Celebrating 20 Years of Riding and Saving the Trails SSingleingleTTrackrackSS March 2007, Number 90 www.nemba.org

Spring Meccas! • Sedona, AZ • Santos, FL

First Bike? Rigid or Suspension? Is Singlespeeding for you?

SSingleingleTTrackS NEMBA, the New England Mountain Bike March 2007, Number 90 Association, is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organi- zation dedicated to promoting trail access, maintaining trails open for mountain bicyclists, and educating mountain bicyclists to use these 22 trails sensitively and responsibly. Building with SingleTracks is published six times a year by the New England Mountain Bike Association for the trail community. Stone Making trails out of solid rock to stand the test of time. ©SingleTracks Here’s how the folks at White Mountains NEMBA do it. Editor & Publisher: Philip Keyes By Rob Adair Contributing Writer: Jeff Cutler Copy Editor: Nanyee Keyes Executive Director: Philip Keyes [email protected] Sedona!

NEMBA Are we in heaven yet? For New Englanders looking to PO Box 2221 escape to some warm weather riding in a land of magic, Acton MA 01720 Sedona is mountain bike heaven. By Bill Boles Voice 800.57.NEMBA 12 Fax: 717-326-8243 [email protected] Board of Directors Tom Grimble, President Winter Escape to Harold Green, Vice-President Anne Shepard, Treasurer 17 Tina Williams, Secretary Santos Florida isn’t for retirement any more now that it has the largest Rob Adair, White Mountains NEMBA public mountain bike playground in the country. By Vic Oliver Norman Blanchette, MV NEMBA Todd Bumen, Mt. Agamenticus NEMBA Bob Caporaso, CT NEMBA Jon Conti, White Mountains NEMBA Peter DeSantis, Seacoast NEMBA Hey, get creative! We wel- John Dudek, PV NEMBA SingleTracks Bob Giunta, Merrimack Valley NEMBA come submissions, photos and artwork. This is Rich Higgins, SE MA NEMBA your forum and your magazine. Be nice, and John Kibler, Maine NEMBA share! Rich Kordell, Blackstone Valley NEMBA Paper Trail On the Cover: Alf Berry shot this great picture Steve LaFlame, Central NH NEMBA Frank Lane, NS NEMBA on the trails at Thunder Mountain, Utah, outside Heather Linscott, Berkshire NEMBA Treadlines — 4 of Bryce Canyon National Park. Tom McCrumm, Berkshire NEMBA Scott Nixon, SC NH NEMBA Singlespeeding — 20 Have a pic that would make a good cover shot? Chris Patrick, SE MA NEMBA Email it to [email protected] Joseph Re, Greater Boston NEMBA Trailbuilding —22 Art Roti, CT NEMBA Want to Advertise? Places to Ride — 24 Harry Rubin, SC NH NEMBA SingleTracks offers inexpensive and targeted Matt Schulde, RI NEMBA Gear —26 Dan Streeter, North Shore NEMBA advertising which helps us defray the cost of Mike Tabaczynski, Greater Boston NEMBA SideTracks —28 producing this cool ‘zine. Call 800-57-NEMBA John Vosburg, Blackstone Valley NEMBA or email [email protected] for our media kit. Calvin Weeks, Maine NEMBA Basic Biking —29 Moving? Chapter News —24 Don’t miss an issue! Change your address online WWW.NEMBA.ORG NEMBA Rides —28 at nemba.org or mail it into SingleTracks, PO Box 2221, Acton MA 01720 Support our Sponsors—35

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 3 TREADLINES

Blue Hills Holiday Toy Ride

This year’s DCR Blue Hills Reservation Holiday Toy Drive and Mountain Bike Ride or Hike (say that five times fast) was a jolly good time. Mountain bikers and hikers powered by free coffee donated by Dunkin Donuts and filled with the generosity of the season came together for a fun filled good cause. Members of NEMBA, Blue Hills TrailWatch, and the general public enjoyed a beautiful sunny day. Several rides for all abil- ity levels occurred along with a hike led by a TrailWatch volunteer. Santa even made an appearance! The kids on scene got the chance to enjoy some hot chocolate and tell Santa all of their holiday wishes. Those who were taking a break from riding or just relaxing were able to enjoy the warmth of the bonfire and the camaraderie of enjoying the beautiful Blue Hills. I would like to thank everyone who attended and was able to give. The Rangers along with TrailWatcher Steve Cobble were able to donate a whole truck load of toys and games following the event to the Interfaith Social Services in Quincy. I am sure the children who are enjoying those toys and games greatly appreciate Blue Hills Rangers Tom Bender and Dave Furey, with Bettyanne Lang (InterFaith Social the generosity. —Ranger Dave Furey Services). ‘Tis the Season. NEMBA, TrailWatch, and the enthusiastic staff of the Blue Hills made the holidays brighter for many kids who might not otherwise get gifts Photo by Steve Cobble

4 | March 2007 TREADLINES REI Funds New Docks at Wompatuck State Park

This past spring at one was where the funds would be of the Friends of allocated since the Friends of Wompatuck meetings, Wompatuck had not yet acquired Bill Boles (also the their non profit tax status. friend’s president) told Fortunately, Bill was able to work the group of a possible with NEMBA's Philip Keyes and $10,000 grant that REI come to an agreement that would was willing to make to let REI donate the money to the park. REI wanted NEMBA who would then allocate something added to the the money for the project. park which would bene- NEMBA's commitment to improv- fit its customer base ing our natural resources in the (camping, kayaking, Northeast is unfailing so it was a fishing, biking, etc). The perfect solution to the problem. challenge was to identi- fy a project that would Wompatuck ranger Steve meet both of these cri- Gammon acted as the liaison with teria. Bill Boles, working DCR and acquired approval for the with Wompatuck ranger project and then secured contrac- Steve Gammon, devel- ‘Thanks to Ranger Steve Gammon, riders can take a breather and enjoy the view tors to begin fabrication during oped the idea of putting from the new dock funded by REI. the summer. At the December a dock in Holly Pond FOW meeting, Steve informed the that people could use to dock kayaks, use for fishing, bird watching, group that the docks were finished and one of the two docks would and a rest place for hikers. Holly Pond is not too far from a road so be temporarily installed in Holly Pond for the public to view and use REI could come and do canoeing and kayaking demos. Ultimately, this before the onset of winter. Both docks will be installed at Holly pond project was approved by DCR and by REI. The only issue remaining come spring for all to enjoy! —Eric Oddleifson

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 5 6 | March 2007 TREADLINES NEMBA Partners with US Army Corps of Engineers at Franklin Falls Dam, NH

NEMBA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) have had an NEMBA's White Mountains and Central NH chapters have been established relationship resulting from cooperative trail projects at actively involved in helping get the project off the ground. Rob Adair, Hodges Village Dam in Oxford, Massachusetts and Elm Brook Park in President of the White Mountains chapter remarked, "This is a very West Hopkinton, New Hampshire. Recently, NEMBA and the USACE exciting opportunity. The terrain is very impressive; well-drained and signed a Memorandum of Understanding to develop non-motorized full of interesting topographical and historical features. The brief tour trails at the Franklin Falls Reservoir property in central New we took appears to be just scratching the surface of the possibilities." Hampshire. To date, Mike and friends have over 1.5 miles of new trail flagged and Located on both sides of the approved for construction. Most Pemigewasset River between New of the activity is centered near Hampton and Franklin, the property con- the Franklin Falls Dam area adja- sists of more than 2,500 wooded acres cent to the park's administrative that already contain existing trails. offices. Restoration of a trail pre- NEMBA member Mike Geldermann initi- viously lost to logging in the ated contact with Rangers Jennifer Coolidge Woods area near New Rockett and Karen Tryon to discuss Hampton has also been improving the existing trail system and approved. The long term goal is a creating additional single-track trails. continuous trail system on both After meetings with the rangers, the side of the river, with potential Memorandum of Understanding was for over forty miles of single- executed by the USACE and NEMBA's track trails. Executive Director Philip Keyes in Contact either the White January of 2007 to formalize the partner- Mountains or Central NH chap- ship at the Franklin Falls facility. ters to get involved. —Rob Adair

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 7 TREADLINES Jamis Rewards Volunteer for the Jamis / NEMBA NH Trail Care Series

We’re pleased to announce the winner of This is the first year that Jamis has sponsored this year’s Jamis Bicycles / NEMBA Trail the series. "Jamis Bicycles is excited and Care Series. The winner, Scott Nixon of proud to have aligned with NEMBA," says Merrimack (NH), is a past president of the Jamis' New England sale representative, Ed South Central NH NEMBA chapter and will Barber. "It's rare to work with a group that is be receiving a Jamis Dakar XLT dual sus- as dedicated, proactive, and as successful as pension bike, courtesy of Jamis Bicycles. NEMBA in insuring that mountain bikers con- tinue to have access to the trails we all love Nixon's name was selected at random out to ride, right here in our own back yard! The of over a hundred volunteers who attend- added benefit of sponsoring the NH Trail Care ed at least one of the twenty trail care Series sends a strong signal to the trail user events sponsored by Jamis Bicycles in the community at large that mountain bikers put state. The drawing took place at Souhegan their heart, blood, and sweat into maintain- Cycles in Milford, NH. ing trails for everyone. Jamis Bicycles looks The Jamis Bicycles / NEMBA Trail Care forward to another great year ahead!" Series is a volunteer program created to For 2007, the series is expanding to include harness the energies of mountain bikers to NEMBA's volunteer trail work in both New build and care for trails throughout the Hampshire and Maine. "Giving back to the granite state. In 2006, the series built and trails is critical," says NEMBA executive direc- maintained trails in nine parks from the tor, Philip Keyes. "Mountain bikers not only White Mountain National Forest in the appreciate getting new places to ride, but this northern part of the state to state parks kind of volunteerism also shows land man- and local conservation lands in the south. Southern NH NEMBA movers and shakers at agers and other user groups that cyclists are The series also included US Army Corps of Souhegan Cycles in Milford for the serious about protecting and preserving our Engineer property, Elm Brook Park, outside Dakar XLT drawing. Photo by PK key recreational resources. It's also a lot of of Concord, NH. fun!"

