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ragertim
April 3rd, 2007, 10:52 AM
UPDATE _ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE

Hi all-

The event is on for this Saturday, April 28th, 2007 (barring bad weather).

The MA DCR is very pleased to welcome all Fells MTB Riders back for the 2007 season.

See you all on the 28th!!!

Thanks!

-Tim

UPDATE _ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE

Spring is Here! YAY!

If you have been cooped up indoors all winter and are ready for some fresh air, exercise, challenge, nature, and meeting some new people or reuniting with old friends, come join us at...

MIDDLESEX FELLS MTB OPENING DAY - April 28th
presented by
MA Department of Conservation and Recreation and NEMBA

Did you know there are 25+ miles of trails that are open to mountain bikes in the Fells? Did you know that there is great riding in the Fells besides the NEMBA Loop? Let us show you how to get the most out of your experience at the Fells. Maps and Guided rides will be available all day long...

WHAT: DCR/NEMBA Fells Opening Day Rides
WHEN: All Day! (9am-5pm) Sunday, April 28th, 2007
WHERE: Flynn Rink (see directions below)
LEVEL: all levels / several groups
PACE: all - mellow / intermediate / hammer
TERRAIN: mellow to moderate (with some advanced - perfect for the early season)
DURATION: many rides going out for 1-3+ hours
WHO: you!!!
411:These rides are open to anyone who is interested in a fun day of riding, as well as NEMBA members and prospective members. It's a great way to get out and meet fellow riders, learn about a great riding area and a great organization, and get a good early spring workout.
These rides are open to all levels of riders. There will be advanced,
intermediate, and mellower groups going out at various times during the day - stay tuned we'll put more detail in the event schedule as soon as possible.
Advanced and intermediate riders should know their own abilities. Experienced novice riders are welcome on the mellower ride. If you are inexperienced in mountain biking and want to check it out - let us know when you get there. All riders must be fit enough to handle strenuous activity for about 1.5-2 hours.
Riders should bring a serviceable mountain bike, be over 18 or accompanied by a parent or guardian, have water and must wear a helmet. Remember that mountain biking may be an exhilarating sport, but it is also dangerous. Know your limits and don't take unnecessary chances. All riders will be asked to sign an insurance waiver.

Bring a friend or a bunch of friends - feel free to pass this note along...everyone is welcome at this event!

EVENT SCHEDULE:
9:00 AM Event Opens
9:00 AM Guided Rides
10:00 AM Guided Rides
11:00 AM Guided Rides
12:00 PM Guided Rides
2:00 PM Guided Rides
4:00 PM Guided Rides
5:00 PM Event Close

DIRECTIONS:
If you need to see a map - this will get you close...
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=300+Elm+St%2C+Medford%2C+MA

ABOUT THE FELLS:
Riding in the Fells in the past has been somewhat of an issue to all users and park managers, but things have been steadily improving. It is a privilege we do not want to abuse, so please be sensitive to the issues, such as soil/trail preservation, park hours, and the tranquility and safety of fellow users and park regulations.
Best practices include:
· Ride through the center of a mud patch or puddle, NOT around it.
· Ride over an obstacle, NOT around it.
· If you can't ride over an obstacle, get off and walk it - stay on the trail.
· Do not make new routes or trails.
· Do not build stunts.
· Do not skid, spin out, or fishtail - uphill nor downhill.
· Slow down when you see other riders, hikers, or animals.
· Always offer to yield the right of way.
· Be friendly

The MA DCR (folks who manage the park) will be on hand to answer questions and get to know us as a riding community. There will be information on how to get involved in preserving this incredible resource and maps available to self-guide around the park. Also, the DCR have asked us to familiarize as many riders as possible with the rules and to particularly keep in mind the following from the DCR Website:

Mountain Biking at the Middlesex Fells
Mountain biking in the Middlesex Fells allows the off-road cyclist the use of all Fire Roads. In addition to fire roads, there is a designated loop trail, which offers riders an easy to follow path around the Western Fells. This trail is marked by "Mountain Bike Loop" signs and green blazes on trees. This loop trail is about 85% on fire roads and 15% on a single-track trail. All other single track trails are off-limits to bikers. Trail restrictions are based on the sensitivity of soil, slopes, wildlife habitat, and public safely
concerns. Please stay off trails marked with "No Bicycle" signs.

