Hubbard Bike Club

Aceman · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 83

I was talking to Pete Katapski last night (9-20) about some new stuff at Merli. We'll probably start looking around and marking in the next couple weeks. These trails were thought of by Scott, Laura, Jay 1-9, Pete K, Gene K, and Me. Here's what we're thinking of doing.

A) From the field to Blade- There's a section of woods to the right of the quad path that we might be able to turn into ST. We'd keep the trail to the field as it is, but turn in from the field 50 feet from where you come out to it. It would come out right at blade.
B) From the exit of Blade- Make a switchback turn to go up the old quad path for a couple hundred feet and make a right hand turn. This would eliminate the climb up the quad path that puts you out by the lake.
C) A new line to avoid the logging road between the Old and New trail sections- There's a fun DH section after the climb from the lake. Unfortunatley, it takes you to the logging road. We're going to make a Left turn that will avoid the last DH and ride along a cliff.
D) Eliminate the logging road decent at the end of the ride- I've searched around up there and found some fun lines I think we can incorperate.

If you have any input or sugestions, or would like to help build your next dream trail, let me know. ttyl, Aceman

John Mercuri · Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Moscow PA

All great ideas posted so far!
Additionally, I was surprised to learn that there is only about a 50 yard stretch of woods between the lower part of "my brother's" and the quad trail which links the end of blade to the lake. A simple connecting piece of trail there would open a lot of riding options.

Aceman · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 83

That was brought up Thursnight, but we wanted to keep the loops as just that. It leaves the Orange loop as the connector between all the others. What do you think?

John Mercuri · Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Moscow PA

I can appreciate the orderliness of keeping the loops distinct, but making this connection has an advantage:

Saturday, we were looking to do something a little different, so Rich G, Joe S., Larry and I rode backwards - Up the long logging hill road to porcupine ridge, did porcupine and the new twister backward (down the switchback field, nice) and then did blade backwards. We were still looking to ride more, and could have shot right through to the lower end of my brother's if there was a connection.Instead, we climbed the whole quad trail back to the lake and then to the horse barn to get to the trails on that side of the lake. A connection to my brother's would have taken us right there.

A connection there would also work to get riders over to the trails on the other side of the lake quickly. In other words, it gives more options.

On a different point - some switchbacks going up that logging road to porcupine ridge, as I think you are suggesting, would be great! That climb up the logging road was a dog.

ScottC · Joined: 10 Aug 2007 Posts: 57

We are ready to help with these projects. Sundays are better for us during the soccer season but Saturday afternoons will work to. We are planning on working the LSP trail work days on Sept 30 and Oct 21. Maybe we could schedule work days that do not conflict with the LSP dates.

John Mercuri · Joined: 11 Aug 2007 Posts: 31 Location: Moscow PA

Aren't we committed to start Moosic Mountain trails in November?

Aceman · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 83

I talked to Jenny 2 weeks ago when she was up the barn. We're waiting on getting the GPS layout of areas that we should avoid and other areas that should be highlighted. I'll get more info in the next week or so and see what I come up with. ttyl, Aceman

Aceman · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 83

There's another important section I forgot to mention. The section where the Orange meets Handlebar. The Orange needs to be re-routed down to the pond. Aceman

Shotgun Scott · Joined: 12 Aug 2008 Posts: 18 Location: Binghamton

So did that singletrack trail that goes from the field to Blade ever get built? That would be a nice way to avoid the mud bath on the doubletrack area.
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Aceman · Joined: 07 Sep 2007 Posts: 83

Scott, I marked it last June but needed the parks approval. The guy in charge of the County Parks and Recreation never came to approve it. I think I might pirate it in one of these days and not say a thing about it. ttyl, Aceman
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I'd like to thank everyone for thanking me for thanking them. Thanks, Aceman
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