Ft Rock

[PutAwayWet]

I've been riding the rock for a few years now and the other day I heard from someone out there that "Riding at all out here might be on really thin ice." I saw the one other thread started about this, but was wondering if anyone had any new info. I love riding out there, and don't want to see it disappear. Also, anyone know anything about the developments and supposed open space by the bridges? I see some orange signs denoting open space, but what about the rest of the trails? If there's anything that can be done, I'd be more than glad to help out if it means I can continue to ride there.

A couple thngs we can all do: If you see anyone building an illegal/new trail, beat them and lose the body in the swamps. When you are out there riding, yield and/or be very courteous to non-bikers. After all, it's the town forest, not the town mt biking preserve.

[ArmOnFire]

Preach on PAW!
I'm a Ft Rock frequenter myself. I live in town, and don't want to lose my privilages either.
The trails with the bridges on the Newfields side are going to be gone I'm sorry to say. At least that was the last news I heard.
There is a Conservation Commitee meeting next Tuesday at the Town Hall, Nowak Room at 7:30pm. There is a mountain biker on the commitee.

You can read the CC meeting minutes here: http://www.exeternh.org/conserv/meetmin.html

The trail ambassador is Richard Cobb -rscobb@comcast.net- feel free to e-mail him with any questions.

The next scheduled trail care day is Nov. 7th. We may need to have one sooner though. The last time only 2 people showed up!

See you out there!

AOF (Dan)

[rscobb]

I have also been attending a few of those meetings. And the chairman believes his position is to be a steward of the forest, so that it can be passed on to future generations unharmed. I can understand his concern, and to help protect our interest and the forest it is imperative everyone pitch in to help out with future projects. We have had some great turn outs for the trail maintenence days at Fort Rock. However, the Exeter side of Fort Rock is getting many more riders then in the past and we are going to have to pitch in to fix up some of the problem areas.

[PutAwayWet]

So everything on the Newfields side will be gone...that really sucks. Has anyone tried working with the developer? Oftentimes a twist in the marketing for these homes can bring in home owners who are bike friendly, and even willing to pay slightly more for backyard trail access. Does anyone know who the developer is and what his plans are for the "open space conservation areas"?

[ArmOnFire]

I don't think all of the Newfields side will be "gone".
I believe the trail with the 2 bridges (the dog leg left, and the long one over the swamp), in my opinion the best on that side, will be no longer.
I believe the mtbr who is on the ECC, has been trying to save that trail, but.....

Hopefully we will be able to figure something out, re-routes, etc.

If anyone knows anything else, feel free to add their input.

[rscobb]

That's about what I heard. We will lose that trail that goes along with the two bridges, thats not the whole of the newfields side, maybe like less than 15%. But that trail is one of the best, and people that ride remember that trail more than any other (except maybe the bruises they also go away with from riding the BLT trail!).