8 | March 2007 TREADLINES New England Mountain Bike Patrol Plans to Expand by Sam Davis, Patrol Director

Do you like to ride your bike, help others, and have some fun? Consider joining the patrol! Photo by PK

The New England Mountain Bike Patrol is planning to expand into Some Patrollers have more parks over the next few years. The expansion will begin in the assisted the Red Cross at north shore and southeast chapter regions. The parks that we plan to such events as the Boston expand into will include: Bradley Palmer/Willowdale, Lowell-Dracut, Marathon, the Head of Wompatuck, Ames- Nowell, and Vietnam. the Charles Regatta and the Tuft's Women's 10K After these areas, the Patrol hopes to expand into other areas of race. Massachusetts and then other areas of New England. The hope is to truly become the New England Mountain Bike Patrol. So, how does someone become a Patroller?? The In order to accomplish this plan, the Patrol will be looking to add new best and easiest way is to members to it roster. You may be wondering "what does it take" to be attend the Patrol Clinic a patroller?? Well, there really are only 2 requirements - a love of held each year in June. mountain biking and a desire to help other people. Some people think This is a Saturday and that to be a patroller you must possess great bike skills. This is not a Sunday event that covers necessity. The current patrol consists of riders ranging from "average" all the skills needed to riders to riders who race. The charter of the Patrol is to "inform, assist become a Patroller. and educate". Saturday is dedicated to You may wonder, "What is required of a Patroller??" Well, the only real Patrol skills such as basic requirement is to spend at least 6 hours a month in any of the parks bike maintenance, conflict we patrol. That is probably only 2 rides a month in any of these parks. management, park rules and regulations, etc. Sunday is for CPR and Patrolling does not need to be done on a bike. In case of deep snow First Aid certification. or parks being closed for the winter, Patrollers have been know to go If this sounds like something you might be interested, contact the out on foot, snowshoes or cross country skis. Mountain Bike Patrol for more information. You can contact us by Other activities attended by the Patrol are NEMBA sponsored events email at [email protected]. We are excited about the expan- such as NEMBA Fest and many of the MBAS events. You may have sion plans and the addition of new parks to the patrol area. We would seen the Patrol tent at some of these events. The Patrol provides a enjoy having you join us in the Patrol and help to make others expe- First Aid tent at these events and also rides the event loops to help rience in the parks safe and enjoyable. out if necessary. The Patrol does not only participate in bike events.

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 9 TREADLINES NEMBA Trail Grants Available Kenda Tire Membership Special Have a favorite trail which needs some TLC? Want to build a new For a limited time NEMBA is offering a complimentary tire from Kenda one? Each year, NEMBA awards between $4000 and $5000 in for any supporting membership of $50 or more. This special promo- grants for projects around New England. Only grant requests tion begins February 15th and will continue until supplies end. To between $100 and $500 will be accepted. NEMBA grants provide get your free tire, simply renew online or call 800-57-NEMBA. financial support to enable mountain bikers to perform trail projects Supplies are limited so act soon! on public land where mountain biking is allowed. Preference is given to projects that build or improve trails, but all projects will be con- sidered. Grants may also be awarded to land managers, non-profit organizations and even NEMBA chapters. The next application deadline is March 1st. For details and an appli- cation visit www.nemba.org

Donate a Laptop or LCD Projector to NEMBA Do you or your company have a laptop you’re no longer using? Consider donating it to NEMBA and take a tax-deduction. The laptop will need to be able to run Windows XP (at a minimum). We also need an LCD projector so we can do PowerPoint presenta- tions. If you have one you’re willing to donate, please contact Philip Keyes at 800-57-NEMBA.

10 | March 2007 TREAD LIGHTLY Don't Ride or Hike on Muddy or Thawing Trails By Philip Keyes

For most of the winter, trails are as hard on your mountain bike and you'll feel as asphalt and the riding is great. Lot of super-charged. Most serious racers train us, however, prefer to stay out of the sub- on the road for good reason, and the fit- zero and await the coming of spring with ness you'll develop will make your trail anticipation and enthusiasm. Ah, it's nice riding that much more pleasureable. to be on the bike again. • Do some urban or suburban assault But please think about the trails before rides. This is a great time if you're into you ride. Are they soft? Is there still frost technical riding to explore the neighbor- in the ground? Can you see your foot- hood for ramps, steps and other chal- prints or tire tracks with each step or lenges that can hone your technical pedal stroke? If so, the trails aren't yet skills. ripe and need to dry out more before they • Ride on rail trails or other hardened should be used. Remember March and bike paths. You'll be away from traffic, April are Mud Months. Every ride and get some needed fitness, and feel good every hike needs to be evaluated on a case by case, trail by trail basis. about yourself since you're doing the right thing by staying off It all comes down to this: frozen is good, hardpack is good the trails. ... but mud is bad. • Use local knowledge to find areas that are free from mud and This is the month when warm days and freezing nights wreak havoc frost. NEMBA’s online forum is a great resource to find great rid- on the trail. It's the time when mother nature is in its most delicate ing. Check out the "Trail Conditions" section of NEMBA's Forum state. Please use your head and stay off the trails until the thaw is for your state to see where the good riding is… and where it out of the ground and the trails have dried and hardened. One of the isn't. worst things you can do is ride —or walk— on trails before they So, as we enter the March Mud Month —which sometimes extends ripen. deep into April— think about the trails you ride and help to preserve Trails are dynamic and change with the seasons and weather condi- them. A trail is a terrible thing to waste! tions. While during most of the season, the mineral soils that make up a good, hardened trails are fairly stable, spring is the most sensi- tive time, making the trails vulnerable to erosion and long term dam- age. Frost (those pesky ice crystals that form in the upper soil cap) cause the soil to move and shift. Even the most hardened of trails loses den- sity as frozen water molecules push and prod the mineral soils. Trails are very susceptible to damage during the freeze/thaw process. As the frost thaws and releases water, the dirt resettles and realigns in a nice muddy mix and the organic matter for last fall's leaf litter blends in with the mineral soil to begin to create a a new generation of trail dirt. This muddy mix eventually re-hardens and makes for a primo path through the woods, but it's critical to let this process happen on its own. If we ride, hike or horse around on the trails before this process is complete, the damage to the trail could be permanent. The mineral soils will be churned up, and rain and gravity will wash these soils away, leaving a mess of exposed roots and rocks. If the trail is really soft, our wheels leave sunken tracks which could channel into ruts and carry the soils away. If we hike, our heels and boots will dig deep into the trails and help push the soils downhill. Either way, it's the trail that loses, so please show some respect and patience. Just because you "can" ride, doesn't mean that you "should." Sometimes, if you really love riding, you should stay off the trail and seek other ways to make the new season the best it can be. Here are some suggestions: • Use your lawn as a trail barometer. Before you think of hitting the trails, take a ride on your lawn. If you can see your tracks sinking in, stay off the trails. They're not yet ripe. For the latest info on trail conditions, go to • Use mud season to build fitness by putting in some serious "base miles" on the road. If you don't have a road bike, put some slicks NEMBA’s Online Forums

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 11 Sedona — Mountain Bike Heaven

by Bill Boles

Sedona! Most people think of Sedona as a "New Age" Mecca and advanced billing suggests that it truly is har-

mony central. It is wonderful place Templeton Switchbacks. Photo by Mark Hammer to meditate and relax, a place of sce- nic beauty that's set among mysteri- ous rock formations, where mystical lines, vortexes and earth energies converge to reinvigorate anyone My introduction to Sedona came late last lucky enough to find their way to fall. I was in town to relax and to get in a few days of cool weather desert riding. I this small central Arizona had heard tales of Sedona for years - from town.Well, Sedona is beautiful. It's sun baked, parched, hippie-types who had in a high desert environment nestled gone there for enlightenment - to retirees who claim that Sedona has the best among amazing rock formations. weather in the country - and more recent- And one certainly feels energized, at ly, from mountain bikers who had begun to explore the Sedona area. least they do, if as I did, they explore a different kind of "mystical line", a singletrack.

12 | March 2007 As on all mountain bike vacations, it helps if you have some advance knowledge of the area. There are three good bike shops in Sedona, all rent bikes, some offer guide services and all can provide you with the inside knowledge neces- sary to make exploration fun. I rented a bike from Bike & Bean who provided me with detailed maps, guide books, ride suggestions, and the best coffee in town. For most of my stay I just rode from their shop. The Bike & Bean is located a few miles south of Sedona's center in the village of Oak Creek, just opposite what is possibly the best introductory ride in town, the Bell Rock Pathway. As for riding your bike to other locations in town - the main road into town from the south, route 179, is very narrow and quite busy, safety-wise not a very comfortable ride for me. So whenever I went to a different part of town to ride I trucked my bike in my rental vehicle. The trails surrounding Sedona are normally dry. There's very little rainfall here. In summer it is quite hot, but by fall or in the early spring, it's quite comfortable. A local told me that it had been a moderate summer with only about two There are trails for the whole family in Sedona, so bring the kids for an adventure they’ll never weeks with the temps around 110. In describ- forget! Photo by Dan Streeter ing the riding season, he said that things slow Continued on page 14

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 13 down a lot in January when the daytime temperatures might go as low as the mid 40s. Hmmmmmm! That doesn't sound too bad to me. If you do go there during the warm weather plan to ride early in the morning, late in the evening, or after dark. When riding in Sedona bring a camera. Especially if you've never rid- den out west before. The red rock formations are spectacular; you will pass Cathedral Rock, Coffee Pot and even Snoopy. Even more inter- esting, are the many forms of cactus that you'll see growing beside the trails. But don't ride over a cactus and don't brush against one - your tires or your body will experience an instant case of cacupunc- ture. Your tires will go flat and your body will scream for mercy while you try to pull out all the painful itchy barbs. Fortunately there are few spiked plants growing on the trails but the locals ride with Slime filled inner tubes or use tubeless tires with a puncture sealer and they bring an Aloe cream if they do happen to get barbed. Sedona's singletracks wind around semi-desert terrain that's replete with short hills, some rock outcroppings, few roots and no mud. About half of the Templeton Trail is like Moab's Slickrock Trail, where you're riding on rock for an extended period of time. And there's a lot of "exposure", (which we define as cliffs), and some pretty views of the valleys below.One trail was an exception to that. At the end of the Templeton Trail I dropped off a high rock ridge on a very techni- cal singletrack into a wet, shaded, riverside valley. All of a sudden the temperature dropped 15 degrees and everything turned green. For the next 15 minutes I thought that I was back home as the trail mean- dered through the rocks along the riverbed. But then, it was right back into the desert sun for the rest of that ride.

