Bigelow conditions?

[SingleTrack]

Anyone been over to Bigelow lately? Was thinking of heading over there soon, and figured I should see who's been out there, and what kind of shape everything is in. Don't expect any issues, but you never know....

[Jisch]

I am riding there this afternoon (I think). I'll report back after my ride. From years past I know that its not a great place to ride after rain, but we've been relatively dry for a while here. There are definitely wet spots, but easily walked around/through. I saw MTBRacerX (?)over on MTBR rode there a few weeks ago, he said conditions were good, but I think he rode pre-thaw.

John

[SingleTrack]

Great. Thanks Jisch!

[woodsguy]

I am riding there this afternoon (I think). I'll report back after my ride. From years past I know that its not a great place to ride after rain, but we've been relatively dry for a while here. There are definitely wet spots, but easily walked around/through. I saw MTBRacerX (?)over on MTBR rode there a few weeks ago, he said conditions were good, but I think he rode pre-thaw.

John

When are you riding? I might join you.

[Jisch]

I'm starting at 3:15 or so - It would be great to have someone to ride with! I can be a bit flexible with the start time if you need to start later - probably can't get there much earlier.

I'm starting from the Bigelow Pond parking area (I think that's what's its called) - its the last pull off on the left before you get to where the water pump is - the second picnic table icon on the official DEP map (http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/stateparks/maps/big_nipm.pdf). I'll be in a silver Honda Odyssey mini-van and riding a gray RM Switch.

The plan would be to ride white, around Breakneck, then take blue/white around the other side of the pond, then figure out what do from there, maybe hit up some of the Mashapaug side stuff depending on how many oats I'm feeling.

John

[Jisch]

I may have a problem here - gotta love teenagers. Please check here or call my cell (860 808 6221) before heading out to meet me as I may be cancelling this ride. Will know for sure in the next hour or so.

[woodsguy]

Well I would need to know soon since it takes me about 45 min to get there. I'm not sure the route based on your description. Is it counter clockwise around Breakneck Pond? How long will that take? I'm thinking two hours is all I should do today since I am supposed to be working.

[Jisch]

yes, counter clockwise around Breakneck, that lap around the pond takes about 2 hours if you don't stop much.

I guess I'm going to have to call this one off, if I can go I'll have to go solo - it will be a game day (minute) decision - sorry about that. I will be heading out there often this summer for after work rides, I will post when I do.

[woodsguy]

Cool, how about this weekend? Saturday 1am?

[strangeland2]

1 AM? Bring lights? lol

[woodsguy]

oops, :) I was going back and fourth between 10am and 1pm. 1pm

[Jisch]

Its possible, I'll post up later on in the week.

John

[Jisch]

Can you guys do 2:00 instead of 1:00 Saturday?

[woodsguy]

Sounds good.

[Jisch]

I'm 90% right now, I'll confirm later in the week.

[Jisch]

Ok, this ride is confirmed. 2:00 from the fisherman's lot (first lot on the left).

John

[woodsguy]

I'm an idoit. I just remembered I am on helping out with the Big River Cleanup tomorrow morning. Can we push it back a bit to 2:30 or 3pm?

[Slider]

I am in. Jisch and I could start regular time and loop back to meet you at the lot at 2:30 or 3. Or delay the start. I'll leave that to Jisch.

Gotta ask your expected pace. I can do 3.5 hours, but the last 30 mins is a lot slower. Climbs, and there are a lot of them at Bigelow, are, well, leisurely. OK with you?

Slider

[woodsguy]

Sounds good. Its still a bit early in the season for me but I think I can keep a pretty good pace for 3.5 hours. If not I can always bail early.

I decided not to do the Big River cleanup. It's too much driving and I might be too exhausted to ride afterwards.

See you guys at 2pm.

[strangeland2]

I ll be looking forward to the last 30 minutes when you guys slow down.

[Jisch]

Its race pace, start to finish.

:D

Looking forward to it!
John

[woodsguy]

Then you better give us a huge head start!

[strangeland2]

I ll bring a tow strap and tie off to jisch

[Jisch]

Trust me, I can't ride race pace anywhere, especially not on my 36lb monster of a bike
.

No one rides race pace at Bigelow (well there is this one guy I saw one time).

John

[strangeland2]

Well that killed me pretty good.

[woodsguy]

Yes, I am very tired now. I think a ride like this might have been a bit too early in the season for me.

[Slider]

What don't kill ya makes ya stronger. I must be a lot stronger than I was at 2PM.

Nice to meet you all.

Slider

[strangeland2]

Back at ya Slider... the feeling of puking is slowly subsiding.

[Jisch]

Yeah! That was a great ride. Thanks to everyone who came out! That was a really nice crew - we kept up a nice pace throughout. I guess I'm satisfied despite the fact that we 'only' did the rock run, not the full pull on the Mash side :-)

I had one of the best rides I've ever had at Bigelow - I think I counted 3 or 4 "firsts" for me. Awesome, just awesome. I'll get some pics up tomorrow after the horse show :-(

John