There are many inroads to get into the biking scene here in the Berkshires, but like virtually any outdoor sport, it is always best to check in with a local. If it is a biking experience, look no further.
Mountain Biking in the Berkshires
There is no one more tapped into biking in the Berkshires than biking enthusiast, Steffan Root who not only grew up biking here from the age of 6 on, but over the years has helped build much of the biking infrastructure in the Berkshires as co-owner of Berkshire Bike & Board.
Berkshires.com had the unique opportunity to sit with Steffan to gain some keen local insight on biking opportunities in the region. You name it and he’s done it, from road riding which they lead from the store to BMX racing to cross-country mountain bike racing to downhill racing to enduro-racing.
Roadbiking in the berkshires
Best road-bike and cycling routes in the berkshires from a local perspective
Summing up the region, Root states,
It’s stunning here. It’s gorgeous. There’s beautiful rolling countryside. There’s everything you could possibly want in a biking landscape [sic].
Elucidating the road-biking resources in the region, Root continues, “We’ve got tons of back roads here in the Berkshires where it’s rare to see cars. We’ve got a huge inventory of secondary and tertiary roads that are fairly well maintained, depending on what time of year you are here. There’s vast amounts of idyllic countryside that makes the Berkshires a place that is truly second-to-none to ride.”
This appeal has long made the Berkshires a destination for elite world travel groups to ride, as well as groups such as The New York City Cycle Club which comes up to the region several times a year as well as clubs from California, Canada, and even Europe.
It’s just amazing road-riding. It’s just gorgeous with a lot of climbs for people who like climbs.
Biking in the berkshires
Q. So what are Root’s favorite local road-biking rides?
“Well… If I was just to name a few, going into New Marlboro and south into Southfield and cutting across into Ashley Falls and back into Sheffield is a spectacular ride, as are the rides going over the border into Northwest Connecticut and the western border of New York and that’s just around here in Great Barrington. Up north, there’s a lot of small roads throughout the hilltowns where there is some really good riding, for sure and Williamstown has some pretty epic riding as well.”
The mountain biking scene is a lot more clandestine, but no less spectacular.
Mountain biking is the hidden gem of the Berkshires.
"Although there are some access issues, we have some of the best mountain biking terrain anywhere around. People actually know that because for years, there was this event called “Pedrofest” that happened in Lanesboro and so people from all over the Northeast to come bike in the Berkshires."
We have 80 percent of the state parks in Massachusetts in the western third of our state. All of these state parks, whether its Pittsfield State Forest, Beartown, or October Mountain State Forest which are the three biggies have amazing mountain biking. Unfortunately, Beartown has some signage, but there’s some good riding there.
Pittsfield State Forest has the most legal mountain bike trails. October Mountain has some incredible terrain, but it’s just not recognized by the DCR. With GPS, everything’s mapped so you just look at your phone to figure out where to go next. The trails, however, are not legally sanctioned. It’s legal to ride the trails but just not build them.
Farm Trail Bridge Hancock Shaker Village
The best downhill opportunity is a world-class park at the Berkshire East Ski Resort called Thunder Mountain, “that rivals any of the downhill parks on the East Coast and rivals stuff you’d find out west, even. There’s big jumps, burms, well-engineered tracks in addition to all the natural terrain.” There is also some opportunities to be found at Jiminy Peak, but these are far less developed.
Q. So where do bikers start when travelling to the region?
“Depending on their experience, we guide the experienced visitors to the “Strava” GPS mapping webpage where we’ve created custom trips through the region from 10 to 100 miles and you can go and pick your route depending on how much climbing you want to do."
Every one of them is scenic, whether its riding up Mt. Everett or biking by Bash Bish or going north toward Lenox or the Hudson Valley with epic views and endless terrain.
"There are also other sites like “Map My Ride” or “Ride With GPS.”
"As far as mountain biking, there is an App called “Trail Forks” and you can find your trails there. You don’t need cell service. You just need GPS so when it’s downloaded into your phone, you are good to go because many of these sites are pretty remote. There is also the Berkshire Biking Association with some resources and biking events from non-timed races to gravel rides like the Greylock Century which is a 100 mile ride.”
