Guide to Hub On Wheels (Preview)
Hub On Wheels
City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA 02201
(617) 918-4456
bostonbikes.org
Date: Sept. 23
Price: $45 online registration/$55 on-site registration
Hours: 6:45 a.m. – registration and packet pickup begin; 8 a.m. – ride begins; 1:30 p.m. – all riders must be finished
Grab your bike and head downtown Sunday, Sept. 23 to join the group bike ride Hub on Wheels. All levels of bikers will enjoy this up-close view of the city. Discover the main streets, hidden pathways and neighborhoods of Boston in whole a new way. This citywide annual bike ride allows for an intimate experience of historic downtown Boston like no other. Ride down a traffic-free Storrow Drive, get up close and personal with the neighborhoods, and take in scenic views of Boston Harbor. The ride begins and ends on City Hall Plaza, and is appropriate for beginner and experienced riders alike. Choose from 10-, 30- and 50-mile routes. Click here for route map. Children 10 and older are welcome to ride the 10-mile route, and children 12 and older are welcome to ride the 30- and 50-mile routes. Children of all ages are allowed to ride tandem with adults.
All participants receive a coupon for $3 parking at the Government Center Garage. Bikes must be removed from roof racks before entering the garage. There will be a designated area to do so. If you are traveling without a car, take the T to Charles Street, Haymarket or State Street, which are bike accessible stops. All MBTA commuter rails and subway lines except green and silver allow bikes on Sundays. Some MBTA buses are also equipped with bike racks.
Must See Events
TD Bank Mayor's Cup
Date: Sept. 22
Hours: 12 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Price: free
Professional cyclists compete for more than $30,000 of prize money during this intense downtown race. Olympians and national champions are just some of the racers who will be speeding along to try and pull away from the pack. Stand along the course or have a seat in the grandstands to show your support to your favorite riders. Be sure to catch the amateur races before the pros begin.
Kids Race
Date: Sept. 22
Time: 3:55 p.m.
Price: $5
This race is the perfect length for younger runners at 300 to 600 meters long. Let your children join the fun and test their running skills in this 20-minute race. All participants receive a prize, but the race is limited to 100 kids, so be sure to pre-register. Number pick-up is at the registration tent, where a parent or guardian will need to sign a waiver.
Boloco Block Party
Date: Sept. 23
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Price: free
This family friendly party will occur before, during and after the Hub On Wheels ride. Relax and enjoy time spent with other bikers after your trek through the city. Participants and spectators are welcome to join the celebration. The fun will include live entertainment, bike demos, the Harpoon beer garden, delicious food and games for kids.
Area Bike Rentals
Urban Adventours
103 Atlantic Ave.
Boston, MA 02110
(617) 670-0532
urbanadventours.com
Click here for prices
If you need to rent a bike for Hub on Wheels, Urban Adventours is the place to turn. It offers hybrid, mountain, road, single-speed/fixed-gear, tandem and kids' bikes. Bike rentals include a lock, helmet and Boston bike map. Daily city tours, as well as group and private tours are available. Bike delivery may also be arranged by the Green Bike Delivery Vehicle to accommodate your needs.
Related: Boston's Best Cycle Shops
Bulfinch Hotel
107 Merrimac St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 624-0202
bulfinchhotel.com
This elegant, downtown hotel offers ample opportunities to relax and unwind before and after Hub on Wheels. Known for its boutique style and great location, the Bulfinch Hotel also boasts personalized, attentive service and generous amenities. These amenities include high-speed Internet, flat screen TVs, 24-hour fitness quarters, a smoke-free environment, room service, valet service and a morning paper. Stop at the on-site Flat Iron Tapas Bar and Lounge to fuel up after your ride through the city.
Silvertone
69 Bromfield St.
Boston, MA 02108
(617) 338-7887
silvertonedowntown.com
After working up an appetite biking the streets of Boston, drop into Silvertone Bar & Grill for a delicious meal or a cold drink. This downtown pub offfers a smaller menu than most, but it makes up for it through quality and attention to detail. Be sure to try the macaroni and cheese topped with crispy bacon, which is a local favorite and the perfect comfort food. The atmosphere is casual and fun, the servers are attentive, and the drink list is quite exciting.
Related: Guide to Strawberry Picking in Eastern Massachusetts