With Sedona’s rainbow of earthtoned rocks and soils, you’ll feel like your rid- ing in a land of much magic and majesty. You are! Photo by Bill Boles.

Some of the trails like Lama and Little Horse wind though the desert, dropping in and out of old sand washes, and climbing technical rock outcroppings while others, like the Big Park loop, are so buffed that they just cry out for a bigger chain ring. Some, like Broken Arrow, explore hidden tracks that look like they were originally game trails. While others clearly showed signs that they'd been maintained by and were intended for mountain bikers. Some of Sedona's trails, like the Bell Rock Path, are easy, fun and suitable for anyone. While oth- ers like the Bald Mountain Loop, were almost too tough to ride. That's why "local knowledge" is so important. In my case I described what I enjoyed the most to the guys at the bike shop and they pre- sented me with a selection of trails that they thought might be just right. And as they realized that I had come there to ride, the trails that they selected got progressively harder. Sedona is a fairly new town. It wasn't incorporated until 1988. Before 1950 there were very few buildings in town. And it was very popu- lar for shooting western movies. But with the discovery of a nearby underground aquifer in 1951 housing boomed. And from 1970 to 1989 the population grew to 9000 from 2700. Today Sedona's popu- lation is over 10,000. It's still a small town. But it's growing. Sedona has a myriad of shops, art galleries and upscale boutiques. But it seems like they roll up the sidewalks in the early evening. While I was there everything closed by 8:00pm. And there were no streetlights. So crossing the street at night was a bit dangerous. There are no streetlights because the locals prefer to limit "light pollution". And indeed, walk off into the desert at night and you'll be amazed at just how many stars there are when they're not competing with dif- fused/reflected city light.

14 | March 2007 Just as in other tourist-type towns, there are the beginnings of an To Get There: Sedona is located about 100 miles north of Phoenix impending strip mall infusion as you at the junction of routes 179 and 79. head towards the town's outskirts. Lodging: - There are too many motels in Sedona to list. Do an Internet search and try to find Expect to eat well in Sedona. Every one that won't cost you an arm and a leg. meal that I had, without exception, Food - My favorites were as follows. *But I didn't find any bad places to eat in the entire town. was a treat. For those days after a For breakfast: Coffee Pot Restaurant, 50 W Highway 89A. 928-282-6626 long ride, try the Oak Creek Brewery. Homemade brews and hearty meals, For lunch: Blue Moon Café, 6101 Highway 179,Oak Creek. www.bluemooncafe.us specializing not only in burgers and Anytime/Most Meals: Oak Creek Brewery & Grill, Tlaquepaque Village, steaks, but local specialties. The Highway 179 @ the bridge. www.oakcreekpub.com Coffee Pot Restaurant and the Blue Upscale:El Rincon, Tlaquepaque Village, Highway 179 @ the bridge. Moon Café serve hearty breakfasts. www.elrinconrestaurant.com Perfect before you take off for a day of riding. Snacks: Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, 279 N Highway 179 My trip to Sedona was way too short. For dogs only: Three Dog Bakery, www.threedog.com I'd go back in a minute. There are still Local Bike Shops lots of trails that I haven't explored. Sedona Bike & Bean, 928- 284-0210, www.bike-bean.com Not to mention a lot that I want to ride again. And, even with the almost Absolute Bikes, 928-284-1242, www.absolutebikes.net complete absence of nightlife, it's a Mountain Bike Heaven, 928-282-1312, www.mountainbikeheaven.com fun place to spend a vacation. Things to do besides ride: In late September it was warm enough to swim in the afternoon, • Take a jeep tour far into the back country. while cool enough at night for a jack- • Slide Rock State Park - Swim in a natural waterside. • Go for a hot air balloon ride et. Almost perfect for a mountain • Visit Out of Africa Wild Animal Park - 25 minutes away. bike vacation out west. • Hire a local guide who'll take you on a vortex walk.

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SingleTrackS No. 90 | 15 16 | March 2007 Winter Escape to Santos

by Vic Oliver Photos courtesy of the Ocala Mountain Bike Association, www.omba.org

n the heart of North Central Florida horse country and gated com- ample parking, restrooms and camping is available. munities where thousands of retirees live in Marion County, there The most difficult inner area, Vortex, is in the west side. It has both is a first rate state mountain bike park. Santos Trailhead is locat- I drops off and raised wooden stunt sections in the confines of an old ed southeast of Ocala off Rte 475 within the 110-mile wooded Cross quarry. This area is blocked by a required skill test in order to gain Florida Crossway. The park is about 5 miles from the intersection of access. The entrance barrier help prevent lesser skilled riders from Interstate Rte 75 and CR 484. It is easy to find. getting inside the Vortex. There are two areas to ride. One on each side of Rte 475 connected Having known about Santos for a while and read a recent article in a from within the park. Each area has easy trails on the outer perime- mountain bike magazines, I was anxious to give it a try. I shipped my ter with more difficult, technical or freeride trails on the inner sec- bike down to my new winter home in Dunnellon, and after building it tions. There are approximately 63 miles of riding within Santos up, I made the easy 20-mile trip to Santos Trailhead. Trailhead with a skills area near the paved trailhead parking area on 80th SE Street. Along with excellent trails, Santos Trailhead has I was not disappointed. It was not an "Earlybird Special" that most

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 17 people my age (69) look for on a Sunday after- noon. It was an afternoon of 10 miles of easy trails. Although one of the OMBA members who I had been in contact with had offered to give me a guided tour of Santos, I opted to go it alone to scout out the area. Not only is Santos Trailhead easy to find, the trails in the park are well marked with color-coded signage. There is something there for everyone. The Ocala Mountain Bike Association helps main- tain and oversee the Santos Trailhead. Like NEMBA, Ocala Mountain Bike Association is a well-run volunteer organization that helps keep the Santos Trailhead Park open. Not to rehash the recent magazine article, but with lots of money, volunteer hours and paid for IMBA guidance, OBMA redesigned the Vortex area with new stunts and kept the Santos freeride section open after it was threatened with closure by numerous serious accident lawsuits involving unlawfully built wooden stunts in that area. Our friends at the Ocala As I said, like the park, OBMA is first rate. They Mountain Bike have an excellent website www.OBMA.org with Association cordially maps which lead me around the area. I look for- invite us to their Spring ward to becoming a seasonal member. By the Break festival, March 23- way, OMBA plans to host a three-day Spring 25. Visit www.omba.org Break Fat Tire Festival on March 23 - 25, 2007. for details Visit their website for details.

18 | March 2007 So if you will be traveling this way for Spring Break, have Snowbird parents in the area or just want to take a day off from the kids and Disney World, bring your riding gear and come on down. It is only an hour from Orlando. There is a bike shop within a mile of Santos Trailhead that caters to mountain bikers with Specialized hard tails and full suspension FRS's for rent by the day. It is located on CR 441 and is connect- ed to Santos via a side trail. There is a link to other shops in Ocala on the OMBA website as well. For me Santos is a Snow Bird Special and a wel- comed relief. Road riding in this part of Florida other than the 47 mile Withlacoochee State Trail bike path, which is 10 miles from my house, is not only hard to find. It is outright dangerous. What with all the retirees from the Mid-West driving gigantic old and new Cadillacs with no shoulders on the sides of the roads to avoid being hit, it’s scary! Either way I have to drive in order to ride and stay alive. "On Any Sunday", you'll find me at the Santos Trailhead. Racking up some easy miles while wishing I were back in New England riding my singlespeed along the power lines of Cape Cod.

Join NEMBA to protect the trails. Join to become part of a vibrant community of riders. Join to add your voice to the largest regional advocacy group in the country. Join because it’s the right thing to do!

Name ______Pick a Chapter! At Large Address ______Berkshire NEMBA Blackstone Valley NEMBA City ______State ______Zip ______Cape Cod NEMBA Central NH NEMBA Home phone ______Chapter ______CT NEMBA Email Address: ______Greater Boston NEMBA Maine NEMBA New:____ Renewal: ____ Visa/MC# ______exp______Merrimack MA NEMBA Mt. Agamenticus NEMBA Individual $25 ______Family (2 Cards) $35 ______Supporting $50 _____ Sponsoring $100_____ North Shore MA NEMBA Pioneer Valley MA NEMBA Southeast MA NEMBA Referred by: ______Southern NH NEMBA Members who refer 5 new members receive cool swag! Rhode Island NEMBA Vermont NEMBA NEMBA, PO Box 2221, Acton MA 01720 Join online at WWW.NEMBA.ORG Wachusett MA NEMBA White Mtns NH NEMBA

