Conference noted::bicycle

    You can go up the "back way" on the old abandoned road on the south
    side that doesn't cross any of the snow runs.  It joins the regular
    (one way) road to the top near the "detour" (which bikers usually miss
    by going around the barrels and taking the shortcut) at about the 1500'
    level on the south/southwest side, right where cars are forced to make
    a very sharp left.  According to a 1972 topo, the road is/was called
    Administration Road, and at the bottom it joins Echo Lake Rd (where
    it makes a 90 degree turn), which joins Mountain Rd about a mile south
    of the ranger hq.  Strictly mountain bike material tho... hardly any
    pavement left.

    Which means I probably shouldn't admit I use my old Fuji 12 speed.
    -kb

    Still a 3' wall for each of the 5 runs across the autoroad.
    Admin Rd is still clear and the fastest way up/down.  I lied too:
    there's no reason a 700x2X road bike can't take Admin Rd; hell,
    it's in better shape than most of the roads used to get to it. -k

The down road is clear, that is you can get through on a bike without
running over snow.  You can run over some snow if you want but not for
much longer.

The up road has one rather large pile of snow covering and blocking the road
where the last ski trail (on the way up) crosses the road. Think sun. 
I don't know why they didn't hit that pile with a plow like they did the others.

Balance Rock road is passable where it crosses the ski trails just off of
Mountain Road and the rest of Balance Rock and all the other dirt roads
are just fine.

 

They open the road right now just for the park rangers
vehicles. Thats why they are not concerned about traffic
flow. Be cautious of the rangers vehicles on the down road.
You may think there is no one using the road but they are
going up and down to get to the fire tower on top.

Tom

    Good note Tom, and very important. I would also ask that anyone usuing
    the mountain follow the established traffic pattern. I could have
    easily been in two nasty accidents last year with people cycling
    down the up road. I'm sure they thought "no problem, I'm the only one
    on the mountain."
    
    BTW, the rangers don't care, so don't worry, just be aware.
    
       Chip

    
    
      Well went out with a group of 4 last night on our thursday night
    "every hill you can find ride"  and did a the complete climb
    up good ol Wachusette Mtn. We went up mile hill road and then rode
    under the gate and away we went.  There is some glass about 200 yds
    before the left turn to go up the down road and there is some snow
    acrosss the road where you cross the first trail but it is easily 
    passable.  I road over the snow just for the Halibut and the stuff
    is hard as cement.  There were a few pedestrians but not too many.
    
    
    John C.
    

There is a lot of broken glass on the lower part of Balance Rock Road where it
crosses the ski trails.  It is hard to see all mixed in with the gravel.

In general you should be very alert on the roads, hardtop and dirt, all the time!
I was once going up the up road and around a corner (the sharp right turn on the
steep part before the lookout parking area) and down came a car.  Adrenalin city.
I have seen cars numbers of time going the wrong way, only that once was I too
surprised to more than get out of the way.  Usually they have the windows down
and you can yell at them.  Don't know if they can hear anything though. One thing
about going the wrong way you can't see the "No Alcoholic Beverages Permitted"
signs as they seem to face towards the assumed traffic, may that's the deal for
these wrong-way types.

Once I was going down the down and a couple were walking hand in hand to one
side of the road.  The guy waves his hands and sort of leaps over to the 
other side of the road.  Guess who was almost by them.  That day was flat
spot on the rear tire day.  Lucky for him I wasn't a car.

One evening (not at all dark) I was on the dirt and two motorcycles are coming
along at me side-by-side yelling at each other.  I could not believe that they
did not see me.  They didn't.  West Road does have a ditch and I know it.  I 
don't think they ever saw me at all!

Horses seem to be able to detect a bike before the rider.  Most often the rider
will sense the horse's reaction and look around.

Riding Wachusett Mountain helps keep one alert.