Maximum Gravel

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Rutland, MA, US

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Luke's Adventure Rides

dirty climbs

104 km

1.590 m

This is dirt road gluttony! A circuitous path around Barre MA hitting as many old roads, climbs, and sandy dirt patches as possible. Ideal tires: ~40mm fast rolling.

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# Overview

This central MA area is somewhat cutoff by the quabbin, resulting in a high density of abandoned roads, beautiful farms, and minimal traffic. This is a gravel bike ride, but it's a tough one. 13mph is relatively fast given the bits of walking, bouncing down old washed out roads, and frequent climbs. When there isn't a good dirt option, I probably picked the paved option with the most climbing :) There is some level of mercy though: most of the difficult roads are in the first 37 miles, with much more pavement in the remaining 25.
If you like this route, there is a whole lot more good stuff nearby: the Mass Central Rail Trail, doubletrack around the quabbin, and dirt roads further north into Phillipston, but I tried to pack as many highlights as possible into a reasonable 100km.

# Important Notes

* The route starts at a Mass Central Rail Trail trailhead on Whitehall road, which has parking.
* For a brewery start finish, head to @poi[Stone Cow](63504712) and then ride 2.3 miles West to @point[meetup with the route](d,36929.55). Ride the loop counterclockwise and head back up the road to beers. By parking in the middle you also get numerous options to bail back to the car.
* There is not much for water on the route. @poi[Mimi's in Hardwick](63504708) is well situated, but has limited hours. A ~2 mile detour into Barre at @point[mile 47](d,76140.16), @point[mile 19](d,31122.01) or @point[mile 23](d,36929.55) is an option. There is also a @poi[convenience store](63504716) in the last few miles.
# 
# The Route in 6 Sections
@slice[#1, 10 miles, Rutland State Park](d,0,16221.2). Although the route starts on pavement and not the perfectly nice MCRT, you will quickly be bombing through the woods on the loose gravel of Rutland State Park. This is a long section of forest roads, partly open to cars. Watch out for bears! The roads and @point[some old buildings](d,3806.25) are from an @photo[old prison camp](12056380).

@slice[#2, Gilbert Road and Old Petersham Road](d,16230.52,27357.29). A little pavement, a gradual dirt climb, a little pavement, then an awesome washed out climb where Old Petersham road used to go! I love this one.

@slice[#3 The tough stuff](d,27395.44,60569.09). The next 20 miles get closer to the quabbin, further from people, and into some of the weirder roads in MA. Right away there's some flooding and mud on @point[Skelly Rd](d,28135.48), some more dirt segments, then @slice[Raccoon Hill road](d,42474.5,44961.78) which has the most walking of the route and seems to get worse every year. Starting with a @photo[narrow land bridge](12056379), there are various down trees and water problems to hike around. When you get to the cement barriers with no bridge, go around to the left for a @photo[footbridge](12495999).  I think it's a worthwhile little adventure, but you can skip it by staying on pavement and taking the next 2 right turns. After Raccon Hill there are a few more rough sections including the @slice[Fleming road](d,51669.07,52724.72) descent, and eventually this@photo[ log bridge](12496010). After the climb up @slice[Muddy Brook road](d,57577.41,59248.95) to Hardwick, you're done with the hardest parts of the route.

@slice[#4, 11 miles with 3 little dirt sections](d,60512.78,77455.36) Some flow and some chunk.

@slice[#5, ~21 miles of pavement](d,77455.36,96099.53) Paved: yes. Flat: no.

@slice[#6 Last dirt to the end](d,96121.39,103595.78). East hill road is pretty, just a last goodbye to the dirt before you cruise back into Rutland State Park.

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Maximum Gravel

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