1/31 Sunday Rides are on!

It might be a little cold, so dress accordingly. Please ensure that you sign in on the waiver and if you are a NEMBA member you will be eligible for the Moots Raffle.

Both rides start promptly at 1 PM so please be early and ready to ride!

Advanced Ride: Millers Pond State Park, Durham, CT

Meeting location: Main Parking Lot off of Foothills Road

Directions (using google maps): From Route 9: Take Exit 11. Follow 155 West. Turn left onto Millbrook Road. Bear left onto Foothills Road. Parking area is on the right.

Ride Leader: Mark Lurie (C: 203-733-6240)

Type of ride: Cross Stuntry

Beginner/Intermediate Ride: Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middletown, CT

Meeting location: Main Parking Lot off CT-157

Directions (using google maps):

From Hartford area: Take I-91 south onto Route 9 south. Follow Route 9 south to Middletown. Take Middletown – Meriden Exit 15 onto Route 66. Stay on Route 66 through Middletown for 6-7 traffic lights – look for the signs Wadsworth Falls State Park and Route 157 at a traffic light near a Walgreen’s Pharmacy. Take a left onto Route 157. Stay on Route 157. Wadsworth Falls State Park will be on the left.

From New Haven area: Take I-91 north onto Route 66 (Middletown – Meriden Exit 15). Follow Route 66 towards Middletown. Look for the signs Wadsworth Falls State Park and Route 157 on the right. Follow Route 157 to Wadsworth Falls State Park.

From Westbrook/Shoreline areas: Take Route 9 north onto Route 66 (Middletown – Meriden Exit 15). Follow Route 66 through Middletown for 6-7 traffic lights. Take Route 157 off Route 66 near a Walgreen’s Pharmacy. Stay on Route 157 to Wadsworth Falls State Park.

Ride Leader: Glenn Vernes

Type of ride: Cross Country

TA Report: Trout Brook Valley

Date: 1/30/2010
Condition of Trails(s): Cold, Snowy
Trail Ambassador Name: David Francefort
Trail Ambassador Email: dfrancefort@excite.com
Town: Weston
Location: Troutbrook
Trail(s) Ridden: N/A
How did you use the trail?: Hiking
What was the time of day?: 7:30AM
Duration (Hours): 1.5
Distance (Miles): N/A
Observations: Cold, really cold. Hiked Red ridge trail to green to main road, back to Bradley Parking lot. Did not see a sole. Quiet and peaceful.

Access to Trout Brook Valley threatened!

It has come to the attention of Aspetuck Land Trust that there is quite a bit of biking taking place in Trout Brook Valley during this no biking season (January through April).

The biking tracks have been noted all over TBV by our stewards & bikers have been stopped in the Bradley lot while taking bikes off vehicles, in spite of the posted non-biking signs.

The trails at Trout Brook Valley badly need a rest & the continued violation of this 3 month ban runs the risk of terminating biking in TBV for all.

TA Report: Upper Paugussett State Forest

Date: 1/28/2010
Condition of Trails(s): Frost Heaves, some mud
Trail Ambassador Name: Mark Lurie
Trail Ambassador Email: eatsleepfish_at_gmail_dot_com
Town: Newtown
Location: Upper Paugussett State Forest
Trail(s) Ridden: Poly Brody, Upper Gussy
How did you use the trail?: Mountain Biking
Duration (Hours): 1
Distance (Miles): 5
Observations: Poly Brody was pretty soft and if it wasn't soft, there were plenty of frost heaves. The Gussy, however, was bone dry and perfect for riding. Now that's a sustainable trail! The wet spot (seen below), while there was standing water it still wasn't muddy due to the excellent armoring work of John Wilkins and Chip McClellan a few years ago.

