Wachusett Mountain, MA – Wachusett Mountain is among the less challenging hill climb races that we’re talking about here. Sure, you will find a few sustained steep sections on your way, but there are some flat and downhill stretches that allow for some recovery. The Wachusett Mountain climb, when you take the time-trial track, starts out below the ski area at the base lodge on Mountain Road.
The first miles are is the hardest as the track averages some 8 to 9% grade. Then you turn right onto the summit road which will take you around to Wachusett Mountain summit by a 1-way auto road. There’s a short downhill section just when you’ve done some 2 miles and here, you can reach a speed of some 40mph so you’ll really need that ring on your bike.
The downhill stretch with the sharp left turn at the bottom is barreled off so you take the shortcut which takes about a half-mile out of initial TT course. The last stretch onto the parking lot at the top is quite steep again, probably more than 12%. On a clear day, you even might see Boston from Wachusett’s summit. The Wachusett time-trial series runs once a month on Wednesday evenings, for three or four months.
Bash Bish Hill TT, MA – This time-trial format USCF sanctioned event is run by the Housatonic Wheel Club. The series runs the first Tuesday of each month May through August, the first rider going off at 6 pm. Haven’t done this one yet, but it looks to be in a scenic, remote area of the Berkshire Mountains. The first half of the route gets the climbing out of the way, then the last few miles roll along.
The Bash Bish Hill Climb in Egremont, Massachusetts is pretty much the reverse of the Agamenticus TT in southern Maine, which climbs right at the end. If the Housatonic Hill Club continues to organize this series, I hope to swing out to try it one of these years. I’ll keep on training to keep in perfect shape to do so!