Motorcycle Route Author
By Guest (0 McR Points)
on Jan 31, 2007
Rider Reviews
Written Directions
- Start in Concord, MA.- Go Get onto Rt62 heading east-northeast all the way through Reading, and into Danvers, and finally Beverly, MA (about X
Scenery
The North Shore is a terrific place to spend the day, or a weekend. With several scenic towns, beaches, whale watches, museums, deep sea fishing expeditions, and more; the north shore offers diverse natural wonders, from salt marshes, to rocky coves. And, it's all a short ride from Boston.Drive Enjoyment
This route takes you through some nice roads just north of Boston; but most importantly, avoids the congestion of RT95 on the weekends. My idea of getting away from it all is not sitting in bumper to bumper traffic, breathing exhaust fumes. Like all of my posted rides, it starts just West of I-95. If you are beginning your ride in Boston, look below for the way to access this route just north of the city.Tourism Opportunities
Salem, MA is worthy of a stop if you are into the whole history of the Salem Witch Trials.This next section is going to feature the Cape Ann area. Gloucester is a great window shopping destination, but it pales nekt to the artisan shops in Rockport. There's tons of B&B's, inns and hotels to stay at. Look on Tripadvisor.com, to get ratings for places to stay. I spent a lovely weekend at the Cape Ann Campground in West Gloucester. Ask for campground #42, as we were able to look over the cliff at the rising sun, which was magical.
If you follow the directions below, and head around Cape Ann on Rt 127, you will go through some of the villages of Gloucester, and see some great things. When you go around the Cape Ann loop, you'll love the Annisquam Village section. It is mostly homes but they are really lovely. Also in the village, there's a great cafe, the Annisquam Market, which has seating on a pier, and fantastic food, away from the throngs of tourists. There's not space enough to describe all the things you can do up here. Do some web searches, and find out more!
When you follow 127 around, you will go to the Halibut Point State Park, which is worthy of a stop, and stretch. You may see some seals basking. head along further, and you'll keep passing artisan shops, an ice cream shop, and eventually end up in Rockport, which is one of the villages of Gloucester, but a major tourist stop. Really is quaint and pretty spot, and you can eat up a whole day poking through it's shops.
If you keep circling on 127, you'll end up in Gloucester. Gloucester is still a big fishing port, and so is less quaint, and more gritty. There's deep sea fishing jaunts, and whale watching tours from here. Keep on Rt 127, and you'll loop down to Manchester by the Sea, for another pretty ride, through some impressive estates.