DATE & TIME

Date: Saturday, August 25
RAIN or SHINE.
8 AM start for 65 mile loop (early bird option at 7:30)
9:00 AM start for 32 mi loop.

PLACE

The ride will start and finish at Mt. Greylock Regional High School located at 1611 Cold Spring Rd. (Route 7) in picturesque Williamstown, MA, located in the Berkshires “America’s Premiere Cultural Resort.” For more information on the many attractions in the region visit

Berkshire Visitors Bureau
See the Berkshires
Bennington Chamber of Commerce
Williamstown Chamber of Commerce

This is a great destination for the entire family! Click here for information on
special hotel rates for Hoosic River Ride
participants!

COST

The fee for both loops is $40 until August 1. Entries after the cutoff date of August 1 will be $50 (additional fee for tandems). Participants may register at www.active.com or www.bikereg.com, or through a printable version of the registration form. Entry fees are non-refundable. All participants registered prior to August 1 will receive a commemorative t-shirt. All riders will receive a water bottle along with an assortment of goodies. In addition, all participants are invited to the post-ride buffet once their workout is through!

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All riders are expected to follow local traffic rules. In addition, all participants must sign USCF waivers prior to participating in the event, and must be current USCF members. One-day USCF event membership may be purchased for $5 at registration.

WHAT IS THE HOOSIC RIVER RIDE BIKE TOUR?

"Not just one of the most beautiful rides in the area, but a wonderful place to meet true enthusiasts-- and all for a great cause to help sustain our watershed!"    P. Gitterman, Williamstown, MA


Ride the hills and take in the views all while you support the good work of the Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) during this one-day benefit ride. Starting and ending in beautiful Williamstown, MA, the ride will take participants through the three watershed states of Massachusetts, New York and Vermont, all while traveling the scenic roads of the area-- we even have a covered bridge!

THE CAUSE

The Hoosic River Watershed Association (HooRWA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration, conservation, and enjoyment of the Hooisc River and its watershed. For over 20 years, HooRWA has brought public attention to the only river connecting Massachusetts, Vermont, and New York. Our goals for the ride are twofold: to heighten awareness of the Hoosic River while raising support for our programs. In the last two years alone we've had nearly 250 participants and raised nearly $14,000-- thank you! All of this goes to support such things as free education programs for children and adults; water quality monitoring to assess the health of the river; and the purchase of abandoned rail land in Hoosick Falls, NY, for the creation of a multi-use greenway along the river's shore.

RIDE DETAILS

"I loved the ride last year, as a beginning cyclist I was at first intimidated by the ride but found it to be personally rewarding to have completed it. The route was very scenic and well marked. Everyone involved in the support and planning of the Hoosic river Ride should be commended for their hard work. The picnic at the end topped off a perfect day!"    K. Maloney, North Adams, MA

Participants may choose a 32 mile or 65 mile route . Each route is fully supported with aid stations (three for the short route, five for the longer one) and roving tech support. Roads are marked and cue sheets will be available. Both rides will start with a challenging climb up Petersburg Pass (but we will cheer you on!) before descending into the Hoosic Valley. HRR "short" participants will have mostly flat and gentle rolling roads to cover before returning home, while those opting for the longer route will have a few more climbs to tackle while zig-zagging across the river valley on the way back to the start. We'll do wave starts for both ride distances, with an early bird option for those doing HRR "long" who feel like they need to have a bit more time.

"I have cycled throughout the US and the world and am looking forward to returning to Williamstown for the third annual Hoosic River Ride. The roads are perfect for cycling and the rural scenery is awe-inspiring. This is the best way to see the hidden treasures of the less travelled areas of the region."     N. Maier, NYC, NY

No matter your route, the food and scenery will make all the work worth the effort. Our aid station and post ride picnic have scored great reviews from past participants who have come to love the fresh fruit and snacks at the aid stations, while leaving their real appetite for the home made chilis, potatoes, salads and sweets available at the picnic. If your friends and family come to cheer you on, they can eat too for just $5.00 (see registration form for details). And if you come from afar, check out our lodging package this year as we have wonderful cultural attractions, and recreational options that are fun for the family (see the sidebar for examples).

NEW FOR 2007!

Thanks to the generosity of the Berkshire Brewing Company based in South Deerfield, MA, and The '6 House Pub in Williamstown, we will be holding a happy hour for all ride participants age 21 or over at 5:00 p.m. with at least one free beer per participant. Those who are under the age of 21 are still welcome as the pub also serves dinner and non-alcoholic drinks (one per participant courtesy of the pub). We hope you can stick around after the picnic and join us to celebrate the Hoosic and your fellow riders!

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Register by August 1, 2007 and receive our commemorative t-shirt with your $40 fee. After Aug. 1 through the day of the ride, you may register for $50, and everyone will get a nice water bottle to take home along with many other goodies.

The 65-mile ride will begin with a wave start at 8:00 AM with an early bird option of 7:30 AM for those who feel they need a bit more time. The 32-mile ride will begin with a wave start a 9:00 AM.

AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE A COOL JERSEY, YOU CAN HELP US EVEN MORE!

If you have flair for getting donations, don't forget to check out our commemorative jersey option too. You can buy one for $75 or raise $250 in donations for HooRWA and we'll give you one! For a pledge sheet, click here. Email us at office@hoorwa.org if you need more details.

Hope to see you there!