Foxboro State Park

[Dawgee]

Im intrested in riding at Foxboro. Is there any maps for the trails and how challenging are they?

[Z]

There's a great mountain bike loop, just follow the signs. It's been a while since I've been there, but I remember really liking it. I've never used a map.

Based on my memory, the loop is maybe a 2 hour ride at most, but it's really fun and rocky. A bit more rock-gardeny than vietnam.

It gets more and more challenging near the end (or is that because I always went after work and it was getting really dark by then?) :)

[Dawgee]

Thanks Z maybe i can get some good helmet cam footage there for my video

[petembike]

I am a regular Foxboro rider(3X a week on average). The riding is good and technical, but beware that there was a Motocross event last weekend that rutted up and sanded up much of the mtn bike loop. If you have time there are some interesting trails off of the main loop that presents some very nice challanges. My only critique is the lack of sustained single track. Lots of small tricky climbs as well as some short rocky downhills. Have fun!

[C.P.]

Petembike I saw that too...

Your comment is valid
"My only critique is the lack of sustained single track"

I witnessed the remains of the annual motocross enduro event last night. Every year for the last 5 years, its always given me the same feeling of disgust, as it really tears that place up. It always seems to "disappear" because the leaves fall shortly after this event, but last night another friend I was riding with said something that had a feeling of reality to it - he said "someday this place will look like wrentham SF"...anyone that knows how sandy/loose rocky and WIDE the trails have gotten from MX in wrentham know what I mean. Well, the prevaling thought as we completed our ride was that the trails do seem to be getting much wider (this park has a lot of trail users, we all contribute to widening)-BUT - most of the widening occurrs as a result of the MX event, and it's obvious that more trail management is needed. My question is: How can we as trail users/advocates influence the forest managers to only allow the MX event to be held on ONLY the MX loop in the forest? Every year, they allow this event to go through ANY trails they want, (instead of just the MX designated loop already in place) . Last year, and this year that included a new singletrack trail designed by IMBA, (cut and completed by NEMBA last summer). By allowing the MOTO event to go on this newer trail, it effectively ripped apart all of the work we did...and really widened it. It also seems to show of the forest management not really caring about NEMBA's efforts when it comes to this event, or lately any real efforts put forth by NEMBA.
(NEMBA has a "real basic" working relationship with Ron Clough The Forest Ranger there).

Okay, I'm done - Sorry folks for venting, I just wanted to say I noticed the MX results, and as I was typing, the emotions came back...

C.P.

[Jisch]

Similar motorcycle events occur three times a year at Shenipsit forest. I've been there several times while the event is going on. The trails get destroyed. For the most part, however, a few weeks and a few rain storms later and you can't tell it happened. The key statement is "for the most part". There are certainly sections of trail which are permanently damaged.

Luckily in the Snip they limit the riding to specific trails. The extensive damage done is very disappointing though. It can be hard to look at that and still remain concerned about the amount of damage a mountain bike does. Because the MX event happens only a few times a year and MTBs are there all year, we get the blame.

John

[petembike]

My critique on the moto event is that I need to check my calendar better so I am not there on the same day the motorized guys are. I hit the deck 5 times in a 1 hour ride and was bruised and bloodied. For the most part the moto guys seemed to respect the existing trails, but on some areas they carved new(easier)trails. This creates bad habits for others and hence we see the widening of the trail. I am curious to ride after the rain drys out to see if some of the damage gets fixed naturally. I think the beauty of Foxboro is that it is all access, but that is its downfall as well. For true single track that is not rutted up, Vietnam is the place, it is just an extra 30 minutes to my round trip that I cannot justify on my lunch hour

[johnbigbooty]

Dawgee -- there are maps at the ranger station entrance. The same map is also posted around the park here and there but they don't seem to last long. It's a great place to ride. The mtb loop has lots of challenges, and there is plenty of singletrack that isn't on that loop. Also marked fireroads that will help you back to the car if need be. It's a great ride.

I was there last Wednesday for the first time in a while and it was pretty torn up. The worst thing is when rain follows the MX boys, so the loose dirt gets carried away.

[knucklebuste]

I go there all the time. Not since the MX race, but there is plenty to do in there. The main loops are boring, but there is plenty in there. Check out Franklin forest too. Ok for a 2-3 hour ride or so. Plenty of singletrack, very windey, but unfortunately dirt bikes are allowd in there too. Funny how when I get rid of all my motorized shite suddenly riding OHRV's is legal all over the place. I use to get harrassed constantly by the PIGS, so I gave up. Now, I wish dirt bikes were illegal totally. What a 2-faced prick ha? Knuck

[mtbtom]

Too bad the same thing is likely to happen at Bear Brook State Park in NH, but only worse because now you're likely to see quads (which ends all possibility of at least having the trail stay a singletrack)