TA Report: Mt Archer

Parking lot getting covered in snow

Date of Activity: 1/28/10
Trail Ambassador Name: Thomas Lamourine
Trail Ambassador Email: Thom(at)ectrr(dot)com
Town: Lyme , CT
Location: Mt Archer Woods, Lyme, CT
Trail(s) White
How did you use the trail: biking
What was the time of day: 9:30 am
Duration (Hours):1
Distance (Miles): 2
Condition of Trail(s): good, wet leaf coverage, few small bogs, soft
Observations: Looks like no one has been there is a while. Leaf coverage is still soft though you can see the trail in the usual worn worm going through the woods. Snow started falling heavier than I expected and kept covering my glasses so I cut it short.

Entrance Marker Stone

The Snowy White Trail

TA Report: Roosevelt Forest

Date of Activity: 1/27/10 Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten Trail Ambassador Email: edperten@sbcglobal.net Town: Stratford, CT Location: Roosevelt Forest Trail(s) Ridden: A bunch How did you use the trail?: Mountain bike riding What was the time of day?: Late morning/early afternoon Duration (Hours): 2-3 Distance (Miles): Several Condition of Trail(s): B E A U T I F U L ! ! ! Observations: Exploration and familiarization of this small forest in Stratford. A combination of old woods roads, single tract, small stream crossings, bridges, and rolling terrain. No snow, no ice, firm yet not crunchy frozen ground. Temps in the 40's and sunny weather definitely a plus. As I was ending my ride I passed a woman struggling to push a baby carriage, designed for sidewalks not rocky trails, on the trials. As I left the parking lot she was venturing forth into another area of the park, again in an area not user friendly for baby carriages. As I was driving out of the forest, several kids waved to me as they stood clustered around their motor scooters. Although there are signs stating no motorized vehicles permitted in the park… The forest closes at 4pm, I left the parking lot at 4:18 pm. Luckily the gate was not locked. They do close and lock the gate. I have heard reports that people have gotten locked in and ticketed for parking outside of the gate.

TA Report River Highlands State Park

Date of Activity: January 26-27, 2010

Trail Ambassador Names: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador Email: glennvernes33athotmaildotcom
Town: Cromwell
Location: River Highlands State Park.
Trail(s) Ridden: Green, Yellow, White, Red, unmarked
How did you use the trail? Mountain Bike
What was the time of day? Morning/Afternoon

Duration (Hours): 3.5

Distance (Miles): Around 10

Condition of Trail(s): Good

On Tuesday I hiked in with the big saw to clear a tree that had fallen across the green trail, and to clear the many sticks and twigs I knew would be down after Monday's rain and wind. I found another tree down and cleared that as well. The trails were amazingly dry, the carriage roads still soft.

On Wednesday morning I went riding. The ground was frozen hard and the riding was excellent. Still a lot of sticks and twigs, though. We cleared them to the best of our ability. The stream along the yellow trail was running fast and deep with runoff. I let another rider use my mini pump, and helped a hiker find his dog.

TA Report: George C Waldo State Park

View of Mitchell Farm from Where's Waldo Trail

Date of Activity: 1/24/10
Trail Ambassador Name: Paula Burton
Trail Ambassador Email: Peburton@aol.com

Town: Southbury
Location: Waldo State Park
Trail(s) Ridden: Where's Waldo ( both directions) , Hunters' Trail, Access Road
How did you use the trail?: Mountain bike riding
What was the time of day?: mid morning
Duration (Hours): 2
Distance (Miles): 7
Condition of Trail(s):Excellent

Observations: Bow hunting season is over, and for the first time, all the flags were there,and there were no annoying human placed piles of brush in the trail. I saw dog walkers, and runners on the trail. It is great to see that the trail is getting regular use. I saw Noah out there who has been doing some projects on the trail. And it was wonderful to get a good ride on the hardtail. There was no ice or snow on the trail on the trail at all. The temps hovered around 30 which kept the trail frozen but was quite comfortable to ride in.

The winter is a great time for planning for trails. I had the Waldo project in the back of my mind for a number of years. I drove by there saw the place, but it was four or five years later before I'd had the time to check it out and apply for a trail through the DEP. Land managers usually aren't as busy in the winter, so it is a good time to meet or contact them with ideas. When the snow is not on the ground is a great time to scout out and do design work because of the lack of tree cover and brush.

