Pan Mass Challenge Reimagined: James Taylor Day

I started off Saturday morning at the New York border. This PMC ride was James Taylor Day, inspired by the lines from Sweet Baby James:

“So was the turnpike from Stockbridge to Boston
The Berkshires seemed dream-like on account of that frosting.”

So I started my reimagined Pan Mass Challenge in (West) Stockbridge

It was a cool, foggy morning. It was actually a bit chilly. I knew I would wish for that chill in a few hours when the hot, July sun rose higher and raised the temperatures. The fog quickly started causing problems. Moisture condensed on my glasses. A quick stop, a wipe with a napkin and I was back to full vision.

What I could see ahead was the first of the three big climbs of the day. I had to get up and over the Berkshires. If you’ve ever driven on the Mass Pike to New York, you may remember the brown sign announcing: Highest Turnpike Elevation 1724 feet. I was heading up near that.

My legs felt good. Normally, I would be riding this road with a few dozen other PMC riders for our Day Zero ride to Sturbridge. Riding alone, I had no measure of whether I was riding fast or slow. I was just riding.

Once over the top, I had a long, blazing fast descent into Chester and the Westfield River Valley. I would need the rest. Up next was the toughest climb of the day: Route 66. It’s exposed to the sun, with limited shade, and it was starting to get hot. The climb is 3 miles with an average gradient of 5%. The reward for the climb was a great stop at Outlook Farm. Air conditioning, home-made muffins, water and bathrooms. It was a long stretch of 40 miles to this first stop and my legs could use the rest.

Next up was the descent in to Northampton and crossing the Connecticut River. One of the big barriers to cycling across Massachusetts is the Connecticut River. There are very few places to cross the river as it cuts across Massachusetts. There are even fewer places that are safe for riding a bike. The clear winner is the Norwottuk Rail Trail. It starts in downtown Northampton and crosses the river on a old railroad bridge. Then it rambles along for 11 miles of shaded trails to Belchertown.

Soon after, I made my first navigational mistake. My computer was working just fine. I had made a mapping error. I had laid out a variation to this route, trying to avoid Route 9 in Belchertown. It’s a busy road with a narrow shoulder, no shade, and cars traveling fast. I wanted to get up closer to the Quabbin Reservoir. I turned off Route 9 onto quieter, residential streets. My computer signaled to turn right on to an unnamed road. It wasn’t paved. It was right on the edge of what I could ride with my road bike tires. It was more suited for a mountain bike. I was up for an adventure, so made the right hand turn. The passage was difficult, but I was moving slowly along. Then I came to a gate.

Public Water Supply
No Trespassing Beyond This Point

I started backtracking and looking for a way around. The dirt road split. One was the way back. The other, at least according to a poor resolution map, looked shorter and would save me a few miles of backtracking to Route 9.

I chose the shorter route.

I chose poorly. The “road” reduced itself to a dirt path.

Eventually, I emerged from the woods and found my way back on route to the Winsor Dam at the southern end of the Quabbin Reservoir.

Next stop was a lunch stop in Ware. That was about halfway. It was a good time to rest because the third of the big climbs lay ahead. I had to get over the hills of Rutland. This is the southern end of Mt. Wachusett. I discovered some improved sections of the Mass Central Rail Trail in this area a few years ago. You still have to climb, but it’s a consistent, even climb. The big downside is that it’s not paved. The surface is fine gravel that is well packed and easily passable with a road bike. It also has some beautiful sections through the woods.

From the end of the rail trail, I went around the southern end of the Wachusett Reservoir headed toward Berlin, 495, and Hudson. The day was hot. I was burning through a lot calories. I was 120 miles into the ride with another 40 to go. I wanted ice cream. Fortunately for me, Berlin Farms appeared ahead. And it was open.

Refreshing. I felt recharged. Now I just had 40 miles to ride on very familiar roads. My legs felt fresher. Mrs. Doug had asked me why I didn’t just stop at the house when I was going to be passing nearby on my route into Boston. Stop 10 miles short of a complete pan-mass ride?!? Ridiculous!

My end point was Boston Harbor. The New York Border to Boston Harbor in one day. 162 miles. 7,900 feet of climbing. My longest one-day ride ever.

I ended with a tribute to Jeff on my “Why I PMC” sign.