I rode part of the Wachusett Greenways section of the MCRT from Glenwood Rd. in Rutland, MA to Coldbrook Rd. in Barre, MA, roughly 7 miles each way. The trail is mostly on the old right of way, although it skips off from time to time where bridges are no longer available or where the trail had to be re-routed for other reasons, such as private property.

When the trail reaches Miles Rd. in Rutland, there's no obvious spot where it continues, and there is no signage. If heading west, turn right on the road and go down a small hill about 1/8 mi and look on the left for a kiosk, parking lot, and the trail.

The trail is stone dust and fairly smooth. From east to west there is an elevation drop from about 1100' to 770', so it's a fast ride. The trail is woodsy and fairly secluded with a few quiet road crossings, one high speed but low traffic. You pass many beautiful ponds along the way, but the jewel is the Charnock Cut, a lush, green section of trail loaded with mosses and ferns owing to the water dripping from the sides of the cut. It's a must-see.

I went a bit past the end of the "improved" section of trail at the old Coldbrook Springs Railroad Depot site near Coldbrook Rd. to see what the trail is like heading to Barre. There is logging in there right now, and the right of way is "unimproved". At a small stream about a third of a mile away from Coldbrook Rd. the bridge is gone, and that was the end of my ride. My total ride was just under 16 miles that were well worth it on a gorgeous spring day.

Right now, the trail goes from the Belchertown line to Leeds, MA. The "old" section, Belchertown line to the CT River is pretty rough, well more than rough, a good portion is very uncomfortable to ride. The section from the CT River west past Look Park in Leeds is relatively new and in nice shape. A new trail branch also connects to the Manhan River Trail in Easthampton (though a small section along Lovefield St in Easthampton is still under construction; Lovefield St is pretty low-traffic so that shouldn't present much problem.).

Eventually it will connect to the Farmington Canal Trail starting in Southwick and ending in New Haven, CT, once Southampton and Westfield get their act together, but that's probably a different review.

"Right now the 11 mile western paved section called the Norwottuck trail is open to the Belchertown line. A short section west from Damon Rd. to almost Rt.5 in Northampton will be open shortly. Belchertown has acquired 6 1/2 miles of the old RR bed to establish a Greenway thru this town.Right now about 4 miles between Rt.202 and Rt.181 is open and can be biked, But it is dirt and sand, but really a nice ride. East of Rt.181 the old RR bed is in privet ownership and is posted no Wheeled vehicles. So you could hike part of it. I have been exploring the old route to determine and publicize what is now open to biking and if others can provide some input on open sections would appreciate it. "

From Rt.122 in Rutland to Sterling about 30 miles of the MC RR is being pieced together. 5 or 6 sections of varying length are now open and bike-able. While not following the old MCRR for the entire length it might be possible in the near future to bike it all without using roads. The best and newest section runs west from Rt.12 in West Boylston for about 5 miles. On the west end from Glenwood Rd. in Rutland to Rt.122 is another longer section and the new underpass at Charrock Rd. and the fern covered rock cut here are not to be missed.

"This is a very popular trail, especially the parts closer to the parking areas. It is well used and most people are very polite, but on each of my recent trips I have been startled by a speeding bike ""sneaking"" up on me. Most of the polite riders let you know that they are coming through.

The views of the river are nice, and if you are interested in history, you can see a lot of interesting old stone foundations along the trail."