Best of Western MA Roads -- Google Maps Compilation

[spicy]

Since I'm graduating, I figured I'd compile my 4 years of road-knowledge for all the future UMass/Western MA motorcycle-riding generations.

Here it is, put it to good use.



Google Maps


any chance a Mod could sticky this? maybe change the title and turn it into a "Post a Google Maps of your best roads here" thread?



~spicy

[lady flyin' low]

aaron this is absolutely awesome...you'll have to bring me around on some of these cool roads...i also wanna experience "the craziest turn in the area" for myself

[jimaug87]

I need a bike before you can really show me all of these guys. the truck is sold, keep an eye out. <= $3,000

[bertbert2oo6]

i do not konw anyone else who knows the roads here better than Aaron

[spicy]

kind of a habit of mine...

guess i'm just decent w/ directions

[deslock]

Very cool! Appreciate the time and effort you had to put into drawing the polylines and writing the descriptions... we'll definitely put your experience to good use.

A couple more additions: Harris Mt Rd (from the southern loop we did somewhat recently), Route 66 west out of Northampton (which leads to a nice Route 112, 20, and 8 loop). There are also some awesome roads farther out on the way to Limerock.

That southern loop was about an hour. A couple longer loops (~90 min) to the north are Shutesbury/Leverett/Wendell and Conway/Ashfield. A Quabbin loop can be done in ~2 hours.

I mentioned this to spicy and bertbert2oo6 already, but it'd be really fun to go out to Mt Greyloke. That can be done in 3-4 hours but with breaks it'd end up being an all-day trip (especially since we'd want to hit a lot of the fun roads that you can see on Spicy's map).

FYI to anyone else looking to use Google to make maps: using directions allows for maps to be made and shared very quickly, but it's not as pretty. Logging in and using "My Maps" takes longer, but will result in much nicer looking maps with more information and you can add people as collaborators. I'm not sure if there's a way to combine maps without resorting to using Google's mapping API.

(This goes without saying, but I suppose it never hurts to mention it... be mindful of sand, pavement defect, deer, bicyclists, and pedestrians on these roads... visibility isn't great in a lot of sections)

We'll be riding again this afternoon, BTW

[jeantarrou]

VERY NICE Aaron,

Having lived in Northampton and the surrounding area for a couple of years I recognize a lot of these routes. And I must say that before I left RI for western MA I didn't know what I was missing, but being back in Rhody after 3 years out west the roads over here just don't compare. There are some hidden gems, but nothing like what you've shown us.

That's it, I'm finding some time next week and I'm doing an all day trip out to Northampton area, who's in!!!!????

[Paul_E_D]

that was fun, but you just exposed all of my local short runs. I live on River Rd. (well, it's Main St. in Hatfield).

[taxonomy]

Originally Posted by deslock

Very cool! Appreciate the time and effort you had to put into drawing the polylines and writing the descriptions... we'll definitely put your experience to good use.

A couple more additions: Harris Mt Rd (from the southern loop we did somewhat recently), Route 66 west out of Northampton (which leads to a nice Route 112, 20, and 8 loop). There are also some awesome roads farther out on the way to Limerock.

Be aware that RT66 out of Northampton to the Westhampton line is being straightened and widened. It's pretty much a disaster. It'll be going on for a couple years.

As I said on the other list, Aaron's work is awesome!

[chrisc]

Awesome!

I went to school at UMass, but never had a bike while I was there. Been meaning to take the bike back down that way. Thanks for this!

[keeena]

Originally Posted by Paul_E_D

that was fun, but you just exposed all of my local short runs.

Yup, caught one of my local favorites (WDR)...i rarely see bikes there though I can't imagine that the road was a total secret.



Haha. Nice work though, good choice of roads.

[Paul_E_D]

There are no secrets with GPS. I don't think this kind of post has any real effect on a spot. It's not like surfing!