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 19 Riding a Singlespeed... is it for you? By John Ruiz Photos by PK

ost people who ride a SS bike say singlespeeding isn't for nothing worse than having your chain start skipping in the middle of everyone. I too was a skeptic. So initially I went the easy a ride. Less parts also mean less weight…usually. My singlespeed is Mroute, or so I thought. I had a hardtail frame that was sitting by far the lightest mountain bike I own at just over 24lbs. The lighter around so I converted it using hub spacers and a cog from Endless weight more than makes up for the fact that there is no suspension Bikes and a Surly Singleator for chain tension. Unfortunately, that and really helps on the climbs. The downhills are another setup did not work well. Maybe there was too much frame flex or too matter…slow and steady wins the race. Can't have it all I guess. much play in the chain tension device. It never really worked right, Tires are personal preference. A larger volume tire will help keep but it worked well enough for me to know how much I enjoyed it. The things a bit more cushy on a rigid bike but will add to the rotational bike was super light and super fast and I could concentrate on just weight. Some prefer larger 2.5's, others prefer 2.1's. I typically run a riding and not worrying about changing gears...it was liberating. So 26 x 2.25 tire and that seems to be fine for me. Whatever works for eventually I got a SS specific frame and built that up. I think it cost you now will probably work on your SS. me just under $700 to source all my own parts and install them myself. Gearing selection should be based on your physical conditioning and maybe the bike you have to work with. I started out using a 32T up One thing I did notice right away was how quiet riding a singlespeed front and a 19T in back. This gave me about a 1.68: 1 ratio. For trail was. Not only was riding a singlespeed liberating, but it allowed me riding this was a good combination and allowed me to climb most to enjoy my surroundings a little bit more. There is no chain slap, and hills in the beginning. After a while I got used to the gearing and less moving parts means less noise…unless of course your friends are wanted more speed so I went to a 34T up front and a 17T in the back. like mine and like to act like they are riding two-stroke dirt bikes This gave me the coveted 2:1 ration that most SS'ers talk about. The through the woods. Although yelling "brap-brap-braaaaaap!" does higher the first number, the harder it will be to pedal. Just divide the help you out on a tough climb every now and then. front chainring tooth count by the rear cog tooth count to get your Riding a SS is more work, no doubt, but the bikes are less complex gear ratio. 32 divided by 19 equals approximately 1.68 so this gear- and require less maintenance, aside from cleaning, lubing, pad ing would be 1.68:1. replacement, etc. You could even go all out and build a rigid SS bike I also use singlespeed specific cranks that have external BB bearings like I did and find out just how much fun simplicity can be. SS bikes for stiffness and durability and 180mm long cranks arms for a little are great to ride when the weather is not so great. Having your extra leverage. For me it made a huge difference. derailleur fouled up with mud, ice, or both just plain sucks. There is

20 | March 2007 Without a rear derailleur, there is no way to tension the chain. There mind and body are a few ways to solve this problem. time to get used to the bike and how • Use a chain tension device to take up the slack. If you are con- to ride it. I was so verting an old hardtail with vertical dropouts, this is a popular sore the first few solution. Fixing an old derailleur to stay in one position would times I rode my work too but it's still another part that can get fouled up or bro- rigid SS. The prob- ken off. lem was I was rid- • Find the right combination of gearing so that you don't need a ing it like a bike chain tension device. Some bikes have just the right length with suspension. I chainstays and gearing can be selected to not require chain ten- think it took me sion. Only problem is you are stuck with the gear combo and about 6 rides the chain will stretch over time which could cause problems before I really later on. Using a half link may solve this problem as well. started to like it. • Get a frame with an eccentric bottom bracket (EBB) or a rear Then it took me wheel with an eccentric hub. This basically puts the BB or hub maybe a month or off center and allows tensioning of the chain when rotated. two of riding after that to develop • Get a frame with horizontal dropouts. This will allow you to some techniques move the rear wheel forward or backward which will shorten or to make my riding lengthen the chainstays. This will take up any chain slack but more fluid. may change the handling characteristics of the bike due to the change in wheelbase. No other type of riding gives me the All of these are acceptable and all have pros and cons. It's really what- feeling of accomplishment that singlespeed riding does…maybe DH ever works for you. I have an EBB on my SS. I think it's a good solu- riding comes close. It has made riding my local trails challenging again tion, keeps the extra weight low and centered, and keeps my chain- as well as more rewarding. I am no expert on this subject but I do love stay length fixed regardless of gearing selection. This does however to ride bikes. Take my opinion for what it's worth and as with any bike change my BB height and positioning of the cranks depending on my purchase, be sure to do plenty of research. Good luck! gearing selection but so far has not been an issue.

Momentum is also a key element. Riding a singlespeed forces you to keep up your momentum which in turn should force you to choose smoother lines. This is essential if you ride a rigid SS. I think it will make you a smoother rider overall, it has done wonders for me. Be sure to get some saddle time before you buy. Singlespeed riding has become very popular; there is even a Singlespeed World Championship Race. If you ride often and with a group, chances are you know someone with SS bike. Ask them about it, maybe they'll let you ride it. Spend some trail time on it. Even if the bike doesn't exact- ly fit you, you'll get an idea of what you're up against. I say go inex- pensive with your first SS bike. If you don't like it, it is okay because it didn't put you that far in the hole. Remember, unless you're sadistic and enjoy pain, you are probably not going to love riding a SS in the beginning. You have to give your

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 21 TRAILBUILDING

Building with Stone by Rob Adair, White Mountains NEMBA

Throughout New England we are blessed (or cursed, depending on into the ground). The IMBA references given below address these var- your perspective) with lots of rock. Boulders, slabs, baby heads, or ious options really well. When placing rock armor, be sure to get the rock gardens - it's pretty rare when a ride doesn't encounter at least joints between stones tight enough that they don't become tire traps. one of these elements. Stone is the most durable material you can Orient them so they are not parallel to the line of travel whenever build trail features with, and while it is time-consuming and labori- possible. Filling the joints with rock and gravel is usually a good idea ous to move, once firmly in place it will be there until the next ice age also. If gravel is not readily available on site, small rocks can be comes along. crushed using a sledgehammer, but be sure everybody is wearing safety glasses. Stone can be used to add technical challenge to trails, such as steep rolls or rock drops; to armor areas of heavy wear like switchbacks and When building technical trail features, include bypass lines for those mud holes; and to provide an erosion-free trail surface in places such who don't want to ride them. NEMBA's philosophy in our Vietnam as stream crossings. Properly built rock features should require little property is the main trail bypasses the technical feature, which is the if any maintenance. optional line. It's always a good idea to keep fall zones clear of poten- tially injurious objects like stumps, sharp rocks, etc. This becomes Preparation and placement - Once you have your work site fig- even more important for higher features. A good rule of thumb is the ured out, gather available rocks and put them in an out of the way higher the feature, the wider the fall zone. location. It's a bit of a pain to move stones 3 or 4 times before you use them to make room for other rocks that you're rolling through Moving the stone - rock is really heavy, typically 160 lbs per cubic (don't ask me how I know this). On the other hand you need to know foot or more. A 4' x 2' x 1' hunk of granite will weigh in excess of what you have to work with, so at least taking inventory of what's on 1,200 pounds, so using mechanical advantage is essential for large hand is necessary. Make sure everyone is warned before rolling rocks stones. Probably the easiest way to move large rocks is by using two downhill to avoid creating human bowling pins. or more rock bars. Rock bars are used as simple levers - the force applied on one arm of the lever and the lifting load produced at the Remove duff and organic material down to mineral soil so the stones other end are proportional to the lengths of the lever arms. Position will have a solid base to rest on. When working on an incline, start a small rock as a pivot point, or fulcrum, so that you have a 10:1 ratio from the bottom and "key" a big base stone deeper into the ground to of lever arm lengths and 100 lbs. of effort will lift 1,000 lbs. of stone. anchor it firmly in place and act as a foundation. There are many ways It really takes at least two people with bars working together to effi- to orient the stones: as flat flagstone pavers, as boulder causeways, ciently move large rocks. or in a "pitched" orientation (with the rock's long dimension vertical

22 | March 2007 TRAILBUILDING

In some instances a block & tackle or come-a-long is helpful for mov- tion where a slip of a bar or a sling failure will end up with part of you ing or lifting. A come-a-long suspended from a stout tree can quick- under the rock. This is easy to do and it can hurt. Steel-toed boots ly lift a big rock into place. If there are no trees where you need them, and eye protection are essential. a tripod built from downed hardwood trees works quite well and is Finish work - Just like fine carpentry, attention to finish details sep- easy to put together. Be very careful not to overload the system and arates the men from the boys. Minor things like chinking joints with use heavy-duty rope and webbing specifically designed for rigging - a rock and gravel and scattering organic materials and duff so they look snapped cable or sling is like a giant weedwacker that could cause natural make for a professional looking job. Restore gravel and rock serious injury. To minimize risk of injury due to cable snap-back, mining holes by covering with leaves, moss and pine needles. These drape a few coats over the strained line to absorb any suddenly niceties don't take long to do but go a long way toward making the released tension force (blankets or tarps also work well). We always trail complement the surroundings. use a rock bar to prod the stone along to avoid putting excessive loads on the come-a-long. Resources - IMBA is a fantastic resource; besides their excellent Large stones will not typically slide on the ground very well, so reduce Trail Solutions book, which is highly recommended, most of the same friction by putting them on a "stone boat", such as an old car hood, great photos and descriptions can be found at: or by using rollers and rails cut from deadfall. Snow cover can make www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/rock_armoring.html transport easier when using a stone boat or toboggan. www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/tough_trails.html Safety - Besides the previously mentioned items, it is very easy to www.imba.com/resources/trail_building/itn_15_3_dropin.html pinch fingers or flop a rock onto your leg. Wear leather gloves and As always, make sure your land manager is OK with your plans before keep your hands and feet out of the way. Don't put yourself in a posi- investing your time and effort. Rock on! Advertise in SingleTracks Reach thousands of mountain bikers throughout New England! Call 800-57-NEMBA for rates.

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 23 PLACES TO RIDE Bikerag’s Favorite Winter Ride In Connecticut

By Jon Peterson

Editor’s note: Puke, Big Game and the other folk who haunt Bikerag.com love to ride all winter long, and since the Connecticut coast is frequently more clement than other parts of Nutmeg State, they tend to spend a lot of time at Westwoods. It's worth checking out!

estwoods is an awesome place to ride on the Connecticut shoreline Win Guilford, CT. The technical riding here is among the best in the state, and there are tons of trails. There are very few fire road type trails here - its mostly just rocky singletrack littered with advanced lines and fun options. The trails are marked very well, but can be confusing on your first ride there... Basically there are many colored trails that run pretty much north to south. Each colored trail may split many times between a round symbol and a square symbol. If you see a colored X on a trail that is a cross-connector trail. Several bridges were built here to make your trip easier through the wet stuff; one is about 200 feet long! Westwoods is a favorite winter ride for many Bike rag visitors and is home of the North Haven bike crew. You can often ride here year round due to the close proximity to the ocean and the fact that the soil drains well. The type of riding is highly technical: big burly rock ups, small to large drops, rollers, rock gardens and even a few log rides. You may have heard of "The Triple Thurlundy", "Double Trouble", "Twin Towers", "Rog Lock Rog" and many other unique lines, come on down to see what all the fuss is about, your skills will most likely be pushed to the limit. Although you could pull together a big 12 + mile cross country style loop, a typical four hour tour with our crew might log in at 7.5 miles "cross stuntery" excursion, hit- ting every natural trail feature in sight. There are a few play areas throughout the trail system that will eat up your time and are just perfect for the ultimate free-stand session. Might want to bring a full face helmet, body armor and some band aids if you plan to go big...

