North Shore Cyclists The Best Cycling North of Boston

NSC North Berkshire Tour Friday September 14 - Sunday September 16, 2012

This year's Berkshire tour returns to the Maple Terrace Motel in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Rides are 35-45 miles with terrain varying from the flat Ashuwilticook Rail Trail to the challenging climb over Mount Greylock. This affordable tour is for members of North Shore Cyclists who are experienced cyclists.

Price: $210 for 2 nights lodging double occupancy ($320 single occupancy)

What's Included? We stay at the Maple Terrace Motel in Williamstown Massachusetts, near the North Adams town lne.

Meals: Light continental breakfast is provided by the motel so we usually cross the street to a breakfast place. The price includes one group dinner at Hobsons Choice in Williamstown.

Rides: Our Friday ride is scheduled for 1 pm. Saturday and Sunday rides start about 9:00 am. Printed maps and cue sheets are provided for each ride. Gordon will lead a ride of his choice late Friday afternoon and a full ride Saturday and Sunday. There is no van support or arrowing for this tour. Expect steep climbs.

Signup: Please email tour leader Gordon Harris

*Note: For liability insurance reasons you must be a member of North Shore Cyclists to join this tour. Click here to go to the membership page.

Rides

Williamstown-Natural Bridge loop. Distance: 25.1 mi. , 1840 ft. total elevation. (Average climb / descent is 2.8% )

Flatter options and sort route to Natural Bridge and back is 19 miles.
Cue sheet, Route map

Petersburg Pass Loop: 45.3 mi. , 3419 ft. total elevation (Average climb /descent for ride is 2.8%) Four mile climb from Route 7 is 3.5 miles with 6-7% steady grade, steeper descent to Petersburg NY followed by long flatter sections on return.

From the Maple Terrace Motel, ride west one mile on Rt. 2. At the traffic circle, had south from Williamstown for a couple of miles on Rt. 7 and then turn west on Route 2 for a four mile, 7% grade climb up to the summit of Petersburg Pass. You'll get a panoramic view of Mount Greylock to the east, and the Catskills far to the west. Continue into New York State and back for a full 45 mile loop

  Petersburg Pass up and back: 15.7 mi . 1628 ft. total elevation. (Average climb / descent for ride is 3.9%) Four mile climb from Route 7 is 3.5 miles with 6-7% steady grade.

From the Maple Terrace Motel, ride west one mile on Rt. 2. At the traffic circle, had south from Williamstown for a couple of miles on Rt. 7 and then turn west on Route 2 for a four mile, 5% grade climb up to the summit of Petersburg Pass. You'll get a panoramic view of Mount Greylock to the east, and the Catskills far to the west. Reverse and follow Rt. 7 and Rt. 2 back to the Maple Terrace Motel for 7 miles out and 7 miles back.

Bennington, Vermont: 41.9 mi., 2645 total elevation (Average climb/descent for ride is 2.4%) Begins with 5 mile easy climb

We take a very scenic ride to Bennington , Vermont , with a climb along wide-shouldered Rt. 7, and a beautiful ride on Barber Pond Rd. to Bennington (I recommend stopping here for an early lunch at All Days and Onions). We love to check out the Bennington Fish Hatchery and the old car museum . You'll ride through 3 covered bridges followed by a scenic return through pastoral Hoosic , NY and Pownal , VT to Williamstown. 41 miles, intermediate, with rolling hills and long gentle ascents.

Cue sheet, Bennington ride map

Pownal (Short Version of Bennington Ride): 19.4 miles, 1,366 ft total elevation (Average climb/descent for ride is 2.8%). Begins with 5 mile easy climb

The Short Version of this ride takes us to North Pownal. VT. After a fantastic downhill section, you have the option for an extra 10 miles with a climb over the Petersburg Pass, or take the easier route back to Williamstown.

Cue sheet, Route map

Around Mount Greylock: 40 mi., 1820 ft. total elevation. (Average climb/descent for ride is 1.7%). Mostly flat but with a 3 mile climb at about 4% grade.

This ride takes back-roads through rural Hancock with a few short steep climbs, and then descends to Lanesborough, MA. At this point you have the choice of either riding over or around the mountain. Around the mountain continues on the wonderful Ashuwillticook Rail Trail . through Cheshire to Adams . (the only flat section of ride on this tour). "Over the Mountain is a 10 mile climb at an average of 6% grade to the summit, with an even steeper descent. Remote Start options Drive to Adams and park at the Ashuwillticoook Rail Trail Visitors Center for a 24 mile out and back perfectly flat ride.

Cue Sheet,  Route map

Over Mount Greylock: Distance: 36.9 mi., 3591 ft elevation. (Average climb/descent for ride is 3.7%). Average grade for 10 mile Greylock climb is 6%; with sections that have 10% grade or steeper. Worth the climb!

We head south from Williamstown on wide-shouldered Rt. 7 toward Mount Greylock (elevation 3491') . This is the best ride in Massachusetts , newly repaved and should be open after being closed the past couple of years for total reconstruction. The 12 mile climb from Lanesborough to the summit averages 6% grade, with some sections considerably steeper. The 6 mile descent on the other side to North Adams is awesome if your brakes work. Ride distance about 35 miles, very steep. Remote start option: Drive to the Mount Greylock Visitors Center, and ride 10 miles up , then 10 miles back down the same way.

Mount Greylock cue sheet, Mount Greylock route map

Williamstown attractions

While in Williamstown you might enjoy visiting the Clark Art Museum and the Williams College Museum of Art. Mass MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) has massive exhibits, and a performance on Friday evenings.