Each year in August the Mass BikePike Tour covers a different area of Massachusetts in a four-day biking tour for riders of all abilities.

This year the Tour starts and ends in Fitchburg, MA and features the Johnny Appleseed Trail and the Upper Connecticut River Valley. This is a particularly scenic area of Massachusetts.

Tour highlights also include Jaffrey and Keene NH, Brattleboro, VT, Greenfield, MA and a chance to climb Mt. Wachusett for some great views of 3 states and if the weather permits Boston 60-miles in the distance.

The registration fee for the tour is regularly $416.49 but is $391.49 if you sign-up before March 1, 2013 There is a cap of 150 people for the tour so if this fits in with your vacation plans for 2013 I would register now here >>>

Registration includes luggage transport, most meals, camping privileges and a tour t-shirt. A hearty breakfast and catered dinner is provided each day. Optional accommodation is motel/B&B but you’ll need to arrange this yourself and you’ll also miss out on the camaraderie associated with making this event known as the “The Friendliest Ride in the East.” There is also an optional service for setting up your tent for you at the destination campsite each day.

Last year the trip was focused on the Berkshires but 2013 the focus is on Central Massachusetts. Each day there is a short and long route to the destination, and depending on your energy level and abilities, you can switch routes from day to day. Short routes range from 29-41 miles with the longer rides being 50-70 miles.

Central Massachusetts is not exactly flat and so each day will be a different challenge. But whether this is your first tour or you’re a seasoned tour biker then you’re welcome to join.

Briefly, the routes each day are: Day 1 leg is Fitchburg to Keene, NH. Day 2 is Keene, NH to Greenfield, MA. Day 3 you’ll ride from Greenfield to Barre and on Day 4 the final bike tour is from Barre back to Fitchburg. You’ll experience quaint town, wonderful state and recreation parks and plenty of scenic route in this region and it looks like there will be plenty of time to enjoy the wildlife.

The recommended preparation for the ride is to ensure by the date of the tour you can ride the distance route you choose 2 days in a row. While mechanics will be available each evening you should be able to deal with minor repairs such as a minor puncture, so have patch repair kit available, a spare tube and tire tools, and know how to use it! Helmets are required.

At the website you’ll find a complete checklist of things to bring and what to pack. Once again here is the official website for the MassPike Tour >>>

For more suggestions on things to see and do throughout the year visit our Pioneer Valley attractions articles here >>> and here >>>

Another New England post by one of our writers is being prepared right now so be sure to visit again or just subscribe to our RSS Feed here and get notified automatically of events and news.

Cliff Calderwood
Publisher
New England Online Magazine

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