24 | March 2007 PLACES TO RIDE You can find more pictures, movies and fun... Please respect the wishes of the maps on www.bikerag.com as well as landowner to stay off certain trails as www.crankfire.com. Check the forums for marked and be polite to the many hikers you Check out the latest info on group rides and the latest trail conditions if will encounter. Connecticut NEMBA at the weather is iffy, chances are someone will Directions - From Rte 95, take exit 57, have up to date info on trail conditions. Due www.ctnemba.net travel EAST on rte 1 (post road - towards to excessive deadfall the trail is constantly New London) for .67 miles. Pass Bishops Get involved and help them being maintained by Guilford Land Trust, Orchards and take right onto Dunk Rock build more trails and promote and is much appreciated. I would suggest Road (elliptical blue trail sign). Follow road the sport. not riding here on a gusty day for your safe- to end and park in designated area. A park ty, I saw a tree drop about 100 feet from me trail map is posted on board for your use. a couple years back... Not fun, funny or

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 25 GEARHEAD VDO MC 1.0+ Altimeter Cyclecomputer by Philip Keyes

I have a small coffin of broken cycle computers that I just can't bring The computer offers all the func- myself to bury. It’s gotten to the point where I’ve even stopped using tions of other high end comput- them on my mountain bike. The main cause of death is usually the ers (multiple odometers, two sensor wire that precariously weaves its way down the front fork — wheel sizes, trip distance, aver- it always seems to get snagged on a passing branch or comes loose age speed, a pace arrow, etc) but from the harness after a crash. Then I discovered wireless computers, it also has temperature and a and I've never looked back. Now, all my bikes have them (well, except wide variety of altimeter func- my cross bike) and none have broken yet. tions to boot. If you get a sec- ond remote sensor, you can eas- Lately I've been experimenting with VDO MC 1.0+ and am thor- ily use this on a couple of bikes oughly loving all its bells and whistles. VDO is a German company and still record how far you've —the same one that makes precision instruments for Porches, BMW been on each of them. and Mercedes Benz— and they back their product with a 5-year war- rantee. The unit ain’t cheap ($150 retail) but it’s worth every dime. Thus far I've only discovered one minor flaw - the ballast of my What sets the MC 1.0+ apart is its altimeter functions. It not only Niterider HID light interferes tells you your altitude but also records how many feet you've climbed with the signal coming from the remote sensor and shuts down the and even the grade of the hill you're humping up. Like other altime- computer. This doesn't happen with regular Niterider lightening sys- ters (and even the new Garmin GPS cycle computer), it uses baro- tems and I'm not sure how other HID systems affect it. However, this metric pressure and temperature to determine altitude change. This is no biggie for me since I don't care as much about my ride stats for means that you need to set the initial altitude before the ride. my night rides since it's dark and I can't see the computer anyway! However the 1.0+ makes this easy because it memorizes your "home" altitude, so with a couple of pushes of a button, you're good to go, All in all, I recommend the MC 1.0+ to anyone who wants to know and since altitude change is only recorded when the bike's in motion, how much they climb and wants a computer that will last and last. it's very accurate. I've had two altimeters before (both now residing Check out www.ibexsports.com for more info. in the computer coffin) and the 1.0+ is far superior.

26 | March 2007 Ride the TrailsSave the Trails

www.nemba.org

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 27 SIDETRACKS The Addiction Cycle By Jeff Cutler Las Vegas is as stimulating and distracting as any place I've ever been. The lights and traffic never stop. There are always people wandering the streets. And the entertainment - in the form of music, gambling, comedy or fascinating shows - is continuous and omnipresent. When I went there in January to cover the Consumer Electronics Show, I planned on doing a little gambling, exercising a bit (in the form of biking the local canyons) and relaxing - all in conjunction with my business trip. Well, this turned out to be an impossible task. Aside from working long hours visiting booths and vendors at the show, I was plagued with weather that hovered around 40 degrees most of the time and discovered an addiction to gambling and free booze that might have crippled a lesser man. Luckily I ran out of cash and my plane ticket home was non-refundable. When I wasn't finding out about new GPS receivers, night-vision binoculars, sweet sound systems for my car or hundreds of new gadgets for my home, I was firmly ensconced in the smoke-filled casi- nos. While I gambled, I focused on taking advantage of the abundant beer and cocktails (in most of the higher-end resort hotels like the Bellagio and the Wynn a waitress descends upon you with a free drink the moment you sit down at a table game or slot machine), and won- dered what makes our leisure compulsions seem more negative than those that pay the bills. If someone works 50-80 hours a week, most of us realize that person should lighten up and focus more on balancing their life. It's not sole- ly a 'right' or 'wrong' judgment - just one based on the fear that the person might be neglecting their health in exchange for work and money. In most cases we look at them with a little admiration because they're so driven. It's not the same on the other side of the coin. Perhaps those of us commuting to the office instead of hitting the trails agonize too much about how our decision to ride one day might If we have a friend who parties, rides and relaxes for an extreme affect our life the next. In the grand scheme of things, the biggest amount of time, we look at them with a little fear and loathing. Our decision people need to address is what they want out of life. If they disdain is probably the societal thinking that a person who is having want to foster an addiction - be it smoking, drinking, gambling, gam- too much fun is a danger to himself and the community. ing or even biking - there are ways to make it happen. Could it be that we realize on some molecular level that instant grat- The most amazing thing I witnessed in Las Vegas wasn't a piece of ification and living in the moment doesn't result in any long-term technology, it wasn't a game of chance and it wasn't architecture. mental benefit? Do we understand that there are compromises that always have to be made and that the balance of work and play has to On Monday, January 8 (which would have been Elvis Presley's 72nd be maintained? birthday), I met two guys from Arizona who were dressed in leather jumpsuits and sunglasses. Hold on a second, don't mistake this for Psych 101. I'm just taking a stab at our gut response when we see a free spirit blast through traf- Every year they fly to Vegas to celebrate this event and they treat this fic with a bike on the roof at 10AM on Monday in May. I'm also admit- occasion as if it were the most important thing in their lives that ting that our response to fun-guy or fun-gal might be touched with a day…because it is. little twinge of jealousy that we're not in that car headed to the trail. The thing I witnessed was true dedication to an activity both men But I'm also asking why don't we have the freedom or attitude to just believed in. If you're truly dedicated to any activity that makes you hop on a bike and ignore the real world for a day, for a month, for a happy, you'll find a way to make it happen. year? What demands do we have placed on us that the guy on the trails during the middle of the day doesn't have? Jeff Cutler can be reached via email at [email protected] and you can Maybe our perceptions are skewed and our judgments are 180 read his regular musings at www.bowlofcheese.com. Jeff is the pres- degrees off. Maybe the people who ride during the day are more bal- ident of Novel Ideas, a small advertising and writing services firm anced, more focused and more driven than any of us. Maybe they based in Hingham, MA. have already recognized and harnessed their addiction to riding; and have done it so well that everything in their life is balanced.

28 | March 2007 BASIC BIKING Should My First Bike Have Suspension? by Bill Boles

Winter is the time when most of us dream about buying a new moun- faster on downhills. And scientific studies suggest that they're faster tain bike. If you've been riding for years you probably have a pretty over the course of a ride because they absorb terrain irregularities good idea of what you want. You may even be thinking about buying better. a niche bike. Something special, like an unsuspended singlespeed, or So for the average rider, or for a newer rider there's really not much a downhill bike, something that works good in one application but question at all as to what to get. A full suspension bike is probably a wouldn't be your first choice, if you only had one bike to ride. better choice. Even if it is a little more expensive. But if you're a newer rider, especially one that wouldn't think of own- After all, if you enjoy riding your bike more, you'll probably ride it ing more than one bike, what should you be considering? more. Well, for an all-purpose bike, or for a first bike, the choice really boils But how much suspension do you need? Well, the average full sus- down to this: a hardtail or a full suspension bike. pension bike sold today has about 4 inches of travel on both ends. At this point in time few people would suggest getting a rigid bike: A And that's a good compromise. Bikes with longer travel, say 5 to 6 total lack of suspension makes a bike more challenging to ride, and for inches, or even more, seem to be aimed at people who favor advanced most people, just isn't that much fun. So a newer rider should get terrain or downhill riding. And bikes with less than 4 inches seem to suspension, the question is, how much? be aimed more at racers. Hardtail bikes are simpler than full suspension bikes. They have less Long before it was invented I dreamed of trail bicycles with suspen- moving parts. They weigh less and they usually cost less too. And sion. And over the years, as the technology developed, I found that some people feel that a hardtail transmits power to the ground more my rides got longer, that I used less energy, that I could ride more dif- efficiently when you're sprinting. ficult terrain and that I just flat out enjoyed riding more than I did before suspension was available. If you choose a full suspension bike Full suspension bikes, on the other hand, ride much better. They don't as your primary ride, you won't be disappointed. beat you up anywhere near as much. They make long rides much more fun. They handle difficult terrain better and in most situations will get more traction climbing hills than hardtails. They are safer and

