EAST COAST ROLL CALL #8 14/15 A NEW HOPE

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

Pretty sure that fire happened quite a while ago. There were rumors that some group was trying to re-open Ascutney and then that fell apart. The town took over the property and vowed to make it accessible. Then the fire.

Not a biker but I have heard great things about the trails there. On my list to skin & ski this winter. Magicsnowboard did it a couple of years ago and had a good time.

[Vt-Freeheel]

That poor bear has a sore back.

The town of Ascutney did not take over the ski area, It was purchased at auction by the main lienholder who is looking to sell to the town.

Windsor raises money to transform Mt Ascutney

I hope this happens, with the private trails included this is the best area in the state to ride mtb, though the skiing is banana belt inconsistent.


Speaking of mtb, hope you are all getting out. Super tacky last night, only a half dozen mud holes to ride through or around, went on a 75 minute ride from the house > Tecky2>Cliffhanger>Race>Guyers>Jumanji>Sweadyballs >Home, 1800' of climbing with no stop, no dab [other than bouncing my left forearm of a tree over a cliff] working on that skintrack pace.

Adding some Beck

[gpcharles]

I wish nothing for the best for Ascutney, but I question the pledge of 300K of VHCB money. That's the equivalent of a lot of affordable housing to fund something that's questionably within the scope of their mission.

thanks for all the updates VFH.

[BigDaddy]

I'm not sure if that building is up to code.

I know a couple contractors...

[buttahflake]

i'm a huge fan of Jim Lyall, guy absolutely knows how to cut trail.
i love that part of VT, go Ascutney!
speaking of MTB's the VT State Championship is coming up at Putney on the 23rd.
new course this year, freaking awesome 9 mile loop, with some seriously long, fun singletrack descents.
$30 gets you a commemorative pint glass, filled with your choice of hard or regular cider, and a slice of apple pie a la mode
i'll be racing in the Cat 2 Fifty-Plus group, turned 50 in March, AARP motherfuckers!
timed laps are happening on Thursday's at 5:30
Putney just might be the coolest town in VT, love that place.
git sum

https://www.facebook.com/PutneyCiderhouseClassic

[MyNameIsAugustWest]

The town of Ascutney did not take over the ski area, It was purchased at auction by the main lienholder who is looking to sell to the town.

Windsor raises money to transform Mt Ascutney

Now I remember...here is a later article that verifies what you said...the town has a revocable license to make the MTB trails accessible.

[Vt-Freeheel]

I wish nothing for the best for Ascutney, but I question the pledge of 300K of VHCB money. That's the equivalent of a lot of affordable housing to fund something that's questionably within the scope of their mission.

thanks for all the updates VFH.

Now I remember...here is a later article that verifies what you said...the town has a revocable license to make the MTB trails accessible.

It has a been a tough time for Winsor due to the closing of Ascutney. As a result of the closing a lot of businesses have been hit hard as well as property values in Winsor as a whole. There are many properties for sale in the area at distressed prices and I would imagine a number of foreclosures, some from abandonment, of vacation properties. I think a possible reason for VHCB getting involved is this hit to the residents of the area and a desire to help them recover in the future. There is no industry in the area and it would seem large 2nd home horse properties are one of the main employers.
The loss of the resort is not comparable to when Magic was closed [as Stratton/Bromley were still close] but could be compared to what would have happened in the NEK if Burke had closed during one of its many failures.
I was first introduced to the MTB scene there in the mid 90's when Alan Moats invited us to several group rides and we kept going back. I thought of moving there in 99 but the Banana Belt snowfall was enough to offset the best inclusive group of MTB trail builders in the state, with 220+ inches of snow I would be BOA. The only problem with the Stab Trails is : too much climbing for the average rider. The middle ring flat rolly polly Kingdom Trails is what makes the tourists feel like heroes, STAB = earn your descents.

The goal is to bring back a local ski area, but some of the restrictions are pretty severe and might be a deal killer.

more info

[Vt-Freeheel]

Buttaflake, I hope you do well at the races, go AARP! I need to get down there for some riding and Curtis' BBQ.

