Superb Man
August 31st, 2006, 09:53 AM
A while back I posted a rant on a recent MBA article on 'the best new england singletrack' and yesterday I was perusing the lame and dated mountain biking new england guide book publications--and, over the last few months I've fired off a few trail descriptions to Bill Boles for the website (which Bill does a great job of maintaining)--All this has got me thinking and I've come up with an idea--
An official NEMBA guide book to New England's riding destinations--maybe just do it as a massive singletracks publication (one that gets redistributed every year to members with an update). But I think it would be great as something sold in stores/ on line and distributed to holders of NEMBA memberships (possibly for additional fee)--all proceeds to go to non-profit purposes of course (like IMBA publications)! It's amazing how piss-poor the guide books to new england's riding really are (especially in comparison to the phenomenal legal riding opportunities that abound).
The way to make such a project meaningful, as I see it, Is to make it as extensive as possible-and of course keep it annually updated. And it can't be written by one person--nor should it be, Rather, I'd like to see Each chapter select a handful of writers to cover all the major (and minor if you like) rides in their respective regions-highlighting the local's love for their riding areas.
Obviously, we'd have to stick 100 percent legal rides (but there is no shortage of these in New England--nobody has to share their secret stash--or even their beloved quasi legal less frequented haunt).
You'd want to include all the good basic guidebook stuff--Good GPS Topos of the routes-distance/ point by point routes given that showcase the area in question to the fullest. Trail ratings-what to expect etc. All things needed to self guide around an unfamiliar area.
Also-as is the unique nature of our club we should list--if people are willing, of course- contact info of folks willing to guide-show around-discuss each riding area in quesion (and keep that updated), as well as list shops that do regular rides in these places as well. You'd want to list nearest food/ beer
recommendations and a whole host of things I just haven't thought of.
Why Do it as a publication--why not just put it on the website?? 'cause I just haven't figured out yet how to carry my computer on my bike--there's just something great about a portable book (which is why our society hasn't done away with this 550 year-old medium!). Point, select, print can't compare with thumbing through a book thinking about what new place I'm going to hit next Saturday. Besides-I'd think such a guide would have marketable appeal beyond our region any way.
Everyone of us helps steward some really great riding areas-lets help others enjoy these gems to the fullest and put it in print--A little something for us by us (as the hip-hop clothes hawkers say).
The final size and shape of such a product will of course be determined by a host of factors of course--but I wouldn't arbitarily limit the number of rides included to some factor of 5 like so many of these guide books do (the Best 10, 20, 25 Rides in New England--why Not 26 if that's what there are, or 47-or whatever is ultimately manageable and useful).
I'd be willing to dedicate an ample amount of editorial time to this project--and, Spear-head the Pioneer Valley contribution (I've got a good handle on who the go to guides/ reviewers are for each area in this region).
If this or something similar sounds like something you'd like to be part of (or at least support on some level) sound Off! And shoot me and email or call.
Thanks
Liam O'Brien
ginaliam@mac.com
413-665-9524
An official NEMBA guide book to New England's riding destinations--maybe just do it as a massive singletracks publication (one that gets redistributed every year to members with an update). But I think it would be great as something sold in stores/ on line and distributed to holders of NEMBA memberships (possibly for additional fee)--all proceeds to go to non-profit purposes of course (like IMBA publications)! It's amazing how piss-poor the guide books to new england's riding really are (especially in comparison to the phenomenal legal riding opportunities that abound).
The way to make such a project meaningful, as I see it, Is to make it as extensive as possible-and of course keep it annually updated. And it can't be written by one person--nor should it be, Rather, I'd like to see Each chapter select a handful of writers to cover all the major (and minor if you like) rides in their respective regions-highlighting the local's love for their riding areas.
Obviously, we'd have to stick 100 percent legal rides (but there is no shortage of these in New England--nobody has to share their secret stash--or even their beloved quasi legal less frequented haunt).
You'd want to include all the good basic guidebook stuff--Good GPS Topos of the routes-distance/ point by point routes given that showcase the area in question to the fullest. Trail ratings-what to expect etc. All things needed to self guide around an unfamiliar area.
Also-as is the unique nature of our club we should list--if people are willing, of course- contact info of folks willing to guide-show around-discuss each riding area in quesion (and keep that updated), as well as list shops that do regular rides in these places as well. You'd want to list nearest food/ beer
recommendations and a whole host of things I just haven't thought of.
Why Do it as a publication--why not just put it on the website?? 'cause I just haven't figured out yet how to carry my computer on my bike--there's just something great about a portable book (which is why our society hasn't done away with this 550 year-old medium!). Point, select, print can't compare with thumbing through a book thinking about what new place I'm going to hit next Saturday. Besides-I'd think such a guide would have marketable appeal beyond our region any way.
Everyone of us helps steward some really great riding areas-lets help others enjoy these gems to the fullest and put it in print--A little something for us by us (as the hip-hop clothes hawkers say).
The final size and shape of such a product will of course be determined by a host of factors of course--but I wouldn't arbitarily limit the number of rides included to some factor of 5 like so many of these guide books do (the Best 10, 20, 25 Rides in New England--why Not 26 if that's what there are, or 47-or whatever is ultimately manageable and useful).
I'd be willing to dedicate an ample amount of editorial time to this project--and, Spear-head the Pioneer Valley contribution (I've got a good handle on who the go to guides/ reviewers are for each area in this region).
If this or something similar sounds like something you'd like to be part of (or at least support on some level) sound Off! And shoot me and email or call.
Thanks
Liam O'Brien
ginaliam@mac.com
413-665-9524