Otis or ToT for this weekend

[heckler]

Well, I took everyone's advice last weekend and went skiing instead of riding. apparently the riding on the cape was as good as the skiing- which was really good.

So, another week of melting should make it bare and my friend and I want to head down. I haven't been to either locale in ages so I am wondering about hints as to how/where to find a hint of a trail map or at least someone to give us a clue. Looking more for the Xc fun of the place than big old rocks to fall off of! I mean soar off of, of course. ;)

My friend isn't much of a mtb rider yet but she is fit so I am guessing we are looking for a couple/few hours of fun.

Thanks for any help!

[Longshanks]

Both places are pretty easy to get lost in. TOT has a couple of kiosks with maps that are helpful. I'm not sure if the same maps are anywhere on the web - I'll take a look, but feel free to search also.
Otis might be easier to navigate because 28 runs alongside the western edge, so depending on where you are you can use that as navigation. But there are no kiosks with maps. There is a map somewhere on the web - I'll see if I can find it.
When are you thinking of coming down?

[splat]

there is a map on Bikerag.com

[bdee]

The nice thing about TOT is the powerlines are a good ref. point. I usually just keep my sense of direction attuned to wherever the powerlines are and it's all good. A google map of the area would be perfect - just include the street names and you should be free to roam.

[Slider]

The road noise from Route 28 gives a similar reference point for Otis, and the power lines help too. And if you find yourself on the base itself, go the other way!

There is a maze of great stuff that can get confusing, but you always come out to some reference point to help orient yourself.

Slider

[DVRider]

ToT is probably the better choice. There are mile markers on the trees and the loop is well defined.

Here's an excellent description and map:
http://www.capecodbikeguide.com/tot.asp

The map can also be purchased somewhere, though I've tried for years and everyone always says they're out of them.

I would suggest the Race Lane parking if you have a few extra minutes to drive because the ride back to the lot at the end of the ride on the Big Ring trail is a blast!

Have Fun!

Dave

[Slappy]

Conditions seem to be looking okay then?

I wouldn't mind finding my way back down there this w/e also.

[heckler]

Sounds great! Thanks for all the info!

If you see a couple folk on Superlights, looking lost but happy, that will be us!

Chris

[Plywood]

Getting lost is part of the fun in my opinion.

But I dont get lost... i just end up on the wrong trail ;)


Where's TOT and what's it short for?

[heckler]

ToT or Trail of Tears is on the Cape in the Barnstable Conservation lands.

I am totally with you on getting...redirected! I spent so many years learning every inch of the Fells by just following my nose. I'd come out on a road, follow the road until I had my bearings, turn around and go find an other trail. It ain't the destination- it's the trip!

[bdee]

If TOT is in rideable shape I may hit it Saturday morning around 10:00 - I'll be at the dirt lot off exit 5. If anyone is up for a 2+ hour ride let me know. Figure on a "keep it movin but we're not racing" pace, or a fast intermediate if that makes any sense. Silver Subaru, Green 29er.

If TOT is in bad shape someone please post here and let everyone know. It's going to warm up tomorrow and Sat.

[kevinmcc15]

I road Otis today,the trail are in great shape hardly a wet spot anywhere.

[heckler]

bdee, we are planning to be down there, probably about the same time. Red subaru, one white, one blue Superlight. Maybe we will see you! That would be great to have some more company. Your pace sounds good. Geared vs. SS could be an issue but one can only try!

Chris

[jh_on_the_cape]

I road Otis today,the trail are in great shape hardly a wet spot anywhere.

hey do you have a brown spec. full susp and drive a jeep with an FU sticker on it? If so I saw you pulling out on Weds morn. from the sand pile lot.

send me a PM if you want to ride weds morn sometime. that is my time to ride this spring. I live right near the trail head. or holler if you see me riding. I have a baby blue Ted Wojcik frame.

[jh_on_the_cape]

If TOT is in rideable shape I may hit it Saturday morning around 10:00 - I'll be at the dirt lot off exit 5. If anyone is up for a 2+ hour ride let me know. Figure on a "keep it movin but we're not racing" pace, or a fast intermediate if that makes any sense. Silver Subaru, Green 29er.

If TOT is in bad shape someone please post here and let everyone know. It's going to warm up tomorrow and Sat.

otis is in fine shape and i am sure TOT is fine. i rode tues afternoon and it was nice: shorts, no snow. my only issue was it was so sunny and i forgot my sunglasses and i had to squint a lot so my temples hurt. life is rough!

bdee: want to ride otis on sat morn? remember we rode together last fall up at foxboro. i have a new bike now so i might be too fast for you! (joke!!!).

i will send you a PM with my email. i can only ride otis because i can only really pull off 2 hours of leaving my wife with both kids, and TOT is a good half hour drive. noon would be better, but i will ask the boss about 10.

[Longshanks]

I'm riding TOT tonight and will post a conditions update IF conditions are bad (it did rain a lot last night, but TOT drains well). So maybe check around 8 tonight or in the AM. No post = no problem.

And I can prob lead some people around sat morning, if needed/wanted.

[Slappy]

I'm looking good for Saturday. Be great if I could run into some of you guys that know your way around.

Is ToT as fun as Otis?

[jh_on_the_cape]

I'm looking good for Saturday. Be great if I could run into some of you guys that know your way around.

