Massachusetts · Mountain biking

North Side

1.7 mi
round trip
550 ft
climb
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

North Side is a mountain biking route in Sweet Alice Conservation Area in western Massachusetts. It's a short, easy out-and-back of about 3.5 miles with a total climb of 550 feet, and the route reaches a high point of 482 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 1.1 miles, peaking at 11% grade. For comfortable riding weather, aim for late spring or early fall. Typical averages from the nearby Amherst weather station put May highs around 69°F and September highs around 74°F, with July the warmest month at about 83°F. That station sits well below the route, so temperatures on the climb run cooler. Several other mountain biking routes lie close by. South Side Trail is about a mile away, and Notch Link and Jacob's Ladder are each about 1.1 miles off. The Fort River offers paddling roughly 4 miles from the route.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit North Side

    Best months: April–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      34° / 14°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      37° / 15°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      45° / 24°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 34°

      11 wet

    5. May

      69° / 45°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      78° / 55°

      11 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 60°

      11 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 58°

      10 wet

    9. Sep

      74° / 50°

      9 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 39°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 29°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      39° / 21°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Amherst, MA, 4.9 mi away at 145 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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