Maximum Gravel

Open in the App

Rutland, MA, US

Mostra 4 più foto

Panoramica del percorso

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.

Invia al dispositivo Esportazione avanzata Visualizza percorso standard (con elenco delle direzioni)

Dettagli del percorso

# 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.

Maximum Gravel

Panoramica del percorso

Dettagli del percorso

Altri percorsi di Luke's Adventure Rides

Forgotten Mountain Connections in Southern VT

Iscriviti

Share link

Share via email

Embedded widget

Get the Ride with GPS mobile app!