| Title: | Bicycling |
| Notice: | Bicycling for Fun |
| Moderator: | JAMIN::WASSER |
| Created: | Mon Apr 14 1986 |
| Last Modified: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Last Successful Update: | Fri Jun 06 1997 |
| Number of topics: | 3214 |
| Total number of notes: | 31946 |
Where is it: In east/central Massachusetts, about 40-50 miles west of Boston. Directions: From the Boston area, head west on route 2. Its a few miles past Fitchburg and is near the intersection of Route 2 and Route 31. Exit route 2 onto route 31 south. Its about 2 miles on your left. From Worcester get on route 140 (via I190 or however). In Princeton route 31 and 140 merge for a bit. When route 31 turns off to the right take it. The state forest is on your right. Features: An area of about two by three miles of trails and dirt roads. There is swimming at a state beach. Contact Gov. Weld to find when it is open. There is a fountain at the beach/picnic area. Ask Weld about when the fountain is on. Entrances: There are two parking lots but you may have to pay to park. You can park for free off on the side of the road (i.e. route 31) in places and bike to the various entry points. Parking Lot$: Go across the causeway between the two "halves" of Crow Hill Pond. Rocky Pond Road: Off route 31, look for signs. About 3 miles south of route 2, about 1 mile north of 140. Route 140/31. Just after route 31 leaves 140, 100 feet or so, there is a fire road. Maps/Info: Best map: Try Lincoln Guide Service in Lincoln or some other place that caters to hikers (EMS?) or cross-country skiers. Try a good bookstore maybe. Send a SASE to New England Cartographics PO Box 369 Amherst Ma, 01004 and ask for a list of places to purchase their maps.
| T.R | Title | User | Personal Name | Date | Lines |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968.1 | Don't tell TOO many people! | BRAT::SOFIO | Tue Jun 18 1991 13:51 | 34 | |
I am addicted to riding in Leominster- it has the best technical
sections around, and lots of good hills.
Check out the 25 Best Places to MTB Around Boston- this book is
available in lots of local bookstores. In it, they tell you that
Leominster has more than 40 miles of trails, and that many of them were
set up by the N.E. Trailrider's association, which is a dirt bike club.
I have never seen a dirtbike out there, but can see how they would
ride there. There are lots of sections that are smooth and fast
riding thru the woods, with semi-banked turns. Lots of fun, and
a nice braek from the heavy-duty technical stuff.
One word of caution- it is fairly challenging riding, and is not to
be recommended to unexperienced riders- they probably will not like it
a whole lot. I road there this past weekend, with a bunch of friends,
some of which had never ridden before. Some really enjoyed it, but
others had a tough time. Please note that these people are in very
good physical shape- they just weren't used to the technical demands.
Check out the trails on the far side of the fire road on Crow Hill-
that's where those fast trails thru the pine woods are.
The other good thing about this area is that there aren't many hikers,
and no horses (that I have seen), so you don't have to worry about
bombing down a trail, rounding a turn and scaring the %$@# out of a
hiker, or spooking a horse w/ a rider.
Check it out- it compares very favorably with the late, great Fells...
Ed
ps- The pond is open for swimming, and it looks as though you may drink
alcohol in the picnic area. Post-ride rewards...
| |||||
| 1968.2 | Don't bother...you'll hate it... | RGB::DECKER | Tue Jun 18 1991 14:53 | 10 | |
Way to go Ed, now everyone will be there.
I'd have to agree. Leominster has some great technical stuff and
lots of riding. I've seen only a few people out riding there and
then only on the (road) trails. I'm sure no one would enjoy it
very much, so you don't have to bother going there.
Marty
| |||||
| 1968.3 | NO Parking | CSCMA::KOECK | Tue Jun 18 1991 15:30 | 7 | |
Just be careful, due to budget cutbacks, the state has eliminated
several rangers, and so some of the parking facilities have
been closed. The Town of Westminister not only ticketts cars
parked on Rt 31, they tow!!! I go by ther quite often either
driving or riding and have seen plenty of cars going on the
hook.
Tom
| |||||
| 1968.4 | ELWOOD::FRECHETTE | Use your imagination... | Thu May 13 1993 08:50 | 6 | |
I was in EMS yesterday and the clerk told me he heard they have
posted Leominster State Park against mountain biking. Anybody
been there this year?
Melanie
| |||||
| 1968.5 | Leominster State Park | ARDEV::CRAWFORD | Wed Sep 22 1993 14:59 | 15 | |
<<< Note 1968.4 by ELWOOD::FRECHETTE "Use your imagination..." >>>
> I was in EMS yesterday and the clerk told me he heard they have
> posted Leominster State Park against mountain biking. Anybody
> been there this year?
I rode my mtn bike thru Leominster State Park swimming area
right past the guard and over behind the water to the 'middle'
road area and out to the second parking lot. The Guard didn't
say anything to me, but the sign in the second parking area
says no bicycles on hiking trails. So I asume that the rest
of the 'roads' thru the park are ok?? This was in August '93.
Rick
| |||||