Six bicycle rides in the Berkshires from Lenox Massachusetts

Shaker Village loop: Soon after setting out on the 26 mile round trip from Lenox, a short climb over Lenox Mountain yields a panoramic view of Stockbridge Bowl and the craggy face of Monument Mountain. Spend a couple of hours at Hancock Shaker Village , with its wonderfully preserved shops, kitchen, barns and heritage garden. Cue sheet   map

Stockbridge, Monterey and Tyringham: Start out past "Gilded Era" mansions in Lenox and through rural farmland on your way to popular Stockbridge. The ride continues along the edge of Beartown State Forest to tiny Monterey, then drops down to the Tyringham Valley. Have lunch in Lee before returning to the Apple Tree Inn along Undermountain Road, for a total of 45 miles. Cue sheet   map

Lenox-Umpachenee Falls Ride.  This route is similar to the Monteryey and Tyringham ride, but adds on 22 miles to New Marlborough and Umpachenee Falls. Cue Sheet  Map

Stockbridge, Alford and West Stockbridge: Head out on a 35 mile ride through Stockbridge and past the Norman Rockwell Museum. After cycling along the rapids of the Housatonic river, you pass through tiny Alford and stop for lunch in West Stockbridge. We often take a break from the 2 mile moderate climb out of West Stockbridge for a walk through the Berkshire Botanical Garden. Today's ride is 35 miles. Cue sheet  map

Lenox-Becket loop: This ride heads west from Lenox through Lee, then along Rt. 20 until you turn toward rural Becket. A long descent on Washington Mountain Rd. takes you into the outskirts of Pittsfield, then returning through Lenoxdale to Lenox. Cue sheet   map

Housatonic River Ride: This ride starts at Cranwell Resort and generally follows the Housatonic River south to Great Barrington, then loops back on other roads. cue sheet   map

Lenox-Williamstown-Hancock loop The ride follows the route to Hancock Shaker Village to south Williamstown, then heads west through Hancock to Rt. 22, and south to Rt. 20, back through west Pittsfield to Lenox. cue sheet   map