Middlesex trails

[mtbnick]

whats the deal with the middlesex trails. after hearing that its a great place to ride i went and there seems to be a no trespassing sign every 50 feet. is it cool to ride the trails or are there some trails in the area that don't have signs?

[joe]

*oops* :-X

Just pretend I was never here

I removed the old message to cut down on any confusion I might have caused.

[mtbnick]

thanks for the info but i was referring to the trails around middlesex community college in middletown. the trails in the area are suppossed to be really good but i am not looking to cause any trouble and ride on trails that are restricted to mountain biking

[Zog]

This IS the Conn. forum. Middlesex Fells is in Mass.

The Middlesex trails (in CT) traverse some reservoir property and some Power Co. (CL&P) . I don't recall seeing any no trespassing signs(but I don't look for trouble either!)
I've ridden there alot and have never seen any type of authority, rangers, guards, etc. I wouldn't worry about .

Yesterday I rode Peoples Forrest and was hasseled by a hiker claiming no bikes so I'm trying to find out more about there.

http://www.bikerag.com/images/MAPS/ct-peoples_map.htm

[I Are Baboon]

I don't recall seeing any signs posted around Middlesex. Once you get up into the trails, there seems to be pretty much no limit on trail access. I can understand if there are signs posted around the perimeter of the area, seeing how there are residential neighborhoods there, but I don't recall seeing any signs posted once you get into the woods.

BTW, awesome place to ride!!

[turch]

The Middlesex area is a conglomeration of properties owned by CL&P (most of the land), state of CT (several tracts are associated with Cockaponset S.F.), and Connecticut Valley Hospital. BTW, some folks call this area the Maronas. There are posted areas at the northern end on CVH properties and there is also a possibility of signage elsewhere in residential areas. Other than that, the trails are open for multi-use, including the blue-blazed trail, across CL&P lands (this per the CL&P land access manager).

[I Are Baboon]

I hear there are rumors that Middlesex may get plowed under to build houses.....

[Big Game]

When I was out there last fall, a friendly enough woman from the "Save Maromas" group approached me and said that Middletown wanted to build a sewage treatment center on a portion of the land and she wanted me to join her group's effort in stopping such development. I'm not sure what happened (I really didn't get involved...I generally think treating sewage is a good idea and I doubt the proposed treatment center would have any impact on areas open to the public).

I also know that at one time, the area was earmarked for a industrial park. Again, I know nothing about that effort either.

[I Are Baboon]

Middletown already has that wonderfully-smelling sewage treatment plant near route 9. You know the one you see if you are coming from Cromwell/Newington.

Well, I guess you can't have enough places to treat people's sh*t.

[turch]

The potential development site is not too close to the known riding spots. As I understand things it is no the southeast side of the land mass nearer to the Pratt factory.

[Thedewser]

Just be careful when riding in there. Some of the trails cross through some private land and the trails are not well marked. We rode there on the last Newington Ride and almost got shot at. Some guys were target shooting and luckily a couple of us were wearing bright colors. Supposedly it was private land and they shoot there every weekend with the owner. I would be careful though. They had a bit more than beer with them along with the extra large party favors.