'14 NE thread

**strawjack** · 08-05-2014, 09:43 AM

Not sure if I've cleaned that climb you're talking about or not.

After the berm exit it is the first line back up the hill on your right. Where did you get the dirt to build that berm? That is nice btw, thanks for building that! The whole area needs more of that going on.

Bummer to hear about the clear cuts. Are people building new trail with the open space? Felt like a few sections could be made super fun with a few bermish features into the contours of the hills.

I didn't see any evidence of new trails being built, but I'm not sure if they're done cutting yet. To your point, it did open up a lot of terrain that could be made more fun. It's a little taste of western riding! One section has a natural half pipe / gully that could be really flowy and fun.

**WaistDeepGroomers** · 08-05-2014, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by strawjack

After the berm exit it is the first line back up the hill on your right. Where did you get the dirt to build that berm? That is nice btw, thanks for building that! The whole area needs more of that going on.

I didn't see any evidence of new trails being built, but I'm not sure if they're done cutting yet. To your point, it did open up a lot of terrain that could be made more fun. It's a little taste of western riding! One section has a natural half pipe / gully that could be really flowy and fun.

Got lucky because I was able to pull a ton of rocks out of the dry creekbed to the rider's right as you're going downhill on that trail without disturbing the look of the zone at all, and there was one giant overturned stump that had a ton of awesome dirt underneath it. Stole a bunch of rugged bags my GF got that hold rocks as anchors for paddleboard yoga classes and filled them with dirt and hiked 'em down the hill from maybe 200 feet above the berm? Convinced my brother to come out and help and we built it in two session. Wasn't the most unbelievable thing at the time; kinda felt like you had to drift out of your line to get into it and it wasn't something that you really felt you were in a pocket when you were riding, but hope it's been ridden in more since. Built a far shittier berm up the hill where the two trails intersect with softer dirt and logs, but I doubt that's still there any more.

SH definitely has some western-style flow in it which is why I loved riding there so much; splitting time between there and Fort Rock and you got two completely different rides. Just loved the high speed and little tastes of "flow"... think I even know which gully you're talking about, I wanna say it's off that USA Today trail? Or there were some sections when after USA Today, you crossed the road, climbed, and you could hitch a right, and there was some fun grade reversals to pump through. Definitely some fun natural flow through there and the owner of the land is totally down to have people doing work on it, would for sure have kept building more features if I was still around...

**east or bust** · 08-05-2014, 08:44 PM

^Depending how long ago your last visit to SH was I think you'd be impressed with the newer stuff.

**Mr brownstone** · 08-05-2014, 09:36 PM

Stratham alps is a lil gem. They are re-working the clear cut areas with new trail ans supposedly have approval for another 400 acres across winnicut road for an additional 8 miles of trail with an easement trail from the alps to get you there.

**robrox** · 08-06-2014, 06:22 AM

It's not exactly NE, but I saw an in-race descent vid from Mt Ste Anne last night. Amazing run!

JollyJ posted it on facebook. If I find it during lunch I'll add the link to the YouTube

**Anospa** · 08-06-2014, 06:45 AM

This what you saw?

Headed to Windham this weekend to watch it in person, pretty excited!

**robrox** · 08-06-2014, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by Anospa

This what you saw?

Headed to Windham this weekend to watch it in person, pretty excited!

Thanks! Yes, that's the one.

**Mr brownstone** · 08-06-2014, 08:15 AM

Holy f'n shit that vid is sick! Worst part about watching it is having to rush off to work instead of hopping on my bike.....

**strawjack** · 08-06-2014, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Ryan Dunfee

Got lucky because I was able to pull a ton of rocks out of the dry creekbed to the rider's right as you're going downhill on that trail without disturbing the look of the zone at all, and there was one giant overturned stump that had a ton of awesome dirt underneath it. Stole a bunch of rugged bags my GF got that hold rocks as anchors for paddleboard yoga classes and filled them with dirt and hiked 'em down the hill from maybe 200 feet above the berm? Convinced my brother to come out and help and we built it in two session. Wasn't the most unbelievable thing at the time; kinda felt like you had to drift out of your line to get into it and it wasn't something that you really felt you were in a pocket when you were riding, but hope it's been ridden in more since. Built a far shittier berm up the hill where the two trails intersect with softer dirt and logs, but I doubt that's still there any more.

SH definitely has some western-style flow in it which is why I loved riding there so much; splitting time between there and Fort Rock and you got two completely different rides. Just loved the high speed and little tastes of "flow"... think I even know which gully you're talking about, I wanna say it's off that USA Today trail? Or there were some sections when after USA Today, you crossed the road, climbed, and you could hitch a right, and there was some fun grade reversals to pump through. Definitely some fun natural flow through there and the owner of the land is totally down to have people doing work on it, would for sure have kept building more features if I was still around...