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 29 CHAPTER NEWS

The Central NH chapter would like to extend a reported that Mike Geldermann and a crew from sincere thanks to the Southern NH chapter for both the White Mountain and Central chapters the generous donation of $300 worth of tools, spent about 15 labor hours at the USACE's Central NH including 2 mcleods, 2 pulaskis, 2 rock bars and a Franklin Falls Reservoir property on January 13th, set of nippers. We appreciate Peter DeSantis opening up 0.6 miles of new trail - part of an President: Steve LaFlame, bringing the tools to our most recent meeting in extensive network planned for the area. While [email protected], 603-746-2464 Concord. We had hoped to put those tools to raking will be needed next spring, it's rideable VP: Holly Carson, Matt Bowser work today (January 14th) out at Elm Brook State now, and should the forecast hold up, also quite Park (a US Army Corps of Engineers' property in suitable for hiking and snowshoeing in the near Secretary: Keith Cunningham Hopkinton, NH) to rough-in a section of trail future. In addition to continued work at Elm Treasurer: Scott Lewis flagged last year, but alas, the weather conspired Brook, we look forward in the coming year to against us and now it looks as though trail work supporting the efforts of the other NH chapters really will have to wait until spring. on their ongoing projects, and hosting some regu- lar rides in the Capitol region. — Holly Carson Although today's plans were foiled, Grant Drew

first place that I saw snow was mountain biking these are still in planning stages but will be post- outside Tucson in January. ed on the website as the details are finalized. Dave Singleton helped CTNEMBA end the year on On the trail advocacy side of CTNEMBA, Paula Connecticut a high note with an "Out With the Old" ride on Burton is hard at work in Huntington SP with President: Art Roti, [email protected], New Year's Eve at Bluff Point in Groton. Does several trail projects including CTNEMBA spon- 860-875-0682 that mean we all need to buy new bikes? soring printing new maps of the area and also has VP: Mark Lurie According to Dave "about 10 folks from NE CT many other possibilities in the works. Mark Lurie came down to experience some shoreline riding. has also recently submitted a proposal to the CT Secretary: Eric Mayhew One free-rider showed us XC geeks how 7 foot DEP to build a new sustainable trail in the Upper Treasurer: Glenn Vernes drops are no big deal (assuming you've got 8" of Paugussett State Forest. If the trail is approved it travel on both ends of the bike). Temps in the will link the north and south areas of the park on Membership: Marc Lurie 50's made for more of a summer-like feel. It was the west side. This is important as the trails on Trail Care: Bob Caporaso a great way to end 2006 and catch one last ride." the east side of the park are closed during the winter to protect the bald eagle habitat. We have At Large: Tren Spence In 2007 CTNEMBA is going to focus on more also committed to participating in National Trails Regional Rep: David Singleton group rides. A great way to learn about a new Day on June 2, 2007 at Cockaponset State Park. area is to attend a group ride where the ride Email List: [email protected] It will be a joint work party with CFPA leader knows the area. Keep your eyes open for (Connecticut Forest and Parks Association), CT Web: www.ctnemba.org schedules as they are developed. It will be a Sprockids, the Horse Council, CT Trail Riders combination of rides during the week and on the (enduro motorcycle group), and Salmon River weekends in various areas around the state. The Riders (enduro motorcycle group). time, date, location and level of the ride will be As I wrote the last update we were all anxiously posted on the NEMBA weekly ride board e-mail. Keep an eye on the website for updates, upcom- anticipating the winter riding season. Well, ing events, and check out the forum for all things maybe not all of us, but at least those of us crazy In addition to the ongoing group rides we also related to MTB and some not. enough to make our own studded tires! Instead look forward to hosting a MBA series ride, a ride we have enjoyed some great riding without the in conjunction with SummerFest 2007 at —Art Roti snow on the ground. It's hard to believe that the Tarrywile Park, and also the Fall Fiesta. All of

plished half of what we planned without the dedi- rides between April and September at the cation and never-ending help from the many folks Middlesex Fells with only two rainouts. And the who volunteered their precious time and in many ride attracted a fair number of newcomers with a Greater Boston cases their precious sweat. The volunteers were few becoming new NEMBA members. We anxious- President: Tim Post, [email protected], amazing. They were there rain or shine, and even a ly look forward to kicking off again in April when 617-515-4812 couple of times that could be best described as a GBNEMBA plans to add a second evening for a bit Vice-President: Joseph Re monsoon. GBNEMBA wants each and every volun- of skills training. Keep you eyes open for the new teer to know their help was appreciated and that schedule. Secretary: Mike Tabaczynski their efforts made a big difference. GBNEMBA Treasurer: Claire Grimble thanks you and looks forward to your continued In partnership with SEMASS, GBNEMBA had support in 2007. another successful Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day Patrol Director: Sam Davis at Blue Hill Reservation. Though the weather was- Email List: [email protected] At the beginning of 2006, GBNEMBA planned to n't the best, the group of energized kids thorough- double the number of trail maintenance days from ly enjoyed themselves. And then in November, Website: www.gbnemba.org the previous year. GBNEMBA succeeded and com- Tim Post volunteered to spend a Saturday morning Meetings: Check website for monthly pleted 12 maintenance days with over 250 volun- leading a group of young riders from "Bikes Not meeting schedule 1st Monday each teers attending and over 1000 hours of work being Bombs" a non- profit organization that works for month. logged. A lot was accomplished at Great Brook, the alternative transportation and community devel- Fells and Lynn Woods. Mentioning Lynn Woods, opment. The 6.5 mile novice off-road ride was a GBNEMBA's joint effort with Dieselbikes paid off total success. Here we are. It's 2007 and GBNEMBA is raising the with a number of highly-successful trail mainte- bar again with even better plans for the coming nance events. GBNEMBA appreciates the All of GBNEMBA's efforts in 2006 resulted in a year. Dieselbikes partnership and looks forward to added stronger relationship with the Massachusetts DCR. opportunities in 2007 It was great that the DCR allowed GBNEMBA a lot Looking back: of bandwidth to share its ideas. The relationship And let's not forget our Wednesday night rides with Lynn Woods continues to grow positively A lot was accomplished last year; it was a great where a core group of volunteers showed up each year for GBNEMBA. But, we wouldn't have accom- week to lead and sweep. GBNEMBA hosted 21 Continued on page 31

30 | March 2007 with the assistance of Dieselbikes. Great Brook Director for another year. On the regional side, Mountain Bike Patrol: State Farm Park is in great shape too. And the Tim Post will represent us as a Regional Mountain Bike Patrol did a fine job working with Representative and Mike Tabaczynski will be the With 2006 gone and 2007 upon us, the Mountain the DCR at Harold Parker with their Saturday Alternate. Bike Patrol is readying itself for another season to Family Ride program. All our hard work is giving service a number of NEMBA events. Last year, the Greater Boston mountain bikers a great reputation Membership: Patrol put in over 1000 hours patrolling our parks. as people who not only care about the environ- We're happy to report that the chapter's member- In addition to patrolling the trails at Harold Parker, ment, but more importantly, people who get things ship held strong in 2006. After running a few the Fells, Great Brook and Lynn Woods, you might done. telethons and sending out membership letters, we have seen the Patrol at the SEMASS-sponsored Mountain Bike Day at Blue Hills in May, Expanded Leadership for 2007: saw a steady stream of renewals as well as new applications. Though the news is good, it's not yet NEMBAFest at Wompatuck, at the Lynn Woods On the leadership side, a new slate of chapter offi- time to sit back and do high fives. Why not set the MBAS or again with SEMASS at the annual Take a cers was elected. For a second year, Tim Post will goal where each of our members recruits one new Kid Mountain Bike Day. continue guiding GBNEMBA as President. Rather member in 2007? Can you imagine if each of us With a number of new members the Patrol expects than having one Vice President, GBNEMBA elected recruited just one new member? Don't forget, to increase its visibility and to provide expanded three to help manage the many chapter activities every penny of your membership dues goes direct- services to NEMBA. As we speak, there's a plan to in 2007. Joe Re will continue as VP for another ly into our many volunteer programs. Besides dou- give the Patrol a more regional look. There will be year. Doug Baumgartner, a chapter member for a bling chapter membership, we could do a lot more more on this as the season develops. As always, few years, will lend a necessary hand as our second towards improving our parks and biking trails. the Patrol is looking for more volunteers. If you're VP. And Mike Tabaczynski, a past President and When riding, take a moment to mention NEMBA interested in the Patrol, contact them at nembpa- last year's Secretary will take the third VP position. to other riders. There are many opportunities to [email protected]. No experience is necessary In addition, Terry Kennedy was elected Secretary, informally advertise NEMBA's benefits. It only and the veterans will get you certified in First Aid Claire Grimble will continue for another year as takes a second or two, and once known, some of and the very necessary basic bike repair skills. Treasurer and Sam Davis will continue as Patrol the riders might sign up. — Terry Kennedy

North Shore

President:Frank Lane, frank.lane@bostik- findley-us.com,978-465-2295 Vice-President: Fred White Treasurer: Ron Corporon Secretary: Jim Humphrey Email List: [email protected]

Giving and taking It seems like we have been doing a lot of taking here on the north shore this winter season. We have been taking the 70-degree days in January. We have been taking the bone-dry trails and the great weekend weather. How about full moon night rides in mid winter with T-shirts and Dan Streeter, Ranger Jennifer Stowe and District Supervisor Ray Faucher meet to discuss plans for shorts? Many have been taking advantage of the Harold Parker State Park for 2007. Photo by PK many new trails created by our chapter this past year. Some of us may be even taking advantage of and Willowdale State Forest followed by a cook- more details please check the chapter web site. our good-natured families as we head out on out. The meeting was important one as we held "another mountain bike ride". elections for the chapter. Each year my employer gets together with the local DSS to help provide Christmas presents for Many of our chapter members have been doing Voted in for the 20007 year were: young people that may not receive a gift other plenty of giving back There have been many trail wise. The names and the gift desired of about days that have been well attended. People that President: Frank Lane fifty kids are placed on post cards and hung on have lead rides that help others to enjoy and Vice President: Fred White the board. Most want I-pods and electronics learn the many trails of our area. How about folks Secretary: Jim Humphrey's many want jewelry or gift cards. Only one young that plan the new trails, and then get approval Treasure: Ron Corporon man requested a new bike. Thanks to the north from the land managers for the work? As we Board of Directors Members shore chapter and the Bicycle Shop of Topsfield, move into 2007 please try to give some of your Dan Streeter a new yellow Giant bike is being ridden by one of time back to the sport that we all enjoy. Frank Lane our future members. The final chapter meeting of the year was a fine The group discussed plans for the up coming year Giving back: ?? sunny day in December. Sixteen members including adding more skill levels to the ride attended the ride at Bradley Palmer State Park schedule and trail projects for the spring. For It’s up to you! —Frank Lane

