Going to the Bershires, any suggestions?

[cw1200lt]

My friend and I along with our wifes are going to the Jimmy's Peak area in Western Massachusetts.
We are looking for some advice of trips to ride on our LT's. (one day trips) Good local places to eat.(not chian foods)
places to we should see while in the area for a week of riding.
We are going to be there week in mid July.
Thanks for any help.
Carl

[wilbar00c]

Carl, a good destination. I've been poking around the Western Mass area for many years and spent summers in the small town of Becket MA, on the old Rt 20.

For a start, you must know of some destinations South of Hancock, Tanglewood, summer home of the Boston Symphony, on the lawn, park the bikes by the main entrance under some trees. Also the Norman Rockwell Museum is in Stockbridge just south of Lenox. RT 7 is the main north/south road, but the back roads have neat old homes to look at. Rt 22 in NY is also close for North/South travel without the traffic of Rt 7. More ideas tomorrow. Barnett

[KMC1]

Barnett covered most of the ideas, but I have one suggestion. It's probably going to be HOT in mid-July, the Berkshires don't have the elevation to really cut the heat much. Cape Cod, Rhode Island and Lake Champlain are all within day trip range from there. :cool: I would suggest you look into possible lodging options near the water for a least a couple of the days to get a break from the heat.
JMTCW

[Jim_Schuyler]

Carl,

The Shakers have a museum in Hancock, on Rt 20 west of Pittsfied, Mass. They have a round barn, dorm and other buildings. Celibacy caused them to die out. There is a 6 days trials guy in Adams, Mass. (near) on a farm with about 50 Ossas restored.

[wilbar00c]

More ideas for South of Hancock. If you care to take a 100 mile +/- loop, run NY 22 South to pick up MA 23 East in Hillsdale NY. Follow 23 East, thru Great Barrington to the small town of Monterey MA. The general store, adjacent to the Post Office, makes great sandwiches. Good pit stop also. Then continue on 23 picking up Rt 8 North in Otis MA. A few miles North is the Otis Poultry Farm general store,on the right, also a pit stop and place to grab a bite. Then just continue North on 8, joins with 20 East for a while then go left onto 8 North in Becket. Follow 8 up to the Dalton area and then head (your choice) west back to Hancock.

Heading North from Hancock, go to Bennington VT. Hemmings Motor News facility is on VT9 just west of US 7, The Bennington Battle Monument (elevator) is a great place to get an overview, also pit stop. The Park McCullough House is an interesting old posh home tour on RT 67A. Three covered Bridges are close to this area (a mile or so). Two other covered bridges are closer to Manchester VT 20 miles North of Bennington. For breakfast the Blue Benn Diner, Manchester US7 3 blocks North of VT 9 is a must, lunch also. Evening only we like Peppermills of Bennington, VT9 about a half mile East of US7.

Manchester has shopping outlets and many good places to eat.

Vt is well know for RT 100 a N/S route that hits many ski areas, unlimited neat roads to cycle on under the cover of Maple trees.

Enjoy, Barnett

[Tat_n_Telle]

Carl,

The Shakers have a museum in Hancock, on Rt 20 west of Pittsfied, Mass. They have a round barn, dorm and other buildings. Celibacy caused them to die out. There is a 6 days trials guy in Adams, Mass. (near) on a farm with about 50 Ossas restored.

Celibacy will do that to ya...... :-)

[gpolakow]

Route 2 between Williamstown and the Amherst region is a beautiful motorcycle road. Probably gets best between Adams and Greenfield.

[BMWphreak]

Route 2 between Williamstown and the Amherst region is a beautiful motorcycle road. Probably gets best between Adams and Greenfield.

+1, and there are great places to eat in Williamstown!