Please read our statement regarding COVID-19
UVMBA maintains and expands access to multi-use, non-motorized trails in the Upper Valley of NH and VT, including the towns of Lebanon, Hanover, Hartford, Norwich, Plainfield and others. We are a volunteer, community-driven organization dedicated to being responsible trail stewards.
We are reviving our google group- a good place for trail condition questions, recommendations, group rides, events, trading/selling occasional mountain bike related items, and general connecting with local riders. Link to join: groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/uvmba/join
We love photos! Tag your photos #uvmba on facebook or instagram
(PC: Janet M)
Who's been doing some great riding? Tell us and tag us #uvmba
Comment on Facebook 215078761853036_3564881303539415
on IG too....
Last 3 weeks have been awesome.. rode Aqueduct, Hartford reservoir, four days at Green Woodlands, Ascutney trails, Pine Hill Park & two days at Blot...#UVMBA
Got mud?! Use your best judgement and don't ride significant muddy areas, but for smaller ones it is preferred to ride STRAIGHT through the wet area rather than going around and enlarging the problem spot
Member Spotlight! Alyssa and Toby Marzot uvmba.org/join-uvmba/member-spotlight/
Our events calendar is a bit paltry this year, due to well- you know- but .... join the Whaleback crew for Volunteer Trail Building this Thursday, 3 pm.
Comment on Facebook <!ā ā> *All ...
See event listing for further details. Working on an uphill trail to allow pedal access to existing downhill trails, prepping for community races later this summer!
Landmark tract is known to be frequented by multiple bears, especially as it is a contiguous and undisturbed tract in the heart of the Upper Valley. Be aware that you are in bear country and be prepared.
Six Outdoor BearWise Basics for recreating safely where black bears roam
bearwise.org
Be BearWise. Follow these Six Oudoor BearWise Basics if you spend time recreating in bear country. Downloadable PDF flier available for easy reference.Comment on Facebook Be BearWise. Follow ...
Any specific trails/area they have been seen on?
Bears! We live with them, we ride with them. bearwise.org/six-outdoor-bearwise-basics/
Hurricane Town Forest needs trailwork! In addition to Landmark- individual and small group projects available at both: uvmba.org/hartford-hurricane-trail-work/ and uvmba.org/individual-trail-work/
With increasing numbers of bear sightings, particularly at Nature Walk trailhead, some reminders "bear" repeating.
If You Encounter a Bear | Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department
vtfishandwildlife.com
Seeing a black bear can be an exciting, and for some people, a nerve-wracking event. These recommendations are meant to be general and cover the basic types of human-bear interactions that can occur. Encounters vary greatly, and all situations are different. Black bears are large, strong wild animal...Comment on Facebook Seeing a black bear ...
Same thing over here. Several reported sightings at Peg and Aqueduct.
Wear bells on your ankles, and keep an eye out for bear poop. You know how to tell it’s bear poop? It has bells in it...
One of the easiest preventative strategies is a bear bell on your bike. Without that, a lot of talking or singing helps.
I got charged near the nature walk entrance—-but it was by a ruffed grouse. All puffed up, making lots of noise and chasing me. I definitely jumped! šš
Also, watch out for the turtle nest near the trailhead, marked with cones.
Chad - eek, need a bell I guess!!
Alan Klein
One last under-the-wire shout out for Fathers' Day to all dads, but especially those raising future mtbers!
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(pic is not from this year, but still good times)- PC Brian Riordan
Great photo š
Cool pic!
We've got some of the best ones anywhere, right here; Happy Fathers' Day!
Comment on Facebook We've got some of ...
Talked with a Lt. from NH Fish and Game yesterday. He advised me to run elsewhere since the Nature Walk entrance was "guarded" by a Black Bear sow and her 2 cubs! Please be aware that there is an active bear population in B-lot. Might sound a bit silly, but randomly making noise especially coming into blind corners might just save multiple animals from a potentially dangerous encounter. Thanks to NHF&G for all the work they do to keep our wild places wild and our wilderness adventures safe!
