Rockin' Fort Rock

Just got back from an awesome ride with the perfect group of riders at Fort Rock. The more I ride there the more I love it! and the less lost I get. I'm absolutely beat and so is my dog :) We rode for a little over 2 hours on wet slippery leaves and rocks. Challenging, and rewarding. I've got some nice bruises from when I start to get tired and delusional... my legs/brain just doesn't work right at that point! Here are some photos and video :)

Harold Parker Forest, Andover MA

On Thursday me and my friend Chris went to ride/explore Harold Parker Forest in Andover Mass. We were both very impressed with the network of single track and double track trails. We rode for two hours and never had a feeling of being lost. Although we would have done fine without it, we had mass.gov handy on my phone to glance at the online map. The website has 3 really nice legible trail maps that can easily be printed. The forest has a lot of rack face climbs, rocky technical rolling hills. I think I would have had more fun if it had not have rained for 10 minutes into our ride... I hate slippery everything. Over all Harold Parker is a great location for the race Chris and I are putting on December 4th...

Willowdale, Ipswich Mass.

It was supposed to rain all day but instead it was beautiful and sunny. A friend and I decided to ride Willowdale and do some trail clean up at the same time. We rode for about an hour before stopping and lining areas with logs and rocks that were getting washed away. Willowdale is a perfect place for an easy ride. For every single track loop there is a double track crossing for a nice break before more technical single track. We also built rock obstacles for everyones enjoyment. So if you ride Willowdale, enjoy the fixed trails and stunts :)

Lining the trail with logs... using my guns

before

after

before

after

Fort Rock, Exeter, NH

Fort Rock is a trail network half a mile from my moms house and a great spot for rocky technical rides. There aren't many hilly climbs but there are a lot of sections where walking your bike is necessary. Fort Rock covers a lot of area and I've gotten lost in the dark there before. Thankfully a highway runs along side it and once finding that we were able to ride it home.
I'm off to ride the Rock today...

Sometimes its necessary to take breaks...

3 Day Bike Binge

These past three days (oct. 7,8,and 9th) I've gone on a mountain biking binge with a fellow rider. The first day we rode Willowdale  in Ipswich, Mass. Willowdale is actually my home spot. It is located across the street from where I live and I can easily go on a quick hour single track ride at my convenience. The trails at Willowdale are great. They consist of rolling up and down single track with steep technical climbs and rocky, log covered trails. There are a lot of nice double track as well. At Willowdale you can ride for hours on new trails with speed and a good workout. In the spring there is a mountain bike race held here called the Weeping Willow Mountain Bike Race.

On Friday the 8th we adventured over to Lynn Reservation in Mass to explore the single track trails here. There were some nice technical climbs, views of Boston's skyline, rock covered single track, steep descents, wide dirt roads, hours of biking and easy navigation.

Finally on Oct. 9th we attended the NEMBAfest at Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, NH. The fest had miles and miles of marked trails for any level and a challenging loop to demo bikes. I demoed my first Single Speed hard tail 29er and I'm convinced I have to have one now. Bear Brook is a huge state park of 1000 acres with trails from dogsled training, horse back riding, hiking and mountain-biking. After riding and hanging out from 12-4 we ended the night at Pawtuckaway State Park for a friends music and art show. All and all it has been a perfect past three days of riding and adventure.

Bradbury 12

 On September 18th I entered the Bradbury 12 Hour Mountain Bike Race. The race consisted of an eight mile single track loop and a 12 hour time range to complete as many as possible. I entered the race with one other team member as my relay partner. The race could be done solo or larger relay teams. This was a very tiring 12 hours of my life and we completed 4 laps each in the time span of 8-8. I have to say that by my 3rd lap I was hoping my team mate would never return from her lap and I wouldn't have to get on my bike again :) It was all about pacing yourself and re-energizing when possible. I can't wait for next year or even a 24 hour race!

 

Returning to Burke

(Late August'10) Thankfully I was able to return to Kingdom Trails to ride the awesome trail network again before the season ended. This time I was faster and more skilled which made Kingdom Trails even better. 

Burke Mountain Bike'n Brew

This is where it all started, Burke Mountain Bike'n Brew in July. We enjoyed the brew fest Saturday afternoon/night where there were demos, food and obviously lots of beer. After camping at Burke Saturday night we hit Kingdom Trails early and rode for 4 hours. This was the first time I rode my friend's Gary Fisher HiFi, which I now own. Kingdom Trails has won a lot of awards for it's trail system. There are over 50 miles worth of trails and they consist of steep climbs, challenging down hills, winding single track, technical challenges and a shuttle to the summit for some nice downhill riding. The trails run along rivers at points where it can be refreshing to jump in and cool off. There is a cafe located at a highpoint in the trails with garden fresh sandwiches and homemade treats. The best part is that to every grueling climb you are rewarded with some of the best down hill rides. If you ever get a chance to make it to Kingdom Trails I highly recommend riding Kitchel, Side Winder, Tap'n Die and hitting up the Trout River Brewery in downtown Lyndonville VT.