I headed out at about 11:00am this morning to go for a ride. Not sure where just out. My brother was at the Sandwich Fair in NH. (Sent me text pictures) I knew traffic would be crazy this weekend with peepers and the Holiday. So any where near the Kanc or the White Mountains was out. So the way my twisted mind works, I thought the Mohawk Trail would be a nice ride.
I left Townsend on Rte 119 West. This is a nice road with recent paving in the last two years. I stayed on 119 through Fitzwilliam to Keene and took Rte 10 south. It leaves Hinsdale and enters MA in Northfield. To this point traffic was fairly light. The roads were smooth and nice twists and turns. Leaves were at peak but not as vibrant as years past.
In Northfield I took 91 south to Rte 2 West in Greenfield. Traffic was backed up on the highway about a quarter-mile trying to get to the off ramp. Yep, I was like "you're an idiot." I sat there about 15 minutes down the ramp to the rotary at the bottom. I don't know where everyone was going, but they weren't going the way I was. After the two traffic lights at the mall and food joints there traffic cleared out and was able to maintain a nice quick clip all the way through to the top of the Mohawk. Leaves were getting sparse at this point. But, with the sun on my face and well behaved traffic, I was happy. When I got to the West lookout (the one before the hairpin) traffic was jammin. People looking for a place to park, people trying to pull out into traffic. Crazy, but I made through unscathed. The hairpin was another story. I was able to park right in the parking lot of the Golden Eagle restaurant as someone was leaving as I was entering. I had a drink that I had on ice and watch the mayhem. Tour buses trying to make the corner, people walking across the street without looking, horns honking, ahhhh leaf peepers.From there I picked up Rte 8 north and headed for 9 in VT. I rode 9 to Hog Back Mountain. Uh-oh. I found everyone. A mile before the top cars were parked on the side of the road. I was able to find a spot near the little gift shop at the top. The brewery across the street was packed. The band that was playing sounded pretty good. I listened for a bit while I had some Oreos that I packed in the bike. Oreos are healthy food I've been told.
http://vrcc.photostash.com/vrcc_18291/20241012_145541~2.jpgLeaving there I stayed on Rte 9 all the way to Keene. In Keene I picked up Rte 101 West. In Dublin I stopped at a BBQ place called the Smoke Haus. Decent food. I have been spoiled by Goody Coles and KC's Rib Shack.
From there I caught 123 south in Sharon and that brought me right to my back yard. So just over 200 miles and about six hours it was what I would consider a very good day.
Here is the route;
119 out MA to Winchester NH.
There, Rte 10 South to Northfield MA
91 South to Rte 2 West, Mohawk Trail.
Mohawk Trail to Rte 8 north North Adams(this is a reverse angle right hand turn.)
I stayed on 8 to Rte 9 East in Searsburg VT.
Rte 9 over Hog Back to Brattleboro where 9 east joins 91 North one exit.
Stay on 9 West til you reach Keene then 101 East.
Here I should have taken Rte 124 to home, but I stayed on 101 til I picked up 123 in Sharon. Which also brought me to my back yard.
