Conference noted::bicycle

    Hi!
    
    Sounds like it was fun!  I can recommend two books.  First, check
    out note 189.16 and .17.  This book (New England Over the Handlebars)
    has the mileage for the Wachusett Loop.  There's another book called
    Short Bike Rides In {i think} Easter Massachusetts.  It has lots
    of suggestions, many in your area.  Most are 20 or so miles.
    
    I was in your same position last year, riding with my boyfriend,
    following maps and trying to guess at mileages or following up
    afterward with the car.  I finally got an Avocet Cyclometer from
    Santa Claus, and now I know that the last quick ride I took was
    16.0 miles.  Check out other notes on bike computers.  If you always
    ride together, you only need one (unless you want to know how much
    faster you ride than your wife!), so the cost is split in half!
    
    Have fun.
    
    Elaine

    HI THERE:
    
    I LIVE IN HUDSON, AND THINK IT IS ABOUT 30 MILES.  DICK, MY HUSBAND
    AND I BIKE ALOT.  HE MIGHT KNOW THE EXACT MILAGE.  HIS NODE IS
    GRAMPS::AYRES.  I AM SHARE::AYRES.
    
    

    FORGOT TO MENTION. MY NAME IS MARY.  HOPE YOU GOT MY LAST MESSAGE
    SAYING THE LOOP I THINK IS ABOUT 30 MILES TOTAL.  NODE SHARE::AYRES

When we ride the Wassachusetts loop we ride Rte. 70 to Rte. 140 to Rte. 12
to Rte. 62 to Rte 70, in other words through Sterling.  This loop is about 
22 miles.  I've only cut down Rte. 110 once, I'd quess it would be about
5-6 miles shorter.

Anne

	There is a Wachusett (one "s", tops) loop in "Short Bike Rides in
	Greater Boston and Central Massachusetts", by Howard Stone (which
	I left at home today).  -Available in most bike and book shops.
	As I recall, it includes a nice description of Clinton (site of
	Jimmy Carter's town meeting and the most colorful river in America).

	How about a new note including descriptions of favorite loops?
	(Maybe several notes arranged by region?  -Central Mass., Eastern
	Mass., NH, Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket, Finger Lakes,
	NY except Finger Lakes, Hawaii, etc...

    30 miles...Oh boy...I've done it in an hour!!!!!
    
    The only time I remember taking note of the mileage, It was 17.1
    (?) miles including looping around the access road to the dam. 
    Without that, I would estimate 16.5 miles.
    
    BTW - last time "I walked out my door and rode around the reservoir",
    I went through a residential section of Clinton and avoided the
    steep narrow and bumpy roads with traffic (using step bumpy roads without
    traffic).
    
    Glen
                                                                 

    I just checked my "short bike rides..." book.
    
    18 miles starting .5 mi off route, and going 'round the dam access
    road.  So I still say ~16.5 mi.
    
    Glen

    I found out the hard way that sections of 110, from the 110/12
    intersection to after Chace Hill Rd. enters 110, are torn up.  Judging
    by the markings on the road, there's more de[con]struction to come.  I
    paid for this knowledge by getting me and the bike covered with oily
    gravel, puncturing a tire (which I didn't notice 'til I got home and
    saw the tube bulging out -- yikes!), and having to walk the bike over a
    section.  Off course, I'd just cleaned the bike the night before.  :^)
    
    I highly recommend extending the ride through Sterling.  From 62 in
    Sterling, you can cut over Chace Hill Rd. or South Meadow Rd. to
    re-join 62 and skip downtown Clinton.
    
    I wonder how many other people found this out the hard way?  And how
    many were foolish enough to push on after the first torn up section? 
    :^)
    
    Jamie

    I think most resevoir riders (myself, the Worcsetor road club that
    rides around it every week, for example), avoid 110 and use 12 (from
    Nancy Cheung's) to Sterling and then 62 into Clinton anyhow.  The
    shoulder is humongous on that route (110's is basically the width of
    a white stripe) and since you don't have to worry about traffic, etc,
    it should result in a higher avg speed, although it does add 2 miles.
    .02 kb

    re .-1
    
    Now I know!  :^)  Actually, I see a fair number of riders out on that
    stretch.  You're right about the lack of a good shoulder, but it's no
    more narrow than many of the $%&* roads around here.
    
    Jamie

    If anyone is interested in a group ride around the res, there
    are some weekly organized rides:
    
    Every Thursday evening is a ride, more like a training race,
    around the res, 21 miles.  The ride meets at Tahanto High School
    on Rt 70 in Boylston at 5:45, and riders roll off at 6:00pm sharp.
    Before the ride we form 'packs' of 10 riders or less, and each pack
    usually has two 'teams'.  The small size keeps motorists more happy,
    and is still enough to allow for some team strategy.  Very fun ride
    and fast pace. Normally there are 3 'packs' so it's relatively easy
    to fit into one matching your current fitness level.
    
    Also on Friday Mornings, we meet at 6:30AM at the Clinton Dam on Rt 70,
    and do a mellow pace loop around the res. This ride is mostly for just
    spinning the legs and is a chance to smell the roses, etc.
    
    Directions: From 495, take Exit#26 (Rt 62 Hudson/Berlin).
    Head WEST on Rt 62 for 5.0 miles, following signs for 62 West.
    At 5.0 miles you will be at a STOP sign, intersecting Rt 70.
    
    For Thurs night ride, Take a LEFT and go 2.3 miles, school is
    on your right.
    
    For Friday AM ride, take a RIGHT at the Stop sign, and go .7
    miles; park on Left at Clinton Dam.
    
    Regards,
    Mark