Lodging

Dude, we are going back to campus!  The Farm Ride headquarters will be located on the campus of UMass -- the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, my alma mater.  (OK, one of my four alma maters, but THAT is another story for another day!)  

Some cyclists come just for one day, and that's absolutely fine, but most make a weekend out of it.


There are a variety of places you can stay including hotels and the UMass dorms (where I stay!)  


HOTELS


Hotel UMass

This is a real three-star hotel located on the University of Massachusetts campus. Free internet access in your room, air-conditioning, free continental breakfast, HBO, private bath, daily maid service... the works.


Price:About  $239 per night per room, which comes out to about $255 per night when you include the taxes.  So you can take a room for yourself for $255 a night, or you and a friend could share one room for about $127.50 each per night.


NOTE:

1. It is up to you to find your own roommate if you want to share a Campus Center Hotel room -- we do not assign them.


2. We do not profit in any way from your hotel stay -- your money goes straight to UMass.



Other Hotels Nearby


Just pick your favorite online travel site such as:


Kayak

Travelocity

Expedia


and search for hotels near Amherst, MA.


You can pedal from your hotel to the start line each day, or drive your car over -- plenty of free parking at the start.


Please note that we do not provide transportation between UMass and off-campus lodging.



DORMS


Deluxe Dorm Apartments

This is where I stay.


These are apartments (well, college-style apartment anyway!) Each air-conditioned apartment includes four small single bedrooms, two full bathrooms, and a shared living room/kitchen area. Linens and towels are provided. Soap and shampoo are not. Coin-operated laundry is located in the building.


NOTE: If you want to cook in the kitchen (beyond microwave popcorn) be sure to bring some stuff with you! The kitchen area is nice, but has NO utensils or pots. You get a full-size stove/oven, a microwave, a kitchen sink, and a full-size refrigerator/freezer, but THAT’S IT!


You can put together your own group of four people to share an apartment, or we can match you up with others. We’ve also heard from a few couples with kids that are taking the entire apartment for themselves, and that’s fine.


Note that if you ask us to match you up with others to share an apartment, we will be mixing men and women in the same four-room apartment (since each person has his or her own single room).


This is where I will be staying, and I plan to bring along some really hideous posters of my favorite rock bands (circa 1977) to put on the walls, or maybe a bad print of Van Gough’s “Starry Night.”  Ah, college!  


Price: $80 per person per night, or $320 for the entire apartment per night.


Standard Dorms

Remember your first dorm room?  We guarantee that these rooms are not as bad as prison. (Well, most prisons, anyway!) These are bare-bones, but you can’t beat the price. Each room has two single beds, two desks, two chairs... These rooms are not air conditioned. Bathrooms are in the hallway. Linens and towels are provided. Soap and shampoo are not.


Price: $55 per person.  So if one person is staying in the room it's $55. If two people are sharing a room it's $55 each.


Check-Out Times

If you are staying in any of the dorms, you have to check out by 7:00 p.m.


If you are staying in the Campus Center Hotel, you have to check out by 11:00 a.m., so we have arranged to have rooms set aside in one of the dorms so you can shower and change before the trip home. We’ll be happy to hold your luggage for you until your departure.



• • •


No matter which accommodations you choose, there is free outdoor parking (or paid indoor parking). Your bike stays in your room with you -- nice and safe.