Pete’s Wicked

Pete's Wicked is a short, back-loaded mountain biking climb in western Massachusetts, about 2 miles from the town of Aldrich Mills. The route is an out-and-back of roughly 0.9 miles, with a high point of 582 feet and a total elevation gain of 188 feet. The steepest stretch comes early, around 0.2 miles in, with a grade of about 10 percent. The climb is rated moderate, and the route is compact enough to fit into a longer day of riding. The closest neighbors are the Private Investigation and Serpent God trails, both about 0.1 mile away, and Lizard King and Viper, each about 0.3 mile off. Summer is the most comfortable time to ride. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Belchertown run to highs around 82°F in July, with September easing to about 73°F. Winter is cold, with January highs near 33°F. For time on the water, the Fort River offers canoeing about 5 miles away, and the Swift River and Connecticut River provide fishing within about 10 miles.