TA Report: Upper Paugussett State Forest

Date: 7/31/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Upper Paugussett State Forest
Town: Newtown
Trail Conditions: Fast and Dry
Observations/Information: DEEP came in and opened the Gussy back up, thanks Nate!  However, it appears we have a new Widow Maker.  The original Widow Maker is down, probably make a nice skinny, but there is a new one and I don't like the fact that it's 20 feet up.  I started re-routing around it with an insta-foot production, didn't have a rake on me, and there are some neat features found in the re-route.  Hope to have the re-route completed soon.

Trail Ambassador Name: Mark Lurie

River Highlands State Park

   

Date: July 31, 2011

Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: River Highlands State Park
Town: Cromwell
Trail Conditions: Dry but neglected
Observations/Information: Hit the Blow Hole after work on Sunday. I was treated to hot, humid air, strong sun, no breeze to speak of, and a lot of bugs. Good ride, though. The river was heavy with boat traffic, not surprisingly. I met a group of canoeists down in the Blow Hole, taking their lunch break while en route down river, as well as a pair of hikers and their hot, but happy, dogs.

   

The trails were in good shape- almost completely dry, just a little soft at the top of the yellow trail and the green trail through the swamp. Vegetation has also grown into the green trail near the swamp. Maintenance has slacked off since I relinquished my TA-in Residence duties three months ago. Quite a few blowdowns had accumulated (I cleared what I could). One of the bridges on the yellow trail has been repositioned and the approach angles are now more difficult in each direction. I saw plenty of bike tracks, and someone has created a new and very skinny (4x4) plank bridge on the yellow trail. I also saw a lot of ATV tracks- they're coming in from the cul-de-sac at the southern end of the park and through a breach in the fence at the northern end. They seem to be staying off the singletrack. Saw some graffiti on the yellow trail, and partying continues in the parking lot- I took away a small bag of litter.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

TM Report: George C Waldo State Park

Date: 8/31/11
Report Type: TM Report:
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury
Trail Conditions: good
Observations/Information: Did some much needed weedwacking under the power lines on Where's Waldo. Removed brush from Hunter's, and started work on the stone wall crossings on the Daffy to make them smoother with more flow.
Trail Ambassador Name: Paula Burton

Rocky Neck State Park

Date: July 31, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Rocky Neck State Park
Town: East Lyme
Trail Conditions: Nice,... SUPER BUGGY!!! Going to start putting a piece of screening in my helmet!!

Cruise the Neck at EveryTrail

EveryTrail - Find the best Biking & Hiking in Connecticut

Observations/Information: Steve and myself planned on riding yesterday, but,... errrr we were both a bit lazy and so we decided to meet up today at Rocky neck for a quick tour... he had his fancy GPS and I had my Iphone which I used MotionX software as it's more accurate than Everytrail's is but I like Everytrails web base better.. ;)
 Anyway, hoping to get a hold of his and compare.
 I cruised down the fire road and tooled around the beach parking lot and out to the pump house waiting for him so it'll show me looping around there a lot.

Trails are in good shape though there are a few places it's getting over grown...

FRIGGIN BUGS ARE UNREAL THIS YEAR!!!
Trail Ambassador Name: Steve Eldridge, Thom Lamourine

Hop River State Rail Trail

Date: July 30, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Hop River State Rail Trail
Town: Vernon-Bolton
Trail Conditions: Excellent
Observations/Information: I expected trail traffic on this beautiful warm day to be heavy. It was very sparse: a few joggers, some bikes, 2 on horse-back (Bolton Notch). One biker broken down with a pedal that stripped out, he didn't want assistance. I did catch up with a trail acquaintance. Danny was having lunch at the old Vernon train Depot. He's 67 years young and has logged 3,200 miles since March '11. Very impressive for any age! I'll be riding Sunday morning at 7:00am....oh by the way.... I'm not even close to 3,200 miles!
Trail Ambassador Name: Peter Blume