So if you aren't getting enough riding in, do some planning. Maybe there is a piece of land near your house. Find out who manages it. Many towns, land trusts, conservation areas have places where a trail would go in nicely. Contact the land managers. If they aren't very receptive, keep trying. Or try somewhere else. Do some homework before approaching the land manager. CTNEMBA has resources and can provide assistance through the application process.

TM Report: WIlton Woods

Date of Activity: 1/24/10
Condition of Trails(s): Frozen, Dry
Trail Ambassador Name: David Francefort
Trail Ambassador Email: dfrancefort@excite.com
Town: Wilton Location: Wilton Woods
Trail(s) Ridden: N/A
How did you use the trail?: Trail Maintenance
What was the time of day?: 9AM
Duration (Hours): 2
Distance (Miles): 2

Observations: Hiked in from Boulder Road onto blue trail, orange to Back Diamond for Winter trail maintenance. Worked on Serpentine Rock Ridge, putting in place an alternative line to the roller at the end, made the line on Raptor Rock Garden more easily identifiable, also rock armored a short muddy section in the middle. Met up with various mountain bikers on the black diamond trail.

TA Report: Collis P Huntington SP

Date of Activity: 1/23/10 Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten Trail Ambassador Email: edperten@sbcglobal.net Town: Redding Location: Huntington State Park Trail(s) Ridden: A bunch How did you use the trail?: Mountain bike riding What was the time of day?: Late morning Duration (Hours): 2-3 Distance (Miles): A bunch Condition of Trail(s): Crunchy, crunchy, crunchy! Observations: No snow or ice in Southern CT where I reside, SURPRISE!!! Crunchy left over snow patches, some ice patches, some ruts, frozen ground in Redding. All trails rideable and passable, much of the park is snow free. Heavy rains and warmer temps are forecast for Sunday through Monday so all left over snow and ice should disappear. Brilliant sunshine and warm temps made for a great riding day!

TA Report: West Rocks State Park

Blowdown to be removed

Gearing up. Safety first!

Trail clear and everyone with all fingers and toes attached.
(Chris is forefront in black and ball cap.)

Date of Activity: Jan 23 2010
Condition of Trail(s): Mostly frozen and leafy
Trail Ambassador Name: Eric M & Amanda M, Plus friends of NEMBA Chris and Neil
Town: Hamden
Location: From Hill St entrance
Trail(s) Ridden: Red n White
How did you use the trail?: My feet
What was the time of day?: About 930a
Duration (Hours): 1.5
Distance (Miles): 1

Observations & Encounters: Had located the blowdown below across the Red w White trail along the base of the ridge a while back and had not had an opportunity to clean it up until now. Was able to get permission from Lori the land manager to go in with a chainsaw and remove it. I would usually use my hand saw, but this was a nice dense tree that was going to need more than 1 cut before I could think about dragging it around. Was able to round up accomplished sawyer Chris Nowacki (my friend and friend of CT NEMBA) from down the street for a quick outing this morning. Grabbed the dogs, chainsaws, and two spotters and went to work.

Took off enough of the tree to allow free passage, but not so much as to disturb the surrounding area. Chris is handy with the tool and made quick work of the blockage.

Ran into 2 gentlemen walking their dogs, 3 people enjoying the sun in the field below, and an AMC hiking group getting together in the lot as we were heading out. Guess the sun brings everyone out! All were pleasant and happy to see CT NEMBA working to improve the trails for ALL non-motorized users!

TA Report: Mianus River Park

Date of Activity: January 23
Trail Ambassador Name: Ryan Tucker
Trail Ambassador Email: rrtucker at gmail dot com
Town: Stamford
Trail(s) Ridden: Mianus River Park
How did you use the trail: Mountain Biking
What was the time of day: Morning
Duration (Hours): 1.5
Distance (Miles): 5 total
Condition of Trails(s): Frozen and fast, thawing out around 11am, would STAY OFF trails if temps aren't sub 30* for at least 12 hours prior to intended use.
Observations: Good early but beginning to soften towards end of ride
Optional
Trail Maintenance hours: 30 min
Work accomplished: cleared debris from a rock stream crossing, removed leaves from between rocks, and rebuilt rock crossing due to ice/damage from use.

