donrhummy

Does anyone have an actual route to ride to get to and up Mt. greylock? I can't figure out from the map where to start or which route is steeper (I want the steeper one).

buzzman

I've done both sides of the Greylock route but it has now been resurfaced- whether the road has been graded differently I'm not sure. The more challenging climb approaches the summit from the north. The route that comes up from the south, while difficult, doesn't have some of the sudden steep hairpin turns of the northern route.

For the Northern route you can access it from North Adams off of route 2/8. You get onto Reservoir Road and then Notch Road and you'll be climbing pretty much from when you leave the state highway to the summit, which is about 9 miles.

Depending on where you measure your "start" of the climb the southern route may be slightly longer though less steep. They both finish the last 1/2 mile or so on the same road.

donrhummy

Thanks!

Is there a good place to park the car so i can ride about 15-20 miles before hitting the mountain? (I don't live anywhere near Adams so I'll have to drive there)

buzzman

You could park at the north end of the Ashuwilltucook Bike Path in the town of Adams and using Rubel's Western Massachusetts Bike Map plot a route to the northern climb, descend on the southern route and loop around to the bike path and back up to Adams- it might make a 35-40 mile loop in total- with 10 miles or so of it down hill!, the bike path flat as a pancake for about 7 miles and about 9 miles of stiff climbing.

I'm sure if you googled "Mount Greylock bike loop" you'll find several suggestions.

ZIPP2001

I park near Mt. Graylock bowling alley right off of rte. 2 just past the start of the climb. Then I ride out west until I get my legs loose, and turn around and head toward to the climb. I also once parked above the drop into N. Adams on rte. 2 It made for a fast decent into town and after climbing Mt. Graylock this is a fun little climb getting to your car.

donrhummy

Thanks guys!

Suzie Green

I onced parked along side Rt. 2 near the Indian. I don't know how else to describe it, but it's the bronze statue before the large climb on the Mohawk trail. I rode from there to the high point on Rt 2, down into North Adams, and then rode back. Wow, talk about a lot of climbing! That might be a little further out than you're planning to ride though. I haven't tried to ride to the top of Greylock. I'm not sure I can do it without a triple chainring setup. On my mtn bike maybe....

sherbornpeddler

anyone done it this year?

donrhummy

Not yet.

zerotopanmass

I'm hoping to do it this Saturday weather permitting...

Salmosebago

Zerotopanmass - I've never ridden it but a bud and I are seriously considering the Greylock Century in July. I'd be curious about your thoughts on the ride if/when you do it. Hopefully this Saturday's weather will cooperate. If you would either post here or shoot me an e-mail it would be much appreciated. The PMC hills will feel like mole hills after that climb GOOD LUCK!!! - Craig

zerotopanmass

Hi Craig, no problem at all, I'll post back here if I make it out there this weekend!

zerotopanmass

Quick update - I decided to be smart on this one and call the visitor center to check on conditions before heading up there on my bike. The roads are still impassable due to snow and ice near the summit, there goes this weekends ride. I'll be looking for something else in the Berkshires instead so if anyone has any ideas...

FYI, the number you can call for Mt Greylock road conditions is: 413-499-4262

Salmosebago

Thanks for the update and the number. If it were me, I would have driven out there BEFORE I made the call

Suzie Green

I'm definitely going to try this sometime this Spring/Summer, but it appears I'm going to do it on my mtn bike since I'm not sure I can handle the steepness on my road bike. I only have a 39x28 on my road cassette and I doubt I'm strong enough to climb with that. I drove up Greylock once in the car, quite a few years ago. I think it was from the north and if I recall the road was pretty steeply graded! Success or failure, I'll report in with the results!

ZIPP2001

Hey Suzie !

Just yell if you want a riding partner up Greylock, i'll take my Zipp so I can get some extra suffing out of the climb. Pain is always good and extra pain makes it much better. Have you tried the Major Taylor George Street Challenge in Worcester ?

Suzie Green

Sounds good Zipp...I'll definitely let you know ahead of time. It'll probably be at least June I think. I haven't done that Major Taylor climb. I've seen the coverage of it in the newspaper, but I've never been there to see how steep the hill is. I'll never win any prizes with my climbing speed. Maybe if they have a downhill contest, I've gone pretty fast down the Mile Road at Mt Wachusett.

donrhummy

I'm looking to do this during the summer as well. The timing depends on a lot of factors though.

I would suggest a BF ride up there butt I wouldn't want to hold everyone up as I drop way back and slog my way to the top.

Anyone know around what time of year it starts getting rideable? Did the office say?

zerotopanmass

When I called they said it would be ready to ride after May 1st, not long now!

zerotopanmass

Hi again guys, I rode the new road this morning, absolutely amazing! I posted some pics here and also a ride report over at my blog. If anyone has any questions I'll be happy to help!

Salmosebago

SWEET! I haven't found the time to get down there yet - but I will. Been riding some hillier stuff up here to try to whip myself into shape. I've got 2 good 4 milers that take nearly half an hour with some pitchy (12 - 15%) parts. Guessing Greylock is much the same, just longer. Congrats on doing it and also on the fundraising progress Well done!

donrhummy

Thanks for the post! Looks like an amazing ride!

zerotopanmass

I'll be out in western MA this weekend. Does anyone know if the Greylock auto road is snowed out yet? Thanks for any info!

sherbornpeddler

"snowed out" ?
Plowed? Packed down?
You thinking mountain bike? Studded tires?
Our earlier discussion mentioned it opened May 1st to "normal" traffic.

BikeNewEngland

A climb up Mount Greylock is part of the Berkshire Fall Foliage tour with Bike New England . Now that the road is resurfaced, the ride is a lot safer. I prefer the 6% average grade going up from the visitors center side in Lanesboro, but if you want the hardest climb, head up Notch Road from North Adams.