New Freeride Park opening in CT

[CTYankee]

Woodburry Ski is in the process of building a freeride park at their mountain. Right now they are asking for help building the stunts and offering 50% off coupons to all who help.

However, NEMBA will have a tent there on opening day (May 15). I will be up there but will need help. I can work with the ownership to see if I can swing some coupons for folks who put in some time at the tent.

If you would rather just ride, I can certainly understand. I'll be busy with other stuff that day too. For more info see www.nembt.com.

If you can help e mail me at sideoutmtb@yahoo.com

PS, I'm in no way associated with this place, they just really want to partner with NEMBA.

[BigRipper]

That link wouldnt work for me...any suggestions?

[CTYankee]

That link wouldnt work for me...any suggestions?



Yeah, I could try typing it in correctly...

www.nemtb.com and look for the link to the park page (be warned, its a bit on the messy side!)

[bike187]

the pictures look promising, now it set, i'm gonna get the fr bike before i buy a road bike. finally have a good, kinda close place to ride it.

[CTYankee]

There are some videos too. Click on the 'copyright' text or check out mtbr.com's CT forum.

I hope to make a tip up there to check it out and take some pics/video.

FYI...Woodbury Ski has almost nothing to do with this. NEMTB is leasing the property so its almost entirely run by MTBers. They have stunts of all levels as well as some trails with natural stunts, XC stuff, and race runs. I have nothing to do with the park, I just think it could be a huge hit and great for MTBing.

How did everything work out on May 15th. Good crowd? Lots of fun? Insight into the future? Let us know

[CTYankee]

I don't know the numbers, but there were around 200 there. They all seemed to have a good time. One general comment about the park was the stuff was too big. So they are now building smaller stuff. The owner (notoriously cheap) sees the light and is investing some money into it. Until now the guys doing all the work and financing it were just a couple of guys from Mass. There is a bike park there as well with some big ramps and such. The guy who built that will be helping with the new stunts. The bikerX track is still in the works. They need people who know how to build something like that. There are currently two tubing runs...one big one small. These are pre cut banked courses that need rock picking and to have the jumps built. Once that is up and running there should be something for everyone.

As for NEMBA and freeriders...there is a loooooong way to go. Not much interest in any kind of mtb advocacy group. Most don't know who NEMBA is and those who do see us as irrelevant to MTBing. Can't say I blame them since NEMBA is very much an XC oriented group. Though I can't blame NEMBA either, its a very XC membership. Chicken and the egg...do we start doing freeride stuff to get memebers or get the members and start with their agenda?

The park should really be something fun as it develops. There is a lot of space for stuff to be built and some creative people working on it. Until now it was just 4 guys basically working for free. Now there is some money behind it and a lot of feedback to make it better.

I have some pics, look here:

http://www.sidvision.org/assets/pages/bikewbfr.html
http://gallery.mtbr.com/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=234490

I'm happy to hear that it is going well. I'm sure others are too. Sounds like there is a sound relationship with the landowner/manager. How are legal liabilities and emergency response being handled? Have there been any instances of concern this "season"? Keep up the good work, you guys may become an example for others to follow. Have you contacted IMBA with info or requests for any support?

[CTYankee]

the landowner will do about anything for money, so as long as the place brings people in, he's up for it. However it has now been closed down by the town I hear. Guess the zoning board decided he isn't zoned for bikes, just skiing and snowboarding. Odd considering he's been running a skate park and BMX park for a few years. I'm told the zoning board came into being after he set up shop so this new and busy change got their attention. Stay tuned for more info on that.

Legal liabilities are covered the same way they are for skiing. You sign a waiver, they check things for safety, post signs 'ride at your own risk'. I'm no lawyer so I can't say much more than that. There were a few injuries the opening day. One broken collarbone, one KO, a few other lacerations and such. All the big injuries were on the dirt jumps...guys going to big or just messing up the take off (like the kid who preloaded late and did half a summersault off the table top and landed on his sholder...he's the broken collarbone).

IMBA has been contacted by me (NEMBA guy who just helps them out when I can) and the guys running it. Neither of us have heard a peep. All this talk of freeriding being a focal point and yet nothing to show for it. A bit dissapointing. Not so much as listing it on the website of legal places to FR. They may be watching to see how it develops.

[CTYankee]

OK, it will re open soon. They upset some neighbors on opening day (loud band and rogue fireworks). The town got involved and has since looked it all over and sees no problem. I think they may be open this weekend or June 8,9? Not sure when, but it will be running again very soon.

Some other good news is they are modifyng the lift to run slower so it should be more reliable and easier to use for bikes. They have also added more natural drops, are building more entry level stunts, and have begun cleaning the future track for races. It may not be what everyone wants right now, but believe me, these guys are busting their backs to make it into the best park it can be and have a lot of riding for all levels and styles.

That is positive. Guess you'll have to keep the partys low key from now on. Keep up with trying to get IMBA involved and keep up the fine work. More power to ya'll