TM Report: Bradley Report

Date of Activity: 01/22/10

Condition of Trails(s): Frozen

Trail Ambassador Name: David Francefort

Trail Ambassador Email: dfrancefort@excite.com

Town: Wilton

Location: Bradley Park

Trail(s) Ridden: N/A

How did you use the trail?: Trail Maintenance

What was the time of day?: 8AM

Duration (Hours): 3

Distance (Miles): N/A

Observations: Picked up additional wood for bridge project on Orange trail re-route, cut to length and transported to site. Met Chris K. and he assisted on getting the wood out to the site and with construction.

TM Report: WIlton Woods

Date of Activity: 1/20/10
Condition of Trails(s): Wet, Muddy

Trail Ambassador Name: David Francefort
Trail Ambassador Email: dfrancefort@excite.com
Town: Wilton Location: Wilton Woods
Trail(s) Ridden: Blue, Red
How did you use the trail?: Trail Maintenance
What was the time of day?: 2:15PM
Duration (Hours): 1
istance (Miles): 1

Observations: Met with Mike Conklin (WCC land manager) and local boyscout to review his proposed eagle scout project of re-blazing the entire park, cutting back overgrowth and possibly enhancing the Boas Lane entrance kiosk.

TM Report: Bradley Park

Date of Activity: 1/20/10
Condition of Trails(s): Wet, Muddy

Trail Ambassador Name: David Francefort

Trail Ambassador Email: dfrancefort@excite.com

Town: Wilton

Location: Bradley Park

Trail(s) Ridden: Orange, Yellow

How did you use the trail?: Trail Maintenance

What was the time of day?: 1:00PM

Duration (Hours): 1

Distance (Miles): 2

Observations: Met with Mike Conklin (WCC land manager) to review current projects and proposed 2 new trail connectors that I flagged, he wants me to go back and GPS so he can make sure that they do not go near any private property. Also discussed rock armoring project by newly constructed bridge on Orange trail re-route

TA Report: Upper Paugussett State Forest

Date: January 21, 2010
Condition of Trails: Frozen, frost heaves, a little snow
Trail Ambassador Name: Mark Lurie
Trail Ambassador Email: eatsleepfish@gmail.com
Town: Newtown
Location: Upper Paugussett State Forest
Trails Ridden: Poly Brody and Upper Gussy Trail
How did you use the trail?: Mountain Biking
What was the time of day? morning
Duration (Hours): 1 Hour

Observations: The Gussy Trail is really well packed down. I looks like the ATVs haven't been back but it does look like they did some damage even with the snow.

TM Report Hartman Park

Replace me!

A pesky tree

The pesky tree's match: The Sven Saw

Ba-bye tree!

Not another tree!

Owned!

Date of Activity: 1/20 & 1/21 2010
Trail Ambassador Name: Thomas Lamourine
Trail Ambassador Email: Thom(at)ectrr(dot)com
Town: Lyme , CT
Location: Hartman Town Park, Lyme, CT
Trail(s) Orange, Red, yellow
How did you use the trail: TM & biking
What was the time of day: 9:30 am
Duration (Hours):3
Distance (Miles): guessing 6 maybe??
Condition of Trails(s): good, wet leaf coverage, few small bogs

Observations: Well after chatting back and forth and getting the OK to do some basic trail Maintenance at Hartman Park I road around yesterday to get an Idea of what needed to be done. 2 major thing caught my eye right off.

Few trees down over the trails and one of the bridges is in real need of replacement. Grabbed my trusty Sven Saw and hi the trails cutting out the pesky trees and measuing up what will be needed to do the bridge. After doing the bit of sawing, I rewarded my self with a bit of riding..

After figuring out what & where the materials are I my set up a TM bridge building day... anyone want to come?

