Rocky Neck State Park

Date: June 26, 2012
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Rocky Neck State Park
Town: East Lyme
Trail Conditions: Wicked Awesome, Dry and tacky
Observations/Information: After the quick and heavy rain yesterday I kinda expected the trails to be wet. They weren't!! Actually it seems the heavy rain just swept the trails, can see where the leaf and other residue was washed away leaving nice tacky hard pack behind.
everything was hard packed and 90% dry. headed straight to where I Wack-a-moled my head on the branch and cleaned it up a bit. Then just did a quick spin around the place. Weather is just perfect for riding!!
Trail Ambassador Name: Thom Lamourine

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TA Report: Case Mountain

Date: May 23, 2012
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Case Mountain
Town: Manchester
Trail Conditions: Much drier than I anticipated
Observations/Information: I rebuilt my dad's old Mongoose Alta into an overgeared singlespeed and rode it out to Case today. 34:16 with flat pedals meant I walked some hills.

I haven't been out to Case in two months or so. It appears that someone put some errant no trespassing signs near that new little bridge on the way back to the Line St. parking lot. As far as I know, that's public property. They need to go. To whom should we speak? Town of Manchester? DEEP?

Trail Ambassador Name: Brendan Mahoney
Trail Ambassador E-mail: oiseauxatgmaildotcom
How did you use the trail? MT Biking
Trails Ridden: not that much: in from Spring St., up to the summit, little bit of meandering and out at Line St.
Time of day: Afternoon
Time/Duration (hours): 4.5
Approximate Distance (Miles): 40 miles

TA Report: Airline Trail

Date: 5/23/12
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Airline Trail
Town: East Hampton / Marlborough / Colchester / Hebron
Trail Conditions: Just a few puddles, and one very large pile of dog poop
Observations/Information: It's been raining hard all week, so I took my Trek Portland to my go-to wet place. The trail was solid, the vegetation green, the woods cool, and most other cyclists helmetless. I tossed a few sticks off the trail that had fallen during the recent rains.
Trail Ambassador Name: Barry Burke
Trail Ambassador E-mail: barry at bburke dot com
How did you use the trail? Other Biking
Trails Ridden: EH Cranberry Bog to Grayville Rd, with the spur into East Hampton, R/T
Time of day: Evening
Time/Duration (hours): ~ 2:00
Approximate Distance (Miles): ~ 20 miles

TA Report: Airline Trail

Date: 5/15/2012
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Airline Trail
Town: East Hampton, Marlboro, and Colchester
Trail Conditions: Some light mud and puddles

Observations/Information: I rode right after the skies cleared from a storm. The Airline drains very well, so there were only a few puddles to avoid. A good number of cars were parked at the Cranberry Bog, and many walkers and cyclists were passed.

Trail Ambassador Name: Barry Burke Jr

TA Report: Airline Trail

Date: 5/12/2012
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Airline Trail
Town: East Hampton / Marlborugh / Colchester
Trail Conditions: Perfect
Observations/Information: A busy day on the Airline is still a nice ride. One thing that I really like about this trail is that the users tend to be more considerate of others than other multi-use trails. Maybe it's the lack of pavement... This would have been a great day to go all the way to Willimantic and back, had I brought the correct shoes!
Trail Ambassador Name: Barry Burke
Trail Ambassador E-mail: barry @ bburke dort com
How did you use the trail? Other Biking
Trails Ridden: Airline
Time of day: Morning
Time/Duration (hours): 1:30
Approximate Distance (Miles): 12 miles

Naugatuck State Forest

Date: 12/31/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Naugatuck State Forest
Town: Hamden
Trail Conditions: Much blow down, puddles, mud, trails and woods roads are in poor condition
Observations/Information: Went to Nagatuck State Forest to avoid Brooksvale Park which I believe is still closed to mountain bikes. We started off on the rail trail, then did a hike a bike up the power lines and then explored several old woods roads, all in poor shape with much blow down, puddles and mud. We removed some of the blow downs when it was possible to drag them away. And finally we found our way back to the rail trail and back to the cars.
Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten

George C Waldo State Park

Date: December 30, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury
Trail Conditions: Excellent!
Observations/Information: I figured I'd better get a ride in while the weather was nice, so I took a quick spin at Waldo. Temps were unseasonably warm and I had overdressed, requiring gradual shedding of the layers- my Camelback was bulging with surplus clothing by the end of the ride (see photo). I was riding a little rusty after the holiday break, not feeling one with the bike, but enjoyed myself nonetheless. The trails were in great shape considering recent weather. There was only one wet spot on Daffy Duck and one on Where's Waldo (in the usual place, just below the Captain's Log.) There were also some wet/icy spots on the dirt road and bottom of the Hunter's Trail (typical places). These spots should be frozen hard in the morning. Just a few sticks down that needed picking up, and the trail was easy to follow with packed (slightly slippery) leaves. There was a model airplane flying in the field across the power line, buzzing and whining like some demonically possessed chainsaw run amok.

Waldo would be a great place to ride this weekend, especially in the morning.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Rocky Neck State Park

Date: 12/30/2010
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Rocky Neck State Park
Town: East Lyme
Trail Conditions: nice, tad of Frost Grease
Observations/Information: Nice little ride around Rocky Neck today. Little its of Frost Grease from the freeze thaw cycles but nothing terrible. tooled around the pavilion a bit, noticed the grass was a nice healthy green, on the Day Before Nw Years..
Trail Ambassador Name: Thom Lamourine

West Rock Ridge SP

Date: 12/28/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: West Rock Ridge SP
Town: New Haven/Hamden
Trail Conditions: Great, some mud, some flooded trails, some blow downs which we cleaned up, otherwise, trials were dry and in good shape
Observations/Information: Bumped into only one rider entering the park as we were leaving, only one sole hiker, one family of hikers, nobody in the woods. It always amazes me that an area so close to New Haven is so underutilized, oh well. Three of us braved the forecast for strong wind gusts and a partly sunny/cloudy day with dropping temps. Sun remained with us for most of the ride, very little wind to speak of, and yes the temps did drop during the day. Cleared several blowdowns by dragging them off the trail.
My email list is huge, only three attended, where is everyone else???
Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten

Shelton Greenway

Date: 12/26/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Shelton Greenway
Town: Shelton
Trail Conditions: Good, some crusty, frozen ground, thin icy crust on the puddles, some blowdowns, everything rideable
Observations/Information: Parked at the Shelton High School parking lot instead of where I usually park on Rt 108 at the powerlines. Rode with a different group who showed me new trails and we rode some trails that I usually ride in one direction, in the other direction. Some blowdowns, crusty ground, icy puddles, everything rideable. Unfortunately, some of the trails have been covered with a rock and sand mixture which has been packed down. Although it is rideable, this section of the trail is no longer challenging. On a positive note, there is still plenty of single track available, hopefully they, whoever they are, will not cover more trails.

West Woods Preserve

Date: Dec. 26, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: West Woods Preserve
Town: Guilford
Trail Conditions: Muddy, but clear of blowdowns
Observations/Information: I did a 6-mile loop hike from the trailhead off Peddlers Road (I-95 Exit 57). The trails are muddy in spots, as can often be the case at Westwoods in low areas. There was evidence of many blowdowns from Hurricane Irene that have been cleared back. I cleared one oak tree canopy that fell across a trail. There were a few people out walking dogs, but no bikers. If you are bike Westwoods, be sure to bring a map and pay close attention to the blazes. The trails are reasonably well marked, but with many intersections, you have to really pay attention to stay on track. Bikers should not use the Yellow Trail as it is simply too rugged for bikes. In some sections, I had to use hands and knees to crawl through some rock notches. A trail map is available at Bishops Orchards on Rt. 1, or download one from http://guilfordlandtrust.org/wordpress/properties/westwoods.
Trail Ambassador Name: Tom Ebersold

Wadsworth Falls SP

Date: 12/24/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Wadsworth Falls SP
Town: Middletown/Middlefield
Trail Conditions: Much blowdown on singletrack trials, doubletrack in good shape
Observations/Information: My first time riding in Wadsworth Falls State Park. The doubletrack was dry and clear. The singletrack areas ended up being a hike a bike due to much blowdown, however, the trail following the stream back to the parking lot was clear. The falls was quite full and nice to look at. There were 13 of us on this cold winter day, sponsored by the Meet Up group folks..
Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten

TM Report: Wilton Woods

   

Date: 12/23/2011
Report Type: TM Report:
Trail Name: Wilton Woods
Town: WILTON
Trail Conditions: WET
Observations/Information: Ryan Tucker and I tackled the removal of a huge tree in the river on the orange trail. This tree has created a dam that has raised the water level behind the tree 2 feet higher and after a rain the river swells even more and breaches the bank. The trail has completely been destroyed for about 75-100 feet; an approved re-route not has to be put in, currently there is a temporary re-route

Trail Ambassador Name: David Francefort

Roosevelt Forest

Date: 12/22/11
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Roosevelt Forest
Town: Stratford
Trail Conditions: awesome, dry, a few muddy spots, two stream crossings
Observations/Information: Earlier this week it was 25 degrees, now the inverse, it was 52 plus (actually 57 degrees). Had the forest to myself, beautiful day, trails are in good shape.
Trail Ambassador Name: Ed Perten

George C Waldo State Park

Date: December 16, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury
Trail Conditions: Good
Observations/Information: I rode Waldo Friday afternoon. The place was drier than I expected. There's just one wet spot near the "Captain's Log" (second log over- see photo). This is the first place to get wet and it's easy to walk around. There are a lot of annoying small sticks and twigs down, though, due to recent high winds. They don't block the trail but they're a minor nuisance and potential derailleur killers. Daffy Duck is also dry. There's a little wetness on the dirt road and at the bottom of the Hunter's Trail. There's a new widowmaker at the end of Daffy, just before it intersects Waldo. It partially blocks the trail and is easy to see.

I was feeling a little whipped so I took it easy and played around seeing how far I could go without pedaling, how slowly I could ride over obstacles, and trying to use momentum rather than pedaling. This is a good way to develop balance and weight transfer skills- you don't have to ride fast to improve your skills.

Waldo is currently a lot drier than Huntington and would be a good place to ride this weekend. Just please use good judgment regarding the wet area.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Collis P Huntington SP

Date: December 14, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Collis P Huntington SP
Town: Redding
Trail Conditions: Wet, sloppy in places
Observations/Information: Hit Huntington Wednesday afternoon. I wanted to try out the new rock ring I installed in place of a large chain ring. Trails were wetter than I expected. The area got a major dump of rain in the first week of December and, although it has not rained for the past five days, colder temps mean longer drying times. There is a lot of standing water in the low places, and slimy trail surface where the trails dip low. Pretty much all the trails are this way, but the Rusty Truck (boardwalk) and south end of Rock and Roll in particular. Although temps get below freezing at night, by afternoon the trails had lost whatever freeze-induced hardness they acquired the night before. The carriage roads are also wet/gooey in places. Good news is that the South Pond reroute is dry from end to end, a testament to its good design. The improvised plank bridge at the boardwalk is still in place and holding up well.

As for the rock ring, I found it to be an improvement. It's easier to hop logs without that big, toothy appendage hanging down. The big wheels and higher final drive ratio of 29ers renders a big ring useless to all but the strongest riders, and mine had lost most of its teeth anyway, due to scrapes with rocks. The bike even feels a little bit lighter, although that might be wishful thinking. So if you've got a big ring you never use, you're tired of the way it scrapes on rocks, hangs up on logs, and inflicts dirty, greasy puncture wounds on your leg, you might want to try a rock ring. They're not just for freeriders anymore.

The trails at Huntington will not be drying out anytime soon, so if you ride there this weekend, I'd suggest going in the morning when the ground is(hopefully) still frozen. Also, please use good judgment regarding the wet areas.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes

Upper Paugussett State Forest

Date: 2011-12-10
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Upper Paugussett State Forest
Town: Newtown, CT
Trail Conditions: Good and Bad but not overall Ugly

Observations/Information: The Poly Brody is pretty sloppy and for the most part the Gussy is really good, except of the one section of trail near the new turn off leading to the loop around. Guess I need to add some drainage cuts there because the trail appears to be getting soggier.


