What’s happening?

The Saco Ranger District of the WMNF has released a scoping document regarding incorporation of the existing trail network located in the Moat Mountains area into the Forest Service’s system of trails. The document can be downloaded at this link. Monday 10/5 was the final day for written comments, but don’t worry, there will be another comment period once a proposed action has been decided.

Most of the existing network is recommended to be included, with a few trails not recommended. These include:

-          Bloody Arm Trail – located behind Cathedral Ledge and links to Lucy Brook/North Moat Mountain Trail.

-          Cathedral Connector – a short, steep woods road that parallels Lucy Brook from Cathedral Ledge Road and bypasses Diana’s Baths.

-          Thompson Falls Trail – recommended to be closed to bikes but open for hiking

-          Switchback Hill – a seldom used skidder path that runs from the mineral site to Fire Road #379/High Street.

The Forest Service has put in a lot of time on this project and the proposal is very favorable toward mountain biking. In connection with this project, NEMBA recently signed an access agreement with Bob Carleton, the developer of Hales Location, to allow continued use of the Lower Stony Ridge Trail which crosses his land. We have also made contact with two other private landowners who have key pieces of trail on their lands, and hope to sign similar agreements with them

 It is critically important that we provide input to the Forest Service on this issue. Comments are already being received and as you might expect some are not in support of this proposal.

Please read the scoping document and provide comments. We will be having a meeting near the end of September to discuss the project and formulate the chapter’s position. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions.

Our 9th annual Trailbuilding Weekend was held August 1st & 2nd, based again this year out of Echo Lake State Park. We had a reasonable turnout and focused on trail maintenance on the Red Tail Trail. A good bit of work was done to help this very popular trail drain more effectively. Thanks to all who showed up to help.

Many thanks go to a guy who could not do trail work or attend any rides – Tony Tulip. Tony almost singlehandedly put on a superb barbeque and never sat down until everyone had eaten and drank their fill. Looking forward to riding with you soon, Tony!

Next year will be our 10th annual event and it would be great to put on a really big one. It’s not too early to start planning so please think about helping out.

May 17th was NEMBA’s pump track build day.  We had 18 people show up and carve out a very cool series of berms and rollers in about 3 hours. Chris Krug, Molly Savard, and Mike Elliott have since put in a pile of hours making the track top notch, please thank them if you see them! Check it out – the pump track is across the powerlines from the kiosk at the start of Sticks & Stones (Thompson Road trailhead). Take Artist Falls Road from Rt 16, turn right on Thompson Road and park at the dirt lot just before the powerlines. Kiosk is straight ahead on the doubletrack; pump track is off to the left on the other side of the powerline.

Here’s a link to an excellent instructional video. Click this and be prepared to improve your riding.

Upcoming events:

October 10 – Bike for Books, North Conway Public Library

 

 

NEMBA members are actively working on the Mt. Washington Valley bike path project. The goal is to construct a segregated multi-use path from Conway to Bartlett. Parts of the path already exist, some segments need formal approval, and others need to be created from scratch. We have received a grant from the New England Grassroots Environment Fund for presentation and community outreach materials. We plan to make positive progress on this project in 2009 and gain some momentum for approval of the more difficult sections.

Our mission is to advocate for mountain biking opportunities and create & maintain trails in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Our accomplishments are significant and speak for themselves. We rely on a group effort to get things done and to make our activities and events successful.

While you are out enjoying the local trails, keep in mind that a dedicated group of people spend much of their spare time caring for them. Your input and involvement is critical to our continued success; we can’t fulfill your needs unless we know what you want. Please join NEMBA today, your assistance will make a difference.

If you have any other suggestions to improve our trails, our communication, or our membership please let us know!