TA Report Hartman Park

Date of Activity: January 21, 2010
Trail Ambassador Names: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador Email: glennvernes33athotmaildotcom
Town: Lyme
Location: Hartman Park.
Trail(s) Ridden: Red & orange
How did you use the trail? Hike
What was the time of day? Afternoon

Duration (Hours): 2.5
Distance (Miles): Around 5.5
Condition of Trail(s): Well used.

Hartman Park was once a very popular place to ride. It was not uncommon to see eight or ten cars with bike racks in the lot on weekends, and it was home to a long running Wednesday night ride. While its popularity has waned, it still sees regular action- I spotted multiple fresh tracks on my hike.

I hiked and photographed the red and orange trails looking for problem areas for TM projects that will hopefully occur in the coming year. The condition of the trails can best be described as "thoroughly enjoyed" but, with a few notable exceptions, I found them to be in surprisingly good shape considering their age, the amount of use they get, and the fact that they weren't built according to modern standards of sustainability.

The biggest problems are the Big and Little Scrambles on the red and orange trails- fall line climbs on steep and rocky slopes. In other areas it appears that the trail has been re routed but the blazes still take you the old way. There are also some bridges that need work.

There's been cooperation between CT NEMBA and the land manager recently. Hopefully we'll be able to get in and correct these problems.

The Big Thaw: TA Report Millers Pond State Park

Date of Activity: January 16, 2010

Trail Ambassador Names: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador Email: glennvernes33athotmaildotcom
Town: Durham
Location: Millers Pond State Park.
Trail(s) Ridden: Cross country loop & big bailout
How did you use the trail? Mountain Bike
What was the time of day? Late morning
Duration (Hours): 2
Distance (Miles): Around 6 or 8
Condition of Trail(s): Wet snow.

We did a sort of figure eight on the cross country loop, taking advantage of the downhills. There was about two inches of wet snow on the trails and finding traction was a challenge. The ground was still frozen, but won't remain that way much longer I don't think. Trails were in good condition. One tree down that was too big to cut with the pocket saw.

TA Report West Rocks State Park

Date of Activity: 1/18/10 Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten Trail Ambassador Email: edperten@sbcglobal.net Town: New Haven Location: West Rock/Lake Wintergreen Trail(s) Ridden: A few How did you use the trail?: Mountain bike riding What was the time of day?: Late morning Duration (Hours): 1 Distance (Miles): A few Condition of Trail(s): Quite challenging Observations: The parking lot at Lake Wintergreen was a melting sheet of compressed ice. My feet started to slide out from under me. I walked down the small hill from the parking lot, not wanting to fall. A jogger informed me that once you get away from the parking lot, the trails are more leaf covered than snow/ice covered. I liked this information. The trails were wet snow, wet slushy ice covered, with the addition of another challenge, frozen, crunchy ground and frozen ruts. I cut the ride short due to the increased riding time due to the trail conditions. Once back at the parking lot, another vehicle pulled in. I remarked to the driver that the snow was not enough for skiing, and not great for riding. His response was why not ice fish, the ice was 9" thick. Only one fall on some loose gravel leading up to one of the many newly created bridges

TA Report: Mianus River Park

Date of Activity: January 17
Trail Ambassador Name: Ryan Tucker
Trail Ambassador Email: rrtucker at gmail dot com
Town: Stamford
Location: Darien
Trail(s) Ridden: Mianus River Park
How did you use the trail: Mountain Biking
What was the time of day: Morning
Duration (Hours): 1.5
Distance (Miles): 7 total
Condition of Trails(s): Frozen and fast with a couple water crossings looking shoddy
Observations: Good conditions, frozen, but we'll have to see what happens to the frost heaves
Optional
Trail Maintenance hours: 30 min
Work accomplished: re-worked a water crossing that had become a dam and was causing trail widening and some mud.