Bluff Point State Park

Date: july 28, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Bluff Point State Park
Town: Groton
Trail Conditions: way over grown
Observations/Information: cruised out to Bluff today for a change of pace. trail surface is great, nice hard packed, but the briars are soo over grown that you best be armored to ride there.
Trail Ambassador Name: Thom Lamourine

Upper Paugussett State Forest

Date: 7/27/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Upper Paugussett State Forest
Town: Newtown
Trail Conditions: Dry, fast, flowing
Observations/Information: First we did the trails in Waldo State Park in Southbury/Newetown. Then we did the Upper Paugussett. Conditions were awesome. Only casuality was a flat front tire on my friend's bike, he walked out as we were near the end.
Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten

Hop River State Rail Trail

Date: July 27, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Hop River State Rail Trail
Town: Vernon-Bolton
Trail Conditions: Very Good
Observations/Information: I tried my best to get in a ride late afternoon Tuesday, however mother nature dealt her wrath on the Hop River Rail Trail. Unfortunately, I was caught 3.2 miles from home when "tornado like" weather hit Vernon around 5:00 pm. Heavy downpouring rains & winds led to trail flash flooding and downed branches. Thankfully, I made it home safely.
I figured I'd make-up the shortened ride this evening to check out the trail. I cleared some branches along the route. The trail dried out very well. There were many trail users getting in their workout.
Trail Ambassador Name: Peter Blume

Rocky Neck State Park

Date: july27, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Rocky Neck State Park
Town: East Lyme
Trail Conditions: awesome
Observations/Information: everythings good and dry, even after the rain. actually I think the rain hardened the surface up good.
Trail Ambassador Name: thom Lamourine

Upper Paugussett State Forest

Date: July 24, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Upper Paugussett State Forest
Town: Newtown
Trail Conditions: Dry to dusty, some blowdowns
Observations/Information: Hit Paugussett for a quick ride Sunday night. The heat and humidity had broken a little and the riding was a lot more comfortable. Up and back took about an hour, with some lingering at the stunts. The trail was in good shape, dry to dusty, but there were some trees down, some too big to clear with the pocket saw. I also encountered the biggest pile of horse poop I have ever seen. I batted it off the trail, Tiger Woods style, with a stick.
Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Hop River State Rail Trail

Date: July 24, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Hop River State Rail Trail
Town: Vernon to Bolton
Trail Conditions: Very good
Observations/Information: Another very humid start combined with a brief shower must have kept trail users at home. Only came across a dozen or so riders & joggers. The Church St. lot (Vernon Depot) is usually packed every Saturday and Sunday. No trail concerns to mention. Enjoy the weekend and stay hydrated!
Trail Ambassador Name: Peter Blume

Trumbull-Pequonnock

This is Prudence

Date: 7/23/2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Pequonnock River Valley
Town: Trumbull
Trail Conditions: Bone Dry
Observations/Information: Been a while since I last visited P-Valley. My last attempt resulted in a broken chain not a 100 yards in and a walk of shame back to the lot.  There is a new route across the stream by the jeep trail that I am surprised took this long to develop.

Nice ride in the Valley. Met a few Doggers including Prudence and her dog Jake who I run into all the time. Down along the blue trail, however, one woman was letting her pitbull run free and the dog nearly bit me.

Riding back to where she was I told her that her dog almost bit me and needs to be on a leash. The dog was a rusty color should you ever encounter it again.

The New Re-Route of the Old Re-Route on the Red Trail looks great! The TTC et al did a great job with the flow except choked at the end near the stream crossing. I would have made the turn higher up so as to have a smoother transition to the stream or just drive straight into the stream and build up a little stone ramp, or build a board walk.

Looks like there is new blow down on the red trail just past the Swamp Roller. A PP is starting to emerge around it and looking at it, it will be big job to open up. Would make a nice skinny, though.

Also, the armoring on the blue trail down by the stream is awesome.

In the ledges section, near the cave, I found a fire pit with a lot of trash. It's really sad that this still happens.

