19 NE - It's all up from here

[MaineSkiAddict1]

I was curious which trails would be impacted. I wonder if Kitchel and East Branch are included.

Such a bad blow to KT. The comments about crowding aren’t wrong...weekends are a zoo. I’m interested to see how they are going to redirect things.

[snowday]

On the MTB VT facebook page someone posted this map based on landowners names...no idea if accurate of not.

[ticketchecker]

On the MTB VT facebook page someone posted this map based on landowners names...no idea if accurate of not.

Looks pretty accurate based on what I've been hearing from some friends that live in Kirby

[MaineSkiAddict1]

Ugh. The loss of Tody’s, Troll, and Tap n die is really disheartening. I hope they can resolve it

[ticketchecker]

Ugh. The loss of Tody’s, Troll, and Tap n die is really disheartening. I hope they can resolve it

I met Sue Burrington at NembaFest last year, she and her husband hate mountain bikers. She made that pretty clear

[buttahflake]

That’s rough. Big chunk of the goods. Man, that’s is a wicked bummer.

[From_the_NEK]

Looks pretty accurate based on what I've been hearing from some friends that live in Kirby

That map is accurate. Sad that it came to this.
The huge number of riders leads to more negative interactions with the landowners. When it was maybe 1% of 10,000 riders (100 people) that were jerks, it was tolerable. But now it is maybe 1% of 100,000+ people being jerks. And that works out to be a lot more negative interactions. From maybe a few per season to now something that is a weekly or daily problem. IMHO, the "Thank You Landowners!" campaign that KT employs, is now just glossed over by many riders. There are so many that either don't understand what that phrase means (or worse, don't care). It feels more and more like it is all about the "Lifestyle" instead of being about enjoying the ride. When packs of bros nearly ride a little girl off a bridge. I can only imagine when Mrs burrington goes out for a ride on her horse.

[Doremite]

Ugh. This blows. I get it though. Just many other zones I’d care less about as a rider.

This is going to be a major logistical hassle to route around.

Not surprised if this somehow gets resolved. Then again not surprised if it doesn’t.

[Vt-Freeheel]

I guess this is a sad outcome for the trail system but not surprising. With 100,000 visitors swarming around your property every summer it reached the point where these landowners feel like they can't enjoy their land. I don't like crowds and haven't been to KT since around 2000 but read about the crazy crowding and blown out trails. Haven't felt like getting up before the cows to drive an hour and a half to beat the masses as I can go so many other places.
Maybe they can fix some of the issues and get these properties back in the fold but that might mean putting the lid on and curtailing growth. It's obviously boiled over without being watched or the KT Association has been ignoring landowner complaints. Hard to believe that the three landowners pulled their properties after the first strike.

[HankScorpio]

That map is accurate. Sad that it came to this.
The huge number of riders leads to more negative interactions with the landowners. When it was maybe 1% of 10,000 riders (100 people) that were jerks, it was tolerable. But now it is maybe 1% of 100,000+ people being jerks. And that works out to be a lot more negative interactions. From maybe a few per season to now something that is a weekly or daily problem. IMHO, the "Thank You Landowners!" campaign that KT employs, is now just glossed over by many riders. There are so many that either don't understand what that phrase means (or worse, don't care). It feels more and more like it is all about the "Lifestyle" instead of being about enjoying the ride. When packs of bros nearly ride a little girl off a bridge. I can only imagine when Mrs burrington goes out for a ride on her horse.

You definitely nailed it with visitors not acknowledging, respecting or even giving a fuck that they're riding on private land. KT tried to hammer home this concept but it was lost a few years ago as the bros in Sprinter vans began swarming the place.

[From_the_NEK]

You definitely nailed it with visitors not acknowledging, respecting or even giving a fuck that they're riding on private land. KT tried to hammer home this concept but it was lost a few years ago as the bros in Sprinter vans began swarming the place.

Also IMHO, it is also no coincidence that things started to go downhill with the growth in popularity of Strava. I noticed that in the last 5-8 years, some riders trying to hammer out PRs and such for Strava glory. They HATE slowing down for anything. I'm sure that when Mrs Burrington was out riding her horse on the trails, she often got buzzed by dudes who didn't give a shit if she got thrown from her horse as long as they got a top time on their ride.
My kids and I encountered her out on the trail on her horse this summer. We stopped, moved off to the side and said hello and admired the beautiful horses as they rode past. I also used it as a teaching moment for my kids on how to handle sharing the trails.
Then not two minutes later as my kids were riding across a bridged stream (wide bridge on Bemis), a pack of 5 dudes screaming down from the other direction barely missed both my son and daughter (both under 10) as they were crossing the bridge. The lead guy didn't even hit his brakes.
I imagine they still didn't slow down when they caught up to the horses and riders a minute later.

