Northeast - Cross Massachusetts Route

Here's my latest meandering route across the great state of Massachusetts. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2011007
(http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2011007)

I did this one on 6/21 so I had plenty of daylight so no need to hurry.

The start is Newton Corner and the endpoint is the Dreamaway Lodge in Becket. The distance on my cyclometer read- 134.79 the gmaps reads it a little less but doesn't account for elevation change nor was I that specific in marking the waypoints. So let's call it 135 total.

I wish I knew what kind of overall elevation gain the ride had but I'm sure it's substantial. The first 100 is modest with a few challenging climbs after the 50 mile mark but the final 35 miles after Northampton is particularly tough because you've just knocked off 100 miles and then gain a lot of altitude and then lose it in a hurry and have to regain it and more over the last 20 miles- it just doesn't let up. Also the prevailing wind is usually in your face the whole ride.

This route was one of my better ones. It could use improvement going around the Wachusett Reservoir but overall I really like this ride. It would be a nice one to do in reverse with a good tailwind.

I wish I knew what kind of overall elevation gain the ride had but I'm sure it's substantial. The first 100 is modest with a few challenging climbs after the 50 mile mark but the final 35 miles after Northampton is particularly tough I don't know, Mr. Buzzman. That route up Wattaquadock Hill in Bolton at mile 25 is not something I'd call modest ;)

though, I certainly agree with you on how everything gets hilly after Northampton. Descending into the Connecticut River Valley is fun. Climbing out of it ... well, that's a different kind of fun.


This route was one of my better ones. It could use improvement going around the Wachusett Reservoir but overall I really like this ride. mmm... I'm rather fond of the eastern shore of the Reservoir around Rt. 70, though I agree that Rt. 140 on the southern shore is a bit unpleasant with fast traffic. If I recall properly, though, the shoulder on Rt. 140 is pretty wide and in decent repair. Maybe take the eastern and southern shore rather than go around on the northwestern side?

mmm... I'm rather fond of the eastern shore of the Reservoir around Rt. 70, though I agree that Rt. 140 on the southern shore is a bit unpleasant with fast traffic. If I recall properly, though, the shoulder on Rt. 140 is pretty wide and in decent repair. Maybe take the eastern and southern shore rather than go around on the northwestern side?

Yeah, I think I've done that route and liked it. My problem is I get in a kind of zone on these rides and can never quite remember the quality of some of the roads. It also seems to depend on the time of day. If I can get an early enough start on a weekend- esp. a Sunday just about any one of those rides is a pleasure. Maybe I'll try that route on the way back and see how I fare- thanks for the tip.

I think what also screwed me up there was I decided to use the VZ navigator on my cell phone for the route around Wachusett- pretty much because I didn't want to try to figure out which route was shorter. It sent me on a bit of an odd route but it meant I didn't need to keep stopping and looking at maps or a cue sheet since "Miss Thing" was calling the shots.:rolleyes:

I ride around Wachusett Res quite often and find the paving on the southern/easter side to be better. drivers also seem used to the heavy cycling traffic too.

For a detour, also consider picking up Rt. 122-A in Holden, following it up through Rutland and then 122 over to South Barre. From there, take Rt. 32 down through Gilbertville and into Ware. Might be a few more miles, but the more I can stay off Rt. 9, the better I like it. At the south end of the Quabbin Reservoir, consider going into the Reservoir itself. I'm not sure if they still let you ride across the dams or not (for a while after 9/11 it was closed) but it might be worth a scenic look!

wow thats really impressive, nice job

Here's my latest meandering route across the great state of Massachusetts. http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2011007
(http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=2011007)

I did this one on 6/21 so I had plenty of daylight so no need to hurry.

The start is Newton Corner and the endpoint is the Dreamaway Lodge in Becket. The distance on my cyclometer read- 134.79 the gmaps reads it a little less but doesn't account for elevation change nor was I that specific in marking the waypoints. So let's call it 135 total.

I wish I knew what kind of overall elevation gain the ride had but I'm sure it's substantial. The first 100 is modest with a few challenging climbs after the 50 mile mark but the final 35 miles after Northampton is particularly tough because you've just knocked off 100 miles and then gain a lot of altitude and then lose it in a hurry and have to regain it and more over the last 20 miles- it just doesn't let up. Also the prevailing wind is usually in your face the whole ride.

This route was one of my better ones. It could use improvement going around the Wachusett Reservoir but overall I really like this ride. It would be a nice one to do in reverse with a good tailwind.

If you export the gmaps route as a gpx, I believe you can import it into sporttracks (which is free from zonefivesoftware.com ) and it'll show the elevation (including total feet climbed, descended, etc).

cool. I'll use a variation to visit Amherst.

If you export the gmaps route as a gpx, I believe you can import it into sporttracks (which is free from zonefivesoftware.com ) and it'll show the elevation (including total feet climbed, descended, etc).


I put the route on veloroutes.org ( I think I messed up some of the road choices where I went around the Wachusetts Reservoir but it's close) The total elevation gain according to veloroutes is 10266'. Not bad for a Massachusetts ride.

I'll probably do the reverse on Monday if anyone is going that way.

Just did the reverse ride and I think it is a new and improved version. This is a nice straightforward route across Massachusetts from Becket/Lee MA to the Newton Corner/Watertown Square area.

Here it is on veloroutes:

http://veloroutes.org/bikemaps/?route=17891

got to say it was a fantastic ride. Didn't leave until 11 am from Western MA so it meant hauling butt for the last hour on Rt. 117 to try to beat the dark, which we barely did. Fortunately, it got dark just as we hit Waltham, MA so we threw some lights on the bike and got the last couple of miles down in relatively well lit streets and with lights.

Gorgeous scenery the whole trip!:thumb: