I was wondering when they're going to re-open the fells. Also, are they going to let us ride the fire roads there by the resevoir? it seems kind of ironic that they close it to mtn bikes but consistently have cars and motorcycles of the rangers cruising up and down them.
thanks

The Fells reopens on April 15. It's an annual closure: Jan 1-Apr15.

The res fireroads are controlled and patrolled by the town of Winchester are are off-limits to everyone - riders, walkers, dogs, etc. It sucks that they're restricted, OTOH, at least it's a unilateral restriction and not just against MTBs.

I was wondering when they're going to re-open the fells. Also, are they going to let us ride the fire roads there by the resevoir? it seems kind of ironic that they close it to mtn bikes but consistently have cars and motorcycles of the rangers cruising up and down them.
thanks

so, i dont really wnat to wait for april 15th to start mtn biking, im a semi newbie to mtn biking around boston, where else are my options. To help you: I live in somerville, dont have a car, am willing to ride pretty far to mtn bike. I am thinking about geting a car, what are my options then (within about a half hr drive).

so, i dont really wnat to wait for april 15th to start mtn biking, im a semi newbie to mtn biking around boston, where else are my options. To help you: I live in somerville, dont have a car, am willing to ride pretty far to mtn bike. I am thinking about geting a car, what are my options then (within about a half hr drive).


IMO, the Fells dries out the fastest in the spring (or other times of the year after much rain) It is very rocky and elevated with better than avarage drainage. So, even though it does not open until April 15, I usually ride there the most in the spring. Other places that don't close offically and therefore are availble for riding are actually usually much wetter and should be avoided until later in April. Regardless, the only real riding within biking distance from Somerville anytime of the year is the Fells anyway. If you want to jump in a car, there are a few scattered places of questionable quality and dryness but you will need directions for both getting there and for riding. Try a bike shop or just hit the streets for another month and wait for the fells to open. Happty trails. :)

for riding distance, the fells is about all youll get. for driving, there are quite a few.
the best shot less than a half hour would be to head up rt1 and hit the lynn woods. its good for n00bs as well as advanced riders. you can stay on the fire roads to get your bearings then take some of the single track. one of my favorite trails there is to take the fire road up to the tower then head down the single track to the golf course. its a nice fast ride with some good rocks to jump off of.
other than that theres a nice st park in andover (maybe north andover) i cant remember the name, look through the trail reveiws here for that. another really great place for n00bs is up in carlisle, great woods park or something like that. theres good double track all through there and some decent single track too.

so, i dont really wnat to wait for april 15th to start mtn biking, im a semi newbie to mtn biking around boston, where else are my options. To help you: I live in somerville, dont have a car, am willing to ride pretty far to mtn bike. I am thinking about geting a car, what are my options then (within about a half hr drive).

I just started reading Hitchiker's Guide and when I read your sig. I made the connection.

I would say just ride the fells anyway. It will be good training for you to try and outrun the random park ranger who tries to stop you. I became a much faster rider after riding the fells in the late summer evenings. Unfortunately it wasn't a ranger who was chasing me, it was a naked guy in running shoes. I kid you not. The need to ride is killing me as well, everything North of Boston is pretty soft right now. Hopefully it will firm up in a couple weeks. I used to live in Somerville and the Fells is pretty much the only riding you have that is rideable that I know of although you may want to go over to wheelworks in Davis Sq and ask them. They may have some ideas. They also may know some other newbie types that are looking for riding buddies. The buddy with a car thing is key. There are hundreds of miles of great single track North of Boston. Lynn Woods is great and then farther north it gets even more abundant. Basically there is great single track on both sides of route 128 from Beverly Farms to Gloucester. If you get a car and are looking for places to ride once the conditions get better just post questions here.

I would say just ride the fells anyway. It will be good training for you to try and outrun the random park ranger who tries to stop you. I became a much faster rider after riding the fells in the late summer evenings. Unfortunately it wasn't a ranger who was chasing me, it was a naked guy in running shoes. I kid you not. The need to ride is killing me as well, everything North of Boston is pretty soft right now. Hopefully it will firm up in a couple weeks. I used to live in Somerville and the Fells is pretty much the only riding you have that is rideable that I know of although you may want to go over to wheelworks in Davis Sq and ask them. They may have some ideas. They also may know some other newbie types that are looking for riding buddies. The buddy with a car thing is key. There are hundreds of miles of great single track North of Boston. Lynn Woods is great and then farther north it gets even more abundant. Basically there is great single track on both sides of route 128 from Beverly Farms to Gloucester. If you get a car and are looking for places to ride once the conditions get better just post questions here.

I have been deep in the fells at night and seen him running naked with just his running sneakers on. Freaks me out because I, myself, would not want to be that far out in the fells at 10:00 PM, in the complete dark, without a light, by myself--never mind without any clothes on. That guys is a lttle starnge if you ask me.

I have been deep in the fells at night and seen him running naked with just his running sneakers on.


