Troutbrook Valley Trail Advocacy Day

Troutbrook Valley Trail Advocacy Day 

Saturday June 19th, 2010

I woke up bright and early to get to Trout Brook Bark before 8AM. When I arrived, Dave had already set up the tent. We spent the morning with a Trout Brook Trail Stewart named Lisa Brodley talking about park usage and the issues of abuse as we greeted incoming visitors as they entered.

Considering the weather was sunny and beautiful, there were very few visitors. But it was a productive time as we received some really interesting and passionate feedback from the bikers' standpoint as well as heard the local Trail Stewart's take on things.

We were there as trail advocates and there was a lot at stake. The Land Trust was threatening to close the park to ALL mountain bikers due to some abusive rogue riders hassling the Trail Stewards and riding illegally despite being told not to.

Although, at the end of the day, the air was still murky with a undetermined resolution; we did mellow the anti-biker vibe a lot and were asked to return to help fix up a couple of small spots here and there.

At the end of the meet and great session, I got on my bike and rode the loop Dave recommended. Even going a little further to the northern end (Jump Hill). Primarily XC riding thru woods on mostly double track (fire roads) it didn't seem to have that same scenic charm that keeps me in love with Trumbull. No riverside trails and although the trail circling back on the ridge was great (challenging twisty turvy singletrack over rock and roots, etc.) it didn't seems as interesting as the other spots I usually frequent (Mianus, Wilton Woods, Trumbull, etc.)

I had stupidly put my Trail Ambassador shirt over a cotton shirt in the morning and forgot to only ride with the thin jersey. I was boiling half way thru my ride and the cotton shirt was completely soaked with sweat DUH!! Maybe that detracted from my perceptions -- who knows!!

Parklng lot entrance where the CTNEMBA tent was set up
Not sure but I think here was where a massive hill was (on the main double track
Heading back, this was great singletrack high up on a ridge
Again, not sure which way I went here. It was a long brakeneck speed bomb (great fun)
Missed this little parallel singletrack alternative on the way in but saw it on the way out and jumped over to it

Ride Map

Pittsfield - Turner Trail to Berry Pond

- Turner Trail, Pittsfield State Forest -

Pittsfield MA - May 31st, 2010

It was a beautiful day and I had an inspiring ride up Turner Mountain. Surprisingly the trail was empty of folks--and even more surprisingly was the fact that I climbed the whole thing! It was slow going but not too steep. 

Of course on the bomb all that way back down, I had to stop a couple of times because my hands felt like jello - they were shaken so much as I gripped the handlebars. Little stuff animals were strategically placed along the trail - an unexpected, quirky but cute memory of the place!

Map of my route

terrain version 

 topo version

Slide Show >

Colonie Town Loops

Colonie Town Loops (Colonie NY)

May 30th, 2010

Slideshow > 

Trumbull - In the 50s... What a Day!

Pequonnock River Valley State Park - March 7, 2010

It has been a while since I updated this site with biking photos. Between winter weather (either frigid or soggy and rainy) and Greg being house-bound with a broken ankle, I haven't been out as much and redirected my love of biking to building websites, trail maintenance and creating interactive bike maps.

Well spring is here and Sunday was a beautiful sunny day in the 50s!

I parked at the north end and rode down to the north bridge using the Bramble path. The Blue Trail by the river was surprisingly dry and fun to ride. While blocking a shortcut with deadwood, I chatted with a couple of hikers passing by and gave them a glowing description of the park and recommended Wilton Woods as well for their freeriding teenage son and friends.

I then rode south to the lake bed edge and headed up to the ridges. At a trail at the top (off the north of the fire road) I fixed a short section of the trail that needed better drainage and then searched for the start of the cliff trail that I had discovered a couple of weeks back in crummy weather.

---

- Finding the Cliff Trail -

The cliff trail starts at this rock. Going north, turn left before the rock. 

- At the Start of the Cliff Trail -

Make the turn and ride down the trail.

- Turning at the Switchback -

You'll need to turn between the tree and the rock to make the switchback onto the cliff trail. 

-- The Cliff Trail -

There's about a three foot ledge to ride on down and one rock obstacle to ride over but it's not too scary. The view out towards the valley and former lake bed is great in the pre-spring since there aren't any leaves on the trees.

It turns out I discovered this a few years ago but in the lush greenness of summer, I didn't recognize it!

Pequonnock Valley - Winter Hike

Pequonnock River Valley State Park 

January 3rd, 2010

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Huntington - Greg Doing Big Drop

Greg doing Big Drop at Huntington Park Park - Sept, 9th, 2009

- Near Start of the Big Burn Area-

This didn't end so well :-)

September 2009

2010 - Northern Vermont (Yearly Pilgrimage)

Rich and Greg Coffey

Mountain Biking in Northern Vermont 

August 2009 >