NEMBA Adventure Series - 11th Annual Turkey Afterburner MTB Festival!

Join Southeast MA NEMBA and Hale Education, Inc. for one of New England’s most beloved mountain biking traditions: the Turkey Afterburner Mountain Bike Festival. Enjoy a full day of bikes, music, food and community! The late fall riding in New England is at its best, to close out the season with a bang.

This year we have a special reason to celebrate: the final success of Hale’s landmark conservation effort, which has permanently protected over 1,100 acres of open space in Dover and Westwood and guaranteed public access for all, forever. Hale is now Greater Boston’s largest privately owned, publicly accessible open space protected by Conservation Restriction.

Come for the rides, stay for the vibes—enjoy self-guided and expert-led rides, bike demos, a vendor/sponsor fair, food trucks, beer garden, live music, raffle prizes, giveaways, and more. Proceeds benefit Southeast MA NEMBA’s trail projects and stewardship and Hale Education’s youth mountain biking programs.

The Turkey Afterburner is the culminating event of the NEMBA 2026 Adventure Series, proudly sponsored by Conte’s Bike Shop and MetroWest Subaru.

REGISTER NOW FOR EARLY-BIRD PRICING ($25 NEMBA MEMBER, $35 NON-MEMBER), THROUGH OCTOBER 31, 2026. THE COST WILL GO UP ON NOVEMBER 1!

Cover pics above by Kapitol Photography

Schedule

• 8:00 am – Gates open.
• 8:30 am – Sign-in & registration open. You must check in to get a wristband for event access.
• 9:00 am – Trails open & group rides begin. Vendor village opens, with bike demos available.
  (full group ride schedule with signup will be sent to registered attendees 1 week before the event)
• 11:00 am – Food trucks & beer garden open, fire pit roaring
• 11:00 am-12:00 pm - Live music in the beer garden
• 12:00 pm - Fun & games, contests of bike skill
• 1:00–3:00 pm – Live music in the beer garden
• 3:00 pm Raffle drawing, after-party continues around the fire pit
• 4:00 pm – Event closes

What to Expect

Discover the incredible trail network at Hale Education, less than 5 miles outside the city limits of Boston. From smooth fire roads to flowy singletrack, rocky tech, and purpose-built features, there’s something for everyone—including a skills park, jump bags and adaptive friendly trails!

Highlights include:

• Well-marked routes for self-guided adventure for all Skill Levels, as well as Adaptive riders, and a rest stop at Powisset Beach for hot cider and cookies!
• Group rides with experienced leaders exploring Hale’s hidden gems and technical challenges, and a wide area Mixed Terrain gravel ride exploring the greater Hale area in surrounding towns!
• Bike demos
• Multiple food truck options
• Roaring fire pit to stay warm
• Beer Garden showcasing local craft brews as well as NA beverage options
• Live music in the beer garden!
• Vendor village with bike shops, local businesses, and more offering swag, light repair help, deals, free samples. Come say hello to our sponsors!
• Raffle with great prizes from these supporters and other bike-related and local businesses!
• Community fair featuring local non-profit, conservation and bike organizations, club and team friends
• Cool Turkey Afterburner swag! Get a custom designed buff to keep your neck warm, or steel cup to keep your beverage cold. Limited quantities available!

Inclusivity

At Southeast MA NEMBA, our motto is: “You Belong. Let’s Ride!” We welcome riders of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds for an inclusive, supportive day on the trails and around the fire pit.

If the registration fee is a barrier, please reach out to John Refford (jrefford@nemba.org). He’ll provide a confidential waiver code so you can register for free—no questions asked.

Business Support

Special thanks for financial support to help make the event happen from all our sponsors. Want your business to be part of the celebration? We have several sponsorship opportunities available that include brand recognition and event presence. If you or your employer are interested to learn more, contact Chapter President George Lester (glester@nemba.org).

Volunteers Needed - Register for free!

We need lots of volunteers before and during the event to make it a success. Stay tuned for the volunteer signup process, and get a code to register for free!

Parking:

You will be directed to a parking area on Hale Education property. Arrive early for the closest spots to the main venue!

Contact:

Southeast MA NEMBA at southeastma@nemba.org

About the NEMBA Adventure Series

The NEMBA Adventure Series is a season long series of flagship events hosted by local chapters in their respective communities. As part of NEMBA's mission to create epic riding experiences, our Adventure Series takes you on a trip throughout the region to explore some of the best trails and communities in New England.

Thank you to our friends and supporters!