While I was home recently, in North Adams, Massachusetts, I was able to participate in the Bike the Berkshires MS Bike Tour held on September 29, 2007. The starting point was Bousquet ski resort just south of Pittsfield, Massachusetts. You could not have asked for a more perfect day: the temperature at 8 am start time was 56 with the finishing temperature at 63, nothing but sunshine all day, and an increasing northwest wind that turned into a nice 15 – 20 mph headwind for the last 20 miles. There were several distance options, but  I chose the 100-mile Berkshires Challenge. I’ve never done a hundred mile ride in the Berkshires before, and this one was designed by none other than Tyler Hamilton!

After a stirring rendition of the national anthem, during which the singer forgot the words in the middle section but was rescued by some of the volunteers who filled in briefly, about forty-five 100-mile riders gathered at the start line for the mass start. I managed to find myself with a front group of 15 who seemed to think with was a 3RVS weekend touring ride: 20mph out of the lot. I stayed with them until we got out of town. The ride headed north up Route 7 towards Williamstown and the first sag.

"Good luck!"

Strange, but when I was leaving two volunteers wished me, “Good luck!” I never have been wished luck leaving a sag stop before, ever, so I checked the cue sheet to see what was ahead. OMG! Petersburg Pass was ahead! I’ve tried this climb once before, and only managed to get halfway to the top. Fortunately the climb starts only 25 miles into the ride. The climb is just over 4 miles long, very steady at 7.5-8%. I found my 25 in back and settled into the climb. Actually it wasn’t too bad. Riding a nice steady pace at 7-8 mph, it took a bit over 30 minutes to summit.

I had hardly gotten off the bike at the top when I was asked if I wanted some soup. The MS ride is apparently famous for their soup, and they had some great chicken and rice soup on top of the Pass, the second sag in 5 miles. It was cold up there, and the soup was perfect. The next 4 miles were the easiest of the day: back down the way you came, at close to 40 mph instead of 7 mph. Earnie Williamson might remember this part of the ride from the time he rode across the USA.

The route headed back to Pittsfield by way of another good 1.5 mile climb through the Jimney Peak and Brodie Mountain ski resort. Bypassing Pittsfields main traffic areas again you head into southern Berkshire County, passing through Richmond, Alford, Guthrie, West Stockbridge and a few other really New Englandy-type towns. The 25-mile riders went through some of these towns as well, on what was called the "Antiquing Tour". The mountains down here are much more gentle than in the northern part of the county, but they still have some bite to them.

I rode with several different groups and riders during the day which was nice. Everyone had a great time, and I can’t say enough about the sags. Each one had cheerleaders with pom-poms and noise sticks to welcome you. The volunteers at the sag were great, even the crusty old New Englander at the Guthrie stop who made me laugh.

After the ride there was barbeque cookout with hamburgers, hot dogs, beans, salad bar and lots of stuff I don't like. I ran into my part-time riding partner of the day, Scott, who had a beer waiting for me. What kind I can’t remember, but it was cold and really hit the spot. Scott checked and during the ride we totaled 6,500 feet of climbing. Not bad for an old guy living in Indiana.

 

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