While on the Gussy there were numerous blowdowns there were probably weekended during the Great October Snowstorm and finally came down in the wind we had earlier this week
Trail Ambassador Name: Mark Lurie

Mianus River Park

Date: December 4, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Mianus River Park
Town: Stamford & Greenwich
Trail Conditions: Good
Observations/Information: Paula and I rode Mianus on Sunday. This is becoming a regular destination for us because it's a cool place to ride. I rode the single speed this time and found it to be a great place for that type of bike with its undulating terrain and short steep hills. We rode the newly benched and armored Cabin Trail up to the old chimney and found it to be a dumping ground for candy wrappers. How sad. We spent some time on the older, unmaintained trails on the Greenwich side of the park (Greenwich doesn't allow maintenance). These trails are not as good as those on the Stamford side, but to get in a ride of decent length you have to include them.

The trails along the river were a little moist; those away from it were just about the right tackiness for traction. Here was also less leaf cover than you'd expect. The West River Trail Spur, just off Merribrook Rd, has been blocked off. The River Road was busy with hikers and unleashed, energetic dogs, per usual on Sunday afternoon. We encountered a few other mountain bikers and I loaned one my mini pump. Sadly though, his tube was too far gone to hold air and he had to walk.

Trail Ambassador Name: Paula Burton, Glenn Vernes

Upper Paugussett State Forest

Today's Ride in 3D

Date: 2011-12-03
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: Upper Paugussett State Forest
Town: Newtown, CT
Trail Conditions: Leafy

Observations/Information: Looks like the state ran a brush cutter up and down the Poly Brody this week to cut back the encroaching trees. It mucked up a lot of sections, too.

Upper Gussy is looking nice. Appears some trail gnomes reopened the fall line trail after the original section through the Taco Stand was closed by a downed tree in the October Snowstorm.

It has some potential but to do it right you would have to curve it around and have it descend to the trail on the slope of west side of the ravine. Do-able might probably not worth the effort.  Later down the trail, I hit the Reach Around, which is a combination of some old cart roads, skidder paths, and game trails I found this summer that pops out on the Jeep/Horse/Blue Trail.  It's a good little route to bring you back to the Gussy Trail Head so you can ride back up the trail and cut back to the Echo Valley Parking lot or what I often due is take the bailout on the Cleavage that dumps you out on the lower section of the ROW to the driveway that leads to the parking lot.  

There is this one section is that is always wet and today I went around it but looking back I noticed ATV tracks.  I guess my previous attempts to block ATVs from this side of the forest has finally been thwarted.  I think it kept them out for a couple of years.  I think it might be time to make a by pass and at the same time add a few nicks to see if it will drain.

At the Western entrance to the Gussy is this old lawn chair with a broken coke bottle sitting atop an old rusty gas can.  So, if you are ever looking for the start of the Gussy from this part of the forest I don't think you will miss this.

George C Waldo State Park

Date: December 2, 2011
Report Type: TA Report:
Trail Name: George C Waldo State Park
Town: Southbury
Trail Conditions: Dry, very good

Observations/Information: Hit Waldo Friday afternoon. It was the first ride of the last month of the year. Ah December, a time when the days and the rides are shorter, but no less rewarding, when the shadows are long, when exertion makes one warm but not hot, and when the low sun casts a golden hue upon the fallen leaves. 

I rode Where's Waldo out and back, including the Extra Credit Loop. Everything was dry, and the trail was easy to follow in most places (the trail is blazed). There were some new storm-weakened limbs and sticks down- I picked them up. Looks like a little partying went on at the campsite recently- I took away some litter. I didn't get to ride Daffy Duck but it should be just as good.

I heard intermittent gunshots that sounded like they were coming from the field across the powerline. On the way back, just before getting to the parking lot, I heard a very loud gunshot coming from across Purchase Brook Road, where firearms hunting is allowed (bow hunting only at Waldo).

Waldo would be a good place to ride this weekend, just be sure to wear blaze orange.

Trail Ambassador Name: Glenn Vernes