Mt. Greylock Century

[IchbinJay]

I know there was a thread on here about this ride, but I'm toying with the idea. It would be my first time. Any suggestions for training and equipment?

[Jay H]

I just checked out the ride, it sounds cool, I've done a simple loop of starting at the visitor's center and riding up over greylock, down the north side and then back to my car using rt 7 for a 36ish mile ride. The southern climb to greylock is not too steep, you actually go up and over a hill before the real climb begins and it's fairly gradual, I did it fine with a 2x10 gearing (though with a 32 tooth rear cassette on a MTB der.) on my Salsa Vaya, but I also did with one rear pannier with some light gear in it.

So, as far as training goes, keep riding them hills, hard to beat actual elevation gain, you can find the actual profile of Greylock online so you can almost gauge yourself if you're not local on a hill of similar profile...

Jay

[Pistard]

Love watching them crazy cliff diving parasailer up there...

[Jay H]

Hey Pistard, check out the google satellite image of the summit, if it's still there, you can see a whole bunch of paragliders lined up at the launch site and there is one that is out flying... check it out!

Jay

[BikeNewEngland]

If you live in the north Berkshires, start out training with the Jiminy Peak loop, Petersburg Pass climb or head up to Bennington and back on Rt. 8. The Mount Greylock climb from the Lanesboro side is 10 miles and averages about 5.5% grade. The tougher ascent is from North Adams, with a steep ascent and lots of switchbacks. You can view these rides at http://www.bikenewengland.com/north_berkshire.html

[Jay H]

I did the ride from the south, though I started at the visitor's center in my Salsa Vaya with a compact double and a standard 11-32 MTB cassette on the back. I had a rear rack with 1 pannier to carry some lightweight rain gear and some food, running heavy schwalbe Marathon tires. Did not find the southern climb too bad, it actually goes up and down a small hill before you get to the real climb after the Sperry Road campground. And it's only steep in a few spots as you get towards the top of the road and connects with the road that goes towards North Adams. In fact, the road going up to the visitor's center is about as hard as the top part... I rode down the north side and then back along rt 7 to get back to my car at the visitor's center. You might consider parking in lanesborough and riding it from there if you want to get more of a feel of the complete climb.

Jay

[Mr Sinister]

I might have to go out this way, and do some of the hill/mountains out in western Ma. It should, and will help me get to where I hope to be, IF I get into the field for Mt. Washington. If not, I practice all year, do soe of the others, and then hit it in 2013.

[BigDaddyPete]

Anyone attempted the Mt. on a single speed? I'm thinking that might be my new training goal.

[Salmosebago]

Anyone attempted the Mt. on a single speed? I'm thinking that might be my new training goal.

No single speed but big ringed/cross chained it from the welcome ctr. side a couple weeks ago; 53/25 at steepest points. From the very bottom the climb took me (not a great climber) about an hour. Road was still closed to autos so the car free rip back down was fantastic Next I tackle the steeper side....

[KevinF]

I've done the Mt. Greylock century twice. I just used compact gearing (34x25). As said above, the route climbs Greylock via the easy side and descends the steep side. I did the ride before they repaved the road; that descent off of Greylock used to be pretty scary as the road was in horrible condition.

The worst climb of the Greylock century is the third climb of the ride. First is Greylock, the second is climbing out of North Adams on Rt. 2 heading east, the third is some back road that you turn onto off of Rt. 2 that feels nothing short of vertical. And then you're half-way!

[yak]

I've done it a few times as part of the MS century (also on a compact). We've always attacked it from the North side, Luce-Pattison-Notch Rd. If you want a real ball-busting climb, try starting from North Adams up Reservoir Rd. I think the TT race uses that route.

I prefer descending the South side as you can let it rip after the hairpin up top, vs the North side where you need to brake heavily for the two hairpins. I had to stop at the bottom to let my rims cool down.

Either way it's a blast!

[Jay H]

Rt 2 out of North Adams going east brings you up the Mohawk Trail which was washed out and closed for quite some time after Hurricanes Irene and Lee caused a landslide. It has since been reopened..!!

Jay

[BikeNewEngland]

Anyone attempted the Mt. on a single speed? I'm thinking that might be my new training goal.

Don't blow out your knees --it's hard enough with a triple chainring.

[IchbinJay]

I decided to bail out due to a running injury earlier this year. I'm also gearing up for the MS150 down the Cape. Which MS rides goes through Greylock?