Great Brook: Wimpy as they say?

[fellsbiker]

How is Great Brook. I know a few people who ride there all the time. They say its pretty wimpy. They say its worse than Massebasic in Manchester NH. I ride the Fells, Lynn, Massebasic on occasion and Fort Rock when I'm lucky. So on that scale, what is Great Brook like?

[MTBME]

Comparing Great Brook to Massebesic is like comparing apples and oranges. Massebesic is tight twisty singletrack. Great Brook is rolling cross country trails with some technical sections thrown in. Wimpy? It all depends what you like and what your looking for. Great Brook has a little something for everybody.

[cgrimble]

Great Brook is a great place to ride in my opinion. Advanced riders may find it a little tame but for beginner and intermediate riders, I don't think it can be beat!! It's my favorite place to ride near Boston. NEMBA has put some fun twisty trails in (have you checked out Keyes Loop yet?) It has the added bonus of an ice cream stand for a great after ride treat!!!!

I ride the Fells, Lynn, Massebasic on occasion and Fort Rock when I'm lucky. So on that scale, what is Great Brook like?


You won't like it. Others that ride simillar double crown, full helmet, 911 on the speed dial type trails will also not like it.


For the rest of us its well marked, modereratly chalenging, and compact. You will also find its the best place to see all your NEMBA riding buddies, just show up in the parking lot and usually you can get a ride group together before you get the bike off the car rack.

[fellsbiker]

Any trail pics, videos, helmet cams etc?

[AA]

Great Brook cant offer any big drops, big climbs, or insane free ride terrain however there are a few interesting sections of trail. For the more challenging sections hit Blueberry hill, the fern loop, heartbreak ridge to tophet, the new keyes trail, beaver loop, and stone row (I recomend that order). Just basic new england singletrack. I dont think that the maps at GB have been updated for the new Keyes trail, it's off the pine point loop between beaver and heartbreak ridge.

While you are there admire all the projects that NEMBA has done and dont forget to have fun even if you think it's "wimpy"

AA

[EVIL BOTA]

Boring is a good word for g.b.. Try the Drauct ,Lowell s.f. if ur in that area. There is alot more for for the adventurous. Or maybe the powerlines in pelham N.H. If you need directions e-mail me at nanor1@attbi.com

[fellsbiker]

Well how is it compared to Massebasic? I've ridden there a bunch of times because its close to my cottage, and its is very boring, just one turn after another. I mean it beats riding on the street but if you're in manchester, its always worth the drive to head over to fort rock!

Well how is it compared to Massebasic? I've ridden there a bunch of times because its close to my cottage, and its is very boring, just one turn after another. I mean it beats riding on the street but if you're in manchester, its always worth the drive to head over to fort rock!


80% of my riding this year was at Ft. Rock. It remains well maintained and Nemba et al clearly does good work.

However, The group that maintains Massabesic (Fomba) does a fine job as well and don't go dissin it. It's a good spin and welcome alternative on some days. Not bad in the snow either. I know some solid riders that call the place home.

You should try Bear Brook or Pawtuckaway next time you are at your cottage. It has some technical sections like Ft. Rock but also some climbs that are not too prevalent at Ft. Rock.

I didn't answer your question about Great Brook... too bad.

I once rode at the Fells but would take any of the above places over it anyday...more access and no tacks on the trail.

[fellsbiker]

Well if you're comparing the MTB loop to those other places, then yeah the Fells will lose every time, buuuuuuttttt.....


Also i've never come across these infamous tacks and stuff.
But hey I could bring you on a ride you'd be talking about for months.

[AA]

Duhh!

Fellsbiker, I think you should go to all the areas around Boston that have access issues and ride all the illegal trails then post how cool it is on your web site. All you are doing is feeding the anti-mtb people ammo.

If you want to ride the illegal stuff that is you decision but dont promote it, I think that it is just plain irresponsible. Your the same guy that just a few posts ago didnt think that Lynn was any good..........

Also i've never come across these infamous tacks and stuff.


I have never met anyone who has...propaganda perhaps?

Anyway, next time your in Manchester if you don't have time to get to Ft. Rock you should check out Pawtuckay...it is closer and a decent technical XC ride....

can't beat the rock though..

[fellsbiker]

I didn't say lynn wasn't any good, it just doesn't live up to its hype, it doesn't impress me very much.

And as far as illegal riding, how much more obscure can I be? I never said ANYTHING about illegal riding. Besides wloc is just firing blanks anyway. They post articles on how bicycle seats are bad for your scrotum!!!


Well if you're comparing the MTB loop to those other places, then yeah the Fells will lose every time, buuuuuuttttt.....


Also i've never come across these infamous tacks and stuff.
But hey I could bring you on a ride you'd be talking about for months.

[EVIL BOTA]

Masabesic is alot better than g.b.. I like masabesic. At least you can bomb around and have it somewhat challenging.. great brook is great if ur a beginer.Not so great if ur inter or adv. I will have to try fells .how does it compare to vietnam or lynn woods?

[fellsbiker]

OK let me try and answer that one real politically correct.
Nearly all of the good single track in the fells is closed. But if you were to compare the whole woods, including the closed sections of trail, I would like the fells alot better. Lynn's big thing is that its all about huge boulder with big drops and the like. These things exist in the fells but not nearly to the degree that they do in Lynn, unless you are on the east side, its gets pretty rocky over there. The texture of the land on the much more popular west side of the fells is totally different than the east side/than lynn woods. Its more of a forest, more dirt, fewer rocks. Not just fewer giant boulders but fewer trails that consist of loose gravely type of rock. But still every bit as technical.

That would be my opinion if all of the Fells were open to bikes. But since it is not, I guess I have no opinion?

