Another Step Closer to Paris: The Bash Bish 300K

What do you call the Bash Bish 300K when the road that leads to the falls is closed and forces a detour? Easier. Like many of the Westfield brevets, this route has been fine-tuned over the years and takes in some outstanding roads very well suited to long distance riding. We found ourselves on either quiet back roads or larger state highways with low traffic and wide shoulders throughout most of the day with all of the roads providing beautiful views of some pretty majestic countryside. One can see why the Berkshires are a popular vacation and retirement destination.

We could not have asked for much better weather on May 9 for the Berkshire Brevets Bash Bish 300K out of Westfield, MA. The start was scheduled for a civilized 6:00 am, which allowed for a bit of sun to erase the dawn although there was some fog during the first segment that forced me to remove my sunglasses for a short while. The route, which I have completed once before, is lollypop shaped with both the start and finish covering the same 50 miles or so. The first and last 25 miles take in a lovely stretch of “blue highway” known as Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway, a one hundred year-old road that was the first to cross one of the peaks in the Berkshires. The climbing on the way out of Westfield is never really too extreme and more than worth it on the return after 160 miles of hilly riding.

The controls were a bit of a time-suck on this event. The first, at the Great Barrington Dunkin’ Donuts, comes at mile 49. I ordered a yummy bacon, egg and cheese sandwich and an iced coffee that really hit the spot, especially since I had not eaten a proper breakfast at the start of the day. The bottleneck at the checkout line was less than ideal, but all told, the control took about 10 minutes to get through. We hit the second control in Kent, CT right three or so girls’ tennis teams from a local tournament seemed to descend for lunch. The café makes a mean sandwich (the cost of which is covered by the brevet entry fee) so it’s unlikely that I’ll change plans in the future, but it would be possible to simply get the card signed and stop somewhere else in town for a little caloric resupply to make it through in less time.

I did meet up with a few other riders, but none of us rode together for very long. I caught up with Maine randonneurs Christine T. and James R. at the start and spoke a bit about Paris logistics before we each fell into our own comfortable paces. I also rode between controls one and two with fellow Hudson Valley rider Hans J. and was pleased to catch up and meet the man behind the Facebook profile. A few other riders, such as Ted L. and I seemed to leapfrog one another for most of the day.

As I dial in my training for PBP, I’m eager to gauge both my fitness and my efficiency in controls, knowing that both will make PBP not only easier, but also more enjoyable. Through stronger riding, better planning and greater efficiency, I’m hoping to shave a bit of time off of my previous attempts at the brevets I will be undertaking this spring as I fine-tune my riding, eating and sleeping plans for PBP.  This strategy has had me riding solo for much of the past two brevets, but the information I’ve been able to gather while listening to my body and focusing on my own performance and limitations has been well worth it.

I was pleased to finish the 300K in 13:30, which was a bit under my target for the day, shaving 55 minute’s off of my 2013 result. Of course, the detour shaved a bit of climbing off the ride so the comparison is not exact, but I was pleased with the results anyway.

Up next: the Western and Central NY 400K through the Finger Lakes on June 6.

The Westfield 300K: Bash Bish Falls Edition

Despite getting my new rando bike in the fall of 2011, it wasn't until this week that I finally installed a wired taillight to the rear fender. I loved the B&M Seculight on my previous rando bike and it was probably my perfectionism and perceived lack of appropriate tools that held me back, so I flagged down my mechanic neighbor and (for the price of a frosty cold beer) my bike is ready to take on the elements.

This was not the first (and will likely not be the last) time that I awaken to rain at the old Elm Motel in downtown Westfield, Massachusetts. The Elm is a rando classic in Western New England. A decidedly no-frills place with a kind and generous staff, it feels a bit like an overnight control you want to get out of as soon as possible after waking up.

As always, RBA Don P. puts on a good show. The Bash Bish 300K follows a really lovely route filled with dazzling views, serious climbs, dense forests, assorted farmlands and even a dedicated bike trail for good measure. One of the best parts of the route is that the first and last 35 miles of the route follows a single road that climbs (and the descends!) though some lovely countryside making navigation super easy at both the start and end of the brevet which is always most welcome. The first control comes at mile 31 and riders found Don with a table of goodies set up in a small park at the entrance to the Appalachian Trail.

After the first control, cyclists wind their way through the lovely Berkshire mountains, an area filled with artistic as well as historic communities, on their way to the famed Bash Bish Falls in the eastern corner of New York State. It was nice to see the Blayleys at the start, but unfortunately, they needed to swap out a tire on their tandem on a borrowed wheel to allow for a better fit, so they took off 10-15 minutes after the rest of the field. I knew it was only a matter of time before we'd see them again and sure enough, after hearing the low rumble of a jet engine taking off, I looked to my left and heard a cordial "Hi George" as a tandem flashed by.

With over 60 miles between controls, randonneurs arrive in Kent, Connecticut with a hearty appetite. Good thing Don has arranged a pre-paid lunch control at the gourmet Gifford Market. Pretty classy, Don. After enjoying a roasted chicken and avocado sandwich with chipotle mayonnaise, I was off to tackle the wilds of eastern New York. In fact, the sandwich was so rich, I packed up half of it to stow away in my bag for later.

The rain came down rather heavily as we zoomed through quiet country lanes and even the Harlem Valley Rail trail en route to Bash Bish. The climb to the top of the falls was pretty intense, especially as it comes after 200K of riding through somewhat hilly terrain. At the top of the climb, John (a rider from the Boston area I had teamed up with after lunch) and I even scrambled up some slick rocks in search of a view, but sadly none was available. A view must be available somewhere, but we did not have time for the search.

To add insult to injury, the climbing's not done when you arrive at the falls as there are a few miles of switchbacks hidden right around the corner. The next section was wet and generally enjoyable as John and I snaked our way back into the Berkshires, departing from the route for only a few bonus dirt miles along the way.

The skies finally cleared as we entered the penultimate control to find Don and his wife with a full selection of sandwiches, snacks and drinks. These treats really hit the spot as we refueled for the final 31 miles to the finish. This last section, as I mentioned above, is one of the most pleasant route finishes I've experienced. Riders follow one smooth road with at least 25 of the final 31 miles pointed downhill. The icing on the cake was the text Pamela and John left me with instructions to their shower so I could clean up before the long drive home. The Bash Bish 300K is definitely on my list of rides to repeat in years to come.