It's a really good area with every kind of biking you could want. East of the river is fairly flat through farmland. West of the river gets hillier and enters the eastern slope of the Berkshires. A great route up to VT is to take 116 from South Deerfield to Conway, then a back road to Shelburne Falls, then 112 straight up to Jacksonville, VT. Catch rt. 100 from there and you're on your way!