Berkshire Bike Path Council                                                                                                    

April/May 2011 Update    

April was a month for tuning up the bikes, cleaning up the trail and trying out the legs on some of the few warm, sunny days.  May is a month that will be filled with cycling activities.  So to help you plan ahead, we are doing a combined April/May edition.
 
BBPC has collaborated with MassDOT in coordinating activities throughout the county during Bay State Ride Week, May 14-20.  Highlights of the week include our kick off event at Farnum's Crossing, Cheshire on May 14 which celebrates the opening of the Adaptive Equipment Program on the trail and the May 15 ride in Stockbridge, showcasing the new South County Touring map with a community ride.  Other organized rides provide an opportunity to connect to weekly group rides that will continue through September.  Special thanks to everyone who contributed to the celebration, especially MassDOT.

Marge Cohan

Marge Cohan President, Berkshire Bike Path Council

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Calendar 

 

May is National Bike Month  

Check for bicycle events in your local area throughout the month at Bay State Bike Week. 

 

2011 BAY STATE BIKE WEEK

(Saturday May 14th through Friday May 20th)
 
Opening Ceremony:
Saturday May 14 - 10:00am meet and greet, 10:30am main speaker .
Everyone Rides celebration for the opening of the Adaptive Equipment Program on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail.
Location: Cheshire MA at Farnum's Crossing, 5 miles north from the Berkshire Mall.
Managing organizations-Every One Rides Committee, UCP, DCR, Ad Lib, Berkshire Bike Path Council and MassDOT.
Contact: Dawn Matthews at 413-442-1562 ext 24 or dmatthews@ucpberkshire.org 

An opportunity to see and be fitted to use adaptive cycling equipment, bike inspection and safety check which will be available on the trail making it accessible to everyone.  Guided Nature Walk and group ride on the trail.
 
Sunday May 15 - 9 to 11am - Stockbridge Community Ride
Location: Town Offices, Stockbridge MA
Managing organization - Stockbridge Bike Path Committee
Contact: Buck Smith - email
Celebrate new South County Touring Map with a moderately easy ride appropriate for beginner road riders of all ages
 
Sunday May 15 - 10:30am to Noon - Massachusetts Department of Transportation employees and family member's bike ride
Managing organization - MassDOT
Contact: Keith Bond - Bike/Ped Coordinator at 413-637-5752 or email   

 

Monday May 16 - 6 PM - Ordinary Cycle Ride
Location: 247 North Street - Pittsfield, MA
Managing organization - Ordinary Cycle Shop 

Contact: Tom Martin at 413-442 7225 or email
Racer's cool down ride
 
Tuesday May 17 - 4:40 pm to 6:00 pm - South County Community Ride
Location: Bike and Board, Route 7, Great Barrington,MA
Managing organization - Bike and Board Shop 

Contact: Steffen Root - at 413-528-5555 or email
Moderately easy ride through south county on paved roads, recreational pace.
 
Wednesday May 18 - 9:00am - Berkshire Cycling Association Ride
Location: Card Pond - West Stockbridge on the east side of Rt 41, south of Rt 102
Managing organization - Berkshire Cycling Association 

Contact: John Yuill 413-499-1653 or email 

This is a 19 mile loop road ride with some steep inclines, recreational pace.
 
Wednesday May 18 - 6:00pm - Berkshire Outfitters
Location: Route 8 Adams Ma - Race Pace Ride.
Managing organization - Berkshire Outfitters Store 

Contact: Josh Chittenden at 413-743-5900 or email 
 
Thursday May 19 - 6:00pm The Spoke Ride
Location: The Spoke, Main street, Williamstown MA - Recreational Pace
Managing organization - The Spoke 

Contact: Paul Reinhold - 413-458-3456 or email 

 
Thursday May 19 - Promptly at 5:45pm, please arrive early - Berkshire Cycling Association
Location: This 19 mile loop begins at the boat ramp at Stockbridge Bowl.
Managing organization - Berkshire Cycling Association 

Contact: Shaun Weigand - 413-499-6110 or email 

 
Saturday May 28 - The City of Pittsfield's 2nd annual community bike ride to the Pittsfield State Forest and back. This is a 6 mile gentle ride.
Location: Meet at the Controy Pavilion at Burbank Park, Pittsfield; Registration is between 9:00am and 10:00am. Refreshments provided free.
Managing organization - The City of Pittsfield
Contact: Jim McGrath @ 413-499-9344 or check City website for information.

 

Check baystatebikeweek.org for rides in other areas.
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JUNE

June 6-10 - City of Pittsfield Bike to Work Week. Contact Jim McGrath @ 413-499-9344 or check www.pittsfield.com for information.

In Memoriam
Pittsfield will miss Astrid Hagenguth    


Astrid Hagenguth recently passed away in New York City.  Astrid was an active environmentalist who was passionate about trying to motivate others to action.  She was Chairman of the Pittsfield Tree Watch Committee.  Astrid's efforts through the League of American Bicyclist program to prepare Pittsfield for the League's Bicycle Friendly Community status was and is appreciated by the Berkshire Bike Path Council.  The City of Pittsfield will miss Astrid. 

Astrid, at Pittsfield Community Ride, 2004

  

News
SPRING CLEANUP 

As part of Massachusetts DCR April 16 Park Service Day the Ashuwillticook received a good spring cleaning. 

Thank you all for participating. The trail looks great. We had over 158 volunteers including folks from M. Edward Jewelers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and CYC lacrosse teams. Old Forge restaurant provided the hungry volunteers with a delicious lunch. A great day for the trail!

 

Rebecca Barnes

Department of Conservation and Recreation

West Region Trail Coordinator

 



 

EVERYONE RIDES

 
Ad Lib, the local Independent Living Center and the Berkshire Bike Path have put their annual triathlon to good use.  The triathlon involved teams of athletes with and without disabilities in a bike, run, canoe race on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail and raised $10,000 to offer adaptive cycling equipment, free, right on the trail. On May 14 they will celebrate the opening of the program with "Everyone Rides" event at Farnum's Crossing.

 

The MA Department of Conservation and Recreation constructed a shed to house over 30 pieces of equipment. Berkshire United Cerebral Palsy will provide a Physical Therapist to individually fit the equipment to personal needs and coordinate requests to use the bikes.  "This collaboration will make it possible for us to ride along side our friends at our convenience.  Now the bike path is truly accessible" says Merle Ferber,  member of the Berkshire Bike Path Council.

 

Individuals and groups interested in accessing adaptive equipment should contact Dawn Matthews at UCP.  Following a fitting by their physical therapist, the process for reserving bikes will be explained and release forms will be signed. UCP will make arrangements to have DCR meet the riders at Farnum's Crossing with the equipment..
 
Join us May 14th  from 10-12 to celebrate the opening of this great program.

Becky Barnes with new Adaptive Equipment Shed
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january
   


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For more information, visit http://www.berkshirebikepath.com





                                      Thank you for your continued support!                                 

Please support our efforts to advocate for better bicycling in Berkshire County. Mail your check, made out to Berkshire Bike Path Council, 55 South Mountain Rd, Pittsfield, MA  01201. Per IRS regulations, your donation to the Berkshire Bike Path Council will be treated similarly to a donation made to a 501(c)(3) organization and will be tax deductible.