. I know what you mean about 6-A, not very biker friendly. I live off the service road and that is not much better. Skinny road with fast drivers, yuck.

Good luck with your route!!

The service roads is a godsend. I don't see much traffic on the western end. I'm usually on them every day in the morning around 7:30 moving from west to east starting at the 130 end and dropping south on Chase Road. I can't abide the stretch between Chase Road and Route 149 -- the paving gods have forgotten that stretch I guess. I live in Cotuit.

I am at the very end near Shoot Flying Hill Rd. A couple of years ago I had my closest brush by a car ever on the section from Rte. 149 to Oak St. And not one person was on the road, he did it to be a smart ass.

Any suggested routes for riding backroads from Wellfleet to P-town would be appreciated.

I don't know if this is what you're after, but the Outrider's route is pretty good.

http://www.outriders.org/maps.html

I don't know if this is what you're after, but the Outrider's route is pretty good.

http://www.outriders.org/maps.html

Perfect, great detail on the stretch from the end of the railtrail in Eastham up through Wellfleet to P-Town.
dc