Belmont & The Fells

[T Grimble]

On Monday evening, a group of four volunteers spent a couple of hours in the evening trimming back the brush along one of the trails at Rock Meadow in Belmont. The trail is the one that goes over the tiny bridge toward Concord Ave. and loops around the meadow. It is nice to be able to ride that section without being slapped in the face by brush. We didn't do a perfect job. We learned that a different attachment for the brush cutter would be more productive as would a second brush cutter but it is a lot better then it was. We are going to schedule a second day to touch up this trail and to do one other trail as well. The date will be finalized shortly and will be published on mtb-boston and the forum.

This type of event is a very useful way for mountain bikers to build good will with the local land managers. Because of State and local budget problems, a lot of routine maintenance is not being done. By helping out with these tasks, we become a useful volunteer labor force that mobile and self equipped. It really helps when we are at the bargaining table trying to negotiate mountain bike access.

I also just completed a meeting this morning with the folks at the Middlesex Fells. We discussed the upcoming maintenance days we have scheduled for September 13 and October 25. Among other things, we will be cutting a small section of singletrack as a reroute and extending one of the new boardwalks (we were about 10' too short). I hope that you will put one or both of these dates on your calendar and plan to help.

Tom Grimble

[fellsbiker]

ooooh ooooh ooooh can you give me more info on the fells days so I can start promoting them :-D!!!

[T Grimble]

Sure!

September 13 - We will be working near the boardwalk we just put in at South Res. The part of the trail that goes up toward Middle Road is in good shape with the exception of the corner near the fallen tree. That area is on the fall line and is getting blown out and wide. We are going to cut a new line that follows the contours a little more and will be more twisty and fun to ride at the same time. At the same time we will have a second crew add another 10' or so to the short boardwalk to get it over the mud at the end. The rock garden at the bottom of the trail will remain intact but we will pay a little attention to it to narrow the line a bit and define the trail.

Time: 8:30am - 12:30pm
Where: Park at Belvue Pond lot or Jeremiah Circle lot and meet at Gate 6 (across from Governors Ave on South Border Road).
What to Bring: Long pants, gloves, water, good attitude.
Lunch: Lunch will be provided to all who attend.
Ride: After lunch we will do a group ride so bring your bikes and a change of cloths.


October 25 - This is the weekend after NEMBAfest. We will be working on the singletrack sections near North Reservoir. The work will be less glamorous but just as important. We will be working to eliminate the spots were water is ponding and will narrow the trails back to their original width. This work will make the trails look a lot better but more important, they will feel a lot tighter and be a lot more fun to ride.

Time: 8:30am - 12:30pm
Where: To be detemined
What to Bring: Long pants, gloves, water, good attitude.
Lunch: Lunch will be provided to all who attend.
Ride: After lunch we will do a group ride so bring your bikes and a change of cloths.

For more info, contact Tom Grimble at tgrimble@alum.syracuse.edu

[guitarsark]

great work in Belmont! I was over there today and didnt have to worry about bees hiding in the brush (got stung 2 weeks ago). Thanks so much! will keep my eye out for the next one to maybe lend a hand.
:)

[T Grimble]

The next Belmont day is September 20th.
This is a Saturday so that more people will be able to attend.

[fellsbiker]

Do you have more info on the October day, like where specifically the work area is going to be, and where to park? I'd like to have the info up on my site so if there is any extra traffic sunday, everyone can see it.
8)