Trail Ambassador Name: Mark Lurie

Rocky Neck State Park

Date: July 24, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Rocky Neck State Park
Town: East Lyme
Trail Conditions: not bad, tad of rain was actually good for the surface
Observations/Information: Ridiculously humid!!! but we had a good time, rode all around, Cory and Dan did a little stint getting across the mini rock garden, they both made it which is something I still to this day have yet to fully clear...


Meet another guy down the trail touring around trying to figure out trails.(he's a Boston NEMBA guy) Took him down the swamp side then up the hill to the mini coaster... Cory and myself were whipped and cruised back to the cars, but Dan kept on with the guy...
Trail Ambassador Name: Thom Lamourine, Cory Stiff, Dan Gianfagna

Wilton Woods

Date: 7/23/2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wilton Woods
Town: Wilton
Trail Conditions: Dry, Buggy
Observations/Information: Place is rippin fast, hooked up with some new peeps so I gave them a tour
Trail Ambassador Name: David Francefort

TA Report: George C Waldo State Park

Date: July 23, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury
Trail Conditions: Dry and dusty

Observations/Information: Too hot to ride? Maybe. Although temps never hit the forecast 97 degrees (that would feel like 102) it was hot enough and oppressively humid. I was able to wring sweat from my jersey for the first time I can ever remember. I had hoped for a breeze at Waldo but was disappointed in that regard. At least it was shady in the woods. Once on the trail the heat really wasn't that bad. Too hot to ride? Maybe not. The trails were in great shape. 

I rode Where's Waldo and saw the storm damage for the first time, as well as the new bridge (see photo). It lies right alongside the old one creating a sort of chicken line for those who find the old one too narrow. I'm glad they left the old one. I also rode the new Daffy Duck trail, which is breaking in very nicely. Both trails are getting a lot of use- this place has a dedicated group of fans. Both trails were very dry from start to finish, with the soil being slightly loose in many places, and dusty- my legs acquired an impressive "dirt tan".

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

TA Report: Upper Paugussett State Forest

Date: 7/22/2011

Report Type: TA Report:

Trail Name: Upper Paugussett State Forest

Town: Newtown, CT

Trail Conditions: Schweeeet

Observations/Information: It's been a month since the last time I was in here and it's riding really nice. The Brody is nearly bone dry, one little wet spot remains on the first climb from Echo Valley and the Gussy is simply stellar.  The big oak tree that blew down in that storm in June is still blocking the trail and it appears hikers and maybe bikers have developed their own PP to get around it. I think I will have to go in a create a proper reroute so that it's not a fall line climb.

Further down the widow maker is down and there is a new widow maker. Going to have to reroute around that too but found some goodies along the way that will make the new section really fun.

Trail Ambassador Name: Mark Lurie
Trail Ambassador E-mail: ctnemba 'a la' gmail
How did you use the trail? MT Biking

Rocky Neck State Park

      

Date: july 20 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Rocky Neck State Park
Town: East Lyme
Trail Conditions: dry as a bone...
Observations/Information: nice riding, everything is dry, even the switch back off the upper fields going down to the Shipyard field is dry...

Hot and humid, beach was packed especially for a weekday!! hung out at the Pavilion for a time cooling off
Trail Ambassador Name: Thom Lamourine

Cockaponset SF - Weber Woods

Date: July 19, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Cockaponset SF - Weber Woods section
Town: Clinton/Westbrook/Deep River
Trail Conditions: Crispy
Observations/Information: Decided to do the CCW perimeter of the forest, so I started from the dirt road and headed east on the lower green; grabbed the orange north to the northern green, then west to the end; spun around and backtracked in the CW direction; stopped at the parking lot on the way back to find it empty; trails were dry and fast, even Muck Rock Road was in great shape which offers about a 150' long playground for skills; heat was nasty, bugs were brutal; headed home feeling great.
Trail Ambassador Name: Don Hazuka

