October 21, 2026 - Bennington, VT, to Pittsfield, MA
End: Pittsfield, MA
Miles: 47.3
Feet climbing per mile: 57
Record of the day's ride: https://ridewithgps.com/trips/421596389
I had no legs cramps during the night, but I did have loose bowels in the morning (TMI?), maybe from too much magnesium.
The day started chilly, so I did not start riding until 10:30 at which time the temperature was 47 but felt like 52. Before heading toward my next destination I rode a mile to visit the Bennington Battle Monument.
It was another gorgeous day, and at mile 4.8 I was riding on beautiful asphalt.
At mile 4.9 I stopped to view the Bennington Fish Culture Station.
I saw two ducks enjoying the fall weather.
At mile 10.1 I walked a short distance when the grade went up to 12.9%.
I rode a short distance on Route 7 and could have continued on Route 7 with its generous shoulder and beautiful surface...
...but then I wouldn't have had the pleasure of riding Burrington Road.
I soon returned to Route 7, along which I saw an interesting rock formation.
At mile 15.8 I discovered a third Stewart's, where I stopped to enjoy a Monster zero sugar. Once more the five-cent deposit was refunded to me when I returned the empty can.
Less than a mile later I crossed the state line into Massachusetts.
As soon as I entered Massachusetts the shoulder became narrower and the surface broken and rough. It would stay that way for quite a while.
At mile 21.7 I needed to walk a short distance when the grade went up to 9.3%.
The Porches Inn at MASS MoCA has a most appropriate name.
At mile 26.2 I saw a football team stretching, which I found silly.
I was glad to see them doing jumping jacks.
At mile 27.4 I saw mining operations of Specialty Minerals Inc.
Here's the satellite image from Google.
At mile 28 I departed from my route in order to stop at a Dollar General for another Monster zero sugar.
This time my nickel deposit was not returned, but the person working at Dollar General told me he looked it up and learned that all sellers are required by law to accept empty cans and return the deposit or any items they sell I will write to Dollar General and ask them to change their policy in order to comply with the law.
As I wrote above, as I entered Massachusetts the shoulder became narrower and the surface broken and rough. Furthermore there was a moderate amount of traffic. So at mile 29.8 I departed from my route and entered the beautiful Ashuwillticook Rail Trail which I rode 13.6 miles to its end. In some sections the trail was open, in others covered by a canopy of trees.
What do you think is the meaning of the X?
Sometimes the trail ran along a stream.
It also ran along the Cheshire Reservoir...
...followed by another canopy of trees.
When I left the Ashuwillticook Rail Trail to enter Merrill Road, I saw that I needed to take the sidewalk.
At mile 44.2, after riding the sidewalk for a mile, I decided to avoid the heavy traffic and depart from my route and use Google Maps to create a safer route to my destination.
I arrived at the Berkshire Inn at 5:00. I was comfortable in my room, but I soon discovered a hazard by catching my foot on the lip at the entrance to the bathroom.
I covered the hazard with a rolled-up towel so that I would not suffer further injury.
For dinner I walked about a half mile to the District Kitchen & Bar. There I had a Caesar salad followed by a hamburger with bleu cheese, caramelized onions, bordelaise, pickle, mixed greens, and green beans. When I started eating my glucose was at 86 and it rose to only 105, an increase of just 19! That was truly a keto meal, and so satisfying.
After dinner I went shopping for a half-pound of cheddar to be used as a snack the next day. In the Big Y grocery store I saw a robot cleaning the floor. I wish I had gotten in its way to see how smart it is.
Previous day:
October 20, 2026 - Albany, NY, to Bennington, VT
Next day: October 22, 2026 - Pittsfield, MA, to Albany, NY
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