News

Trailside Treat

Clarence Fanto
Special to The Eagle
Thursday, March 22 Lenox
Anyone looking for a quick pick-me-up in a quiet, informal atmosphere, away from the Route 7 and 20 hustle and bustle, might make tracks for the Trailside Cafe, a wing of the venerable Arcadian Shop, a destination for local and visiting outdoor enthusiasts fondly referred to as "The Arc."
It's an ideal spot for high-quality sustenance, within whispering distance of Aspinwell and a pebble's throw from the Lenox Fitness Center. Open for the past three years, primarily as an Internet cafe with wi-fi access, the Trailside is currently serving lunch Fridays through Sundays, with additional days likely once the busier summer season approaches.
The cafe is presided over by the affable April Bertelli, a Pittsfield native who's essentially the Lone Ranger of the operation, with some backup from Arcadian Shop colleagues when needed. On a recent snowy Sunday, her lunch special was a hearty spicy habanero roasted red pepper stew ($5.95). A generous portion, very tasty - a chili-style dish with a long list of fresh and, in some cases, exotic ingredients, including cous-cous. The rotating list of luncheon stews comes from well-known caterer Joan Embree, and are accompanied by fresh, crusty bread from Berkshire Mountain Bakery in Housatonic. Other lunch specials you're likely to encounter include black bean stew and three-bean vegetarian chili, all variations on the basic theme.
Hot beverages include basics like house coffee ($1.20 for a small cup), espresso ($1.75), tea ($1.60) and hot chocolate ($2.15), and there's a tempting list of specials like cafe latte, mocha latte, cappuccino and cafe au lait, all reasonably priced from $2.40 up. We had the mocha latte, and it had just the right flavoring topped by a dollop of whipped cream. The top-shelf coffee is supplied by Barrington Roasters. During the warm-weather months, the cafe also offers refreshing smoothies.
There's an assortment of fresh baked pastries, including scones and muffins, all supplied by Bellissimo Dolce in Pittsfield and Cakewalk in Lee. A heaping bowl of granola ($4.95) as well as an assortment of cookies come from the Old Inn on the Green in New Marlborough. David's Biscotti is also available - the Trailside certainly goes for prime pedigree in its choice of vendors. All items are available for takeout. It's an inviting spot to spend some time; Bertelli notes that there are regulars who hang out with their laptops every morning.
Hikers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers and mountain bikers drop by before or after exploring Kennedy Park; there's an entrance to the park's inviting, heavily-used trail system from the Arcadian parking lot.
Reflecting the Arcadian Shop's clientele, live sporting events and videos often are displayed on the cafe's high-def big screen. A selection of reading material is also on hand. Coming up as customer traffic increases, Bertelli says, "we'll be expanding our lunch menu; it's trial and error to find out what works and what doesn't."
She's also experimenting with occasional live Saturday soirees; local musicians Bobby Sweet and Adam Michael Rothberg recently performed there, and they are scheduled to return on an April evening to be announced. (Sweet is a well-regarded singer-songwriter with four CDs to his credit; Rothberg's debut CD, "All the Whispering," released several years ago, was called "one of the greatest debut recordings I've ever heard" by pop music critic Seth Rogovoy.)
The Trailside is an inviting oasis where you can catch up on your reading, e-mail or Web surfing (with your own laptop), stay as long as you like, and imbibe top-quality beverages augmented by a limited but appealing selection of appetite-quenchers.

(c) 2007 The Berkshire Eagle. All rights reserved. Reproduced with the permission of Media NewsGroup, Inc. by NewsBank, Inc.

rental equipment

The Arcadian Shop is pleased to offer year-round rentals on gear and equipment for a variety of outdoor pursuits. We have everything you need to enjoy a day or more of activities, whether your pleasure is cycling along the Berkshire's scenic backroads or a quiet paddle downstream on the Housatonic. Our professional certified guides are also available for private adventures, by appointment only, for groups large and small. Please contact us for more information on the services offered.

Bikes
Kayaks
Skis
Snowshoes

Bicycle Rentals

Road Bikes: Trek 1500 Alpha Aluminum frame with carbon fork, Shimano 105 9 speed, Bontrager Select wheels. Performance cycling in a lightweight package, this is the bike to rent if your looking to get some training in while in town. Sizes available- 50cm, 54cm, 56cm, 60cm. Rental includes Giro helmet, platform pedals with toe-straps and water. Clipless pedals available upon request.