Nice! I agree totally with the two different feels between fort rock and SH. We also have a brand new (still under construction actually) of super techy stuff. It's comparable to Fort Rock, but different. A lot of man made super techy stuff for a short distance then on to the next one. Bouldering vs rock climbing if you will.

That is the exact gully we were looking at. It is now clear cut, but a mess. Although it wouldn't take too long to clean a really nice flowy line thru it. The hard(er) part is actually making a good flowy line without cleaning multiple times to get it right!

Originally Posted by Anospa

This what you saw?

Headed to Windham this weekend to watch it in person, pretty excited!

I missed it...private now

**chatton18** · 08-06-2014, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Anospa

Headed to Windham this weekend to watch it in person, pretty excited!

1. The ratboy vid is nasty. Pros are stupid fast and that MSA course was super gnarly. I'm not really digging windham based on what i've seen so far. Few big jumps but otherwise nothing too scary from the bits I've seen...not that I would finish anywhere close to these guys, but I think every WC course needs a few long rocky sections that are just brutal.

Anospa - I might be there too, wish they let the rest of the common folk ride the mtn that day, would be a no brainer then, but i need to decide if im going to ride or watch.

Anyways, here's a couple screen grabs from sunday.

**robrox** · 08-06-2014, 12:01 PM

Sorry to say the ratboy go pro vid went private

**chatton18** · 08-07-2014, 12:17 PM

Good read on the history/making of highland with some pics from years past

http://www.worldbikeparks.com/blog/e...ke-park-heaven

**scrublover** · 08-14-2014, 12:23 AM

Mini-trip!

8/19 STAB trails, 8/21 Highland 8/20 to be determined. Another day at one of those spots, or something else? Anything noteworthy of checking out or riding between the two spots?
Will have 5" pedaly and 7" heavy bikes along, camping.

Found and will peruse this, but if anyone has particularly good suggestions (local grub as well) I'm all ears. emptybeer isn't netting me much.
https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid...25167,3.556824

**awf170** · 08-14-2014, 03:44 AM

I can give you a Boston lot tour on the 20th. The nice thing about Boston lot is that it will add no driving between stab and highland.

**PearlJam09** · 08-15-2014, 09:54 AM

Can anyone comment on what Mt Snows mtb scene is like. I realize it's smaller than highland, kmart, and creek, but is it enough to be enjoyable for a day of downhilling without feeling like you're riding the same thing over and over?

**jaredstrauss** · 08-15-2014, 02:45 PM

I've been road riding for a few years and looking to give mountain biking a try. What do you guys think of a full suspension specialized stump jumper for trails around Boston?

**robrox** · 08-16-2014, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by jaredstrauss

I've been road riding for a few years and looking to give mountain biking a try. What do you guys think of a full suspension specialized stump jumper for trails around Boston?

The SjFS will be fine. Good ride, almost went with it, but I got a great deal on a new Hi-Fi DLX and went that way. We see a lot of the Sjs in the Fells, out at Great Brook Farm up in Ipswich, etc.

**robrox** · 08-17-2014, 06:00 AM

Back from being in off-line:
It was a sailing holiday, a week of vacation aboard the Isaac H. Evans. There were little stories playing out on board, most of them good to be in. Some of us said "Arrrrh" and one person said "ni". Some dry land was involved but mostly we were aboard.

For most of the passengers it was full slacking. Not so for Mrs RR and YHS; we, a few other adults and all three boys (7,10 and 12) hauled halyards, sheets and anchor as well as most of the dish diving. I have been home for about 15 hours and the floor still won't stay still.
Pix:

**cat in january** · 08-17-2014, 06:23 AM

I don't stumble in to this thread too often, but those are some nice photos Rob from my neck of the woods. Looks like you had a great time.

**gravitylover** · 08-17-2014, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by PearlJam09

Can anyone comment on what Mt Snows mtb scene is like. I realize it's smaller than highland, kmart, and creek, but is it enough to be enjoyable for a day of downhilling without feeling like you're riding the same thing over and over?

Anything is good for a day. I haven't been there but there's been some decent reviews of the place over the last few years.

Hey, anyone up for a night ride tonight? Leo, Scrubby? 8:30 or so in Patterson.

**robrox** · 08-17-2014, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by cat in january

I don't stumble in to this thread too often, but those are some nice photos Rob from my neck of the woods. Looks like you had a great time.

True, it was great...but my legs went stale. Took a little road ride today. Took 30 minutes to wake up the legs.

**Tuckerman** · 08-18-2014, 12:05 PM

Shredding the gnar at the Kingdom Trails.

Guess what, people from Quebec are just as rude and obnoxious in the summer as they are in the winter.

**scrublover** · 08-18-2014, 06:14 PM

8/19 at STAB
8/20 at Pinnacle trails
8/21 at Highland

Buehler?

Goal: last/first/only time at Highland I was riding solo ,and took a pass on the Reef drop, and cased the shit out of a big wooden ramp/step up on the NE style "B" line. Gotta' get them this time.