Gyro

I would like to get New England RX8's together for a day trip to northwest Massachusetts. A highway rich with history and beautiful scenery.....






Region: Berkshire Mountains in northwest Massachusetts
Length: Approximately 65 miles (one way, without Mt. Greylock summit loop)
Endpoints: Greenfield and Williamstown
Features: Gentle mountain scenery, historic towns, forested state parks



"Drive the Highway of History and discover the wonderful world of adventure waiting for you in the four season vacation land along the Mohawk Trail.

Stretching from the Massachusetts-New York line to Millers Falls on the Connecticut River, is the actual 63 mile East-West highway. Reminiscent of early American life, the Mohawk Trail provides the traveler of today with well over 100 attractions; country inns, gift shops and public and private camping areas nestled amid the seasonal changing beauty of the Berkshire Hills and Connecticut Valley."



Maps and info

Click for Mohawk Trail history.
Click for larger map of RT 2 and points East.
Click for MHT info.
Click for more info.
Click for weather forecast in the Berkshires.










What will we see?

This is a day trip intended for those who love to drive, taking in scenery and stopping once every so often for a couple pictures. The road has steep ascents, hairpin turns, covered bridges, historic towns and great views of the Adirondacks, Catskills and Green Mountains.





Where and when

The tentative plan is for the participating RX8's to meet on RT 2 in Fitchburg at a specific time on the morning of . We will travel together westward to the Mohawk Trail. Lunch will most likely be in North Adams. Expect 2 hours (more if we stop alot) to reach the restaurant location from Fitchburg. Once in North Adams we can take a side trip (23 miles total) to the summit of Mt. Greylock, the tallest peak in Massachusetts. A sharp ascent with hairpin turns and the best scenic views are among the features of this loop from the Mohawk Trail. We will then double back on the MHT eastward and then split off to our final destinations.





Who is going?

Just let us know if you want to go by posting in this thread and you will be added!

• Gyro
• Speed Racer
• Tigger
• downshift

What to bring

• Full tank of fuel
• FRS radio. Really helpful, especially on an all day trip.
• Camera. Bring back some memories!
• Water, snacks.
• Plenty of time. Why rush it?

*****
This trip will take all day. It is only intended for those who seek a scenic cruise at reasonable speeds, and stopping for pictures will be encoraged. This is not a race! We are looking for a safe ride and safe drivers.
*****


With that said, I think this will be a great road trip. I'm definately looking forward to this great stretch of road. It will be nice to flex the legs a little in the RX8 and see a great part of our New England area!


This is in the tentative stages. Once I have a solid list of people that are interested, we will fine tune it together.
Some of the variables are;

Mt. Greylock Loop (it is recommended but not a must)

Meeting place (Fitchburg was chosen but can be changed depending on where the majority of people are coming from)

Feel free to comment.




Edit----The Date of the mohawk trail has changed...see post

Details will follow as the list of interested people grows.
This post will be maintained as people are added and more details are decided. Let me know if you want to be added to the list.

Gyro

Driver list moved to above post

Speed Racer

Definitely count me in. I have to make up some lost miles this summer.

downshift

Sounds like a fun trip. Count me in!
It will be weird seeing Speed Racer in a RX-8 instead of the Prius.

Tigger

iTrader: (3)

This sounds excelent, keep me posted!

my10ae

Hey Guys:

I'd love to attend but unfortunately I will be coming back from a wild weekend in Canada for my Bachelor Party! :p I'm not sure I'll be home in time and even if I was, I might be seriously hung over.

Have fun guys and take lots of pictures!!

Kev

Speed Racer

I feel like I'm going to need training wheels after spending the last 5 weeks driving around in that handling impaired hybrid econobox. :p

downshift

Admit it: It has the coolest start button of any cars in the world! And you can't even remember when you last pump gas in that car! :p

Speed Racer

Pumping gas is so 20th century! :p

Now if you want to hear something really scary. Over the last 2000 miles the Prius has cost me $91 in gas where as the RX-8 would have set me back $240!

Tigger

iTrader: (3)

Man, you make me cry! Somethings are better left unsaid :p

Speed Racer

Hey Pat,

Where do you want to meet in Fitchburg and what time?

Gyro

I spoke with a few friends that have done this trip before and it looks like a meeting time of no later than 9am should be fine. We will st a firm meet time once we see who and how many are going.
As far as Fitchburg goes, I chose that because its physically on RT 2 and very hard to miss. Also, there is a big parking lot just off the ramp and gas stations everywhere. Most people will me coming from north and east and passing Fitchburg anyway. You on the other hand might benefit from waiting for us along RT 2 near RT 91. Its your call.
I will see about these details once we think everyone has signed up.

BTW, I will constantly be updating the original Mohawk Trail post (I already have) as I get more info, so keep checking to see if there anything new.

Speed Racer

Thanks for the info. I think that I'll have to map the route to Fitchburg both ways (I-89 and I-91). If I-91 is significantly shorter I'll probably meet you guys there. Otherwise I'll be swinging through Manchester and heading south from there and I hope to meet up with a few other people on the way down.

Gyro

Just looking at the map I- 91 looks more direct for you coming from Lebanon NH. If thats the case, you can sit tight at around Turners Falls along RT 2 and you can fall into line when we pass by. The fun really begins after I -91 anyway.



RT 2 starts tapering down to a one lane road shortly after the Fitchburg area and goes through some small towns, paper mills etc. Once I- 91 is crossed over...it becomes the actual Mohawk Trail as we enter the Berkshires.

RPIRX-8

I am about 30/70 at this point. I will most likely be at the Jersey shore that weekend. If I don't end up there I will come on the run. It is a beautiful drive, you guys will enjoy it.

Gyro

Just doing some reading in Car and Driver's website....

They list the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts as one of the best driving roads...

Article

Speed Racer

Nice find! It should be a great drive. :D

Gyro

The date for the Mohawk Trail run will be changed for two reasons...






I am starting a new job and required to be there sunday.
Also there was less than expected interest level. It might be better to put it of a couple of weeks to better accomidate more people.

Sorry for the inconveinence. I hope to have this sorted out this week.

my10ae

Gyro:


Well that stinks for those that wanted to go this Sunday, but good for people like me who couldn't make it this Sunday. :D

Keep us posted as to when it will happen...

downshift

That is totally fine with me. No problems here. Let us know.

Speed Racer

That's fine with me. Just pick another day (except 8/28) and we'll get the show on the road.

Tigger

iTrader: (3)

New date works for me. Looking forward to it! That will make my schedualing a bit easier... it was looking like that day was going to be a real hangover day... Party on Friday night and Saturday night, with potential for another one Sunday night! Why is it you can go several weeks with nothing to do... and then everyone throws a party at the same time!

titaniumgrey

I'm definitely in on this one , my car has been in the shop so focking long .... gonna take it out for once and enjoy it :D

titaniumgrey

oh and errr , if u pick a new date , it can't be 29- or then on ,because I start college then 8/

my10ae

Ti:


What was your car in the shop for?