Under Construction

Extended Bike Path Route

The Northampton Bike Trail is undergoing a much anticipated change tomorrow… Main Street will be shut down tomorrow for a few hours to put up the new bridge crossing Main St. in Northampton.  This is a project to extend the rail trail from Earle Street to a stop light at King St.

The plan is also to connect the Norwottuck Rail Trail to the Northampton Bike Path. And extend the Look Park end of the trail to continue into Leeds.  The bridge will not be open to public till after June.  I have also heard that plans are in the works to connect Easthampton and

Mudslide on the Manhan

Northampton via a bike path.  I hope that the mud slide that happened this past fall does not put a stop to those plans. The mud slide has washed out a section of the Manhan Bike Trail and left a hole 30 feet deep and 100 feet wide.  They estimate that it will be upwards of $400,000.

I have also heard plans for a trail that runs all the way to Boston.  I am not sure if this is true or complete hogwash.  I hope for it being true…

Rail Trail – Florence to Amherst (13.8 miles one way)

Along the Rail Trail

Yesterday I decided to take the bicycle out for a change of pace.  I was a little worried about it being a little cold so I threw on some layers, a hat, and gloves.  I live about 1000 feet from the Northampton Bike Trail.  The Northampton Bike Trail Starts at Bridge Rd. near Look Park and continues to the Stop and Shop parking lot on King St.  If you are daring you can cross over King St. and follow the trail behind the McDonalds you will have to cross some rail road tracks (use caution the tracks are active).  Once you cross over you are now on the start of the Norwottuck Rail Trail. The Norwottuck Trail runs about 11 miles from Northampton to the Amherst/Pelham town line. The main parking lot for the Norwottuck Trail is just off Damon Rd. in Northampton. You can view my map in google for other possible parking locations.  This trail has a great mix of country riding.  You will find a few businesses on the Trail including two bike shops (Chris’ Bike Shop &  Trailside Bicycles), and a few places to get some

Trailside Bicycles

food. Trailside Bicycles offers rentals and is open every day but Monday.  If geocaching is your thing you can find at least a half dozen caches just off the trail.  I found two yesterday.

Over all my ride was 24 miles and it was wonderfully relaxing.  I did however realize that I need a bag for my rack so I can easily carry some stuff with me.  Mainly geocaching stuff and some tools would be nice to have too…