routing through Mass.

Question
Hello. I am riding from Amherst to Cambridge on a tandem with my 9 year old grandson. We will be self-supported from inn to inn. I cannot locate a Rubel map for central mass anywhere b/c they are out of print. I therefore do not have any guidance for backroads for most of the trip. I only want to do 25-35 mile segments in 4-5 days of riding. (We could do more than that, but doesn't seem worth it). Because my stoker is mildly disabled, I'd like to avoid extensive climbing. So, I'd appreciate any suggestions about roads & towns that are amenable. With the maps that I have I can get as far east as Ware (unless a southern route is advisable). The maps pick up again on a longitudinal line just west of Marlborough. My initial thinking is Amherst to Ware, Ware to West Boylston or Sterling, West Boylston to Concord, Concord to Cambridge. Thanks for any tips.
Nancy

Answer
Hi Nancy,

Here's a route that's reasonably direct on pretty good roads. You can go over the route on Mapquest, since you don't have the Rubel map of Central Mass. I'm not familiar with accomodations, but since Mass. is densely populated I don't think you'll have a problem finding them within a few miles of the route.

Head east from Amherst on the Norwottuck Rail Trail.
Go to the end of the trail, at Warren Wright Rd.
Right on Warren Wright Rd to end (Bay Rd).
Left (southeast) to end (merge onto Route 9).
Follow Route 9 a little past Ware.
Bear left (north) on 32.
At at point where 32 curves right (this is about 2 miles before South Barre), go straight on South Street, heading toward Barre.
Bear left (still South St.) and follow it to Barre.
Head east from Barre on 62.
Take 62 thru Princeton and Sterling.
After Sterling, bear left on Sterling Rd. Go 1 mile to end. CAUTION--you cross bad diagonal RR tracks on this section.
Bear left (still Sterling Rd). Go another mile to end (Rt 70), in South Lancaster.
Bear left and immediately bear right on Bolton Rd. Go to Route 110, at a 5-way intersection.
Bear left (northeast) on 110, heading toward Harvard.
After a mile, go straight on Forbush Mill Rd where 110 turns left. Take Forbush Mill Rd to 117.
Right (southeast) on 117 to Bolton and Stow.

Use the Rubel Eastern Mass. map to go from Stow to Cambridge. The Minuteman Bikeway is extremely busy on weekends and I would not want to take a tandem on it. During the week it should be OK during the workday. Also, don't come into Belmont on Concord Ave. It goes down a very steep hill that is the scene of many bicycle accidents.

Have a great trip,
Howard