Western Massachusetts

For Stamford, CT resident Alissa Karbel, western Massachusetts provides the ultimate retreat from her busy life in the financial industry. She’s been coming to western Massachusetts for years now to go on group bike rides with Northampton’s bicycle touring company, Ride Noho and has discovered what she calls "therapy on wheels.”

“The cycling is amazing," she says. "You have every kind of terrain imaginable. There’s farmland—you can start to smell the strawberries as you’re cycling.” And Alissa’s not the only one who thinks that either. Our bike trails (the Norwottuck and Manhan rail trails) have been designated as National Recreational Trails and Outside Magazine named our region the best east coast destination for road biking.

Alissa may visit western Mass. for the biking, but it’s the “après-cycling,” the things to do in Massachusetts after she hops off her bike, that keep her coming back year after year—from great restaurants, beautiful galleries, and fun shopping to the natural landscape and a unique blend of people.

And best of all, Alissa says, “You always feel like you can be yourself up here." So, we think it's safe to assume Alissa’s found her side of Massachusetts here in Hampshire County! Now it’s your turn to come find your side of Massachusetts.

Check out our other post about road trippin’ by bike and Ride Noho’s upcoming Autumn Adventure, October 12-15.

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