3rd hill at Mt A?

[PutAwayWet]

Hey everyone, I'm new to this forum but have been riding Mt A for um....since I had my first mountain bike in 1992. Anyway, I have a couple of questions/comments.

1. Are there plans for or have there been any new trails built out by the reservoirs? I have never seen a map of these trails and was wondering if there was one.

2. How do I get to 3rd hill? Every time I look for it, I come out in a different town close to dark. I have to pull up to the nearest house to get directions back to Mt. A. The online map stops at 2nd hill...

3. I saw that there's a trail day on June 26th. Any plans to build new singletrack? Most of the trails out there are pretty worked. I like a lot of rock, but not scree and rubble. There seems like there is so much opportunity for rockin' singletrack out there - I'm all for helping build new trails that rock (without the scree)!

Thanks!

[Mt.A TODD]

Hi PAW!

1. The land around the Reservoirs is owned mostly by both York and Kittery Water Districts. We have been trying to do some work out there for a number of years, but the excuse we get is that they don't want to accept our help, because some day they may have to take it away..??? Whatever that means. Gary Stevens is a employee for the York Water District and regularly patrols the area on a mountain bike. He is very nice and should you see him, twist his arm and pressure him to allow us to build some stuff out there. We do some trash pick up and water drainage but as far as construction of new trails...don't see it happening, but there is plenty of single track out there if your looking to escape the ATV trails, you just have to explore...and get lost. Yes a GPS map exists of the area, but the powers to be don't want to release it to the public...can't say that I blame them.

2. Third Hill is actually really easy to get to and back, but there is no way in Hell I could describe for you how to get there. Best bet is to ride with a crew who knows. Stop in at Papa Wheelies bike shop in Portsmouth and Talk to Nat (with beard). They are trying to start up some led fun rides- Sundays 9am at the base parking lot of Aggie. I've learned from experience not to invite newbies anymore on our "advanced" rides. We've crushed too many sprits and broken too many of their bones. A "fun ride" with our crew is absolute Hell for most. We also ride after a trail work days so that's a great way to learn the roots too.

3. Yes we have a Trailwork day on Saturday the 26. We mostly have been working in the area between 1st hill and second. With the help of Rich Edwards from IMBA, we put a new single track in last year and continue to add fun challenging reroutes this year. A new "no motor" policy on the mountain will help somewhat with trail damage in the area and for now our main goal is tightening up the old trails and dealing with water erosion issues. There really is plenty of the smooth single track like your looking for, it's just impossible to find if you don't know where to look. As far as scree and loose rocks??.. Dude the whole area is a Glacial deposit, you find me some dirt and I'll produce a Pink elephant out of my butt. I must be frank..Mt.A has a reputation for being extremely technical and her maze of rooty rocky trails will surely get you lost..that's what makes it special and gives her character, the riders of the area like it that way. So as far as maps for everyone and trail sanitizing.. It just ain't going to happen.

Am I being rude??..sorry, I've ridden allot different places around New England and they all have their unique qualities. MtA's will shake the teeth out of your head and make you spend the night out in the woods..that's a good thing. If you can master the trails at Agamenticus- you can pretty much handle anything.

I'll take you out and show you the good stuff anytime just pm me.

Hope to meet you on the 26Th!

Todd

[ArmOnFire]

A "fun ride" with our crew is absolute Hell for most.
-Todd@Mt.A


I'm going to meet Fat-tire Fanatic on Sunday morning, for the supposed "fun ride".
What am I getting into?

[Mt.A TODD]

Oooo, sorry to hear that. You’ll have to change your name to “Ears on Fire” after that ride. Bring some hearing protection and plenty of bug spray to counter react all that carbon monoxide from his flapping jaw. Spare yourself the ordeal and act uninterested if any discussion develops about his 29” wheels. Other than that you should be just fine...may be fast.

[ArmOnFire]

29" wheels is how I started talking to him.

I'm bringing someone slower than me, so I won't look as bad!

That is if I get to go riding on Father's Day!

[ArmOnFire]

I was able to get up to Mt. A this Sunday for a great ride.

Would like to thank Fat Tire Fanatic for showing us around.

I think next time I'll show up earlier for the advanced ride before the intermediate ride at 9.

I even got a tire and a rim out of the deal!!!

Thanks again,
AOF

[PutAwayWet]

Advanced ride? How early does that leave?

[Mt.A TODD]

On Sundays.. generally,
Team "Baggies" meets and rides 7 to 7:30am.
Team "Spandex" 7-30 t0 8.

...both groups mix it up and do a fair amount of road tripping during the summer months...so we aren't always at the base of Aggie.

[PutAwayWet]

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who rode last night for showing me around. It was a fun ride! Next time I'll bring a light. Now if I can only find my way around those trails again........I've already got visions of coming out of the woods somewhere near Canada, dehydrated and mildly psychotic with two flat tires and a pet porcupine. See you all saturday morning!