Trumbull-Pequonnock

Date: 7-17-11
Report Type: TM Report
Trail Name: Pequonnock River Valley
Town: Trumbull
Trail Conditions: Excellent - Nice and Dry
Observations/Information: Dave got there super early and raked out a better curve south of the rock. Steve and I met at 9 am in the Daniels Farm Lot and talked bit with the Freeriders in the parking lot, They had done a huge amount of work on the section on the previous Wed. and said they'd stop by a little later to help out.
Steve and I walked in with the tools (although I had stashed some things velcroed to my bike when I rode in briefly the the night before). Dave was busy benching when we arrived.
Dave had to cut out a little early and the Freerider entourage came by just after he left. They loved the "corrected curve" that Dave put in south of the big rock. The Freeriders helped out a lot by moving a large amount of deadfall to define the new line and block the old. [I made sure they understood to keep it elevated so water won't channel.]
 After a bit, they zoomed out on their big bikes all getting air on the kicker we featured at the top, and Steve and I continued with benching and reclamation. It was agreed that they (the Freeriders) will continue to refine the trail over the days ahead (touching up the berms, better defining the lower section. etc.). We may return in a month or so to do further reclamation.
This section has a lot of flow now and a few nice terrain challenges. Hopefully everyone should be happy...and this sustainable reroute--spearheaded by the Freeriders--will settle in, trouble-free from this point on...
Trail Ambassador Name: Rich C, Dave Francefort

Rocky Neck State Park

   

white trail (swamp ride)                                           this is normally a river bed

Date: july 17th, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Rocky Neck State Park
Town: East Lyme
Trail Conditions: awesome
Observations/Information: Beach was PACKED!! trails were kinda low traffic though for the time of day. noticed the rivers are all dried up. Weather was much better here on the shore than the weather guys were predicting! decent wind keeping it cooler.

another dried up river bed.

Trail Ambassador Name: thom Lamourine

Airline Trail

Date: July 17, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Airline Trail
Town: Hebron to East Hampton
Trail Conditions: Very good with some rough spots
Observations/Information: Started from the RT 85 Lumber lot and headed towards Grayville Falls Park. Some light trail traffic (bikes & joggers). Very good riding conditions to this point. The River Rd. & Bull Hill Rd. areas have some "water carvings" in the trails that sneak up on you fast. The thick tree cover and rays of sunlight play tricks with the eyes....be cautious with your speeds! Assistance was offered to a couple with low tire pressure. I did notice DEP patrolling near RT 149. I turned around at the Cranberry Bog and made the loop back. Traffic along the trail increased, great ride!
Trail Ambassador Name: Peter Blume

West Hartford Reservoir

Date: 7-17-2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: West Hartford Reservoir
Town: West Hartford
Trail Conditions: OUTSTANDING
Observations/Information: The trails are hard, packed and dry as a bone. GO RIDE!!
Trail Ambassador Name: Daren Casey

Cockaponset SF - Weber Woods

Date: July 16, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Cockaponset SF - Weber Woods section
Town: Clinton/Deep River/Westbrook
Trail Conditions: Very nice
Observations/Information: Took the dirt road to the northern green and in a short bit came across an ant-cored oak tree that fell, and took a couple others down with it, which partially blocked the trail- will require some heavy cutting and clearing; rode some north to south trails, then most of the interior ones before taking the nice unmarked up to the farm; the trails are in really great shape with the exception of some low, muddy spots that just never seem to dry up; with the increase in horse traffic, there are many more "shoe divots" that are no fun to ride through; didn't see anyone the whole time; headed back to the dirt road, then on home; one more in before the heat wave.
Trail Ambassador Name: Don Hazuka

West Rock Ridge SP

Date: 7/16/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: West Rock Ridge SP
Town: New Haven
Trail Conditions: B E A U T I F U L ! ! !
Observations/Information: Only one person showed for my posted ride at West Rock. Woods are dry!!! There appeared to be much erosion as evidenced by the increased rocky areas.
Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten

Wilton Woods

Date: 7/16/2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wilton Woods
Town: Wilton
Trail Conditions: Dry, Fast
Observations/Information: Gave a tour of the entire park to a couple of riders. We hit up all the goodies. I did give directions for a good loop to a couple of riders in the parking lot and we actually ran into one of them out on the trail and they said they were having a fantastic time exploring the park
Trail Ambassador Name: David Francefort

Roosevelt Forest

Date: 7/13/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Roosevelt Forest
Town: Stratford
Trail Conditions: Awesome, dry streambeds, a few rather dry mud puddles, otherwise, trails were in good shape
Observations/Information: I shared the parking lot with a local day camp. Did not see a soul in the forest. Came across one minor blowdown, completed a minor trail maintainence and was on my way.

Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten

Cockaponset SF - Weber Woods section

Date: July 12, 2011

Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Cockaponset SF - Weber Woods section
Town: Clinton/Westbrook/Deep River
Trail Conditions: Mostly dry with some blowdown
Observations/Information: Started on the southern green and worked my way north on some unmarked to the northern green under very humid and buggy conditions; I was cranking along and came upon a fallen tree in perfect position to joust someone- dragged it off;

sampled all the trails to some degree and all had a fair amount of blow down that I cleared pretty well; the regular low, rocky sections were muck filled and nasty; visited the eastern lot which stood vacant, but very clean; finished up on the southern green and when I came to the horse farm, I noticed some major tree clearing and the beginning of a road being cut in; dismounted and hiked in to find lots of trees laying around with brush and a pile of beer cans;

 I shot off a notice to the LM for the heads up to investigate; continued home feeling pretty spent- good ride.
Trail Ambassador Name: Don Hazuka

Rocky Neck State Park

Nice Hazy shot..

Date: July 11 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Rocky Neck State Park
Town: East Lyme
Trail Conditions: good, air is Hazy hot and humid.
Observations/Information: did a quick little whip around Rocky Neck, trails are all in good condition. Did hit some sorta swarm of bees just as I got off the unmarked "cliff side ride" trail and got on the white trail. Got stung like 3 times in the shoulder where a few got under my shirt, that kinda sucked!! Rode on anyway after doing the goofy get off me bees dance. did a spin around the camp grounds as is normal to add a few miles, tons of people with bikes. Good to see!

Bee attack!!

Trail Ambassador Name: Thom Lamourine

Pequonnock River Valley

Date: 7-10-11

Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Pequonnock River Valley
Town: Trumbull
Trail Conditions: Great
Observations/Information: Date of Activity: Sunday, July 10th, 2011
Condition of Trails: Dry
Location: Pequonnock Valley State Forest
How did you use the trail?: Mountain Biking. occasional Trail Maintainence,
What was the time of day? 11 AM - 12:45 PM
Duration (Hours): 2 3/4 Hours
A beautiful day for riding. Trails were dry, weather was perfect!
Went in from the north (Whitney) and rode the Red on the north ridge for starters. Swung by the blowdowns just south of the Orange streams and noticed the big one was cut. Although it looks like there is no longer an opportunity for a skinny, both blowdowns had decent braids around them. I kicked out the leaves a bit on the lower blowdown braid. It maintains good trail flow so I see no need to return with a chainsaw gang.

Trail conditions were great in the Central Maze and I noticed a few trail gnome's handiwork on a couple of rocky spots - good stuff going on...
 While in the the Central Maze, I ran into the freeride group who will be leading next week's TM session. We chatted a bit about our plans and I then rode all the way south on the Red to the southend stunt park to hook up and loop back on the Blue. I had intentions of returning later and re-blazing this section but it was already blazed very throughly. Someone did a great job along here.