...and more information is available on the DCR site at:
http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/metroboston/fells.htm

Thanks for keeping it cool!

Plywood
April 3rd, 2007, 12:30 PM
holy crap i actually read all that..

count me in!

leebo
April 6th, 2007, 08:58 PM
Will there be arrowed loops on the Sun ride? I'm looking for some fire road riding to do with my daughter.

ragertim
April 9th, 2007, 11:37 PM
sorry, no arrowed loops. but there will be lots of information and other riders available that know the place. the dcr will have maps for riders - come see me and i'll highlight a nice route for you and your daughter...

-tim

pk
April 13th, 2007, 11:56 AM
Hey all,

The Middlesex Fells event scheduled for this Sunday has been postponed until the Saturday the 28th due to muddy trail conditions.

Updates available here:

http://www.nemba.org/nembaevents/Eve...uncements.html (http://www.nemba.org/nembaevents/EventAnnouncements.html)

pk

ragertim
April 13th, 2007, 12:38 PM
UPDATE _ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE

Hi all-

(As PK mentioned...) After consulting with the MA DCR, NEMBA has decided to postpone the event until Saturday April 28th, 2007 because of the current conditions of the trails and the anticipated wet weather for all of next week.

The DCR would like to request that we all spread the word that the trails are extremely wet and fragile right now and that despite the official opening of the park on Sunday, it would be prudent to stay off the trails until they have had a chance to dry and stabilize.

See you all on the 28th!!!

Thanks!

-Tim

UPDATE _ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE

ragertim
April 23rd, 2007, 04:36 PM
UPDATE _ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE

Hi all-

The event is on for this Saturday, April 28th, 2007 (barring bad weather).

The MA DCR is very pleased to welcome all Fells MTB Riders back for the 2007 season.

See you all on the 28th!!!

Thanks!

-Tim

UPDATE _ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE_ UPDATE

ragertim
April 27th, 2007, 05:19 PM
This Is Definitely On!!!!

noreaster
April 27th, 2007, 10:22 PM
I think this is just a trick for me to show up at an empty parking lot. It poured today and is going to rain tomorrow… really, we can ride?

noreaster
April 28th, 2007, 12:46 PM
I wasn't disappointed! The lot had people, we had sun, we had a good ride–the trails were fine–and then Redbones came for lunch, hooray!

~brian

Mr. Eff
April 28th, 2007, 05:19 PM
Gar!!! I missed Redbones!

My friends and I went out at 1:00 and didn't get back until 4. It was a fun day, I'm covered in mud, and I survived one flat and one busted chain link. It was my first time through the Fells on a bike, and I must say that the loops is a ton of fun, although I had to walk some significant portions of it.

My thanks goes out to the Cycleloft guy who was able remove a pedal of mine that felt like it had fused to the crank.

Man, I'm so psyched that the season has started! Happy trails!

ragertim
May 1st, 2007, 12:15 PM
thanks to everyone who came out for the Fells Welcome Back MTB event on saturday! it was a great success with over 100 riders and 12 guided group rides going out during the day. the redbones bbq was tasty as usual and lunachix had snacks for everyone.

the park managers were very pleased with the turnout and enjoyed getting to know the mtb community on a more personal level.

judging from all the smiles on the riders coming back in, everyone seemed to have had fun and the trails were in great shape despite the rain from the night before.

thx again! and come out and join us for our weekly ride series on wednesday and thursday evenings at flynn rink:

http://www.gbnemba.org/rides.php

-t

ragertim
May 2nd, 2007, 12:42 PM
pics of the event here:

http://www.nemba.org/digitalnemba/FellsDay2007.html