I too have seen this "Naked Guy" on many night rides, it is freaky!


One weekday in the summer I was in the Fells enjoying a trail that a friend and I built many many years ago. I was in the groove. I had not come upon a soul during this ride. When all of a sudden, there he was, in all his glory. The "Naked Guy". Deep in the woods, middle of the day, in broad daylight, nood with a backpack and running kicks.


Greg

You know when you see something so unbelievable that you aren't really sure you saw it? It took me a few minutes after the ride to convince myself that I wasn't nuts. Anyway a buddy of mine backed it up this summer when he came out of the woods with the same story! People are whacked, I'm not going to get into the politics of the "anti-biker in the fells" crowd but my guess is trails of the fells wouldn't be as safe a place without bikers frequenting the trails. Ok off the bandwagon. I'm fired up for the snow to stop flying and the singletrack to firm up. I rode Lynn this weekend, stayed on the fire roads and even those were really soft. This storm we are having certainly doesn't help......

You know when you see something so unbelievable that you aren't really sure you saw it? It took me a few minutes after the ride to convince myself that I wasn't nuts. Anyway a buddy of mine backed it up this summer when he came out of the woods with the same story! People are whacked, I'm not going to get into the politics of the "anti-biker in the fells" crowd but my guess is trails of the fells wouldn't be as safe a place without bikers frequenting the trails. Ok off the bandwagon. I'm fired up for the snow to stop flying and the singletrack to firm up. I rode Lynn this weekend, stayed on the fire roads and even those were really soft. This storm we are having certainly doesn't help......


I second those sentiments exactly. When I first spotted this nut on a night ride a few years ago I thought I was nuts also. I do think that he (the naked dude) is harmless just a weirdo.

Be careful pre-riding in Lynn, they are getting pretty strict in the reservation as of late. Im having mixed emotions about the snow. I am an avid snowboarder so in one hand, am excited for more snow. But the die hard rider in me is getting anxious to ride some trails. I am getting sick of riding my trainer.

I second those sentiments exactly. When I first spotted this nut on a night ride a few years ago I thought I was nuts also. I do think that he (the naked dude) is harmless just a weirdo.

Be careful pre-riding in Lynn, they are getting pretty strict in the reservation as of late. Im having mixed emotions about the snow. I am an avid snowboarder so in one hand, am excited for more snow. But the die hard rider in me is getting anxious to ride some trails. I am getting sick of riding my trainer.

Its cool, I left no trace. I stayed on the fire roads, I took a quick look at some singletrack over by the power lines and hit a nice dry downhill but other than that it was way to wet to be riding the nice stuff. I stayed with the dogwalkers for most of it. Anyway, I was on my Singlespeed and am really really out of shape so A full loop would have hurt me mud or no mud.

I was wondering when they're going to re-open the fells. Also, are they going to let us ride the fire roads there by the resevoir? it seems kind of ironic that they close it to mtn bikes but consistently have cars and motorcycles of the rangers cruising up and down them.
thanks

I used to ride up the Minuteman bike path a lot, there are little spiderwebs of singletrack off to the right side. Nothing too hard, but it puts dirt under your wheels and I never saw a "no Trespassing" sign. Some of it is real muddy, I always walked some stretches except at the very end of summer.

And after the end of the Minuteman, just go straight up the road a little ways and on the left is the beginning of the Narrow Guage Railway path, which is dirt too. Flat as a board for the most part, but you it's got nature and stuff around it. That'll take you all the way to Concord.

They close 'til 4/15 to preserve the trails. Its their place, their rules. Regardless of the nice weather, the earth is frozen underneath and water won't drain so we get mud and ripped up trails if you try to ride. You won't hurt a fireroad, but keep out anyway. It is less than a month. Put your energy and brain capacity into finding other lands that drain well and are not restricted. Urban is a good place to start, especially for a newb. Fells, Lynn, Blue Hills, we don't need the likes of you pissing the rangers and conservators off.

They close 'til 4/15 to preserve the trails. Its their place, their rules. Regardless of the nice weather, the earth is frozen underneath and water won't drain so we get mud and ripped up trails if you try to ride. You won't hurt a fireroad, but keep out anyway. It is less than a month. Put your energy and brain capacity into finding other lands that drain well and are not restricted. Urban is a good place to start, especially for a newb. Fells, Lynn, Blue Hills, we don't need the likes of you pissing the rangers and conservators off.

The likes of who? Get off your high horse dickweed. There is no one here on this thread that was actually condoning poaching, including myself. The fells comment was a joke and I actually spoke with a "ranger" at lynn on Saturday who had no problem with me pedaling the fireroad with the throngs of other people out in the park. Just because you and your bros have to go around and build stupid stunts when you should be leaving no trace does not mean you should now be some sort of "enforcer". Don't be a jackass and don't think that you are the head of some cool guy group who thinks he can decide what the hell is right and what is inapropriate. If you want to do something to protect the riding in the MDC then go clean up the trash that is still out in the woods left by the jackass "freeriders".