Riding north thru the Serengeti was wild as the plants are way over your head and there is only a narrow strip to slice thru! Once past the Gap Jump, I rode out on the White (for a change) - trail coniditions were perfect and the humidity in the woods was low, a great ride!
Trail Ambassador Name: Rich C

Trout Brook

Date: 7/10/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Trout Brook
Town: Easton
Trail Conditions: Beautiful, a few minor mud puddles, basically dry, some rocky areas as it appears that soil has been washed away
Observations/Information: We had five people in total, had a good ride. We bumped into approximately 3-4 hikers and or dog walkers, got to avoid horse droppings, no contact with horses and saw no mountain bike riders. The day was ideal, comfortable temps, low humidity, sunny and mild.
Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten

Vernon Rail Trail

Date: 07/09/11
Report Type: TA Report
Trail Name: Other (named in Information area)
Town: Vernon
Trail Conditions: Excellent dry rail trail conditions
Observations/Information: Vernon Rail trail from Rte 30 to Andover. Figured I'd grab some extra supplies and put my best NEMBA face on for a busy Saturday on the rail trail. Wasn't as busy as I had expected. Excellent conditions, beautiful day to be out for ride.
Trail Ambassador Name: Roland Chirico

Brandford Supply Pond

Date: 7/7/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Brandford Supply Pond
Town: Branford
Trail Conditions: Nice!!! A few mud puddles, all rideable
Observations/Information: Went back to Branford Supply Ponds and found a bunch of unmarked intermediate single track, some technical elements, nice change from the places I usually frequent.
Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten

Rocky Neck State Park

Date: July 7, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Rocky Neck State Park
Town: East Lyme
Trail Conditions: Great
Observations/Information: This park is one of my favorites- the riding is great, fast flowing through tunnels of mountain laurel, sections of fairly technical stone features, through marshland, and all with the smell of the ocean in the air; most of the trails were in great shape with a few low spots of muck; there is one small tree laying across the eastern red at about five feet high that I could not move- heads up; walked down to the beach and enjoyed the scenery and then fell prey to the smell of food being grilled- I grabbed a hot dog at the stand; plenty of people on the beach, but only saw a couple with a dog on the trails; played around a bit more and took the white back to the lot; a fantastic ride.
Trail Ambassador Name: Don Hazuka

TA Report: Upper Paugussett State Forest

Are you kidding me?  You can't curb your horse?

Date: 7/6/2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Upper Paugussett State Forest
Town: Newtown, CT
Trail Conditions: Schweeeet
Observations/Information: The Brodie is wet in the usual places but the Gussy is riding really nice.

However, some equine enthusiast decided to rather than CURB THEIR HORSE to let Trigger unload right in the middle of the trail at the top of my favorite roller.

Trail Ambassador Name: Mark

Hartman Park

Date: july 5 2010
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Hartman Park
Town: Lyme
Trail Conditions: good, light mud spots
Observations/Information: just did a quick spin round Hartman, trying to find a decent loop I can do without having to hike-a-bike... so far.. no go LOLOL
Trail Ambassador Name: Thom Lamourine

Hurd State Park

Date: July 5, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Hurd State Park
Town: East Hampton
Trail Conditions: Nice and dry, clean
Observations/Information: I've seen Glenn and Paula posting about this place so I decided to give it a shot; I parked at the northeast corner and took the upper white west into the park; it took me steadily downhill over some old paving and strips of crunchy washout toward the CT River; I knew this would eventually mean some climbing; I had done 3/4 of the trail when I felt my back brake give out (cable slipped) and I had no tools on me (dumb-left in other pack in car); continued on the red downhill more being cautious with only my front brake and not knowing the trails; I coughed up a lung trying to climb the southern stretch of the red up from the picnic area- brutal climbing (hiking); jumped on the long yellow south (nice riding, more climbs) to Split Rock with spectacular views from the ledges overlooking the river; one older woman with two dogs walking around; down to the paved road and over to the green where I remembered Glenn posted good unmarked trails there; I played a little, but with no rear brake this ride was getting cut short- several close calls already; took the paved road back to the lot; I'll be back when brakes are repaired- I like this place, great views, nice trails that are mildly technical in areas, with punishing climbs for humbling practice (and some hiking).
Trail Ambassador Name: Don Hazuka

Hop River State Rail Trail

Date: July 4, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Hop River State Rail Trail
Town: Vernon, Bolton, Andover
Trail Conditions: Excellent
Observations/Information: A sunny & humid evening along the Hop River produced numerous joggers, dog walkers, and bikers. A biker was helped (needed air in his tires). Many short "pit-stops" to talk to trail users enjoying this lengthy trail. There are many benches along the route for breaks. The mosquitoes still out in full force! I did notice a large area of broken glass in the Church St. lot (Vernon Depot). Another great night of riding, thank you Mother Nature!
Trail Ambassador Name: Peter Blume

