NEST Summer 2024 Birthday Bash
Save the dates, July 25th to the 29th for a long weekend of riding in Western Massachusetts. This will be a Thursday afternoon to Monday morning event! When I started New England Sport Touring back in 2006 my intention was to offer up guided touring rides all around New England. Over my 40 years of riding here in this wonderful location I have accumulated a vast list of great roads to ride, places to see and fantastic places to eat! I’ve been putting together events like this privately and sharing with my close friends. It’s time to broaden that horizon and share with all of you!
So…
Summer 2024 Adventure Weekend!
Lodging-
We will be staying at the Jiminy Peak Resort in Hancock MA. I have 15 rooms blocked off at a discounted rate. They offer 1-bedroom Condos (with full kitchens) or 2-bedroom 2-bathroom condos as well (you need to call to reserve one of those) I have a 1-bedroom at base reserved. The only thing I couldn’t get them to do is a Saturday check in, that is a company policy they wouldn’t budge on. So, at the very least you will need to stay Fri and Sat nights. Hancock in right on the NY line just a few towns south of North Adams.
The area is right in the middle of some amazing riding! The resort itself is pretty cool. Indoor and outdoor pools. 2 restaurants on site and one more withing walking distance. They also have an adventure park on site (mountain coaster and other activities) as well as some great hiking trails nearby.
Rates are as follows.
1 bedroom Thru & Sun nights $149each Friday & Saturday $189each
(Thursday thru Sun total is $675 before taxes)
2 bedroom Thru & Sun nights $279each Friday & Saturday $329each
You can call them directly at 413-738-5500 ext. 6201 and mention you are part of the NE Sport Touring Room Block or book online using the discount code. To book online go to https://www.jiminypeak.com/ , click the “Lodging & Real Estate” tab, then click “Book Lodging online”. It will ask for the dates, then “Add Special Code” then “Group Code”- this is where your unique code goes; 29V2QH – then click search. Your Country Inn rates will come up automatically. I’m looking forward to this weekend and hope you are able to attend! Go book your room as soon as you can.
If you want to share a 2 bedroom or 3 bedroom unit with other people you would need to call the number above to reserve that room. I will start a separate thread in the discussion for people that may want to share a room.
There are also two campgrounds nearby if you would like to attend but want to camp. Here are the links for those two places.
Mt. Greylock Campsite Park | Camping in the Berkshires (mtgreylockcampsitepark.com)
Riding
The idea behind this trip is to spend a few days riding some amazing roads in Western MA, Southern Vermont and Upstate NY. I will have two motorcycles with me, my small ADV bike and my street only Sport Touring bike. I will offer up to lead a ride each day, Friday-Sat and Sunday.
Adventure Rides
Two days will be a big bike Friendly Adventure ride. Both routes will have some of the Piccadilly Pineapple Adventure Trail roads in it as well as some roads from NEBDR, TMT and some other little roads that I have found over the years.
For the most part all the ride that will be run will be “big Bike Friendly” Which can mean different things to different people. However, I would say if you were on a big ADV bike and have limited experience on dirt roads you will enjoy this trip. There will be some loose gravel sections, a few hills with rocky sections mixed in, but for the most part it will be easy gravel roads.
There will be some sections that will be considered expert or hard for those that want to challenge themselves. I will have a few people leading different groups and we will split up allowing people to be able to do this.
Pavement Rides
I will also lead one day this weekend on a all-pavement ride. Most likely it will be in NY and then dip into western CT before coming back into the Berkshires. Like most of the rides I lead the pace is usually spirited and fun, but not crazy fast. I will also provide GPS tracks for these rides and will have my Cardo Communication system with me so we should be able to keep the group together. If we have a lot of people coming on this, we may break up into smaller groups.
Solo Riding
If doing group rides isn’t your thing, no worries. I will provide several days’ worth of gps tracks and routes for those lone wolf type riders. Have you own small group of riding buddies? Bring them along and enjoy the area. No one needs to join any group ride to come have fun on this weekend.