Mountain Bike Trail Access and Avoiding Seasonal Blahs

By
John Atkinson
Posted November 1st, 2005

November is often the most challenging period of the year for outdoor enthusiasts.  Trail work and glade maintenance are two excellent choices for staying in touch with the outdoors during this trying time.
Evolution of the Revolution
In September’s Vermont Sports, I mentioned that a certain state agency had come to an agreement with the Vermont Mountain Bike Association (VMBA) for the management of trails on state land. This huge news was shared a bit prematurely, as Vermont Forests, Parks and Recreation(VT-FPR) has not yet officially signed the agreement, although it appeared that Commissioner Wood would be imminently inking the dotted line back at press-time in August.
However, VT-FPR is still on the threshold of signing cooperative agreements with the Mad River Riders and the Stowe Mountain Bike Club, both VMBA chapters, for the approval and legitimization of trail networks in the Howe Block of Camel’s Hump State Forest in Waitsfield and the Perry Hill section of CC Putnam State Forest in Waterbury. The official agreements are in the final stages of being tweaked by the lawyers and the photo ops are still to come, but Commissioner Wood of VT-FPR has only to sign the properly worded documents at this point.
The Howe Block, bordered by Tucker and Dana Hill Roads, has about ten miles of trails and is closely linked to a broader set of paths and Class Four roads that cover the area bounded by Route 100, Route 17, German Flats Road and the Sugarbush Access Rd. The Howe Block is known for its big views at the top of Dana and Tucker Hill, and a mix of moderate to very technical trails. The Cyclone, a classic Valley test-piece, was logged this summer, but quick clean-up work by both VT-FPR and the Mad River Riders have basically reopened the line. More refinement is still needed, but by the middle of next summer it should be back in shape. The Clinic, GS and Enchanted Forest trails are still in great condition. Quietly appropriate signage and possibly maps could be installed throughout the network for next season.
CC Putnam State Forest has a few more miles than the Howe Block and is defined by Route 89, Perry Hill Road and Stowe Street. Parking and the main trailhead are near the new ice rink beyond Depot Beverage.
The lower reaches of CC Putnam State Forest are one of the most well-traveled mountain biking areas outside of the Kingdom Trails or Catamount. Some of these paths are fairly mellow, like Campfire and some of the lower piney woods loops, while others are extremely technical, like Joe’s, Rastaman and Burning Spear. Thousands of hours of work have been invested by the Stowe Mountain Bike Club to create and maintain the routes.
These networks are very popular with bikers and other non-motorized users and represent some of the most significant off-Long Trail opportunities available in Central and Northern Vermont. These agreements with VT-FPR and VMBA are also precedent setting, establishing a process for gaininig bike access to public land.
VT-FPR is also strongly considering making VMBA the designated corridor manager for all mountain biking trails on state land. This would put VMBA on a level with trail organizations like the Green Mountain Club and VAST, at least where VT-FPR is involved. This maturation of mountain biking and its corresponding acceptance at the state level has been a long process, although well worth the wait and effort.
The celebration may begin … quietly.
Stretching Seasons
The other day, as I was working out at the YMCA in Burlington, Jeff, a Stowe-ite who I regularly see at the gym, made this observation: “November is the toughest month for me. Everything is gray and brown, snow probably hasn’t come yet, the trails are hard to follow and it gets dark so early. My motivation to go outside and do something is at its lowest ebb. But this stick season, I am planning to do some trail maintenance in the Worcester Range to keep myself from going crazy.”
I had to agree that November is often the most challenging period of the year for outdoor enthusiasts. The other crossover month, April, almost never lacks for snow up high, and low-lying trails are frequently dry before the ides. By all measures, mud season isn’t even in the same league as stick season for lack of recreational opportunities. But, as Jeff exemplifies, this shouldn’t stop any of us from finding something to do to bridge the little gaps in weather. Trail work and glade maintenance are two excellent choices for staying in touch with the outdoors during this trying time.
Most people hang up the mountain bike by the start of hunting season or Halloween at the latest. Even hikers find it hard to stay enthused at this point. But there is something special about traveling invisible trails covered in six inches of leaf debris. Obstacles disappear in the thick carpet, a mixed blessing that can allow cushioned out-of-sight-out-of-mind line choices, but also features quick reprisals for straying into camouflaged rocks and logs.
However, without summer’s dense vegetation, the confining green tunnels open up, revealing broad views of terrain previously hidden by the verdant walls. The same old routes seem brand new in their nakedness, and the sharply angled sun of late fall illuminates the hills and forests in an edifying light.
When it does snow in November, clean grassy meadows high in the mountains become skiable very quickly, although the window of opportunity is often small, requiring consistent motivation to capture these fleeting floating moments. Occasionally, the tail end of autumn will deliver bigger dumps, thrusting the earn-your-turns/ kick-and-glide season into an early high gear.
Over time, I’ve learned that the calendar is merely a reference and should never be taken as an absolute. Some of my most memorable bike rides have been in November and December; the same could be said for ski days. The date means little when you’re knee-deep in fresh snow or pedaling super-traction frozen singletrack. The key is to keep your options open and all your gear ready to go, plus be willing to motivate despite low expectations. Stretching seasons is a great way to stay ahead of the blahs and on top of hard-gained summer fitness. See you at the trailhead.