TA Report: West Hartford Reservoir

Date of Activity: 4/25/2010
Condition of Trail: Great

Trail Ambassador Name: Daren Casey
Email: daren@darencasey.com
Town: West Hartford
Location: West Hartford Reservoir
Trail(s) Ridden: Stared on the fence line, uphill on the outer loop but finished on fire roads and power line trails.
How did you use the trail? Mountain biking
What was the time of day? morning
Hours: 2 hrs
Distance: 8.4 miles

Encounters & Observations: Started in the middle of the fence line off of Canal Rd. OUTSTANDING conditions and perfect weather made for an almost perfect ride. I forgot my mtb shoes. Rode in full foot sandals which is why I road fire roads and power line trails. I would ride the “easier” trails and meet up every so often with group at intersections. My trails were perfect and I was told the main trails were as well. One person commented that the “Bomber” trail was the best he had ever seen it and we should just tape my feet to the pedals so I could go back and ride it….. Still a great ride, good times and good friends. One of the crew broke his chain but he’s a bike mechanic so we only stopped for a few minutes for repairs. His words, “Practice preventive maintenance boys and girls and this won’t happen to you.” We did see some remanence of a bear in the middle of the power line trail going up but no bear in sight.

On a side note. I’ve now completed 34.7 miles for a total of 7 hours for the Trail Ambassador program. I haven’t had the opportunity to assist anyone yet. Yesterday after I get home from a ride, I begin doing work around the house. I notice a young lady on my sidewalk with her bike turned upside down. Her chain came off and she couldn’t get it back on. I walked 100 feet, put the chain on for her and did my good deed for the day. I almost ran inside to put on the orange jersey first!