New to PV - More Questions

[irishblue76]

So, I've already received a couple of very nice messages from TheHare & Gimpy00Wang (or something like that :D) and I will be sure to take you both up on your offers!!!!

But in general, are there regular rides that the PV NEMBA folks do? How do you organize the rides in this area? Do you all just know each-other and email around? Although I ride often, my physical ability & skills on the bike are still intermediate, at best so I would be looking for some non-expert group rides in the area.

I rode A LOT more than I thought I would last year - approx 4 or 5 days a week, on average and I KNOW I will be looking for lots of people to ride with. :burndev: I lived in Framingham last year & all my riding buddies are BV folks... so I won't be able to drive out that way all the time.

I would also be intersted in joining up for some trail days...

I know, I know, a lot questions, but I am hoping to get more involved in every aspect of the sport this year.

THANKS EVERYONE! IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK IN THE PV!

[knwyman]

I'd say it's pretty loose and a bit fractalized or something like that. There are quite a few really good spots to ride and it seems people kind of "localize" their favorite spots. I live about 5 minutes from Robinson but ride there very infrequently (but with this new rigid SS, I'll be there more often I'd wager) as I love B-street and Earl's. I see the same faces in the parking lots or on the trails usually. But if I went to Wendell, Granvile, Case or Snip I'd expect to bump into a different crew.

That said, check here and the MTBR forums. I ride with Gimpy00wang a lot on the weekends maybe we'll start posting up some of our rides if people are interested. He can testify that I'm slow so don't worry about keeping up.

Red

[Gimpy00Wang]

There will definitely be a weekly group ride @ Robinson. Need to get the trails cleaned up and wait for the mud to dry up though. There was a weekly after work ride at Shenipsit last season -- which I'm sure will be back.

The larger weekend rides tend to bounce around, but there's usually one or two options.

- Chris

[irishblue76]

Cool. I heard Shenipsit was fun!

[Superbman]

Hey Irish Blue,

PV NEMBA will be running a number of group rides in the region this season.

One series of rides will focus on fairly challenging, longer distance slogs along the available trail through ways in the region (our 'epic ride series of last year).

But we're also going to host a number of morer social rides this year..and in general they will be posted here (nemba forums), mtbr Massachusetts Forums and in Single Tracks. They'll kick off near the end of June.

In addition to these chapter-wide rides, there are a couple of more localized weekly rides available. TheHare runs a weekly ride at Robinson once the season gets going and he also runs these pretty dynamite 'kids rides' that are worth checking out.

Two of our Sponsor Shops up in this end of the Pioneer Valley host weekly rides.

Bicycles Unlimited on High ST. in Greenfield, MA runs rides every wednesday during the summer and every tuesday and thursday during the fall.

Flye Cycles in Sunderland, MA also runs a weekly ride (call the shop to check).

Our other sponsor shops like New England Bike (formerly Gravity Warehouse) and Highland Bikeshop in Holyoke and Northampton Cycles in Northhampton might also run weekly rides,


Also, I'm told that there will be a SS specific ride on Mondays at Wendell SF starting later this Spring.

And Finally, there's me. I'd be happy to get together with you and ride and show you different areas (and different crews) in the PV. If you send me your email, I'll try to make sure any general rides I put out to the crew include your address as well.

Liam
ginaliam@mac.com

[irishblue76]

Also, I'm told that there will be a SS specific ride on Mondays at Wendell SF starting later this Spring.


Thanks for all the great info, Liam! I just have one question: What's the "SS" stand for???? I have a couple of ideas, but not totally sure.

Beth

[hammerhead]

Single Speed

[irishblue76]

Single Speed

TY! That was my guess, but I wanted to be sure!

[hammerhead]

Beth,

Last year Heather ran a women's ride a few times in Wendell - attendance was spotty thought. Check out the Bike-Unlimited schedule during the riding season as she will probably try again.

Harold

[Goldstar78i]

Once you're confident in technical abilities, I suggest doing the weekly New England Bike rides in Granville. Should be ready to go within a few weeks, and the shop rides should start late April. Granville is one of the best places I've ever ridden, PV or not.

[irishblue76]

I am pretty confident in my technical abilities... I guess I have a tendency to underestimate my skills to people I haven't ridden with before... I just don't want to end up on a ride with people blazing through trails unknown to me & then have them get frustrated if I am too slow for them.

But I LOVE technical spots.... Granville doesn't look too far away. Is there a state park I should be looking for?