Oh I left out Vietnam, never been there. I was kidna planing on going there recently, but it got damn cold damn fast. Maybe ill check it out next June ;D

[EVIL BOTA]

I rode vietnam for the first time sunday. So farr its the best place I have ever ridden. It has a bit of everyting for all . Sounds to me like they took all the fun out of the fells. Why SO THE HIKERS AND WALKERS CAN HAVE THEM? I hate that crap we all have a right to the woods and the damm tree huggers screw it up for everyone except them selves. Sorry lost track for a moment.lol .Like I said fells try Dracut.Lowell s.f. . If ur gonna come up this way might as well go there instead of g.b...

[fellsbiker]

I have too many other save the fells threads, i won't get deep into it now. But i'm not going riding in great brook. I ride with this lady once in a while, and GB is her home woods. And she has a problem, she's afraid of EVERYTHING. Me and everyone else she rides with keep trying to push her, she has the ability she just chickens out and never goes down, or up or over the obstacles. I'm wondering if the fear is in her blood or if the reason she's afraid of everything is because her home woods is great brook and mine is the fells. I want to ride there once just to see what the deal really is with the place, but thats what this thread is really supposed to be all about.

[AA]

Getting back to the topic.........

Sounds to me like you should skip Great Brook, go to Vietnam it will be more your speed. BTW leave your timid friend at home.

AA

[EVIL BOTA]

Getting back to the topic.........

Sounds to me like you should skip Great Brook, go to Vietnam it will be more your speed. BTW leave your timid friend at home.

AA


Ya what he said..lol

I wonder,

Do you think that by convincing yourself , or others , that you know where the "best" trails are and diparaging all others that dont suit your taste that it makes you better then everyone else?

It's all vanity.

If you could ride anyplace and find joy in even the simplest trail. Help your timid friend over her fears, or support her and ride with her at her level just to be together. That would be something to boast about. First though you would have to abandon your low self esteem, accept yourself and others for who they are, and stop judging people.

Ride your bike where you like, and let others do the same.

[fellsbiker]

I wonder,

Do you think that by convincing yourself , or others , that you know where the "best" trails are and diparaging all others that dont suit your taste that it makes you better then everyone else?

It's all vanity.

If you could ride anyplace and find joy in even the simplest trail. Help your timid friend over her fears, or support her and ride with her at her level just to be together. That would be something to boast about. First though you would have to abandon your low self esteem, accept yourself and others for who they are, and stop judging people.

Ride your bike where you like, and let others do the same.





AGAIN, the purpose of this post was to try and find out of Great Brook is the cuase of her "timid" style. I was not the one who suggested leaving her behind. Nor do I ever say "this place is the best" without adding that that is out of the places I ride. MmmmmmmKay

Allright, its ok with me. Did you really need my approval or was that Mmmmmkay a retorical question. Are you trying to justify your opinion with me or yourself?

Did you really leave her behind, you know you didnt mention that in your first post?

At any rate, your responce supports my original opinion.

vanity

[EVIL BOTA]

Bill As I don't agree with ur statement . I do agree that G.B. would be a great place for his girl friend to ride. There is nothing scary there. It would be good for her. As for the other thing.Well I can have fun anywhere ,But I perfer to go to more challenging places .For the simple reason .I would like to improve my riding ,and riding a G.B. will not do that.Has nothing to do with ego or vanity..

51

[fellsbiker]

MmmmmmKay is a South Park reference you obviously didn't get. And what are you talking about leaving her behind? The title of this thread says it all. I've never been there, just wanted to know if its as wimpy as they tell me, they being people that do ride there. I am also lost as to how this is all about vanity?

This all made sense at 1 am. I apologize if i went of the thread. My wondering and the question that followed were intended to stimulate an inward glance by those who read them.

I admit i am pleased i made you look

if i may, One further comment to tie this thread back together. The word wimpy is used mostly as a put down. To use it to describe an activity (riding at Great Brook) that many people enjoy, degrades the accomplishments of those people. I've been on too many rides where people are apologizing for there lack of speed or skills. Why do they have to feel that way. Or be made to feel like they are less then anyone else.

Perhaps none of this belongs anywhere on this site, i don't know. I do belive that its in the sports best interest on the whole to accept everyone at every level.

thats it, screw you guys, i'm goin home

[EVIL BOTA]

LMAO @ Bill

[T Grimble]

Everything is a matter of taste. Great Brook Farm has a fair amount of singletrack. Some of it is tight and twisty and some of it is more open and rolling. The most technical trail is Stone Row but most of the singletrack is narrow with lots of roots and a fair amount of rock poking through the surface. There is also some wider paths that link the singletrack together that are pretty mellow for more novice riders but the more experienced will spend most of their time on the tight stuff. The park is not real big but if you try hard you can get 15 miles in without doubling back on yourself too much. The best thing about Great Brook is the relationship we have with the land manager. Most of the singletrack is new and most of it is NEMBA built. People who like the kind of riding I describe will most likely have a good time.

On the other hand some people are drawn to controversy. I don't know much about psychology so I can't comment on whether this is vanity or some form of insecurity but some people seem to have a need to seek out controversy and advertise it. For people who are into this kind of thing, don't bother coming to Great Brook. It is not your kind of place. Just normal people who get along with other normal people there.

[elvis1]

BAH !

Someone explain to me how riding a mountain bike on singletrack became "boring".

These kids today. I totally don't get it.

Gee Tom, it thought we got along alright. This is tragic news to be sure. Here i was planning to head out and help build boardwalks and go on a group ride Saturday, but now(sniff) i guess i'll just sit here by myself. :'( i really really liked it there( quietly sobbing) and i was makin friends i thought.

I'm sorry, (WAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA), i have to go now

[fellsbiker]

MmmmmmmmKay