|
Tony C.
|
 |
« on: April 23, 2025, 01:30:12 PM » |
|
I took a ride today and part of it was on route 68 north from Gardner to Royalston. From the Gardner-Templeton line to where 68 ends at route 32 in Royalston, the road is mostly in really bad shape. There's some newer pavement in places, but for the most part it's bad. Lots of bouncing around on the bike. I'm glad Sherry wasn't with me. She's got back issues and it wouldn't have been good. Years ago, route 32 in Royalston was in the same shape, really bad. After riding it on the Valkyrie, I later noticed a busted engine mount bolt. I replaced it and vowed not to ride 32 until it was repaved. It has long since been repaved and it's in great shape. I rode it north today from the 68/32 junction to Keene. Very pretty ride once you're in NH. The MA leg is heavily wooded. So Wall, this is one road you will want to avoid. You don't want to have parts falling off your RG.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
NewValker
Member
Posts: 1342
VRCC# 36356
Oxford, MA
|
|
« Reply #1 on: April 23, 2025, 02:00:23 PM » |
|
Another road to avoid is Rt. 9, all torn up, being worked on from 49 in Spencer all the way to 32 at the Ware line.
Much needed, but gonna miss heading west that way.
Craig
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Turns out not what or where, but who you ride with really matters  |
|
|
|
Tony C.
|
|
« Reply #2 on: April 23, 2025, 04:00:49 PM » |
|
Another road to avoid is Rt. 9, all torn up, being worked on from 49 in Spencer all the way to 32 at the Ware line.
Much needed, but gonna miss heading west that way.v
Craig
Thanks for letting us know. It will be great when it's done. Hopefully before the end May.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
DragonRdr
|
|
« Reply #3 on: April 24, 2025, 03:33:45 AM » |
|
I took a ride today and part of it was on route 68 north from Gardner to Royalston. From the Gardner-Templeton line to where 68 ends at route 32 in Royalston, the road is mostly in really bad shape. There's some newer pavement in places, but for the most part it's bad. Lots of bouncing around on the bike. I'm glad Sherry wasn't with me. She's got back issues and it wouldn't have been good. Years ago, route 32 in Royalston was in the same shape, really bad. After riding it on the Valkyrie, I later noticed a busted engine mount bolt. I replaced it and vowed not to ride 32 until it was repaved. It has long since been repaved and it's in great shape. I rode it north today from the 68/32 junction to Keene. Very pretty ride once you're in NH. The MA leg is heavily wooded. So Wall, this is one road you will want to avoid. You don't want to have parts falling off your RG. Sorry for the rough ride on 68. This has been a sore spot for me. Roads in Gardner have gotten really bad in the last couple of years. I called my wards city councilman a couple of weeks ago to complain, but not sure it'll do any good. The surrounding towns are doing a pretty good job keeping their roads repaired or repaved, not sure what the problem is in Gardner. They tacked on a city gasoline tax a few years ago that's supposedly to be used for road repair. Oh well, I'll get off my soap box and just advise riders to avoid the area for now. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1994 Goldwing Interstate
|
|
|
NewValker
Member
Posts: 1342
VRCC# 36356
Oxford, MA
|
|
« Reply #4 on: April 24, 2025, 05:22:30 AM » |
|
Another road to avoid is Rt. 9, all torn up, being worked on from 49 in Spencer all the way to 32 at the Ware line.
Much needed, but gonna miss heading west that way.v
Craig
Thanks for letting us know. It will be great when it's done. Hopefully before the end May. I heard between W.Brookfield and Ware they’re widening the road & installing drainage. Lucky if it’ll be done NEXT May…. Craig |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Turns out not what or where, but who you ride with really matters |
|
|
|
Tony C.
|
|
« Reply #5 on: April 24, 2025, 05:24:08 AM » |
|
Sorry for the rough ride on 68. This has been a sore spot for me. Roads in Gardner have gotten really bad in the last couple of years. I called my wards city councilman a couple of weeks ago to complain, but not sure it'll do any good. The surrounding towns are doing a pretty good job keeping their roads repaired or repaved, not sure what the problem is in Gardner. They tacked on a city gasoline tax a few years ago that's supposedly to be used for road repair. Oh well, I'll get off my soap box and just advise riders to avoid the area for now.
Hey Rich! I don't find the roads in Gardner to be in bad shape. The main routes of 68, 2A and 101 are fine to me. The route 101 construction east of down town is finishing up nicely with the new rotary, too. My post was about specific portions of route 68 in west Templeton, Phillipston and Royalston. If I lived in these towns and had to travel 68 daily, I'd be be pissed. By comparison, Gardner is fine.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Tony C.
|
|
« Reply #6 on: April 24, 2025, 05:27:21 AM » |
|
I heard between W.Brookfield and Ware they’re widening the road & installing drainage. Lucky if it’ll be done NEXT May….
Craig
Ouch! I'm meeting my brother for a ride today. He lives in Spencer. We were not planning on riding route 9 today. I'll talk with him and find out what he knows about the route 9 construction and see if there's anything to add.  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
DragonRdr
|
|
« Reply #7 on: April 24, 2025, 08:43:41 AM » |
|
Sorry for the rough ride on 68. This has been a sore spot for me. Roads in Gardner have gotten really bad in the last couple of years. I called my wards city councilman a couple of weeks ago to complain, but not sure it'll do any good. The surrounding towns are doing a pretty good job keeping their roads repaired or repaved, not sure what the problem is in Gardner. They tacked on a city gasoline tax a few years ago that's supposedly to be used for road repair. Oh well, I'll get off my soap box and just advise riders to avoid the area for now.
Hey Rich! I don't find the roads in Gardner to be in bad shape. The main routes of 68, 2A and 101 are fine to me. The route 101 construction east of down town is finishing up nicely with the new rotary, too. My post was about specific portions of route 68 in west Templeton, Phillipston and Royalston. If I lived in these towns and had to travel 68 daily, I'd be be pissed. By comparison, Gardner is fine. Tony, I haven't been that way since last year. I'm heading that way to get my inspection done at Cycle Design later today. It's good to hear they finished the road work in Templeton. It was a mess last year. I guess I need to get out more. Have a great ride today. Rich  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
2000 Valkyrie Interstate
1994 Goldwing Interstate
|
|
|
|
Hook#3287
|
|
« Reply #8 on: April 25, 2025, 04:03:51 AM » |
|
Another road to avoid is Rt. 9, all torn up, being worked on from 49 in Spencer all the way to 32 at the Ware line.
Much needed, but gonna miss heading west that way.v
Craig
Thanks for letting us know. It will be great when it's done. Hopefully before the end May. I heard between W.Brookfield and Ware they’re widening the road & installing drainage. Lucky if it’ll be done NEXT May…. Craig I was up there couple weeks ago, they had rock hammers going on both sides of the road with one lane open. It's gonna be a while. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
