Mt Greylock (MA) Question ?

[tellyho]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

That hilly hundred looks like a beast! telly's gravel route looks great too.

So many roads to ride!

Maybe we can organize something informal in the Spring.

Absolutely up for a spring (post-mud-season) ride.

[marciero]

Originally Posted by PaMtbRider

Create an event and then add the separate routes to the event. You can then view all routes on the same map.

Thnks!

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Maybe we can organize something informal in the Spring.

I'd be up for that!

[jemdet]

Like others have said, it's fully paved. The northside is steep the whole way, but there are some sections that pitch to 10%+

From the south it was a sustained climb that pitched at times, but never super steep.

The descent going north was fun! Winding and fast. I was carrying a touring load and could definitely smell my brakes.

If you're going to North Adams, the Furnace Road connector is one of the steepest parts.

[benb]

I'm embarrassed I haven't done this climb.

I need to figure something out. I usually travel to upstate NY 2x a year and will take my bike, I need to do something like take the Friday off and leave early, do this ride on the way, then continue on.

Unless I get my son into the idea I just have no way to announce I'm traveling out to Western MA to go for a ride, and I can't just go for a ride and do it cause if I just casually route it and select "bike" it comes up with 260 miles round trip, 90 miles further than I've ever rode in a day. Maybe someday I can do it as an overnight.

[john segal]

There's really no bad route up or down Greylock from either direction, but my preference is to turn onto Notch Road from Rt. 2 in North Adams to climb up and to come down via Reservoir Road.

Park at Mass MoCA and make sure to hit either Tunnel City for Coffee in the morning or Bright Ideas Brewery in afternoon.

Great gravel riding just over the Vermont state line between Pownal & Bennington, as well.

[mdeth1313]

I've been going up each summer for a ride for the past 3 years, I think I've got my route down now - this is/was actually closer to 65 miles (all paved). The section heading north on Rt 22 in NY is actually quite nice w/ a good shoulder.

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/44115754

[mass_biker]

Back when I lived in MA, my favorite loop started in Williamstown/North Adams where you would spin desperately to warm up for the first climb up Greylock (north side), then down Greylock (south side), then up and over Jiminy Peak, then north to finally cross Petersburg Pass back from NY State into Williamstown. Such great riding up there in the Berkshires.

[AngryScientist]

Originally Posted by mass_biker

Such great riding up there in the Berkshires.

You coming back for the Spring group ride ??

[JanG]

Another alternative route, which I've done numerous times, is to park at the visitor's center. It's just north of Lanesborough, off Rt. 7 and a very short way up the south road to the summit. You can descend back to Rt. 7 and head north to Brodie Mountain Rd. This takes you over to Rt. 43 which is a nice ride into Williamstown and coffee as others have mentioned. Next head for Rt. 2 and turn right onto Luce Rd which will take you to Notch Rd and the ascent from the north side. Finish the loop by descending the south side to the visitor's center. Total distance is around 35 miles as I recall.

I also seem to recall that the climb on the north side is somewhat similar in length and gradient to Alpe d'Huez, but at a much lower base elevation and minus the cultural (at least for cyclists) significance.

Jan G.

[yarg]

This is the route I was talking about from Greylock road meeting up with the main road about 2/3's the way up. Its a bear, as its mostly unpaved, and would be ridiculous if very wet. At least four different ways up this. Love it!

Originally Posted by tellyho

NVM, it's clear my southern route up is different.