TA Report: Pequonnock River Valley (aka Trumbull)

Date of Activity: 01/17/10
Condition of Trails(s): Icy, snowy, crusty, frost heaves, & frozen

Trail Ambassador Name: Mark Lurie
Trail Ambassador Email: eatsleepfish at gmail dot com
Town: Trumbull
Location: Pequonnock River Valley
Trail(s) Ridden: White, Yellow, Red, Blue and unmarked
How did you use the trail?: Mountain Biking
What was the time of day?: 8:30AM
Duration (Hours): 2
Distance (Miles): 6.5

Observations: 40 to 50 percent snow and ice coverage at P-Valley. Looks like yesterday's warm up got really slushy because riding today was really crusty. Plenty of traction. Saw a Coyote heading towards the picnic tables. At Coyote Crossing someone came in cut an opening at the big up and over with a chainsaw. No harm done to the feature but this tree has been this way for years and only now someone makes it easier?

Also, the bridge needs some fixing, one slat is completely missing and two ends have broken off, too.

Encountered a hiker using snowshoes near where I spotted the Coyote heading towards the picnic tables. She said it was the only thing that would give her traction in the icy spots. Her dog was obviously excited because it must have smelled the coyote. On the way out on the white trail, ran into Bill Lake, coming down with some guys heading out to the trails. There was another big group of people in the parking lot heading out as well.

TM Report: WIlton Woods

Date of Activity: 01/16/10
Condition of Trails(s): Snowy

Trail Ambassador Name: David Francefort, Rich Coffey
Trail Ambassador Email: dfrancefort@excite.com
Town: Wilton
Location: Wilton Woods

Trail(s) Ridden: Blue, Orange, Yellow, White
How did you use the trail?: Trail Maintenance
What was the time of day?: 8:30AM
Duration (Hours): 3
Distance (Miles): 5

Observations: Rich and I set out to refine the Wilton Woods trail map by using a GPS and verifying trail blaze colors and noted mountain biking terrain challenges. We also moved an unused small bridge from a closed trail to a stream crossing on the yellow connector trail. Also made notes on spring projects including some trail re-routes, placement of knicks and a couple of rock armoring projects. Also put up a small sign to denote the start of the Raptor Rock Garden located on the black diamond trail.

TA Report: Hartman Park

Date of Activity: 1/14/10
Trail Ambassador Name: Thomas Lamourine
Trail Ambassador Email: Thom(at)ectrr(dot)com
Town: Lyme , CT
Location: Hatman Town Park, Lyme CT
Trail(s) Orange, Rd, yellows and White trails
How did you use the trail: Hike
What was the time of day: 1PM
Duration (Hours):3
Distance (Miles): guessing 7-10..?
Condition of Trails(s): Packed Snow



Observations: Well, I received a few e-mails about what's going on at Hartman Park in Lyme. To be honest, I have no clue, haven't been there in a good bit, so today I decided to go, and hike... and it was good, did like almost 7-10 miles checking things out... I prefer to hike when looking at conditions because you take more notice of things when moving slower. I do believe I am going to have to go back and hike again because the snow cover was thick enough to obscure a lot of things but it gave me a good perspective again of the place. I hiked the main outer loop (orange and red trails) and then some inner ones. Snapped off a bunch of cool pictures... and made a sweet slide show vid... soooo enjoy!!

TA Report: West Hartford Reservoir (aka The Rez)

Trail Report for West Hartford Reservoir

Date of Activity : January 14, 2010

Trail Ambassador Name : Mark Leggitt

Town : West Hartford

Location : The Res

Trails : Outer Loop

How Used : Mountain Biking

Duration : Two hours

Distance : 8.5 miles

Conditions : Well-packed snow, minimal ice. 30 degrees

Observations : superb early morning riding conditions. Joined by CTNEMBA VP Tren Spence and WH Res emeritus Charlie B. for a Moots Ride of Charlie’s favorite winter trails. Nearly 100% ride-able including uphill sections. Met “Bark Man” (picture) who oversees attempts made on the large roller.