Despite missing trail work day this year, the trails still need you! UVMBA has projects for individuals and small groups. See here for more info: uvmba.org/individual-trail-work/
Help out our friends at Mascoma River Greenway by filling out their (quick!) survey mascomagreenway.com/mrgsurvey/
Who are these folks?? Why, it's your UVMBA board. Get personal at uvmba.org/about/meet-the-board/
Comment on Facebook Who are these ...
one board member is missing, and arguably the most important one, as he does a great job bringing in grants!
WIN-WIN alert: do a ride, make a little difference, and help the good folks at Dartmouth Bikes help others
Sign up here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflibd52T-9YOT2GGt-6QbIg3QHT7pYptxj7FkYTCvOaWCjMQ/viewformAre you up to the challenge?!!!
Dartmouth Bikes invites YOU to a fun 3 day challenge to ride, connect, and raise funds for Dartmouth Hitchcock's Covid Relief Fund.
To sign up: forms.gle/VXuJHqck39vdHpci6
To donate, go to this GoFundMe page: charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/dartmouth-bikes-challenge/dartmouthbikes
Learn more about Dartmouth Bikes, and all of the good this student group does at: www.dartmouthbikes.com/
D
Happy Mothers' Day "Weekend" to all- with a extra shout out to all the RAD mountain biking mothers of the Upper Valley. Rock on ladies!!!
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photo credits and rad moms certification to: Kim Bean and fam, Jane Lemasurier and fam, Stephanie Briggs and fam, Jane Phipps and fam, Rebecca Perkins and fam, Heather Albrecht (even though her kids won't ride with her), Nadine Nelson (same), Anna Schaal and fam, Amanda Charland and fam, Nancy O'Brien and fam
some live action- astute observers may notice this rider had just recovered from a dropped chain š®
I’ll take the thank you even without the photo! I hope I get on my bike on Mother’s Day!
Gretchen Stokes, this is fabulous! Thank you! Go, mamas!!
Happy Mother's Day!
Weāve heard from several members who were disappointed to have missed the opening of the Landmark trails this weekend. As a board, we struggled a lot with how to open the trails safely and responsibly during this pandemic. Networks in warmer areas have been seeing major increases in visitors, with packed trails and parking lots making proper social distancing nearly impossible. In light of this, we did not feel that a āgrand openingā would be a responsible approach to our network, as this would essentially have been inviting 100+ people to the trailhead at once and would have caused a similar situation. Instead, we decided to take a quieter approach and rely on word of mouth to get the news out more slowly, thereby minimizing the rush (flattening the curve, as it were). We understand that this means some people were not able to get out and ride, and that sucks. However, we feel that this was the only way to open the trails safely and responsibly given the current climate.
With this note, a couple announcements as we head into mountain biking season:
Going forward, we will be maintaining and updating trail status for Landmark/Boston Lot via our Trailforks region map, which is available at www.trailforks.com/region/landmark-boston-lot/ as well as on our website (uvmba.org/localtrails/lebanon/) and the Trailforks mobile app. We may post about status occasionally on social media, but the Trailforks map will be the official reference.
If you do choose to visit one of our networks, please adhere to our guidelines for trail usage during the pandemic. These guidelines are posted on our website (uvmba.org/covid-19/), at the Landmark trailhead kiosks, and throughout the Landmark network. If we as a riding community fail to follow these guidelines, there is a very real possibility that the trails will need to be closed again to reduce community risk.
Finally, due to social distancing requirements, we will be unable to have our annual trail work day, and it will be more difficult for the trail crew to get out to do routine maintenance. Please keep this in mind and use increased discretion when choosing whether or not to ride after rain storms, as trail damage will be more difficult to address and repair this season.
Landmark/Boston Lot on Trailforks
www.trailforks.com
Lebanon's crown jewel is the Boston Lot Lake trail network.Comment on Facebook Lebanon's crown ...
Makes sense. I'm still mad tho... LOL
For the most up-to-date info on our trails, check the trailforks: via the app, or on UVMBA.org trails pages.
Comment on Facebook For the most ...
Is trailforks the only way uvmba trails will be updated now? And what time do they get updated for the day? I didn’t realize b lot was open yesterday, but had checked trailforks and the uvmba website.
Yes, many of us who pay our UVMBA dues were not aware that Blot was open this weekend. When was it decided to only make the announcement on Trailforks?