Hop River State Rail Trail

Date: July 3, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Hop River State Rail Trail
Town: Vernon, Bolton, Andover
Trail Conditions: Excellent
Observations/Information: An early Sunday morning ride was very quiet on the trail. Very little activity (joggers & bikers). Hop River Trail is in great shape. However, "pooling trail-side water" sure makes those mosquitos come out! Best bet: quick break and keep moving. The trail really narrows past Burnap Brook heading into RT 316 (Andover, CT). Enjoy the weekend!
Trail Ambassador Name: Peter Blume

TA Report: George C Waldo State Park

Date: 7/3/2011

Report Type: TA Report:

Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park

Town: Southbury

Trail Conditions: Perfect for riding

Observations/Information: Where's Waldo is completely open from the last time I rode there. Paula and the guys from Class Cycles did a great job opening the trail back up and doing reroutes where necessary. I found Paula's Chainsaw bar where it got pinched in one of the trees she was cutting. That sucks. 

The Daffy Duck Trail is fun, too, and gives the rider more choices on how to ride there.

Is someone getting ready to put in a new bridge over the little stream? There are abbuttments built up on both sides of the stream banks looking like that.

 Also, it appears that there is either an ATV or a dirt biker using the fire road down to the water.

Trail Ambassador Name: Mark Lurie

Rocky Neck State Park

Steve, Cory and Mark on the cliff just before the little Nose Drop

Date: July two 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Rocky Neck State Park
Town: East Lyme
Trail Conditions: good
Observations/Information: Start of the 4th of July weekend Eye opener went good. 4 People showed. Mark, Steve, Cory and myself. Pretty relaxed riding. Trails are in good shape. spun down the mini coaster then on to the Cliff Side Ride. Did a mini "Photo Op" at the Nose Drop.

Rode around and up to the river edge and did the little strip then off to the Pavilion. BS'd for a bit then headed out and down to the main parking lot, cruised up the swamp side and did the paved climb back to the cars... nice little jaunt for an early ride.
Trail Ambassador Name: Steve Eldridge, Cory Stiff, Mark Lurie, Thom Lamourine

Branford Supply Pond

Date: 7/1/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Branford Supply Pond
Town: Branford
Trail Conditions: Dry
Observations/Information: The lower trails, or old dirt roads have been 'rehabed' with gravel. I have not been there in a while, I forgot how much rolling dirt road trails are in the park.
I parked in the back of the parking lot, away from the other cars so that I could change into my riding clothes. A dog walker and her dog immediately parked on my right and quickly left. Then an elderly couple arrived and just sat there in their car, then had their picnic lunch in their car and would not leave. I finally took a chance and quickly changed under cover of the back seat. While I left the woods at a different point from where I entered, I was greated by the same couple, still sitting in their car as if they were waiting for me.
Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten

Hartman Park

Mark crossing the New Bridge

Date: June 30, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Hartman Park
Town: Lyme

Thom with a side wall rip

Trail Conditions: decent, buggy. Trails were surprisingly dry considering recent weather.

Observations/Information: Took Mark up to bounce around Hartman Park. Ended up being one thing after another... First I got a Side wall rip up on the very top at the Power Lines. after taking way to long playing with that we headed down and caught the red trail going counter clockwise. hit the bridge right at the bottom of the steep hill and I went to stop and wait for Mark to catch up and I didn't get unclipped in time and ended up doing the SLLOOOOWWW keel over into the swampy muck..(was kinda funny, and smelly)

Thom climbing up out of the muck!

After cleaning up a bit we got to the field and was going to spin the yellow trail just north of the field and Mark's bike was creaking something fierce, so we headed out. got like 4 miles in.

Trail Ambassador Name: Mark Lurie, Thom Lamourine