Our 2018 Micro-Tour season has come to an end with Micro-Tour 7, a 3 state adventure to Beartown, Mass.
The day started cold and dark, with a ride from Brooklyn to Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan at 5am.
Waiting on the 7am train that will take us north
Our first train took us 2 hours north
Then it was a rainy transfer in Southeast for the 40 minute final train to Wassiac
…that train to Wassiac, NY
The group of 14 of us disembark into steady rain, and low-40 degree temps.
The group set off north on the Putnam Valley Rail Trail for 10 mines to Millerton, NY
Lots of rain and leaves on this part of the trip
At Millerton, the group veers east and stops for lunch in Salisbury CT, 16 miles from the start of the journey. The rain is still coming down, and many riders opt to change into more substantial rain/warm gear.
The group turns north and crosses into Massachusetts at Sheffield
Group waiting near Sheffield, MA for riders who had a flat behind main group.
At mile 24, the route took us again east on some great gravel and farm roads…it was at this point that the rain began to break.
Although still a little chilly, the sun was certainly welcome
A team break at the Sheffield , MA cemetery
Next stop, grocery store at Mile 33 to get food and (dry) firewood for dinner
The last 4 miles gained over 700 feet
For the group arriving to camp earliest, there were some stunning views of the lake
With sunset at 6:13pm, it started getting dark pretty soon after everyone’s arrival. Image property of Daniel Arena
As always, a campfire is started at once…temps were expected to dip to 35 degrees during the night
Great food, drink and stories around the campfire
A chilly, windy, starry October night in the Berkshires. Image property of Daniel Arena
The night was cold and windy until around 1am, then it was cold and still. Everyone was geared up properly and kept warm. In order to catch 12:15pm train on Sunday at Wassiac, a group of 8 of us started the trek back at 7am.
It was a stunning morning, with mild temperatures and alot of fog.
Dawn Patrol, riding south
We ran into a nice group of roadies heading down the mountain
Short brake on ride south
We came through Salisbury on Sunday, retracing our steps.
One we hit NY, we do the final 10 miles south on the Putnam Trail to Wassiac.
Dawn Patrol made it comfortable, with about 45 minutes to spare
Its then back on the train for the 3 hour ride back to the real world
Micro-Tour Shirts
Maps
Full Image Gallery
