invited underprivileged children from New York City to “ holiday ” for six weeks in the rural Berkshires . A precursor to today ’ s Fresh Air Fund , Holiday Brook Farm got its name from the combined history of Mary ’ s “ Holiday Cottage ” and the brook that runs through the farm . Upon her marriage , Mary sold the cottage to her brother , Frederick G . Crane , Jr ., a noted conservationist . The farm is still owned and operated by his descendants , with Dicken Crane and his wife , Ruth , managing its multi-faceted offerings .
Beyond its appeal as a mountain biking destination , the farm serves as a picturesque wedding venue , a haven for hikers , and a vibrant event space hosting everything from maple sugaring demonstrations to burger nights . The enthusiasm towards community engagement extends to the farm ’ s annual pancake breakfasts , seasonal Christmas tree sales , and thriving Community Supported Agriculture ( CSA ) program . Its year-round farm store , stocked with homegrown produce and meats , stands as a testament to Holiday Brook Farm ’ s commitment to environmentally responsible farming practices .
The NEYC mountain bike race on June 2 is the fourth in a six-part series that spans the New England region . The Berkshire youth team that goes by the name the “ Shire Shredders ” is comprised of middle and high school students of diverse skill levels , all coached by Jeremy Manzolini . It will be the first time the race will be held on their home turf .
Holiday Brook Farm ’ s history of mountain biking stretches back to the early 2000s , notably the Trilife Sports ’ 24 Hours of Adrenaline mountain bike race that drew over 500 athletes for a day and night of pedal-pumping festivities . Facing financial woes and contract issues , Trilife folded in 2003 , and so did the races . Those several years of races were a way to show the public how protected open space greatly benefits the public , says Crane . “ The public should support programs that help protect open spaces . That was one of the reasons I felt like it was worth going through all the trouble .”
Crane now has the opportunity to showcase the land once again . In addition to the NEYC race , Holiday Brook Farm has been a consistently visited course for the Eastern
Collegiate Cycling Conference . Over 54 clubs , including MIT Cycling , Dartmouth , UMass , and UVM , have graced the farm ’ s trails . The farm offers a challenging yet adaptable course featuring loops , smooth single and double tracks , a double slalom , steep climbs , and thrilling descents . Unique trail names that originated from the early days have stuck around , from the more obvious “ Valley of the Bus-Size Boulders ” and “ Jurassic Park ,” to the more obscure “ Baby Head Trail ,” named for the baby head-sized boulders that nest together in that particular area .
Art Sanders , an avid biker with two decades of involvement in mountain bike racing at Holiday Brook Farm , considers the farm ’ s enduring appeal over the years , including weekly race nights and memorable events hosted by the Arcadian Shop . The people who have raced at the farm — and the volunteers working the races — have ebbed and flowed . Sanders now lends his efforts to the Shire Shredders , where both his children are part of the race team . What hasn ’ t changed is Crane ’ s commitment to supporting the mountain bike community , Sanders says . “ He ’ s always been very open to using the farm for recreational purposes .”
That openness is part of Crane ’ s ethos at the farm , part of the reason why the farm itself is under Agricultural Preservation Restriction and the surrounding forestland is under conservation restriction . “ It comes back around to the public benefit of protected open space ,” says Crane . “ It keeps this land available to do these types of things . Their participation in this stuff helps us keep the land in a usable condition .”
An NEYC race typically draws a vibrant crowd of some 600 kids , each representing one of the 20-plus regional teams . The June event at Holiday Brook Farm marks a significant moment for the Shire Shredders . These races not only serve as a thrilling platform for young athletes to test their skills in competitive cycling , but also provide an opportunity for the Shire Shredders to connect with their home course . Spectators are invited to the competition at Holiday Brook Farm , where teams will navigate a lapped course , showcasing a diversity of categories from less-expe- rienced to more skilled racers . Sanders describes the event ’ s vibe as “ a big picnic all day long ,” underscoring the community-oriented nature of mountain biking at its core .
With a sprouting generation of mountain bikers set to race over trails that their parents forged on their own bikes , the hope is that the race ultimately results in a return to the vibrant cycling community fortified by a fresh crop of riders . As Crane aptly puts it : “ I think mountain biking has sort of been the longest-running activity that has been persistent on the farm . It has its peaks and valleys , but there ’ s always some . And now it seems like it is going to be coming back to its former self .”
The NEYC Race Sunday , June 2 , 9 a . m . to 4 p . m ., Holiday Brook Farm 100 Holiday Cottage Rd ., Dalton
Registration for the 2024 Shire Shredders mountain bike season is until March 31 . New England Youth Cycling is providing scholarships to eliminate financial barriers for young enthusiasts eager to join teams and hit the trails . For more information , visit neyouthcycling . com or email Jeremy Manzolini at jmanzo80 @ icloud . com .
Holiday Brook Farm is committed to open space and community engagement remains unwavering , inviting all to explore its trails on non-event days while respecting its role as a working farm . When visiting , please park in the farm store parking lot . holidaybrookfarm . com
2024 NEYC RACE SERIES
May 5 Race # 1 : Belltown , Portland , CT
May 12 Race # 2 : Winding Trails , Farmington , CT
May 19 Race # 3 : Treasure Valley , Rutland , MA
June 2 Race # 4 : Holiday Brook Farm , Dalton , MA
June 9 Race # 5 : Stratham Hill , Stratham , NH
June 16 Race # 6 : Wompatuck State Park , Hingham , MA
Holiday Spring 2024 2023 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // // 75