Hybrid Bikes: Trek 7300 Alpha Aluminum frame with front and seatpost shocks, handlebar shifters, and adjustable stem. Also referred to as "comfort bikes", you'll find them to be just that...perfect for tooling around town on a variety of road surfaces. Sizes available: 15", 17", 20". Rental includes Giro helmet and water bottle.

Mountain Bikes: Please call for more information on models and sizes available.

Pull-alongs: A great way to encourage and teach your child to cycle independently. Attaches on to any adult bike with universal seatpost clamp.

Kayak Rentals

Single kayaks: Wilderness Systems Pungo 120, 12-foot boat with Phase 3 seating, sidelock footbrace system and stern bulkhead. The perfect balance of size and manageability. Quick, stable, ample storage fore and aft, and not too big for one person to handle, portage and car-top. Rental includes paddle, PFD (personal flotation device), foam blocks and straps for car-top transport.

Tandem kayaks: Wilderness Systems Pamlico 145, 14.5-foot boat with dual Phase 3 seating, and sidelock footbrace system. Simply a joy to paddle, the optimal craft for sharing a day on the water with a companion. Rental includes 2 paddles, 2 PFDs (personal flotation device), foam blocks and straps for car-top transport.

Rental Rates

Bike rentals include a bike lock, use of helmet, and a free water bottle. Kayak rentals include paddle and PFD.

BIKES	Rate
Road Bikes	$45.00/day
Hybrid Bikes	$35.00/day $25.00/each additional day
Mountain Bikes	$45.00/day
Pull-Along Bikes	$15.00/day
Seatpost bike rack w/pack	$5.00
Bike Carrier (rear-mount)	$15.00
Helmet only	$5.00
Paddle only	$10.00
PFD only	$10.00
Kayaks	Rate
Single Kayak	$35.00
Tandem Kayak	$60.00

All rentals require deposit, refundable upon return of items in satisfactory condition.

We accept reservations for rental equipment no more than 7 days prior to date of pick-up. Payment due in full at time of reservation, refundable only with 24-hour advance cancellation.

Customers may apply a single day rental credit towards the purchase of bicycles and kayaks, with receipt, within 30 days. Some restrictions apply.

 

Deliveries

Deliveries of bicycles and kayaks require at least 24-hour advance notice, and are only available to locations within a 5-mile radius of the store.

We are only able to deliver kayaks to the public boat ramp at the Stockbridge Bowl on Route 183 in Lenox or to the Housatonic River's Decker boat landing on East New Lenox Road, also in Lenox. We offer drop-off and pick-up services for both locations.

Delivery fee is $20.00 for the 1st item, $10.00 for each additional item. Please call the store at (413) 637-3010 for more information.

 

Winter Rentals

Nordic, skating, telemark skis: our ski department can fulfill your needs with many options of equipment packages to suit every ability. Miles of beautiful, groomed trails for cross-country skiing are right out our back door, and at many nearby locations. For telemark skiing, there are many Berkshire County ski areas offering great terrain.

Snowshoes: put on a pair and you can break trails into many incredible public woodlands that let you experience snow with a new perspective. Whatever your pleasure, let your self out!

Rental Rates

Ski rental include poles, boots, bindings, and skis.

SKIS	1 Day
Adult Touring Package	$20.00
Junior Touring Package	$15.00
Performance Package - Skating, Racing	$25.00
Telemark Package (poles not included)	$35.00
Telemark Boots only	$25.00
Telemark Skis only	$25.00
SNOWSHOES	1 Day
Adults	$20.00
Juniors	$15.00

Deposit Required
Refundable upon return of skis, snowshoes, and all other gear in satisfactory condition.

Instruction
Lessons for skiing techniques are available on a Private (one person) basis. By appointment only. ($25.00 for private lesson)

 

 

repair services

We tune cross-country skis and telemark skis, mount cross-country bindings and repair equipment. Our skilled technicians in our bike shop also make quick work of assemblies and repairs. Get more info on other services we provide.

Bikes
Kayaks
Skis

Guiding Services

Arcadian Shop can arrange for just about any adventure or put you in touch with one of our local guides or guide services (e.g. Allure Outfitters).