Thanks.

The likes of who? Get off your high horse dickweed. There is no one here on this thread that was actually condoning poaching, including myself. The fells comment was a joke and I actually spoke with a "ranger" at lynn on Saturday who had no problem with me pedaling the fireroad with the throngs of other people out in the park. Just because you and your bros have to go around and build stupid stunts when you should be leaving no trace does not mean you should now be some sort of "enforcer". Don't be a jackass and don't think that you are the head of some cool guy group who thinks he can decide what the hell is right and what is inapropriate. If you want to do something to protect the riding in the MDC then go clean up the trash that is still out in the woods left by the jackass "freeriders".

Thanks.

Yo Sloth,
When do you want to get together and poach the fireroads of Lynn Woods together?

Yo Sloth,
When do you want to get together and poach the fireroads of Lynn Woods together?

I was out there today getting wicked dirty and really messing things up, there are a few roads that I haven't destroyed yet so I was thinking about getting up early tomorrow and just making a day of it. I am planning on stealing a DH bike tonight so I can make wider ruts and just create total Chaos. You in?

They close 'til 4/15 to preserve the trails. Its their place, their rules. Regardless of the nice weather, the earth is frozen underneath and water won't drain so we get mud and ripped up trails if you try to ride. You won't hurt a fireroad, but keep out anyway. It is less than a month. Put your energy and brain capacity into finding other lands that drain well and are not restricted. Urban is a good place to start, especially for a newb. Fells, Lynn, Blue Hills, we don't need the likes of you pissing the rangers and conservators off.

keep your jerk comments to yourself. i ride the places you listed and hope to never bump into a jerk like you. amazing, most bikers are really nice and for some reason you think you are some know it all, high and mighty biker that needs to belittle people on these boards. I can tell not many here (or those that I ride with) would want anything to do with your company. lighten up.

I was out there today getting wicked dirty and really messing things up, there are a few roads that I haven't destroyed yet so I was thinking about getting up early tomorrow and just making a day of it. I am planning on stealing a DH bike tonight so I can make wider ruts and just create total Chaos. You in?


Sunday is good for me. I will bring my dirt bike to really tear it up good.

oh it leaks gas............
Later.

keep your jerk comments to yourself. i ride the places you listed and hope to never bump into a jerk like you. amazing, most bikers are really nice and for some reason you think you are some know it all, high and mighty biker that needs to belittle people on these boards. I can tell not many here (or those that I ride with) would want anything to do with your company. lighten up.
its not a matter of being a jerk. there are rangers and "save the mother earth" type hippies out there that are just looking for a reason to close down places like the woods and fells. if people break the riding season and ride in there when it is closed, it gives these people more reason to close it on us. you may not think your measly tire tracks will do anything, and you are probably right. dont get me wrong, i want to get out there and ride as much as anyone else, but i can keep it in my pants for three more weeks. however if more and more people go back there and tear stuff up durning the off season the whole place will be closed, and thats a fact, Jaak

its not a matter of being a jerk. there are rangers and "save the mother earth" type hippies out there that are just looking for a reason to close down places like the woods and fells. if people break the riding season and ride in there when it is closed, it gives these people more reason to close it on us. you may not think your measly tire tracks will do anything, and you are probably right. dont get me wrong, i want to get out there and ride as much as anyone else, but i can keep it in my pants for three more weeks. however if more and more people go back there and tear stuff up durning the off season the whole place will be closed, and thats a fact, Jaak

I never condoned riding at the fells prior to the opening date (4/15) I fully understand the impact riding on wet trails can have and think all should wait until it is dry. Did you read my post? I was comenting on the rudeness to which the poit was made by Mr. Magoo.

Not.

If you are NOT riding these areas before 4/15, why be offended?

Or is it ok for just you only?

You found a ranger who didn't have the nerve to confront you?

I would not have jumped in on the thread except for the newb's making plans and reflecting on riding the fells when closed.

While curt, terse, abrupt and concise, this message was not intended to insult any regulations on public lands abiding MTB'er. You must have misunderstood.

Go back to giggling about the naked guy.

Not.

If you are NOT riding these areas before 4/15, why be offended?

Or is it ok for just you only?

You found a ranger who didn't have the nerve to confront you?

I would not have jumped in on the thread except for the newb's making plans and reflecting on riding the fells when closed.

While curt, terse, abrupt and concise, this message was not intended to insult any regulations on public lands abiding MTB'er. You must have misunderstood.

Go back to giggling about the naked guy.

I am a Yahoo! Yahoo! I just wanted to remember how worked up certain people get about things on the internet. I also want to point out how badly the trails have been screwed since there was riding done on a fireroad. Man if I had only known...... I hope a certain Magoo has gotten some riding in and loosend up a bit. Maybe he even found a girl to relax him even more. Well there is always hoping.....

I hope everyone has been enjoying the awesome biking weather. I have not been riding enough due to a new family addition but it is still early season! Watch out for the naked joggers.