Rocky Woods Rd. Trails in Taunton

[Mr_Cheeze]

Just curious if anybody has ventured into those trails of late. Last I went was in early summer and after about an hour of fighting and hacking and ever so carefully maneuvering my way through the jungles of overgrown briars and thickets and coming out looking like I just did battle with a wolverine, I figured that it's no longer a desirable place to ride, at least until autumn. It's too bad. Those trails used to be a nice, lesser known gem when they were ridden often enough to keep the growth down. I guess not even the dirt bikes are getting in there too often. Strange considering this was one of the dryest summers I can remember. Those trails are terrible after lots of rain.

So now with fall pretty much having fallen, I'm just curious if it might be worth checking out. It was only a few years ago when I used to see regular riders out there this time of year. What happened to them all?

If anyone can provide a relatively recent update of trail conditions it would be greatly appreciated. I would like to guage the possible interest in helping to cut back the brush (if it's still an issue) and/or getting out there for a ride. For anyone who has never ridden there, I think you would be very surprised at what is hidden right in Taunton's west end "back yard". You wouldn't believe the amount of trails in there. And those of you within range of Taunton would likely appreciate another option.

Please e-mail me if anyone is interested. I'll try and get out there for a scouting mission if I don't get any updates. I would certainly welcome company.

[LauraSMilford]

I have been to the "Fun Ride" part of Rocky Woods. I loved it.
Very windy and challenging without any over the top features.
I was just as surprised to find it only 3 mi. from my office.

It can be extremly wet and mucky in low lying areas. I am
dying to go back to check out the "Pain Train and Pain Train North"
trails. The plan is to go in from the middle and hit those. Joe Travis
of Travis bike said there are 20 miles or more of trails in there and
it can take more than one day to cover them.

If you want to check it out some time I would love to ride it.
Travis Bikes will print out a color GPS map for $2. Pretty helpful.

Laura

[Mr_Cheeze]

Yea, definitely many good, longs trails. Unfortunately, the main issue, have I stated above, is the overgrowth and lack of maintenance. After significant rain, the trails are to be avoided for sure. Terrible drainage in there, and with the damage from years of MX'er abuse, you're often stuck having to straddle the edges of flooded mudpits.


I'll have to pick up one of those maps to see which trails are named what.
If you're coming up from the trail head from North Walker St., the two sections on the left are relatively short. The first in probably the Pain Train. A few long hills that'll have you sucking air, but not difficult. If nothing else, a great warmup. The second can take 45 minutes to an hour to get through, covering a larger area with varying degrees of difficulty; but this was the one that was loaded with thickets in areas. It was brutal. Maybe it's better now. I'm hoping.

The trails off the right side of Rocky Woods Rd. are the longest, portions of which have stretches of unpassable terrain due to narrow, deep tire ruts that fill with water. I'm thinking that the westermost trail is the Pain Train North. Lot's of doublebacking up and down hills, and just challenging enough to make it fun. The more eastern section has the longest network of trails. You could seriously find yourself lost for longer than anticipated there if you're not careful. I try to avoid this section unless I have 3 hours to spare, as it just seems to go on forever and ever, having you wonder where the heck the fireroad is. I've never actually made it completely through without bailing out at a section within view of a road.

I'll let you know when I'm planning on getting out there. Possibly within the next two weeks barring lots of rain... which unfortunately looks like might be in the offing based on the current radar.

[bdee]

Glad you posted this - I've been mulling a 50 miler plus 'cross bike excursion out there. Providence to Rocky Woods the long way, ride ~ 10 miles of trail then back home the shorter way. Sounds like it may be ill advised. When I used to ride there ('99 - 2000) we went in behind Curly's Pub. I was planning on riding in off of Rocky Woods rd on the 'cross bike. Again, sounds like a real pita now...

[LauraSMilford]

Excellent. Let me know. Maybe we should pack shears!!!

I have a bud who is recovering from a wrist break who is
looking forward to a comeback ride in the next couple weeks.
Let's try to find a mutually good date. He too has done the
fun ride part and is looking forward to exploring the other side.

Thanks,
Laura

[Mr_Cheeze]

Glad you posted this - I've been mulling a 50 miler plus 'cross bike excursion out there. Providence to Rocky Woods the long way, ride ~ 10 miles of trail then back home the shorter way. Sounds like it may be ill advised. When I used to ride there ('99 - 2000) we went in behind Curly's Pub. I was planning on riding in off of Rocky Woods rd on the 'cross bike. Again, sounds like a real pita now...

