belmont's good

[guitarsark]

went riding the other day with my new disc brakes.
conditions at belmont are fine, aq little muddy in spots but definately rideable.

[GregC]

where in Belmont do you ride? Just curious...

Thanks,
Greg

[guitarsark]

hi greg.

there's a great riding area up behind the shaws in waverly square. it consists or 3 areas though i cant remember the official names. if you cut thru the shaws parking lot and cross the side street the trail starts up a big hill there. it goes up behind mclean hospital and then thru a nice field. eventually you cross another street and are on med state property where the fun really begins. lately i've been cheating and skipping the big hill behind shaws and taking the street to the med state property (i'm not ready for that climb yet). it's a great ride if you ever want to go i'll take you through. I have a good 7-8 mile loop that i usually do. it's not super technical but a great workout.

[T Grimble]

The first piece of property that Fisher mentioned is the McLean parcel. This piece of property is being transfered from private ownership (McLean) to the town of Belmont. NEMBA has been working hard for the last 2 years to make sure that mountain bikes will continue to have access to this property but this is far from a done deal. It is possible that some trails will be closed to bikes. It is important that people respect the hospitals wishes and DO NOT ENTER THE FORMAL MCLEAN CAMPUS. Stay on the coal road and you are ok. If you venture down a trial that comes out near buildings or a parking lot then just turn around and go back. A portion of this property will be developed as residential housing. You may notice the trail that was dug up last year to locate a new water line. Another portion will eventually be converted to a cemetary. The old radio tower is also about to be replaced with a much larger radio tower that will have an access road.

The second parcel is known as Rock Meadow and is owned by the town of Belmont. This is the open meadow section.

The third parcel is grounds of the old Met State hospital. The hospital has been vacant for 15 years at least. This property has just been transfered to the DCR and will be managed by the same people who manage the Middlesex Fells. No management plan for bicycles has been put forward yet but I have heard that a recommendation has been made to restrict bicycle access to this property. Naturaly, NEMBA is against this. It is important that everybody understand the volitale nature of these conservation trails. Always use curtesy when riding here (as I suspect most of you do). Be polite and say hello to fellow trail users. Yield the right of way to anybody and everybody you come across and do not create any new trails or stunts in any of these woods.

These trails are not spectacular and probably do not warrent anybody driving any distance to get to them but for those who live in the area, it is the only local riding around and it would be a real loss if access becomes restricted.

I can always be contacted with questions if anybody wants to learn more about these trails. You can find my info at www.gbnemba.org

Tom Grimble

[sizlinseagulsoup]

Is there a map of this area anywhere?

[T Grimble]

No, there is not.
The local conservation commision has been concerned about the quantity of trail users. They know that the area is too small (and that the trails are not designed properly) to sustain large numbers of trail users. They request that we don't advertise this location and that we don't publish maps of it. When the DCR starts to get more involved in managing the Met State property, maps of that area may appear but Rock Meadow and McLean will likely always be downplayed. I can't say I am enthusiastic about this position. I think the trails will be self limiting. Again, they are a good option for local riders but people will likely not find them worth traveling for and the quantity of trail users will probaly not get out of hand. None the less, NEMBA will respect the request of the local land managing authorities and not list the area as a place to ride or publish maps. By the way, this is not a unique arrangement. Many town all over New England have conservation land that is leagley open but is only used by locals. The larger parks that are better managed and maintained should be the destinations so that the small conservation lands will not be overpopulated.

[guitarsark]

thanks for the heads up on belmont tom.
i rode there again today, a bit muddy in spots but overall very rideable. saw some moto's in the stunts area.
if anyone wants a tour of the loop/area feel free to email me, i'm over there a couple times a week at least when the weather is nice. me email is guitarsark@earthlink.net
it's a great ride, very pretty and good terrain. i know the areas to stay away from.