On a Saturday in the middle of last month, riders assembled in the gathering heat near downtown Natick. 

At the south end of the town’s Cochituate Rail Trail stretch, cyclists suited up, donning helmets and settling into their mostly three-wheeled conveyances.

“All Aboard” is the name given to the cycling event, which is geared toward riders working through mobility issues and other challenges. The program, which features five Saturday rides from April to September, was brought to the CRT by the town of Natick and other local sponsors.

Riders facing challenges were not deterred. Photo by Sean Sullivan

“We bring our fleet of adaptive cycles out there,” said Karen Foster Cannon. She is executive director of All Out Adventures, whose tagline is “outdoor recreation for people of all abilities.”

The group provides equipment and expertise to enable people living with disabilities to participate in outdoor recreational activities.

Those special considerations could include spinal cord injuries, autism, advanced age, “anything that inhibits someone from riding a two-wheel bike,” said Cannon.

Summer’s dog days had arrived early. The precipitation and chilly weeks that marked the month of May were a poor prelude to the heat and humidity that rolled in with June.

Earlier in the week of that Saturday ride, All Out Adventures had cancelled a kayak trip due to the lingering heat that had taken up residence in New England.

That Saturday morning in June, the All Out Adventures van was already on site in the parking lot off Mechanic Street, an hour early for the ride’s 10 a.m. start time. Staff from the group, and volunteers with Friends of Natick Trails were unloading the specialized conveyances that would carry riders along the trail.

“This is just the pre-gaming,” said Sue Tracey, program director for All Out Adventures, as she worked with her crew to set up their fleet of cycles trailside.

Friends of Natick Trails staff were putting up sun tents and setting out drink coolers and portable fans, all as a balm against the heat and humidity already rolling in.

Though the mercury was already rising, riders would be mostly sheltered from direct sunlight along the trail. The pathway is shaded by trees along most of its route, especially so during morning and evening hours.

The Cochituate Rail Trail has been a resounding success, hugely popular among walkers, joggers and cyclists since its founding. The easy and safe access the paved trail provides has offered a smooth and sheltered way to get exercise and commute.

Yet for people living with mobility constraints and other challenges, that access can still be out of reach. Those barriers are what the All Aboard rides and All Out Adventures seek to break through.

Among the fleet of bikes that grew as the starting time neared, was a wheeled platform designed to accommodate a wheelchair, and a seat in the rear for a rider and peddler to propel the duo forward.

Another was “pedaled” by arm power, allowing its rider to operate the bike by hand. Many of the human-powered vehicles are trikes, three-wheeled recumbent chariots that allow for maximum stability and safety.

As launch time neared, the Morse Institute Library’s book mobile rolled up alongside the bike van. Morse’s Emily Toombs, outreach librarian for the library, brought snacks, sunglasses and their own electric fan to support the event. And of course, to get the word out about the book mobile and library programming.

“We just thought it was a nice partnership,” said Toombs, who planned on volunteering at the event as a Natick Rail Trail crossing guard.

This was Natick’s fourth year hosting the All Aboard ride, a concept that has since spread to neighboring towns including Sudbury and Holliston. Leading the charge of Friends of Natick Trails at the event was Josh Ostroff, Board President of FONT.

“Accessibility is part of our mission,” said Ostroff.

With a focus on the Natick Rail Trail, FONT promotes and helps maintain Natick’s network of trails, organizes and volunteers at events. Representatives from FONT appeared at a Mass Trails Conference to spread awareness about the All Aboard event.

As part of its five-ride spring and summer schedule, All Aboard features rides in April, May and June, skipping July and August in hopes of bypassing summer heat. 

September and October host the final rides in the fall.

Bikes are limited at the All Aboard ride, dependent on the inventory available at the time. The June ride hosted about 44 riders, all of whom had to reserve a spot.

Framingham resident Sebastian Leu was the first rider on scene that June Saturday morning, watching and chatting with volunteers as they set up the event. 

With three rides to his credit, Leu is a veteran of the Natick event, and strives to make the entire round trip to the rail trail’s end. There and back again will cover about seven miles in total.

“Whatever’s available,” said Leu, when asked what bike he’d be riding. “It’s a great organization.”

A variety of bikes was available. Photo by Sean Sullivan