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Bike Safety
Safe riding starts with getting your bike into shape. Before you start riding, you should inspect your bike to make sure it is safe.
Are all parts fastened on tightly? Check the saddle, handlebars, handlebar stem, brake levers, cranks, and derailleurs.
Are the tires fully inflated and free from cuts? Tires should have all cuts repaired and no bulges, and no cords should be showing.
Are all rotating parts properly adjusted? Check the wheel bearings for wobble, quick releases, head set (steering) bearings.
Will the brakes stop you quickly? Check that brake pads are properly positioned, brake cables and cable housings are intact and clean and that the whole brake system is properly adjusted.
Do the gears change and drive properly? Make sure all gears work and shift properly without the chain falling off the sprocket.
Do you have the proper tools for making roadside repairs? Check that you have the right size tools for your bike, a bicycle pump and a spare tube that will fit your bike.
If you are unsure or uncomfortable about making these safety checks, take your bike to a reputable bike shop. The money spent for a tune up is good insurance for an accident free season. Bike shops in Berkshire County are listed on our webpage.
Ashuwillticook Trail Clean Up
On April 21, 2012, please join the Department of Conservation and Recreation, your friends and neighbors for a little spring cleaning as we make the places we all care about look beautiful! Park Serve Day on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail begins at 9am at Farnam's Rd. parking lot in Cheshire. All are welcome.
During this day of statewide volunteer service, we'll work together to get parks and trails across Massachusetts ready for summer. With your help, we'll be sprucing up park facilities, maintaining trails, planting flowers, and more. These valuable resources belong to all of us, and we can all take pride in them! Visit http://www.mass.gov/dcr/ to register on line for Park Serve on the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail or call (413)499-7003 for more information.
Stockbridge Trails moves forward
Funds have been allocated by the Community Preservation Committee in the current 2012 fiscal year to study possibilities for the creation of bike lanes through the center of town on East and West Main Streets and Church Street. This project, if approved, will be done in conjunction with the proposed resurfacing of these streets in the coming year.
A second CPC grant has been applied for, and needs to be approved by town meeting in May, to study the feasibility of creating walking and biking lanes adjacent to the vehicular lanes along Prospect Hill, Mahkeenac and Hawthorne Roads from Stockbridge town center to the back side of Tanglewood.
Update on Transportation Bills
The messages you sent your senators made an enormous difference. We are delighted to report that the Manager's Amendment to MAP-21, the Senate transportation bill, containing a modified version of U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar's amendment continuing the Recreational Trails Program essentially unchanged, was accepted March 13 on the Senate floor.
Meanwhile, in the U.S. House of Representatives, the draft transportation bill (H.R. 7) failed to attract enough support. We do not yet know whether the House will change its own bill, take up the Senate's bill, or simply move to extend funding under existing law.
But House leaders must act fast, as the clock is ticking on the current transportation law, set to expire on March 31. . For more on the bill debate, see this excellent Hill article:
Berkshire to Boston - Sept 19-23
Ride across Massachusetts this September in the Berkshires to Boston Bicycle Tour (240 miles 50 -79 miles a day). Event kicks off at Hancock Shaker Village and ends with Hub On Wheels, Boston's annual cycling celebration.
A fee of $325 includes camping accommodations, 3 dinners, sag support, and daily luggage transport. Motel accommodations and Comfy Camper services in each overnight community and transporation from Boston back to Hancock are available for an additional fee.
Berkshire Cycling Classic (aka - the Gran Fondo of Lenox)
JOHN EUSTICE OF SPARTA CYCLING, INC. has scheduled the first annual Berkshire Cycling Classic in Lenox on Sunday May 6, 2012. It will feature route selections of 62 and 81 miles (100k and 130k) and travel through 11 towns in Southern Berkshire County with the start and finish in Lenox. It is open to cyclists of all abilities and ages but is aimed at riders looking for a challenging experience. Overall times for both distances will be recorded and ranked according to age groups.
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