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From Greylock Road in Lanesborough, Massachusetts,
a nine mile stretch of pavement brings you to the top of Mount Greylock.
At 3,491 feet, it's the highest point in the state.
One of the steepest inclines passes the visitors center on Rockwell Road,
but don't despair,
grade soon levels out and you'll even have the relief
of a few downhills where you can rest your legs.
The summit of Mount Greylock was Massachusetts' first state park.
What was just 400 acres in 1898 is now more than 12,000 acres
crisscrossed with hiking trails, including the Appalachian Trail.
Cyclists should be cautious of the grooves carved into the roadway
cautioning drivers of upcoming trail crossings.
Just ride close to the edge of the pavement and you can avoid these.
This southern approach to the summit is a popular one
for cyclists because of the mostly gradual grade.
The road does continue down into North Adams on the other side of the summit,
but it's significantly steeper there.
About one and a half miles from the summit the road gets a bit steeper and
doubles back in two quick hair-pin turns.
Then you'll pass a turnoff for the northern part of the road that descends into North Adams.
The final stretch of pavement spirals right to the top of the summit.
If it's clear make sure you enjoy the views deep into Massachusetts
before you turn around head into the exhilarating descent.