Abby Epplett, Historian

During my five-day adventure on Cape Cod back in August 2024, I brought my bike for fast touring around town. I did bike the path along the Cape Cod Canal, last covered on this blog in August 2022 , and my new place of exploration was the Shining Sea Bikeway in Falmouth, MA . The name referred to a final line in the patriotic song “America the Beautiful” written by Falmouth native Katharine Lee Bates . A nearby memorial was dedicated to the songwriter and educator. This unique pair of plaques contained the words to “America the Beautiful” along with engraved and painted American symbols including the Liberty Bell, Mount Rushmore, the Statue of Liberty, an American flag, Mayflower, Golden Gate Bridge, and signing the Declaration of Independence. It even described Katherine’s inspiration for her song, which came to her as she climbed Pikes Peak. The panoramic views on Shining Sea Bikeway proved the trail worthy of its name.

If you’re seeking a combination of exercise and history on the coast of Massachusetts, look no further than the Cape Cod Canal Bikeway in the Bourne Recreation Area. Managed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers New England District , a pair of signs describing the construction and history of the Vertical Life Railroad Bridge line the paved, two-lane path. Walking, biking, rollerblading, and other similar activities are permitted, while the banks near the bridge are a popular spot for fishing. If you travel on the northwest section of the path, plenty of parking is available at nearby Buzzards Bay Park . A matching parking lot for the southeast section is on the opposite side of the Vertical Lift Railroad Bridge.

One of my favorite places to ride my bike in Central Massachusetts is the Upper Charles Rail Trail, which is managed in part by the Upper Charles Conservation Land Trust and winds through the towns of Milford , Hopkinton , and Holliston . Highlights of the trip include going through Phipps Hill Tunnel and over 8-Arch Bridge, along with reading about the history of the area.