TA Report: Middletown Madness @ Wadsworth State Park

Date of Activity: January 31, 2010
Trail Ambassador Name: Steve Eldredge
Trail Ambassador Email: steveeldr@yahoo.com

Town: Middlefield
Location: Wadsworth State Park
Trail(s) a bunch; Orange, yellow

How did you use the trail: biking
What was the time of day: 1p.m to 3:p.m.
Duration (Hours): 2 hours
Distance (Miles): no idea

Condition of Trail(s): packed snow, some ice, slippery in sections,especially going over logs and some of the uphill singletrack

Observations: It was cold!!! I had a problem with my cleats icing up and not being able to click in which made some of the down hills interesting. We had a great time with the NEMBA bunch, Glen did a great job leading the pack on his single speed 29'er. A lot of hikers and dog walkers, everyine was friendly though I did hear a couple of comments about those crazy guys and gals bike riding in these conditions.

Winter Social Party Pictures

Middletown Madness: Ride Videos

Heather La Palme riding by the 10 Commandments

Mike Hartford riding a skinny and then dropping

Middletown Madness: Advanced Ride Pictures

Ed Perten getting ready

Javier Hernandez

Bryan McFarland

Bryan's Voodoo

Some dudes from Mass

Steve Tobey

Kyiera Tucker

More shots of the guys from Mass

I think this is one of the guys from Mass but I didn't get his name

Mike Hartford on the Virginia Creeper

(John Isch Photography)

An overheated Bill Lake

The 10th Commandment

Steve Tobey rolling

(John Isch Photography)

Ryan Tucker rolling down

(John Isch Photography)

Heather La Palme

(John Isch Photography)

Mike Hartford on the 10 Commandments

(John Isch Photography)

Steve Tobey on the 10th Commandment with Tren Spence looking on

(John Isch Photography)

TA Report: Millers Pond State Park

Date of Activity: January 31, 2010

Trail Ambassador Names: Mark Lurie, Ryan Tucker, Tren Spence
Trail Ambassador Email: eatsleepfish at gmail dot com
Town: Durham
Location: Millers Pond SP.
Trail(s) Stuntry Outer loop and Cross Country Trail
How did you use the trail? Mountain Bike
What was the time of day? Afternoon

Duration (Hours): 3

Distance (Miles): 8.5

Condition of Trail(s): Excellent, packed nicely in the snow. Over on the XC trail there were some mud ruts from the thaw.

Eighteen People signed in for CT NEMBA's winter social advanced ride at Millers Pond. A couple of riders took off and were never seen again but the remaining 15 led by Mike Hartford through the outer loop of Millers Pond. As with every NEMBA ride there were a host of mechnicals including two flats on the same bike and two people loosing cleat screws.

Fortunately there were spare tubes and screws available - nothing like having a few Trail Ambassadors along! The fifteen riders made up a huge conga line but it was funny that it was the single speeders up front most of the way. Beautiful but cold conditions prevaled. Leaving the lot, it was 23 degrees and upon returning it was 18 degrees and the sun was going down.

from left to right: Tren Spence; Heather LaPalme; Steve Tobey; Mike Hartford and his dog Shadow; Javier Hernandez; John Isch - waiting for trail section to catch up

TA Report: Wadsworth State Park

Date of Activity: January 31, 2010

Trail Ambassador Names: Barry Burke
Trail Ambassador Email: barry@bburkedotcom
Town: Middletown
Location: Wadsworth Falls SP.
Trail(s) Ridden: Yellow, Orange, Blue, Yellow / Red, Red, White,
unmarked
How did you use the trail? Mountain Bike
What was the time of day? Afternoon

Duration (Hours): ~ 2

Distance (Miles): Around 7

Condition of Trail(s): Excellent, with a nice snow pack. A crystal clear day in the mid-twenties F.

I swept a NEMBA group of 10-12 sociable riders led by Glenn Vernes. We stopped several times, due to a mechanical problem, to do some impromptu trail maintenance, allow some hikers to pass, and to allow passage of the most unhappy horse I've ever seen. The trails were frozen very hard and aside from a few slippery logs, a joy to ride. A good time was had by all. This was a great group to ride with.

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

Middletown Madness: CTNEMBA Winter Social Event

Sunday January 31, 2010
Schedule of Events:
1 PM Rides or other outdoor activities (weather depending):
Beginner/Intermediate Ride @ Wadsworth SP
Advanced Ride @ Millers Pond SP

4pm The Party Starts!

Meet at CFPA (16 Meriden Road, Rockfall, CT 06481-2961) for a catered dinner, movies, and raffle.


View Larger Map

Fun for family, friends. All invited.

Free to members and $10 to non-members or join at the door.

RSPV to Paula Burton peburton1@gmail.com or call 203-733-2963 by Tues. Jan. 26.