Day 29: Sunday, August 29
Bike to/up the 3 Valley mountains with paved roads: Mt. Tom, Mt. Holyoke, Mt. Sugarloaf
This was a goal on my list all summer: ride to and up the three Valley peaks with paved roads in one continuous ride. It always sounded daunting, as much for the long ride in between the mountains as for the climb up each one. I’ve climbed each one separately at different times, but combining them all into one long ride (a 66-mile loop climbing 3,500 feet) was a whole different prospect. Mt. Tom was first because it’s close to my house. I rode out my driveway, as I always do, and headed over to Mt. Tom, which I’ve now climbed about a half dozen times. It gets easier each time, and today’s was not difficult, though exerting. Leg’s warmed up I traveled along the ridge road to the park’s west entrance and took off down back down the mountain on Route 141 back into Easthampton. I rode into town and caught the Manhan Bike Trail into Northampton, then linked up with the Norwottuck Rail Trail to cross the Connecticut River into Hadley. Then over to Bay Road and to Route 47 to Skinner Park, home of Mt. Holyoke and the Summit House at the top. This is never an easy ride. The road starts with a steep 3/4-mile climb – always a leg waker-upper – before it flattens a little where it passes the New England Trail. Then the steepness picks up again with several hairpin turns and 8-10% grades as you near the top. Low climbing gears and standing necessary. The payoff of the Summit House is always awesome with great views north, the Valley and river below. After blasting down the road, I turned east on Route 47 toward Granby, hooked up to Route 116 and made my way up over the notch, legs starting to feel the day’s ride. Down into South Amherst, still on 116, I worked my way up the long hill into Amherst Center. I delighted at the Amherst Town Common carnival as I rode past, remembering taking my kids to this annual event when they were little. Then I cruised through downtown Amherst to University Drive, straight through the UMass campus, bustling with students (I also apparently pissed off one of them in his honking car), and down into North Amherst, winding back out to Route 116 toward Sunderland. Finally, after 16 miles since Mt. Hokyoke, Mt. Sugarloaf was in my sights, and I crossed the Connecticut River again then climbed up to the access road. Climbing Sugarloaf is moderate at first, for about 3/4 of a mile, before it turns sharp right and picks up to an 8% grade for the last 1/3 push to the top. Awesome views are the reward, with a different view of the river, Sunderland and UMass in the distance. Relieved with the three peak climbs accomplished, I headed fast down the road and started my long ride back home. Goal achieved.
Adventure: Bike to and up the three Valley peaks with paved roads: Mt. Tom, Mt. Holyoke, Mt. Sugarloaf.
Distance traveled: About 66 miles cycling, 3,500+ feet climbed.
Challenges: Long endurance ride; three tough climbs up mountains; keeping hydrated and fueled.
Risks: Cycling risks: traffic, slipping/falling; risk of losing control when riding 45 mph down a mountain;
Difficulty scale 1-10: 8
Highlights: Spectacular views from the tops of Mt. Holyoke and Sugarloaf; the feeling of real accomplishment from having achieved a tough goal.