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 31 Hampden County picked up a new VP, Steve among land managers and the public at large. Rossi-a great guy and a great rider who will bring And, that ain't going to change in 2007-in the some real energy to the southern branch of our next issue of Single tracks there will be a long list Pioneer chapter. Some of you might know Steve from his of scheduled trail work days-I'm hoping to have advocacy on behalf of Robinson SF. If you're something lined up every weekend day from April Valley down near Springfield, Longmeadow, Agawam through March, there will be ample opportunities and want to get involved with trail work, advo- to get in at least one good work day at your rid- President: Liam O’Brien, cacy, or just find the best riding please don't hes- ing area of choice. In addition, Wendell, Holyoke [email protected], 413-665-9524 itate to contact Steve! Skinner (Bachelor St/ Earl's) and the DAR won't be the only recipients of all this trail working VP Hamden County: Steve Rossi So, how's The Riding? love-but also several of the smaller areas we use; VP Hampshire County: Rich LaBombard, Frankly, 2006 has been a great year for riding I'm planning on at least one good day at Mt. around here-and a few weeks into 2007 the rid- Toby, Greenfield ridge, Deerfield Ridge, Mt VP Franklin County: Mark ing hasn't come to a close yet! While the weath- Sugarloaf-North to name a few-If anyone has a Courtemanche er certainly enabled this, the local trail crews at smaller local area you think deserves (or just VP Hamden County: Matt Harris each area have just been plugging away tirelessly needs) some extra trail working-Please contact me (Liam O'Brien) and we'll try to set something Treasurer: Peter Ogulewicz all year to keep the riding perfect. Special thanks are in order: At Holyoke-Skinner, Pete Vangel up! Email List: and Earl (and their respective crews) have con- Of course, we're not Just Trail builders but also [email protected] tinued to expand and painstakingly maintain the trail riders. I've often heard people say they best trail system in the state (remember the wished we (at PV NEMBA) would host more Topeak-Kenda ride back in May? That was not rides and social events. With this in mind, we're even a third of the biker-built single track in planning on hosting a number of epic rides (3-4) First, let me apologize to the Pioneer Valley these two parks!). Rich LaBombard has quietly, that showcase the best of our varied region. members for not writing a chapter round up in but diligently, kept the DAR in Goshen one of the These will be longer rides with some sort of post the last issue-it was completely my fault as I for- best riding experiences in the region, not to men- ride gathering to follow. Again, more details will got the deadline. I know a lot of folks look for- tion his great work in Easthampton. Up in follow in the next SingleTracks issue—so stay ward to these regional updates so I promise to Wendell, Mark Courtemanche, Harold Green, and tuned. stay on the ball in the future Jason Duncan have plugged away fine tuning older trails and carving out new ones all year Not up for an Epic? Remember our local sponsor Faces Old and New: long. Many other people have also been out shops also host weekly rides to suit all levels of In Early November, we held our annual meeting doing their part on many other trails and I just rider. and elected our officers. The venerable George want to thank them all-it makes a big difference and it is greatly appreciated. And finally, another plug for our sponsor shops Willard has stepped down from the presidency (their names are at the back of the issue under (but don't worry Willard fans —he's still on 2007 Outlook: 'sponsors'!) -We have a large number of shops board as our treasurer). Those in attendance that kick in the extra money and support our elected Liam O'Brien as the new Commander in Look, the main thing NEMBA does is trail work. sport as more than just retailers. They deserve Chief of PV NEMBA. Mark Courtemanche took Pure and simple, truculent, unrelenting trail our reciprocal support. So, do the right thing, over as Franklin County VP, and Rich LaBombard maintenance and construction serves as the best folks. will remain VP of Hampshire County (which is route to increased riding opportunities, not too good news for everyone). Also, of note, mention it is also the best tool for mountain bike Well that's it for now. — Liam O'Brien advocacy; winning us many friends and converts

mud to contend with. This is generally not the best riding conditions and it's obviously not good to ride the trails when they are really muddy. There SE Mass are a host of alternatives though. You can spin, of President: Rich Higgins, rlhiggins@com- course. Or you can try something you've never cast.net ,508-238-7590 done before, perhaps hot yoga or rock climbing or Treasurer: Bill Boles, 508-583-0067 if we ever get any snow, cross-country skiing. One place that is generally good to ride in the winter is Vice-Presidents: Otis and Trail of Tears, both on Cape Cod. Both Ames Nowell: Malcolm Neilson, 508- places are incredibly fun to ride with lots of tight, 510-9606 twisty, roller-coaster like single-track. Because of all that sand, the trails down there dry out pretty Blue Hills: Joe Sloane, 617-696-3533 fast. If you've never been, best to go with someone Borderland: Christopher Patrick, who knows the area. It's real easy to get lost. Most of the riding there is a XC rider's dream, with just Franklin SF: Jan Hubbell, 508-341-5509 enough technical thrown in now and then to make Freetown: Dennis Lewis, 508-993-5920 things interesting. If you want a guide try posting on either the SEMASS or Cape Cod distribution Wompatuck: Steve Cobble, 781-254- 8796 lists or the NEMBA forum. Rangers Maggi Brown,Tom Bender and Dave Furey Wrentham: Kevin Delaney, 401-722- 2006 was another busy year for SEMASS NEMBA. at the Blue Hills Toy Ride. Photo by Steve Cobble 2426 We had 6 trail days between Wompatuck, Borderland and Ames Nowell. We also were co- Bill Boles (Treasurer), Eero Kola (Secretary). I'd like Secretary: Eero Kola, 781-356-2518 sponsors of Blue Hills Mountain Bike day and Take to thank the SEMASS BOD for all their hard work Email List: [email protected] a Kid mountain biking day as well as hosting a vol- and dedication. These guys have all been involved unteer appreciation day for all NEMBA trail volun- with NEMBA for a long time and work together It certainly has been a crazy winter so far. teers back in February - something we're planning really well. The other exciting thing SEMASS did December was the warmest ever on record and to do again this year. We held elections this was purchase a Muck Truck. This is a pretty incred- 2006 was the 4th warmest (in Boston) since they December and results were as follows: Rich Higgins ible machine and we're very excited to be the first began keeping records. This has meant some tricky (President), Chris Patrick (VP Borderland), Joe to have one. The advantage of the Muck Truck is riding conditions as the ground began to freeze and Sloane (VP Blue Hills), Steve Cobble (VP that it is very powerful but is narrow enough then thawed, often leaving a thick layer of greasy Wompatuck), Malcolm Neilson (VP Ames Nowell), (about 30") to work on tight trails. — Rich Higgins

32 | March 2007 that many of our members live, work and ride new Dakar XLT was won by Scott Nixon who within both geographic areas. Having one chapter helped out at Yudicky in Nashua in the spring. He should help strengthen their involvement in the has also volunteered to publish our chapter Southern organization. newsletter this year. Congratulations Scott! We had a great year with our trail maintenance. We are expanding our Trail Ambassador program. New Hampshire We had a couple of large projects completed. At TA's are responsible for coordinating projects in President: Peter DeSantis, peterdesan- Pawtuckaway State Park, we built an elevated specific riding areas. They work with land man- [email protected], 603-483-2410 stone causeway on the Shaw Trail. This section of agers and get approval for us to work in the area for trail was constantly flooding. We pulled stone the benefit of our members. There are many town VPs: Kevin Cox from the hill and used pullers, rock bars and cable properties that are in need of attention where we Jean Rubin to build the structure. Due to our successful build- don't have an ambassador available. If you know of ing of the Woronoco a few years ago, the State is a property that needs our help, let me know. Secretary: John Scalese anxious for us to add to the single track in the Treasurer: Eleanor Knott park. Look for a couple of new trails in the next This year we are going to try a weekly maintenance series on Monday nights in the summer as well as Website: www.snemba.org year or two. Bear Brook State Park saw the recla- mation of an old logging road in to a nice, sweet our typical monthly work days. More focus on Email list: [email protected] trail. Also, a small reroute of Bear Brook Trail skills clinics and beginner rides are also planned. improved safety by keeping riders away from an Any other suggestions on how we can meet the eroding embankment. This year we hope to realign needs of our members are always welcome. — The Seacoast and South Central chapters have and improve the upper part of Chipmunk as well as Peter DeSantis merged in to the Southern NH chapter. Both chap- work on Sentinel Pine. ters have worked closely since their start. By join- ing, we hope to take the strengths of each, to make The NH chapters all participated in the Trail a stronger and better organization. We realized Maintenance Series sponsored by Jamis Bicycles. A

Other NEMBA Chapter Contacts:

Berkshire NEMBA Heather Linscott, [email protected] Blackstone Valley NEMBA Rich Kordell, [email protected], 508-865-9964 Cape Cod NEMBA Charlie Genatossio, [email protected], 508-477-4936 Maine NEMBA Calvin Weeks, [email protected], 207-693-8221 Merrimack Valley NEMBA Norman Blanchette, [email protected], 978 455-5605 MTA NEMBA Todd Bumen, [email protected], 207 332 5497 RI NEMBA Leo Corrigan, [email protected], 401-231-2809 VT NEMBA Rob Macgregor, [email protected], 802-824-3642 Wachusett NEMBA Jim Wrightson, [email protected], 978-464-2763 White Mountains NEMBA Rob Adair, [email protected], 603-356-6913

