Hello there.

[BostonMan]

Hey guys, whats up? Im new to these forums, community. I love biking / mountain biking and hoped to learn of some great trails, tips, and good stuff here. Also was curious as to the events and such related to NEMBA.

I live in Belmont, MA. I would greatly appreciate anybody who has good suggestions of some nice trails around belmont area.
I've been looking for somewhere new to ride, sadly I have been just using my mountain bike for road biking/commuting somtimes and am eager to find some good trails in the area that I will frequent.

Anyways I hope to be active on the forums and meet some new people.

-Chris


(picture of me up in Maine, mountain biked there alot, photo of me on a dock casually biked there)

[MissJean]

Welcome to nemba & the forums BostonMan! :)
I'm not from MA so I can't help you with your local trails, but if you ever head up NH way, we'll be happy to show you around.

[dirtrider2]

Get yourself over to the Middlesex Fells for some fun local riding! There's a lot more areas to ride, but the Fells is a good place to start. Follow the menus on the left side of your screen: riding zone, places to ride, massachusetts and you'll find directions.

Dave

[NakedGirl]

Chris,

I think Great Brook in Carlise is a good place. Offers a variety of stuff.

NG

[BostonMan]

Thanks guys! I will be sure to check that out.

[Z]

You live in Belmont? There is riding in Belmont as well. Just be super polite as there are a variety of people that use the trails.

Start from the back of Star Market on Pleasant Street (Rte 60), and ride up and over the hill, through the McLean property. On the far side you'll cross a street (I think it's Concord, or maybe Mill) and you'll enter Rock Meadow. At the far end of Rock Meadow, you'll find a bridge that takes you over a stream into Met State property in Waltham.

Not huge, not very technical, but there are some hills and a nice variety of terrain to explore. By linking trails in the three properties you can do a 1.5 - 2 hour ripper after work right from your back yard!

[BostonMan]

Is the trail a dirt road right off pleasant street or what?

[truckboy]

Yes, it's a dirt fire road heading uphill and to the right almost directly across from the Star Market's back entrance. Keep your eyes peeled for an obscure singletrack on the right as it starts to get less steep. There's a couple more singletrack trails up there but mostly old carriage roads.

I'd explore up there for a bit, staying away from the brick buildings of Maclean Hospital, then make my way down the other side of the hill from where you climbed up. The trail picks up again across Mill St. in Rock Meadow.

There are a few trails in Rock Meadow and no matter which you choose, you will eventually end up at the far end where there is a short trail leading to the bridge crossing the creek. I'd go right from the parking lot at Rock Meadow and stay to the right at each fork, except for the one that heads straight out to the road. You'll know it. If you go this way, watch for the short trail to bridge on the right at a 3 way intersection.

Some of this 3rd section is under construction and some trails are gone but you can still get a decent ride in. I'd head left after crossing the bridge and look out for singletracks heading into the woods and along drumlins (raised up strips of land left when glaciers receded), but heading right will get you to some good trails too. I just go left first because it can lead to a steep, baby-head strewn climb to a water tower, where there's a descent hidden behind the fenced off electrical equipment. Taking a right at the bottom of that descent is a short but fun trail. If you find yourself back where you started, go the other way, because there's a lot of hidden gems. Some dead end but are worth it. Security will kick you out of the old Met State Hospital grounds which are being demolished. It's also a good place to get flats.

A lot of this area we call "Belmont" is really overgrown this year, especially in the meadow. It's still rideable. Just wanted to warn you.

Check out ragemtb.com and join their forums. There's a ride in the Fells every Thursday night. (ending soon though due to earlier sunset. I think it will move to Belmont).

[BostonMan]

awsome thanks for the info! I live in the Belmont Hill area, rutledge rd. real close to route 2...about a 10-15min ride to star market and than trails...i will def have to check that out and also those forums you say...registering there as i speak...thanks once again, cya around!

[Z]

Boston Man,
If you live off Prospect, you might want to check out an alternative trailhead to McLean off Concord Ave, across from a street I think is called Juniper.

BTW - To get there you skirt Audubon land, which has a couple trails. Tempting but, although I haven't seen any no bikes signs, they supposedly don't welcome bikes. So I don't recommend going in there. (It's nothing to write home about anyway)

Once you get into McLean land, in front of you is a really nice grassy hill with a single tree where supposedly James Taylor composed some songs. In fact McLean has had it's fair share of celebrity musicians doing rehab, so I've heard... anyway, if you keep going left, you'll ed up on the road/trails down the hill to Star market. If you go right you'll end up at Rock Meadow. Have fun exploring!

Z

[BostonMan]

thanks!