I did my first 50 miles — more, actually — on a bike, and it happened during my very first “train to trail” ride. I’d taken the train to go to the beach before, but this was my first time using it as a jumping-off point for a longer cycling route.

I’d previously ridden to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail but hadn’t really explored it. On that earlier ride, I started on the Minuteman Pathway, continued onto the Reformatory Trail, and reached Concord just to catch a glimpse of the Bruce Freeman before heading home. I remember seeing the Assabet River and thinking, I have to come back soon.

Train to Trail: West Concord to the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail

On the day I rode the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail properly, I got up early, biked to North Station, and took the Fitchburg Line to West Concord. From there, the trail was just a short ride away.

The path was beautiful — winding past the Assabet River and through stretches of greenery and tree cover. I followed it all the way up to Lowell, taking in the peaceful surroundings and subtle shifts in the landscape.

I really enjoyed the ride and would absolutely do it again, though I wouldn’t call the scenery especially varied. Not monotonous — I love trees and rivers — but it doesn’t offer the same kind of visual changes you get on trails like the Charles River Path or the East Bay Bike Path. Still, for a shaded, serene ride, it’s a great choice.

What stood out most in hindsight was how the ride felt like a tapestry more than a single out-and-back route. Towns threaded together. Bridges crossed. River views gave way to roadside stops. At the time, I was just following what seemed fun — but looking back, I can see how the pieces wove into something much bigger than expected.

Detours, Sandwiches, and Sneaky Hills

After starting back from Lowell, I made a detour through Chelmsford to grab a sandwich, then rode around a bit more. That area had some sneak hills I didn’t anticipate at all. Even though I wasn’t trying to traverse huge distances mileage-wise, the hills were sort of wearing me out! I had to take a few breaks by the side of the road and even walk some of the time. But they came with great payoffs: I hit downhill stretches where I coasted over 28mph, which felt amazing.

When I first left the path and rode into Chelmsford, I picked up an egg and cheese breakfast sandwich and a berry lemonade from Summer St. Grocers. I enjoyed both of these and they had a variety of interesting-looking treats. Their salads looked really good, and I’d definitely be curious to try something from there next time, but I skipped anything that needed refrigeration — I knew I’d be out for a while.

Later, when I checked my Garmin stats, I could see the moment those hills hit — short but steep, a sudden elevation spike that lined up exactly with when I thought, “This is really a climb.” I wouldn’t have known how to read those numbers a few months ago, but I’m starting to get it. Garmin shows elevation gain, grade percentages, all of it. Fitbit never gave me that. Little by little, I’m learning how to map my feelings onto the data, which makes it even more satisfying.

Bonus Miles and a Double Recharge

I’d packed four bottles of water, a vanilla protein shake, four cheese sticks, and two apples (although I didn’t end up eating the fruit). As the afternoon wore on, I was running low on battery and hydration.

My portable charger wasn’t cooperating, so I detoured a couple miles to a Walgreens in Westford to plug it in — and to recharge myself too with a cold Powerade. It was one of those small, satisfying pit stops that makes a long ride feel more like an adventure than a workout.

From there, I made my way toward Carlisle and the real goal of this ride: ice cream.

Dirt Trails and Dairy Treats at Great Brook Farm

I’d heard about the homemade ice cream at Great Brook Farm and figured: if I’m already nearby, why not ride for it? I was a little tired by the time I got there, but the reward was more than worth it. I got a cup with one scoop of cherry moose tracks and one scoop of peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough. (I think cones are delicious, but I find cups easier and less messy!)

I took a little time to wander after my snack. The farm has dairy cows (of course), but also pigs and chickens, plus little ponds scattered around the property. I’d looked online beforehand and seen that most of the trails weren’t paved — which made me hesitant — but I spotted one that looked manageable and decided to give it a try.

It was a short loop, but it led me to a lovely quiet pond, and I was glad I took the detour. After that, I headed back toward West Concord to catch the train home — legs tired, appetite satisfied, and more than a little surprised that I’d just done over 50 miles.

Quietly Hitting 50 Miles

When I checked my Garmin later, I saw it had logged 53 miles. I’d expected to hit at least 40, but I didn’t realize I’d gone quite that far. It was exciting — though oddly anticlimactic. I think I imagined crossing the 50-mile mark in some big, cinematic way. But in reality, it was just the sum of a lot of riding: to and from North Station, up and down the Bruce Freeman Trail, around Chelmsford, over to Westford for a charger (and a Powerade), into Carlisle for ice cream, and finally back again.

The trail itself is 15 miles out and 15 miles back — not nothing — and everything else just added up. I didn’t set out to hit a mileage goal. I just followed what seemed fun. And it turns out, that kind of riding goes further than you’d think.

Looking back, some of the previous rides where I hit milestones felt like clearly defined chapters. Riding from home to Lexington and back was just over 20 miles. Bedford and back clocked in at 29. Each had a well-defined midpoint — ride out, turn around, ride home — and the satisfaction of hitting a specific number.

This one? It felt more like a tapestry. I rode to the train, took the Fitchburg Line out to West Concord, then headed north on the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail. Wove through towns, made snack stops, rolled over bridges, dodged a few detours — and encountered some elevation changes I wasn’t quite expecting.

There’s something especially satisfying about looking at the miles in hindsight. I’ve passed that “29 is the milestone” mindset. Now I’m thinking in terms of bigger loops, side trails, and new connections. The clarity that came from hitting one crisp number has evolved into something more open-ended — still measured, but stitched together through landscapes and choices rather than pure mileage.

That shift — from “Can I do it?” to “Where else can I go?” — might be the most exciting part of all.

Where I Felt the Climb

One perk of writing this a little later is it’s given me time to reflect on the ride. I kept wondering, were the hills really that bad? And — sort of. They weren’t long mountain climbs, but some were steep enough to catch me off guard. I took breaks by the side of the road, and yeah — I walked up a few. But they also delivered big payoffs, like that moment I coasted downhill over 28mph.

That curiosity led me to explore the elevation charts in Garmin. Over a five-mile stretch, the net gain wasn’t dramatic — but the graph shows where the terrain kicked up sharply, right around the spots I remember thinking, “Wait, this is a real climb.” It was fun to see that moment captured in the data.

I’ve only had a Garmin for a few months so I am just getting used to all the features, but this experience has led me to get a little more acquainted with the elevation data. Previously, I had been using a Fitbit, which didn’t track this wealth of data. But now it’s fun to line that up with what I experienced.

What’s Next for Rail Trails: Sudbury and Beyond

I’d like to return soon to ride the new Sudbury section of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail, which officially opened this year. West Concord is still the best station to get off at, and from there I can head south instead of north. The section from Concord to Sudbury runs just over 7 miles one way, and eventually meets the Mass Central Rail Trail — that’s definitely on my radar.

So is another ride: the Nashua River Rail Trail from Ayer, MA into Nashua, NH. I’ll likely take the Fitchburg Line again and get off at Ayer Station to start the ride north. I’m not sure when I’ll get there, but I’m already looking forward to the ride.