You can still go in behind Curly's (although, not sure if it's kosher to park there right now with the joint closed down after a big fire last year). That section of trail is still in decent condition aside from the overgrowth. I can't imagine going in there with a cyclocross bike with the heavy brush.


Laura, I am up for checking out the "other side" of Rocky Woods Rd. I think there are less briars on that side but some more difficult terrain in areas. I know of a decent route that I like to take starting at about the middle of the fireroad. Maybe about a 90 minute or so ride with an option to do the shorter section mentioned earlier.

It's raining heavily as I type this, so I'm figuring that this weekend might be a wash. But I may head out there on Thanksgiving morning (interested parties e-mail me) and perhaps again come the following weekend. I'll post here on conditions and such.

[dabedob]

Yea, I'd be interested in going around Thanksgiving. Keep us posted on the trail conditions. Thanks

[LauraSMilford]

Great. I know I have the 4 days from Thanksgiving and the weekend off.
If you are available any of those days let me know. I work every 6th
weekend or so and this one is my on one. So, I should be good to go
for a while.

We will post the conditions once we see what the trails looks like.

[tclucke]

I went there last weekend and we got lost. Be prepared to get wacked by branches and there are a lot of downed trees. stopped 20 times to get sticks out of my derailer. I wish we knew what trails where good. Good Luck

[LauraSMilford]

GM Mr. Cheeze,
By the way what is your real name? I can do a pre Turkey dinner
ride @ Rocky Woods. Weather permitting.
Let me know where you want to meet. If you think Travis Cylce
is good in order to find the same starting point off N. Walker I would
be good with that.
TTYL
Laura

[Mr_Cheeze]

It was so nice out this morning I decided to check out a trail that I used to ride often. It's on the right side of Rocky Woods and is the one to which I referred earlier.

Unfortunately, I hate to disappoint, but tclucke is not only correct in his assessment, he has understated how bad it is out there. I used to be able to ride this trail in about an hour. There are so many downed trees and branches that I have to come to the conclusion that it's been a long time since anyone has ridden it on a regular basis. There's no way that many trees and such have downed in only the last month. I counted 14 trees that I had to carry my bike over. Trees that were long dead and untouched. Too many branches to count. I started out clearing what I could, but after a while realized I was fighting against the tide. Since I didn't care to be out there for 4 hours, I ended up just riding over what I could. Eventually I spied the double-wide trail from which I accessed the singletrack and cut through the woods to bail. There was probably another 15 to 20 minutes of trail left at that point and I have no idea how many more trees would have blocked my way.

I'm sad, for this used to be my favorite trail there. It is now several work parties away from restoration. Some of those trees are quite a long distance to hike to with a chainsaw. Suffice it to say that I don't think I care to ride there on Thanksgiving. Maybe I'll just head over to Freetown, weather permitting. Anyone interested?

[LauraSMilford]

Sounds like some long overdue trailcare efforts need to be made there.
It would be great see Freetown, been a while since I visited.
I am not a speedster but hae good endurance. How far do you think
you'll ride? Time to put on the new tires. I need any advantage getting
through the rock gardens.

What time?

[Mr_Cheeze]

Not sure about how far. Freetown is typically slow going due to those rock gardens you mentioned. It depends on which trail we would ride. I have one in mind, but I think it's a rather long section. If I were to guess, maybe hour and a half to two hours. I visit the pace rather infrequently, too, so I'm not entirely sure how long each section is. The last one I rode there took about an hour from end to end (not including fireroad to get there). It was a tough trail.

I'm thinking about 8:30 to 9:00, somewhere in that neighborhood. I could be coaxed into 8:00 if need be.

Again, rain, even the night before, will definitely cancel. I'm not a fan of wet leaves.

[LauraSMilford]

If the weather holds I am in. The forecast is for possible
showers. We will have to call it as we get closer.
830 arrive and get started by 900 is ok with me.
8 feels too much like work!

[Mr_Cheeze]

I just realized that this map is available right on the SEMass Nemba site.
http://www.semassnemba.org/rockywoods.htm



http://www.semassnemba.org/images/rocky_woods_map.jpg

[LauraSMilford]

Cool. The one from Travis Cycle is a bit more detailed. I have
a black an white version I can give you if the rain holds out
for Thanksgiving AM.