TA Report River Highlands State Park

Date of Activity: January 13 & 14, 2010

Trail Ambassador Names: Glenn Vernes
Trail Ambassador Email: glennvernes33athotmaildotcom
Town: Cromwell
Location: River Highlands State Park.
Trail(s) Ridden: Yellow, red, green, white.
How did you use the trail? Hike/Mountain Bike
What was the time of day? Afternoon

Duration (Hours): 3.5

Distance (Miles): Around 8 or 10

Condition of Trail(s): Snow.

Observations: On Wednesday I hiked in with the big saw and cut two trees that had fallen across the green trail, and then hiked around for another hour or so. The slower pace of hiking really allows you to see more. The trails were in good condition- packed snow (some packed better than others) and almost no ice. Re-blazing continues. The trail down to the blow hole is now blazed red, yellow and green, allowing you to ride three trails at once (does that mean you go three times as far?).

People had also done a lot of walking off-trail, picking their own lines through the water crossings and cutting from one trail to another when close together. One such excursion led to the largest “tree bowl” I’ve ever seen- about 30 inches across (see photo above).

On Thursday I went back for a ride. Temps were above freezing and the snow was gradually getting wetter and denser. Rather than push through to the ground, the tires would float on top. Traction was a challenge, but I found that by staying seated and applying power very carefully, I was able to get up almost all of the hills, albeit slowly. I also found that in snow, you’re better off nudging the bike around corners, rather than steering.

Trails were in good condition, although I found another tree down on the green trail.

Now this is Trail Building!

Thanks to Ryan for passing this along!

TA Report: Pequonnock River Valley (aka Trumbull)

Just follow the path!

Date of Activity: 1/10/2010

Trail Ambassador Names: Rich Coffey; Rich Stinchcomb; Mark Lurie

Rich Stinchcomb climbing the red/yellow

Town: Trumbull

Location: Pequonnock River Valley

Mark Lurie in the Bat Cave

Trail Ridden: Yellow, Red, White, Blue, and many more

How did you use the trail: Mountain bikes

What time of day: 1 PM

Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes

Miles: 7+

Rich Stinchcomb rolling the Bat Cave

Conditions of the Trails: Snow

Observations: The trails at Trumbull are sweet! Seeing that Trumbull gets many visitors daily there is a nice packed down track on all the main riding trails that makes riding here fantastic.

Rich Coffey climbing up from the Bat Cave

Maintenance: Rich Stinchcomb brought along a slat to repair one of the board walks on the blue trail. It's been broken for quite some time.

It took Rich 10 minutes to fix it.

Rich was the first to ride over the repair!

TA Report: Mianus River Park

Date of Activity: January 9&10
Trail Ambassador Name: Ryan Tucker
Trail Ambassador Email: rrtucker at gmail dot com
Town: Stamford
Location: Darien
Trail(s) Ridden: Mianus River Park
How did you use the trail: Mountain Biking
What was the time of day: Morning
Duration (Hours): 2.5
Distance (Miles): 14 total
Condition of Trails(s): Frozen with some serious frost heave
Observations: Trails look like they need some knicking and armoring come spring.
Optional
Trail Maintenance hours: 1 in the orange jersey
Work accomplished: Closed a bootleg trail between Oak Trail and Stainless Pot trail.

TA Report: Rocky Neck State Park

Date of Activity: 1/8/10
Trail Ambassador Name: Thomas Lamourine
Trail Ambassador Email: Thom(at)ectrr(dot)com
Town: East Lyme , CT
Location: Rocky Neck State Park

Trail(s) Ridden: all over
How did you use the trail: Mountain Biking
What was the time of day: 9am
Duration (Hours):1.5
Distance (Miles): 4+

Condition of Trails(s): Not bad for the amount of snow we had

Observations: may different layers of snow adding up to about 4 inches now. We had a tad more snow here I believe than in other areas. Then some melting, with a few inches of fresh snow layered a couple more times on top, (and flurrying still at that time), making an interesting texture of snow on the trails. add the hikers, bikers, x-country skis and I just say I was glad to be on a full squish bike. :) The foot prints do make it rough the trail is still very much ridable with out the need of studs. Though I would recommend some good sized knobs!!

Get out and ride!!!