Is ToT as fun as Otis?

does TOT still have the marked 16 mile loop? that was super fun. i know the signs were vandalized over the years. but to ride 16 miles without having to look at a map was great.

both are fun. i prefer otis personally...

[Jisch]

My lawn is about 25% covered in snow still, though its melting quickly. I don't think anywhere in CT will be "ready" for riding this weekend. Road ride, bah.

TOT or Otis is just too much driving for me - 4-5 hours of total travel time. Not going to happen unless I burn a lot of hall passes at once.

John

[Plywood]

so the trail are that good? i might go down there but dont wait for me.

[bdee]

I haven't ridden in the woods since 2/24 per my riding stats. Yikes! No wonder road riding is getting old. It might also provide clues as to why I keep veering off into the woods on the 'cross bike whenver I see some powerlines/old railroad service roads on my longer road rides. I've even been braving the pickle parks in town on a regular basis on the 'cross bike just for a taste of dirt, they provide their own incentive to ride fast...

[Slappy]

:har: "pickle park"


So...who's gonna be riding where, and when?

[Longshanks]

I've even been braving the pickle parks in town on a regular basis on the 'cross bike just for a taste of dirt, they provide their own incentive to ride fast...

I hate to tell you this, but where you plan on parking (just off exit 5 under the power lines) is (or at least was) a pickle parking spot. PD picked up on the pickle prowling and patrol that parking point to prevent and purge potential purveyors of pornographic purpose. Nonetheless, it may persist, so locals usually park elsewhere down 149 a bit or a couple miles further on down on Race Lane, where there is a great warm-up loop called Big Ring.

But, since people know where the pickle parking is, that might be the best spot to meet. I think 10 was the time.

[Slappy]

I hate to say this, but can someone post the precise position of the pickel park please? :o

I've ridden Otis and we parked across from a veterinarian. That's the only spot I've been to in the area.

Thanks!

[jh_on_the_cape]

I hate to say this, but can someone post the precise position of the pickel park please? :o

I've ridden Otis and we parked across from a veterinarian. That's the only spot I've been to in the area.

Thanks!

the pickle plantation is at TOT under the powerlines at the rt 149 exit off of 6. take the exit, go right, then another right and you will see a dirt lot. i was unaware of that status, tho.

that place across from the vets at otis is under negotations to be turned into a giant housing complex right now. 31 acres. many many many too large houses under ch 40b. 25% of units will be affordable. and they can ignore local zoning. so we can look forward to mountains of dog poo in crane/otis. but it'll be a few years yet.

dont park in by the sandpile or your car could be broken into. that was happenening a ton a few years ago. still happening??

[Plywood]

so who wants to ride in Otis?

[Slappy]

I might be up for it, depending how much riding we do at ToT.
If we only go out for a couple hours there, I'd be down for a couple more hours at Otis afterward.

Also, I've got plenty of room in the truck, coming down 495 from Rt 2 area if anyone wants to jump in (long as you don't have any schedule issues - no guarantees on when we'd get back) :D

d

[Plywood]

uhh ok im probably going down there at around 11 in the morning and going to make a day of it probably leaveing to go home around 2 ish... coming from Stoughton. green Subaru wagon parked at the dirt mond going to try and find Mount Otis.. :)

[mtbtom]

Not to add yet another plan to the mix but myself and the Mrs. are gonna hit up Otis tomorrow - meet at noon, ride soon afterwards. The loop I've been riding (and I've been riding there WAY too much this year) is 20.6 miles. It takes us about 3 hrs to ride it but it would be slower with more riders.

I park at the bank on route 28 and ride the single track down into Otis proper from True Wheels.

PM me if you plan to show up...

[bdee]

[QUOTE=Longshanks;146517] PD picked up on the pickle prowling and patrol that parking point to prevent and purge potential purveyors of pornographic purpose.
QUOTE]

Is this like a dirty limerick or something? =)

[jh_on_the_cape]

Not to add yet another plan to the mix but myself and the Mrs. are gonna hit up Otis tomorrow - meet at noon, ride soon afterwards. The loop I've been riding (and I've been riding there WAY too much this year) is 20.6 miles. It takes us about 3 hrs to ride it but it would be slower with more riders.

I park at the bank on route 28 and ride the single track down into Otis proper from True Wheels.

PM me if you plan to show up...

looks like we will start at the south end around noon so perhaps we will cross paths. i will probably ride with another local not on these boards. say "high!" if you see us.

otis is so exciting in the spring. so many out of towners. crocuses are out in my yard! i love those little flowers. also the snowdrops are out. but they came out in jan. then died. then came out again...

[Longshanks]

the pickle plantation is at TOT under the powerlines at the rt 149 exit off of 6. take the exit, go right, then another right and you will see a dirt lot. i was unaware of that status, tho.

that place across from the vets at otis is under negotations to be turned into a giant housing complex right now. 31 acres. many many many too large houses under ch 40b. 25% of units will be affordable. and they can ignore local zoning. so we can look forward to mountains of dog poo in crane/otis. but it'll be a few years yet.

dont park in by the sandpile or your car could be broken into. that was happenening a ton a few years ago. still happening??

Exit 5 actually. Then as jh said (right off exit, immediate right, and lot is down a little bit on left under power lines).

[heckler]

Just got back from ToT and it was awesome. No puddles, no mud, just a blast!

Oh, we did pick up a tick though- and with full arm covering too. Awefully early to be dealing with that!