Berkshire Cycling: Washington–Lenox Loop 1

31miles                   Paved Roads

Start: Rt. 8, parking lot at town park, Washington

Beefalo babies in field

Wanting to watch Friday’s stage of the Tour de France (the riders were in the Pyrenees, traveling through exactly the area I will be in September,) I rode to Lenox to watch on Arcadian Shop’s lovely large-screen television. The route uses Route 8 for a stretch, but it isn't too busy, descends down the always-fun Kirchner Road into Pittsfield, makes its way to Lenox, including a bit of the not-bike-friendly section of Route 7 between Lenox and Pittsfield. That road is better north of Pittsfield and south of Lenox. Riders need to use either Holmes Road or East Street; East is probably better, but neither is good.

West Branch of the Westfield River

I would love to recommend riding anywhere in the county, but the sections of this in Pittsfield (Holmes Road, East Street and Route 7) could all use some attention from their keepers to make them safer for bicycles.

Roads: Rt. 8 north to Kirchner Road. Follow to Williams Street, left onto Holmes Road, left (south) onto Route 7 to Arcadian Shop. Return north to East Street, right on Williams, bear right onto Washington Mountain Road, left on Frost to return to Rt. 8. Click here for this route on Map My Ride with cue sheet, map and climbing details.



Berkshire Rides List