Good places to train on Cape Cod

I'll be in North Famouth and am considering the following routes:  

1. http://www.trimbleoutdoors.com/ViewTrip.aspx?tripId=451399 (will follow the Cape Cod canal bike path to Sandwitch) The canal bike path is great for running and cycling, but there isn't any shade on the path.

2. Cape Cod Rail Trail (it's 44 miles out and back). Has anyone done this one before? Is it good for speed? http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/southeast/ccrt.htm

3. The Shining Sea bike path in Falmouth would be nice for a run - smooth surface and plenty of shade except for the section along the beach: http://www.capecodbikeguide.com/shiningsea.asp

I've done the rail trail.  If you go very early AM it's fantastic but it fills up quickly with all sorts of nonsense!

Oh, and West Dennis Beach from the snack bar to the end is a 1.2 mile swim!

I have done the Cape Cod Rail trail many times. I would NOT reccomend it during the summer season unless you get up at the crack a$$ of dawn. There are many tourists with little children as well as unsteady roller bladers, dogs on leashes and off, people who dont know how to ride....its safer to ride on the roads. Stay away from Route 28 and  6A. these are major roads and many of the tourists can barely navigate where they are going let alone watch for bikers. I will be on the Cape during July and I will ride the rail trail but only between 5:30-7:30 am after that its too hard/ dangerous. The rail trail is fine for running

There are many great lakes to swim in on the Cape. My favorite is Sheeps Pond in Brewster. The water is beautiful, no motor boats. I also like Brewster Bay for a calm ocean swim when the tide is in... You have to buy a pass to swim at Brewster beaches. Race Point in Provinetown is a beautiful beach as well. There is a great lake in Mashpee that hosts a swim race (cant remember the name).

Great timing on thois post.  I am going to the cape tonight and will be bringing my bike.  Would 28 be bad at like 5:30 - 7:30? I am staying on fresh pond lake in Falmouth.  The back roads look so confusing!!!!

We're in North Falmouth at the moment. I took a look at 28 (the non-highway section) from 151 in Mashpee down to Falmouth. Some of the road has shoulders, some not... I'll probably ride some of it but think the back roads are probably better when possible.

BTW, there's a new bike path just off Highway 151 (corner of County & Pine in North Falmouth - see http://bit.ly/JBmWD) - apparently it's 11 miles from there to Woods Hole. I think I'm going to try the path early morning, it might be a good high speed ride before it gets overrun with people. PM me if you want to ride along sometime this coming week.

I'll be arriving in Dennis tomorrow for the month of July.  I have been wondering about places to ride in the Cape and will be giving the Rail Trail a shot early in the mornings.  Thanks for the great advice from those of you who have ridden there.  If anyone is interested in getting together for a ride, don't hesitate to drop me a PM or inspire! 



 

I rode 28 from Falmouth North.  Did about 40 miles round trrip.. 28 was difficult.  You really have to stay to the right and always watch listen for cars behind you.  But it was a fun ride.  If you do ride 28 just go early 6:00 should be fine...  Be back by 8:00 at the latest...

Still have not tried 28... maybe later this week.

This morning I rode North Falmouth to Woods Hole bike trail with my wife (it's a flat easy 21 mile round trip). The path is best suited for a family type ride - heavy traffic etc..

This afternoon I rode along 151 to Falmouth air park; 151 was not ideal for bikes and I had an idiot driver (you know the type) drive past and blow his horn, shout epithets out the window for no obvious reason except severe mental instability. The back roads in that area were fine. Riding around here makes me appreciate my home area even more!!

Call The Bike Zone in Hyannis, ask for Tim or Ryan.  They have rides from the shop, in Hyannis and Dennis and can point out some routes for you.

(508) 775-3299

In the Falmouth area, the Cape Cod Marathon is a decent route to ride:  CCM

also look up C2FD here on BT for some good rides, he knows the area.

forget the rail trail in Dennis.  Too many walkers and children.

In Sandwich you could head to the Cape Cod Canal, even ride there from wherever you are staying.  Once you get between the Sagamore and Bourne Bridges there is not too much pedestrian traffic.

I agreee.  With the I appreciate my home town comment.  The roads on the cape are very narrow and there is just so much tourist traffic.  But my town has no beaches, very few pretty girls, almost no cool bars....  Lets see,, a tri or college lifestyle???...  Decisions, decisions...

we were just out there last week on vacation and my husband and I rode the R2T and it was fine for us. We rode mid day and really there were not masses of people. I swam in Flax Pond at Nickerson State Park - such a clear lake and you can ride the R2T there and back from where ever you are staying (depending on how far from the trail you are). Best part its free - my husband followed me on a canoe - what a great place to train.