2011 Happening at Huntington

This year's Happening at Huntington was a resounding success!  There was not just one demo truck, but two!  We originally planned on having Trek but a last minute addition to the event was Shimano who was show casing their equipment on a plethora of different bikes including 29ers and 26ers, full suspension, hard tails, and even a geared rigid bike.  If you recall last year's event we had a big let down from a neighboring bike manufacturing company who said they were going to bring their demo truck and then 5 days before the event notified us that they weren't coming. 

Photo Credit:  Dave Francefort

Well, this year's event more than made up for it, and for me after demoing two really nice bikes I think there might be a carbon fiber Fisher 29er with Shimano gears in my future!  Especially since Trek guaranty's their Carbon Fiber frames for life!  That's outstanding and definitely something worth considering for the next frame purchase.

Also, REI and the new Ridgefield Bicycle Company (formerly known as Dr Mike's Mobile Bike Shop), and Outdoor Sports of Wilton also had tents and brought demo bikes to try out.

If you didn't try a demo, I hope you got some of the free swag that was available.  There were water bottle galore and energy snacks from Powerbar that were donated, too.

Outdoor Sports had a great selection of Cannondale and Specialized bikes

Talk about rides!  There were at least 8 different led rides hitting some of the finest single track that Northern Fairfield County has to offer, including a skills ride led by ..... of the Campmor Racing Team.  I saw more people riding the trails on Sunday than I ever have during past events.  Whether or not they were out riding for our event it was amazing to see how many people were using the park.  And being Father's Day, it was especially heart warming to see Fathers with their Sons and Daughters mountain biking in the park!

I played sweep on an intermediate ride led by Javier Hernandez that hit single track trails in South Pond, the Big Burn, and the Twisties.  Of course, it wouldn't be a CT NEMBA ride without at least one mechanical.  Steve Eldridge is pictured above fixing a flat on his new 650b Full Susser from Jamis.  Unfortunately for Steve, he got another flat shortly there after so there must have been a thorn sticking through his tire that he missed.  I guess he figured out what was going on because as we were climbing back up the last hill to the event I saw him flying down the hill all smiles!

Peter Westerholm, 2010 Winner of the GT Bike Raffle

The Happening at Huntington

Happening at Huntington

Kona Bicycles / Fox Shox Mountain Bike Adventure

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Redding, CT

Registration: 9-11am

Hosted by CT NEMBA, the ride at Collis P. Huntington State Park in Redding, CT offers a wide variety of trails from beginner to expert. Try your skills on the Rock and Roll Trail (built by CTNEMBA), the Twister Trail, the Burned Loops, and many others.

Cost: The cost of the ride will be $10 for NEMBA members, $25 for non-members, and FREE to anyone who joins NEMBA on the morning of the ride.

All proceeds will be used to enhance the trails at Huntington and build new ones!

GoogleMap Directions to Collis P. Huntington State Park

click Read More ... below for text directions

Off I-84 Eastbound: Take Exit 5. At stop sign, continue straight to traffic light. Turn right onto Main Street and travel to its end (1.25 miles). Turn left onto South Street, at 2nd light follow Route 53 into Bethel. At Route 53 and Route 302 follow Route 302 east for 1.6 miles. At Route 58 and Route 302, follow Route 58 south for 4.6 miles then take a left onto Sunset Hill Road. Collis P. Huntington is 0.8 miles on the left.

Off I-84 Westbound: Take Exit 9. Take Route 25 South for approximately 3 miles, then turn west onto Route 302 for 6 miles. At Route 58 and Route 302, follow Route 58 south for 4.6 miles then take a left onto Sunset Hill Road. Collis P. Huntington is 0.8 miles on the left.

Off Merritt Parkway: Exit 44, Rte 58 N/Black Rock Turnpike

1. Head northwest on RT-58 N/Black Rock Turnpike toward Congress St - 3.4 mi 2. Slight left at Black Rock Turnpike - 7.2 mi 3. Slight right at Sunset Hill Rd Destination will be on the right - 0.8 mi

Happening at Huntington, June 21st, 2009

Come celebrate the summer solstice at Collis P Huntington State Park in Redding, CT.  The cost of the ride will be $10 for NEMBA members, $15 for non-members, and FREE to anyone who joins NEMBA on the morning of the ride.

Riding includes: Arrowed rides, led rides (departing between 9:30 and 10:30), skills course, and beginners' class.  Registration: 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM

There will be a schwag raffle and food following the rides. All proceeds will be used to enhance the trails at Huntington.  

Collis P Huntington State Park, Redding, CT

Sunset Hill Road Parking Lot (Statues)

Contact: Paula Burton

203-426-5369

View Collis P Huntington State Park in a larger map