Central Mass. is on bicyclists' map

   Central Massachusetts finally has a bike map worthy of the name, published in December by Rubel BikeMaps of Cambridge. Several members of the Worcester-based Seven Hills Wheelmen helped the mapmakers get it right.
   Many of the sweetest roads for cycling in this area were not even shown on the state bike map last printed during the Dukakis administration. And road maps for driving typically offer few clues about which roads are truly suitable for pedaling. Out-of-state cyclists who peruse a Rand McNally or AAA map might guess, after ruling out the Massachusetts Turnpike, that Route 9 or Route 20 would be a good way to bike across Massachusetts. While parts of those roads are OK, that would still be a big mistake.
   Mapmaker Andy Rubel takes into account traffic levels, pavement quality, road shoulder widths, topography and scenery when deciding which roads to highlight -- green for recommended, pink for secondary. All the other roads are still shown, so riders who stray from the recommended routes can still figure out where they are, and riders who want to get somewhere off the beaten path can find their way.
   The Central Massachusetts Bicycle & Road Map, which covers roughly the area between Interstate 495 and the Quabbin Reservoir, also shows places to mountain bike, bed-and-breakfasts, bike shops, topography (arrows on significant hills showing which way goes up), swimming spots, parks and forests, and ice cream shops.
   Rubel BikeMaps also has maps of Boston, Western Massachusetts, Eastern Massachusetts, and Cape Cod & the North Shore. The maps are available in bike shops, and by mail order, for $5.25 apiece including postage and handling or $14.95 for the four-map set, from Rubel BikeMaps, PO Box 401035, Cambridge, MA 02140.
   In addition, Rubel has a Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket bike map for $1.95 and a series of little maps called Pocket Rides (these are for areas outside Central Mass.) for $1.95 each or $8.95 for a five-pack. For more information, call (617) 776-6567, send e-mail to info@bikemaps.com or visit http://www.bikemaps.com/.
   The Central Mass. bike map also will be sold at the Earth Day celebration Saturday at Green Hill Park in Worcester. Adding to the two-wheel appeal of the festivities, MassBike will provide free valet bicycle parking at Green Hill Park on Saturday afternoon. You can pedal to the park and leave your bike in a guarded, secure area while you walk around checking out the attractions.
   Some other good bike maps for southern New England:

• MetroWest Bike Map -- This map covers Marlboro, Hudson, Southboro and 10 other towns, as far east as Newton. Roads are color-coded as "best routes for cycling," "OK for experienced bicyclists" and "not recommended for bicycling." The flip side has cues (turn-by-turn directions, with mileage at each turn) for three 30-mile loops that start in Wellesley, Weston and Framingham. For a copy send $3 to MetroWest Growth Management, 14 Vernon St., Suite 106, Framingham, MA 01701. Or contact the agency at (508) 620-7330 or mrs.metrowest@usa.net.
•  A Guide to Cycling in the Ocean State -- The Rhode Island Department of Transportation published this map in 1997 and is printing an updated version this spring. One side shows the whole state, with "suitable" and "more suitable" roads highlighted. The other side has blow-ups of Newport, Providence, and the popular East Bay Bike Path, a 14.5-mile paved trail from Providence to Bristol. For a free copy, call (401) 222-4203, Ext. 4042, or send e-mail to Steve Church, schurch@dot.state.ri.us, after May 1.
•  Northeast Connecticut's Bike Guide -- This fold-out collection of bike routes in the state's "Quiet Corner" was published in 1996. It has maps and cues for 10 loop rides, each 10 to 25 miles long, and "spokes" showing roads that connect the loops. It doesn't show the whole region in one map. For a free copy, call the Northeast Connecticut Visitors District (860 928-1228).
• Connecticut Bicycle Map -- An update of this 1992 map is in the works for 2000. For a free copy of the old map, write to Bicycle Coordinator, Connecticut Department of Transportation, 2800 Berlin Turnpike, PO Box 317546, Newington, CT 06131.