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 33 NEMBA Rides

NEMBA rides are led by individual NEMBA members for other mem- MBAS Topeak-Kenda Adventure Series ride. 10-20 miles. bers and prospective members. So if you haven't yet joined NEMBA, A ride on a marked course for all ability levels. please do. Rides are usually for small numbers of people and vary with Normally includes short and long loops. Call for the location and the personal style of the host. Rides have been more information. known to change location or time at the last moment. So be sure to EFTA/NEMBA 10-25 miles. Marked loops for all ability levels. call the ride's leader, both to sign up, and to find out more about the Normally includes multiple loops. Call for more ride. **Be sure to contact the ride leader a couple of days before the information. ride takes place. That way you will be sure that the ride is on. Kids/Family 2-10 miles, usually easy pace & terrain. These If you commit to a ride, go, since space is limited. That way the rides rides are aimed at parents with young children. will stay manageable and will be enjoyable for everyone. Helmets are required on all NEMBA rides. Contact your ride's leader if the weath- Beginner 2-7 miles, easy terrain, easy pace. These rides are er looks questionable. aimed at riders with little or no riding experience. HEY! - Why not lead a NEMBA ride yourself? Contact Bill Novice 4-9 miles, mellow pace, easy terrain, frequent Boles at 508-583-0067 or [email protected] for more stops. information. Advanced Novice6-10 miles, mellow pace, either mostly easy ter- (T/FR) Indicates a technical or freeride rain, or could be technical terrain done slowly, fre- (MBA) Indicates a NEMBA Mountain Bike Adventure Series quent stops. Ride Intermediate 10-20 miles, moderately technical, somewhat (EN) Indicates an EFTA/NEMBA Fun Ride. faster pace, occasional stops and bail out points. (AM) Indicates a weekday daytime ride. Intermediate rides are designed for people who (DB) Indicates a daybreak or early morning ride. ride frequently, and have some skills, but who (BHTW) Indicates a Blue Hills Trail Watch ride. probably don't enter races. (Dog) Indicates you can bring your dog. (W) Indicates a WOMBATS ride. Advanced Intermediate The same as intermediate, except faster (K) Indicates a Kids & Family ride. and harder terrain. (TBA) Indicates location to be determined. Advanced 20-30 miles, high technical difficulty, fast pace, (U) Indicates an urban ride. few stops or chances to bail out. These rides are (SS) Indicates Single Speed bicycles are OK. intended for advanced riders or, racers who would (SShoe) Indicates Snowshoeing like to go for a challenging ride at less than all out (SKILLS) Indicates a skills training session race pace. (BorS) Indicates Bike or Ski Women's Ride Can be any level of difficulty. Call for more infor- The following ride categories are only general guidelines. You should mation. ask the ride's leader exactly what type of ride he or she is planning in terms of distance, pace and technicality. Also, be realistic about your level of riding skills and don't join a ride that is beyond your present ability or fitness level.

Cape Cod & Islands 02/11 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 02/11 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 02/14 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 02/15 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 02/16 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 02/18 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 02/18 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 02/21 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 02/22 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 02/23 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 02/25 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 02/25 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 02/28 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 03/01 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 03/02 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 03/04 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 03/04 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 03/07 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected]

34 | March 2007 03/08 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 03/09 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 03/11 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 03/11 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 03/14 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 03/15 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 03/16 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 03/18 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 03/18 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 03/21 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 03/22 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 03/23 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 03/25 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 03/25 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 03/28 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 03/29 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 03/30 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 04/01 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 04/01 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 04/04 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 04/05 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 04/06 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 04/08 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 04/08 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 04/11 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 04/12 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 04/13 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 04/15 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 04/15 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 04/18 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 04/19 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 04/20 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 04/22 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 04/22 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 04/25 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 04/26 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 04/27 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 04/29 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 04/29 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 05/02 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 05/03 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 05/04 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 05/06 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 05/06 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 05/09 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 05/10 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 05/11 Trail of Tears Intermediate Steve Shakin [email protected] 05/13 Hyannis/Yarmouth Intermediate EMS Hyannis [email protected] 508-362-8690 05/13 Vineyard Intermediate David Whitmon [email protected] 508-693-4905 Central, Wachusett & Western Mass 02/11 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 02/13 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 02/15 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 02/20 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 02/22 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 02/25 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 02/27 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/01 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/06 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/08 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/11 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/13 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/15 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/18 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/20 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/22 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/25 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 35 03/27 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 03/29 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/01 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/03 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/05 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/08 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/10 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/12 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/15 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/17 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/19 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/22 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/24 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/26 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 04/29 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 05/01 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 05/03 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 05/06 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 05/08 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 05/10 Greenfield area All Bob Perry [email protected] 413-772-2700 Connecticut 02/11 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 02/18 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 02/25 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 03-04 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 03/11 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 03/18 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 03/25 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 04/01 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 04/08 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 04/15 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 04/22 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 04/29 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 05/06 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 05/13 TBA Advanced Vernon Cycles [email protected] 860-872-7740 05/23 W. Hartford Res. Intermediate Don Myers [email protected] 860-561-2755 05/30 W. Hartford Res. Intermediate Don Myers [email protected] 860-561-2755 06/06 W. Hartford Res. Intermediate Don Myers [email protected] 860-561-2755 Metro Boston, Merrimack & North Shore 02/10 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 02/14 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 02/15 Groton All - Bike or Ski Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521(BorS) 02/17 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 02/21 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 02/22 Groton All - Bike or Ski Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521(BorS) 02/24 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 02/28 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 03/01 Groton All - Bike or Ski Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521(BorS) 03/03 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 03/07 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 03/08 Groton All - Bike or Ski Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521(BorS) 03/10 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 03/14 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 03/15 Groton All - Bike or Ski Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521(BorS) 03/17 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 03/21 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 03/22 Groton All - Bike or Ski Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521(BorS) 03/24 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 03/28 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 03/29 Groton All - Bike or Ski Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521(BorS) 03/31 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 04/04 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 04/05 Groton All Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521 04/07 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 04/11 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM)

36 | March 2007 04/12 Groton All Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521 04/14 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 04/17 Dracut SF Intermediate Norm Blanchette [email protected] 978 455-5605 04/18 Blue Hills All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 04/19 Groton All Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521 04/21 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 04/24 Dracut SF Intermediate Norm Blanchette [email protected] 978 455-5605 04/25 Blue Hills All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 04/26 Groton All Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521 04/28 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 05/01 Dracut SF Intermediate Norm Blanchette [email protected] 978 455-5605 05/02 Blue Hills All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 05/03 Groton All Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521 05/05 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 05/08 Dracut SF Intermediate Norm Blanchette [email protected] 978 455-5605 05/09 Blue Hills All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 05/10 Groton All Mike Andersen [email protected] 978-448-0521 05/12 TBD All David Zizza [email protected] www.gratefultread.com 05/15 Dracut SF Intermediate Norm Blanchette [email protected] 978 455-5605 05/22 Dracut SF Intermediate Norm Blanchette [email protected] 978 455-5605 05/29 Dracut SF Intermediate Norm Blanchette [email protected] 978 455-5605 06/05 Dracut SF Intermediate Norm Blanchette [email protected] 978 455-5605 06/12 Dracut SF Intermediate Norm Blanchette [email protected] 978 455-5605 Southeastern Mass, Blackstone Valley & Rhode Island 02/14 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 02/14 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 02/16 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 02/21 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 02/21 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 02/23 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 02/28 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 02/28 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 03/02 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 03/07 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 03/07 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 03/09 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 03/14 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 03/14 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 03/16 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 03/21 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 03/21 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 03/23 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 03/28 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 03/28 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 03/30 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 04/04 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 04/04 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 04/06 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 04/11 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 04/11 Wompatuck SP All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 04/13 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 04/18 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 04/18 Blue Hills All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 04/20 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 04/25 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 04/25 Blue Hills All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 04/27 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 05/02 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 05/02 Blue Hills All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 05/03 Foxboro SF Intermediate Dan Ibbitson [email protected] 508-384-0665 05/04 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095 05/09 Massassoit SP Intermediate Kevin Chichlowski [email protected] 781-447-7223 05/09 Blue Hills All Steve Cobble [email protected] 781-254-8796(AM) 05/10 Foxboro SF Intermediate Dan Ibbitson [email protected] 508-384-0665 05/11 Duxbury All Walter Masgul [email protected] 603-512-5095

SingleTrackS No. 90 | 37 S.O.S.: Support Our Sponsors!

$1000+ Dave’s Bike Infirmary, Milton MA Ace Wheelworks, Somerville MA EMS, Inc S. Burlington VT Belmont Wheel Works, Belmont MA EMS, Inc Boston MA Bikebarn, Whitman MA EMS, Inc Peterborough NH Cannondale, Bethel CT EMS, Inc Fairfield CT EMS, Inc Portland ME Fox Racing Shox, Watsonville CA EMS, Inc Nashua NH Independent Fabrication, Somerville EMS, Inc Concord NH Landry’s Bicycles, Natick MA EMS, Inc Manchester CT Merlin Metalworks, Chattanooga TN EMS, Inc W. Lebanon NH Redbones BBQ, Somerville MA EMS, Inc Marlborough MA Seven Cycles, Watertown MA EMS, Inc Stamford CT Ted Wojcik Bicycles, Hampstead NH EMS, Inc Burlington MA The Bikeway Source, Bedford MA EMS, Inc Simsbury CT $500 EMS, Inc Cambridge MA Goodale’s Bike Shop, Concord NH EMS, Inc Hyannis MA Exeter Cycles, Exeter NH Goodale’s Bike Shop, Nashua NH Flye Cycles, Inc, Deerfield MA $200 Highland Hardware & Bike, Holyoke Bicycles Unlimited, Greenfield MA MA Biker’s Edge, Bristol CT IBEX/USE, Portsmouth NH Interbike, Laguna Beach CA Joe’s Garage, Haydenville MA JRA Cycles, Medford MA Kingdom Trails, East Burke VT os20gear, Arlington MA North Haven Bike, North Haven CT Northeast Bicycle Club, Burlington Pedal Power, Middletown CT Red Jersey, Intervale NH Salem Cycle, Salem MA Riverside Cycles, Newburypot MA Souhegan Cycleworks, Milford NH Rose City Cycles, Bozrah CT The Bike Shop, Manchester CT Ski Market,Waltham MA $100 The Bicycle Shop of Topsfield, MA Berger’s Bike Shop, York ME West Hill Shop, Putney VT Bicycle Link, Weymouth MA $50 Bicycle World, Greenfield MA Sprockids Deep River, Ivoryton CT Cycle Loft, Burlington MA

38 | March 2007

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