Harper's Round Table, June 23, 1896 - Various

This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain many valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L.A.W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.

Continuing the journey from Hartford to Pittsfield, leave Canaan by turning to the right just before reaching the railroad, and follow the railroad itself a little over five miles north to Sheffield. There is a good deal of sandy riding to Sheffield, and at Sheffield the Berkshire country begins, where you are sure to find good roads; the road is no longer sandy, but is gravel, well laid, and kept in good condition. From Sheffield, running along on the western bank of the Housatonic River close by the Housatonic Railroad, the road is direct into Great Barrington, it being only necessary for the rider to remember that he must keep to the right just out of Sheffield Plain, and instead of crossing the track keep between the track and the river. Still following the railroad, run out of Great Barrington on the north, cross the railroad, keeping to the left, and then to the right at Mansfield Pond, and run direct to Williamsville through Van Deusenville by the road already described in a recent number; but instead of entering Williamsville, turn to the right just before the town is reached, cross the Housatonic Railroad at Housatonic, and follow the branch road, keeping near the track all the way to Glendale; thence going north, run direct to Curtisville, through Stockbridge, leaving Stockbridge Bowl on the right. After passing through Curtisville run direct by West Street into Lenox. There are other roads, but this particular one is at present in the best condition.

Leaving Lenox by Main Street, the road is direct to Pittsfield, it being possible for the rider either to turn to the right at the fork, about three or four miles out from Lenox into what is called the Middle Road, or to keep straight on what is called the South Road. Either way brings you into Pittsfield itself, and the rider will here reach the point where, by reversing the map given in No. 866 of Harper's Round Table, he may proceed to Hudson, on the Hudson River, and thence run down the Hudson to New York. By following the descriptions already given, it will be seen that the rider joined the route from Hudson to Pittsfield at Great Barrington; but unless he is making a regular circuit and his time is limited, he is strongly advised to run on up through Stockbridge and Lenox to Pittsfield, and to reverse the journey in coming back to Hudson, as, if he turns westward at Great Barrington and runs to Hudson direct, he will miss one of the most delightful roads in Massachusetts. Or he may turn eastward from Pittsfield, and proceed towards the middle of Massachusetts by routes which we hope to give in the near future.

This country is so well adapted in every way, except the one of hills, for bicycling that in reality almost any route is a good one, and any wheelman who is out for pleasure, and is not limited absolutely as to time, will do well to study the country as he goes along, to make inquiries, and to pick out short or long runs for himself.

Note.—Map of New York city asphalted streets in No. 809. Map of route from New York to Tarrytown in No. 810. New York to Stamford, Connecticut, in No. 811. New York to Staten Island in No. 812. New Jersey from Hoboken to Pine Brook in No. 813. Brooklyn in No. 814. Brooklyn to Babylon in No. 815. Brooklyn to Northport in No. 816. Tarrytown to Poughkeepsie in No. 817. Poughkeepsie to Hudson in No. 818. Hudson to Albany in No. 819. Tottenville to Trenton in No. 820. Trenton to Philadelphia in No. 821. Philadelphia in No. 822. Philadelphia-Wissahicken Route in No. 823. Philadelphia to West Chester in No. 824. Philadelphia to Atlantic City—First Stage in No. 825; Second Stage in No. 826. Philadelphia to Vineland—First Stage in No. 827; Second Stage in No. 828. Now York to Boston—Second Stage in No. 829; Third Stage in No. 830; Fourth Stage in No. 831; Fifth Stage in No. 832; Sixth Stage in No. 833. Boston to Concord in No. 834. Boston in No. 835. Boston to Gloucester in No. 836. Boston to Newburyport in No. 837. Boston to New Bedford in No. 838. Boston to South Framingham in No. 839. Boston to Nahant in No. 840. Boston to Lowell in No. 841. Boston to Nantasket Beach in No. 842. Boston Circuit Ride in No. 843. Philadelphia to Washington—First Stage in No. 844; Second Stage in No. 845; Third Stage in No. 846; Fourth Stage in No. 847; Fifth Stage in No. 848. City of Washington in No. 849. City of Albany in No. 854; Albany to Fonda in No. 855; Fonda to Utica in No. 856; Utica to Syracuse in No. 857; Syracuse to Lyons in No. 858; Lyons to Rochester in No. 859; Rochester to Batavia in No. 860; Batavia to Buffalo in No. 861; Poughkeepsie to Newtown in No. 864; Newtown to Hartford in No. 865; New Haven to Hartford in No. 866; Hartford to Springfield in No. 867; Hartford to Canaan in No. 868.