Hodges Village Dam - Jan '06

[robdesigns]

I rode Buffumville yesterday and had a hard time cutting trail on the west side of the lake. The ATV traffic has dropped considerably there. So there was very little compaction of the snow.

I rode over to Hodges Village Dam to see what conditions were like there. I did not ride the trail as I was running out of time. The trails at the trail head looked like there was a lot of ATV traffic and good riding.

Can anyone riding HVD lately fill me in on the conditions there?

Thanks,

Rob

[BadDNA]

Last time I rode at Hodges was before the last big snow we got but it looked like there had been plenty of snowmobile traffic on the previous snow which had turned to an ice sheet by the time I rode it. Studs were mandatory but riding was fast and fun. We've got some warmer weather in the forecast for the next few days, I wouldn't expect to be riding Hodges until it gets colder again.

-Eammon

[robdesigns]

I have 2 season old Nokian Extremes (296?). I was riding across Buffumville in the winter of 2003-2004. I am waiting for a good cold snap before I get out and slalom fishing holes again.

Thank you for the note about the warm weather. From what I gathered reading earlier posts, that area is pretty wet right now.

[BadDNA]

Actually the water has gone back down to normal levels. Once the snow either goes away or firms up again I'll be riding over there. If you'd like to join me just say the word and I'll drop you a message when I'm thinking of going.

[robdesigns]

Buffumville was still very wet before Christmas. Thank you for the offer. I am only 15min from HVD by bike.

Rob

[05stumpy]

bump for late feb. conditions. ;D ???

[robdesigns]

I was there Saturday for the first time(2/18), great riding. Just enough ice in the sheltered areas to keep the studs on. I can ride Friday and/or Saturday morning if anyone else wants to go.

Rob

[05stumpy]

bump for late MARCH conditions? ???

[BadDNA]

I'll be out there this Saturday morning with one of the rangers looking at some areas to repair/reroute during the season. I'll let you know then if nobody else replies before I do.

[JSecor]

Rode last Saturday and the conditions were fair - I expected the trails to be much better with the colder temps. We started out from near the cemetary, rode across the tilty bridge, along the river, then out the Mid State trail - all of that was pretty good. But the road out of the quarry was getting sunshine and it felt like someone was pulling my rear tire backward while i tried to pedal forward. That sucked (uh, literally). Upper and Lower Rollercoaster were in bad shape also. Hiked instead on Sunday and with the cloud cover the trails seemed to be a little better as they didn't soften up as much in the sun. But did not make it back over to Rollercoaster so not sure if conditions improved over there or not.

[BadDNA]

I rode yesterday, conditions are very mixed over there right now. Dry and dusty in some places and muddy in others. Rollercoaster is still pretty soft. Dirt bikes have loosened up a lot of the trails on both sides of the river but I met one of the groups that were out on the east side and we talked for a few. It turns out they had never ridden at Hodges before and were unaware that the east side of the river is closed to them. Some local kids had been leading them around all morning and left them at the old quarry off of Rocky Hill Rd. I told them where they would be able to get back to the other side of the river and asked them to take it easy getting back. It was a group of older men and they seemed nice enough. I did see them on the west side later on so it seems they did listen and were just unaware in the beginning.

[JSecor]

Eammon, I can't believe I haven't run into you again in the past couple of months! Although this weekend we rode at Douglas and discovered some amazing trail that looks like it was cut by dirtbikes - in fact, we met a couple coming the other way. Rode from an "unofficial" trailhead at one of the access points on Rte 16 and didn't get anywhere near the lake, etc.

I haven't felt like messing with lights this season (plus I'm not sure I trust my younger lab in the woods at night!) but with the impending time change will be looking to do some weekday rides again. Either of y'all interested in getting out after work some? I can probably be there by 5ish if I can scoot out of the office on time.

Let me know!

BIG BIKE DISCLAIMER: I ride a 38 lb freeride bike so I am far from being anywhere in the neighborhood of fast. ::)Oh, and my two labs usually accompany me.

Jen

[BadDNA]

I would have to leave work early to make it for 5, but if we plan far enough ahead I'm interested. Lights are overrated anyway, after having a chance to try it I kind of like Justbill's Jedi Braile Riding. Anybody want to do a ride one morning this weekend?

Out of shape disclaimer: You're still probably faster on your freeride bike than I am on my trailbike. I've got to shed some of these extra pounds.

[JSecor]

Would 5:30 be any better? Basically would just want to be riding by 6 PM for a week night ride and trying to maximize daylight! Not sure what's up for the weekend for me, yet.

If the time is okay, want to shoot for 5:30 PM next Tuesday weather permitting?

[BadDNA]

Sounds good, let's shoot for 5:30 Tuesday night next week.

[JSecor]

Cool - 5:30 PM, at the Dam parking area on Tuesday 4/4
I drive a black Nissan Xterra and have a silver Turner RFX

[BadDNA]

I usually ride to the dam from home so just look for me on a graphite colored Specialized Enduro. I'll likely be coming up from the woods right behind the dam.

[robdesigns]

OH OH OH OH OH.
CAN I COME TOO? CAN I COME TOO?

I am out of shape, and ride an old school Haro. I will probably drive from work, green Passat.

Rob

[BadDNA]

Of course you can join us, the more the merrier.

[JSecor]

Yep, come on along! We can do a little pre-season suffering together ;D

[robdesigns]

The weather is not going to be on our side for Tuesday. Based on your experience, when would it be dry enough to go there later?

Rob

[JSecor]

Yeah, looks like it is going to be a washout :'(

Kinda depends on how much rain we get - sounds like we may get hit pretty good. I haven't been there in a couple of weeks to even know what the baseline is right now...

[BadDNA]

Baseline is good. I'd expect that conditions will be good for the HUFF ride Wed night at 6:00, weather permitting.

[BadDNA]

I think it goes without saying, tonights ride is cancelled due to the weather. We do have the Blackstone Valley HUFF series, a ride every Wednesday night, that kicks off tomorrow at Hodges though, 6pm start time at the dam.

HUFF(F) is every Wednesday night, 6pm on the following schedule:

1st Wed of the month; Hodges Village Dam (Oxford)
2nd Wed; Upton State Park (Upton)
3rd Wed; Framingham (Callahan State Park)
4th(5th) Wed; Floater, if you want to lead a ride at a particular park, send an email to the BVNEMBA email list with your suggestion.

See www.bvnemba.org for directions to any of the regular ride locations.

[robdesigns]

Sorry I will miss y'all again. I have school Mon and Wed night.

Rob

[05stumpy]

rode here yesterday, trails are in awesome shape, dry and fast.