Surface Whore the Driven One and I went south to ride Sunday and rode the smoothest old school trails we have been on since 2002. No fucking leaf blowers or excessive raking, just a great trail network that we could figure out if a trail was a climb or descent based on the leaf cover. Ran into a friendly local who had maps to share and an invite to group rides, no attitude about "do you do trailwork?" that has become the norm around here [unless you say you are visiting from out of state]. Spun like crazy feeling like the 90's were reborn, I'll be back.

Chilling at an intersection





The best part was the canopy once you got into the forest, hardly any ferns and long sight lines allowing fast middle ring cranking on smooth flowy trails [like the Kingdom in the 90's].

Tonight it was back [to the backyard trails] to "roots, rock and roll"



Still love these for a great workout[thanks MS]

Working in the shop the next few weeks so the smoker is going into heavy rotation. Yanked a good sized branch out of a maple tree damaged during the December dump and used it to smoke up these loin back ribs.



Gotta get some swine time in this summer. If you have not noticed the announcement in the Magic thread my fried and yours DoWork has a set a date of October 17-18 for ULLERFEST this year, punch your liver now and get ready for a good time.


Forgot to mention the Perseid Meteor shower this week, weather should cooperate. Should be a good year with a dark sky.

perseid

[buttahflake]

Thanks!
I've known Alan Moats for a long time. Dude is a stud! I've been at grateful dead shows with him. Skied with him this year, bump day at killington, late season. And rode the white mountain loop with him on the road bikes, back in May. Small world.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Alan was on the co-op board of directors at MRG when it started. Certainly a hammerhead and threw an awesome Solstice party at his house back in the day.

Also forgot to mention that on Sunday upon our return from riding we saw a parasailor that had smacked down in the dirt parking lot as you turn off the access road in front of the bush. Several people attending to him and he was conscious when the wagon picked him up. Someone saw his partner come in low just missing the treetops and landing in the new Ruperts parking lot.
Keeping my feet on the ground.

[robrox]

Vacation day yesterday. Whilst out birdwatching saw fresh sign of moose, deer and bear. Heard a few ruslings in the hobblebush. It being a windless mid-day I have to guess I was being avoided.

[From_the_NEK]

Biking tooks like fun. I was hanging out at a lake in Maine last week. Pretty good weather most of the time.

[ex-powderbroker]

Nice photos, dude!

In big news today, Stowe joins the Mountain Collective. Lucky peeps up north.

http://deal.liftopia.com/mountain-collective/

[FussyDutchman]

Killer shots NEK, Sebago?

[ex-powderbroker]

Hill farmstead at my local bar. Vermont comes to me now, sweet.

[HD333]

Hill farmstead at my local bar. Vermont comes to me now, sweet.

Armsby Abbey?

[From_the_NEK]

Killer shots NEK, Sebago?

Good eye

Here's a sunset this time:
Ripples in the Sunset by Tim_NEK, on Flickr

Colorful Sky by Tim_NEK, on Flickr

[FussyDutchman]

The last shot was the one that looked familiar. Spent a week up there about 10 years ago.

[Peruvian]

For those that like zoomin' groomers - Stratton has a deal for the next 7 days only, 3 any day tix for $169.

[Vt-Freeheel]

Drum roll please....









#10 in the German Flats series of unfortunate driving from last night [photo courtesy of Surface Whore] is this fine German car. On the hill near Sugar Run.

[Peruvian]

^^^seriously, what is wrong with these people???

[ex-powderbroker]

i'll give him a few BLT's for the ride if they're taking offers.

[Greenstateofmind]

..And I thought a peek on TGR would subdue the hunger pains of a pre-gastro-probe fast. Pork never looked better at 5:30 am. T-minus 5.5 hours to Chinese buffet.

[chriscarleton]

I'm hoping someone might be able to help me or steer me in the right direction.

I am looking for a panoramic high res photograph of Tuckerman Ravine that one of our vendors can license for use (yes this is a paid gig). If you or someone you know may have an image like this, please have them get in touch with me chris at allspeed dot com or give me a call at 207.878.8741

[BigDaddy]

PM GPetrics... I'm sure he's got a good shot or two.