This weekend Signature’s own Justin Bagnati rode the D2R2 (Deerfield Dirt-Road Randonnée ) with about 1,000 other cyclists on a summer day that couldn’t have been more perfect for this event. The D2R2 was conceived in the 1990’s as a favorite dirt road loop in the hilltowns of Franklin County, Massachusetts. Organized as an event in 2005, it’s hailed as one of the hardest, most scenic, most traffic-free rides around. According to ride designer Sandy Whittlesey, the idyllic quality of D2R2 is no accident: “We designed D2R2 by placing pins in the map where the covered bridges and coolest sights were, then connected the dots with dirt roads. When the ride was originally developed we expected it to be nothing more than a quirky event for the fringe cyclists known as “randonneurs”. However, the event got national press, with riders raving about how fun, challenging, and beautiful it was.”

Justin Bagnati (3rd from left) with friends at D2R2

D2R2 riders choose from five distances: 40 mile, 100K, 115K, 150K, and 180K. Lots of families and those looking for a relaxed ride choose the 40-mile Green River ride which is about 50% dirt roads, mostly flat and twists along the beautiful Green River. The 100K offers a real back road challenge with LOTS of hills, and the 180K (112 miles) is considered one of the hardest rides in the country with 11,070 feet of climbing. The event is a key fundraiser for the Franklin County Land Trust who’s mission is to work with landowners and communities to protect their farms, forests, and other natural resources. The ride immerses participants into the the beauty of the natural landscape which the land trust works to protect. Traveling along roads lined with stone walls, maple-tree “allies”, over 20 miles of rushing streams, four covered bridges and countless farms, fields, and forests; participants enjoy hours of cycling without a single car passing.  The lunch-break checkpoint is a little park with a National-Historic covered bridge, timber-crib dam, and a swimming hole that has been called one of the most scenic spots in New England.

The starting tent has no address and is set in a majestic open field about 1 mile south of Historic Deerfield. Amherst’s Black Sheep Deli served up a delicious locally sourced dinner at the end of the ride and Berkshire Brewing Company had their small batch lagers and ales on tap. Many people camp around the field the night before or after the ride – including Justin and the group of friends he rode with – making the D2R2 a weekend getaway.

We talked to riders at the D2R2 this year for the first time and many who have come back annually for the last 3-5 years, and across the board this is a ride (and an experience) that’s well loved by all. Whether you’re in it to push through the endless hill climbs or take it slow along the river and riding past fields of cows, D2R2 is a classic summer cycling event.

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