By Theresa Knapp 

The Friends of Holliston Trails organization is bringing Pink Granite Pedalers, an accessible and adaptive cycling program, to Holliston on May 4, June 21, Sept. 27, and Oct. 18. 

Gretchen Rice Prieve is Vice President of Friends of Holliston Trails, and Chairperson of the Pink Granite Pedalers Adaptive Bike Program, which she says was inspired by Natick’s All Aboard adaptive cycling program.  

“My husband and I volunteered with Friends of Natick Trails at one of their cycling events last year to learn how they were serving people with mobility differences and immediately knew I wanted to bring this program to Holliston,” said Rice Prieve. “I had the opportunity to talk with participants, many of whom were seniors who hadn’t been confident or able to ride a bicycle for many years. While my own mother doesn’t live in this area, it’s the type of program she’d benefit from tremendously. I immediately started my research last October and solicited feedback and support from different organizations (i.e. Holliston Parks & Rec, SEPAC, Holliston Youth & Family Services, Holliston Trails Committee, etc.) across Holliston.” 

Anyone with mobility differences, regardless of age, is welcome to participate in a one-hour session on a bike that meets their needs. 

Pink Granite Pedalers has partnered with All Out Adventures, a non-profit that specializes in promoting health, community, and independence for people with disabilities and their loved ones through outdoor recreation. 

“All Out Adventures will load up their truck on event day with all of the types of cycles that have been reserved and head to Holliston,” said Rice Prieve. “We suggest participants arrive at the event about 15 minutes ahead of their reserved timeslot to get checked in and properly fitted by staff from All Out Adventures.” 

If a participant knows in advance what type of cycle would best support their needs, they can register for any of Holliston’s four events at www.hollistontrails.org/pink-granite-pedalers. 

If the participant is unsure about what type of cycle they need, All Out Adventures is more than happy to speak directly to the individual or family member. A skilled staff member will talk about the participant’s needs and recommend the best cycle they should reserve for their adventure on Holliston’s Rail Trail. 

The Holliston Rail Trail is a 6.7-mile trail with a flat, stone dust surface that spans the length of Holliston from the Sherborn town line to Milford. Railtrailers can shout to hear their echo through the historic Phipps Tunnel (c.1845), view the horses at Willow Brook Farm, ride across the historic 8-Arch Bridge, and generally observe wildlife and varied vegetation along the trail.

The adaptive bike program is free to participants and is funded through grants and donations. The Friends of Holliston Trails is a registered 501c3 (non-profit) organization. 

“All of our programs are funded by the community by way of grant awards from organizations, sponsorships from local businesses, and many individual donations from neighbors,” said Rice Prieve. “The Friends of Holliston Trails’ Board voted in favor of funding this pilot program for 2025 and we’re actively applying for grants and seeking local businesses to sign on as a sponsor, so we can fund this program in 2026 and beyond.”

The group is also seeking co-pilot and ride-a-long volunteers. 

A co-pilot is a volunteer who will pedal with a participant on the same bike, and a ride-a-long volunteer will ride their own bicycle, alongside the participant. The benefit of having these volunteers is to assist with street crossings and offer companionship for those who are not participating with family or friends. Participants may also have a friend or family member pedal with or alongside them. There will also be volunteer crossing guards at street crossings.  

For more information, visit www.hollistontrails.org/pink-granite-pedalers.