PETER BAIAMONTE
THE ROAD of Dreams
Those who take to the streets on two wheels are rewarded with an up-close and personal perspective of our towns and countryside . The sights and sounds are tangible — all you have to do is pull over , prop your bike on that kickstand , and step into this vibrant picture , if you so desire . Ride by the grandeur of The Mount in Lenox or the serene natural beauty of Bartholomew ’ s Cobble in Sheffield ; devour an egg salad sandwich at The Southfield Store or throw back an espresso at the Flying Church Coffee shop in Great Barrington ; cool down by the Green River in Williamstown or dive into some wings and a salad at AJ ’ s Trailside Pub in Adams . It ’ s perspective in motion , a shifting landscape by way of roads and trails snaking through dewy valleys and misty hills . “ It ’ s pure connection with the community and yourself ,” says avid cyclist Nicholas Russo , Senior Transportation Manager at the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and member of Berkshire Bike Path Council . “ It lays bare everything good and bad about the world around you and heightens all your senses . I want everyone to experience it at least once .”
Starting Smooth
If you ’ re new to cycling or just in the mood for an unhurried afternoon of touring , warm up with a leisurely ramble on the gentle , open lowlands of the Southern Berkshires , with quiet country roads offering scenery , exercise , and plenty of opportunity to travel by notable attractions . The wooded trails of oases like Lenox ’ s Kennedy Park are where you ’ ll find wellmaintained single and double tracks spread out over hundreds of acres . Mountain bikers in need of a trail map or spare inner tube don ’ t have to search far ; pop in to the Arcadian Shop , whose parking lot shares a trailhead just off of Route 7 .
For the more serious cyclist , South Egremont ’ s sports store , Kenver , presents The Berkshire Graveler , an annual 55-mile summer ride combining both road and gravel with challenging inclines , swift descents , and plenty of Berkshire views and vistas . Look out for updates on the 2023 group ride at kenver . com / pages / events .
Heart and Hub
For bikers of every variety , all roads lead to Pittsfield . Whether you ’ re simply passing through or calling the Berkshires your home base , central county boasts bicycling for roadies , mountain bikers , newbies , and seasoned experts . Here , you can coast down the main thoroughfare of North Street with ease , thanks to the newly installed bike lanes , or bomb down the wellgroomed mountain bike trails at Pittsfield State Forest , maintained by Berkshire Bike & Board .
Ricardo Morales , Pittsfield ’ s Commissioner of Public Works , was integral in developing the bike lanes across North Street . A bike-rider from an early age , it was environmental concerns that kept him riding as he got older . “ It was fun to cycle recreationally as a kid ,” Morales says , “ but what inspired me to use my bike to move around , commute , etc ., was the realization that my largest ecological footprint was how much I drove around . So cutting that allows me to be more eco-friendly — and spend less on gas !”
Now stretching from Pittsfield to Adams , the recently expanded 13.7-mile Ashuwillticook Bike Path offers paved enjoyment for tykes on training wheels and long-distance cyclists alike . The newest Pittsfield extension includes a section from Crane Avenue to Merrill Road and offers parking , benches , and restrooms at particular locations along the way . In conjunction with city projects like this most recent expansion of the Ashuwillticook Bike Path , Pittsfield ’ s Park and Open Space Program Manager Jim McGrath has plans to reboot the annual Community Bike Ride this spring . Official dates have not yet been announced , but riders are encouraged to join for a scenic and leisurely bike ride beginning at the Controy Pavilion on Onota Lake , into the Pittsfield State Forest and back to the pavilion — nearly six miles round-trip . Young riders are invited to ride the trail along Onota Lake at Burbank Park . Visit cityofpittsfield . org to learn more .
Also a member of the Berkshire Bike Path Council , McGrath is a big supporter of the Berkshire Mountain Bike Training Series held at Springside Park on Tuesday evenings in the summer . This program , one of three run by the Berkshire chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association at this location , is part of a larger project currently underway to build the first professional bike skills park in Western Mass . Open to bike riders of all ages and skill levels , the Tuesday night races include six different classes — from training wheels to expert — with the ultimate goal aimed towards fun and increased participation in the sport of mountain biking . Visit Berkshire Mountain Bike Training Series on Facebook to learn more .
58 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Spring 2023
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