I'm hoping that they can resolve this closer at least on the level of having the trails closest to the rivers open. However, I don't really see that happening as it would likely invite poaching the other closed trails.

[jackstraw]

Fucking roadies on mtn bikes. That is the issue. Or fucking roadie mentality on mtn bikes is the issue.

Douchebags ruin it for everyone.

Santa Cruz the signage is clear. Horses have the right of way. From what I've seen its pretty well respected, but they don't have the masses of EC douchebags driving up from the flatlands thinking they own everything.

[CantDog]

Fucking roadies on mtn bikes. That is the issue. Or fucking roadie mentality on mtn bikes is the issue.

Douchebags ruin it for everyone.

Santa Cruz the signage is clear. Horses have the right of way. From what I've seen its pretty well respected, but they don't have the masses of EC douchebags driving up from the flatlands thinking they own everything.

Certainly disappointing news, and it will push traffic to other parts of the trail system. It’s a bit frightening to think how terrible the moose alley traffic will be next year.

On the other side, land gets bought and sold. Things will change. If you are looking to live in Burke it’s almost mandated that you are a mountain biker. The trails will be back eventually, and certainly Troll Stroll/Tap N Die need a rest, it was crazy how beat they seemed compared to previous years. Maybe it was just the times I was up, but Darling Hill was just so busy it was overwhelming at times, dogs off leash on trails, huge 10-20 groups of people, ebikes, sprinters parked all over—this might be a wake up call that landowners have limits, and KT has to find some way to enforce people not being assholes.

[From_the_NEK]

Certainly disappointing news, and it will push traffic to other parts of the trail system. It’s a bit frightening to think how terrible the moose alley traffic will be next year.

On the other side, land gets bought and sold. Things will change. If you are looking to live in Burke it’s almost mandated that you are a mountain biker. The trails will be back eventually, and certainly Troll Stroll/Tap N Die need a rest, it was crazy how beat they seemed compared to previous years. Maybe it was just the times I was up, but Darling Hill was just so busy it was overwhelming at times, dogs off leash on trails, huge 10-20 groups of people, ebikes, sprinters parked all over—this might be a wake up call that landowners have limits, and KT has to find some way to enforce people not being assholes.

Discussions with other locals have led to the conclusion that KTA needs to slow their roll on marketing the trail system (that, as we know, is on property they don't even own). Take all that energy and person power they have been pumping into promotion and turn it into an on trail presence. For example, more trail ambassadors and/or patrollers. Signage about respecting landowners and their property.
It is the wild west out there with no official visibility on the trails. There used to be a patrol but I haven't seen one in a long time. Someone needs to start actually enforcing the rules of the trail system. Run it more like a ski resort, since that is really what it has become.

[Peruvian]

I buy a pass or tickets to financially support the nonprofit, not because I’ve ever seen a “patroller” checking out on the trails. More policing seems to be in order.

[jackstraw]

Fat biking was awesome today and it will be even better tomorrow now that I broke in a few trails.

[Generalstark]

Yes back to snow biking here and it’s fun.




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[HankScorpio]

Fat biking continues to be impressive. Rainy thaw followed by a hard freeze and wee bit of fresh snow makes for some grin inducing riding.





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[biggins]

Everyday I find my self one step closer to a Fat Bike purchase. Once the arm is out of the sling, my wallet may suffer a major hit...

[jackstraw]

Everyday I find my self one step closer to a Fat Bike purchase. Once the arm is out of the sling, my wallet may suffer a major hit...

It's such a different ride or riding experience than dirt. Personally, I don't think it's necessary to go 'big $$' on a fatty. Every once in a while I think about how it would be nice to have 'this, that, and the other thing' and then I look at my bike after a ride and especially from the car ride back as it's covered in salt and shit with no option to hose off because of temperature and say, yeah no, this bike is just perfect.

I have an older Beargrease that I picked up used for $700 when it was a year old. It's just fun.

[ticketchecker]

It's such a different ride or riding experience than dirt. Personally, I don't think it's necessary to go 'big $$' on a fatty. Every once in a while I think about how it would be nice to have 'this, that, and the other thing' and then I look at my bike after a ride and especially from the car ride back as it's covered in salt and shit with no option to hose off because of temperature and say, yeah no, this bike is just perfect.

I have an older Beargrease that I picked up used for $700 when it was a year old. It's just fun.

Exactly, just sold my Bucksaw for this reason.

Now looking for a sub $1k bike to replace it with

[Boreas]

Discussions with other locals have led to the conclusion that KTA needs to slow their roll on marketing the trail system (that, as we know, is on property they don't even own). Take all that energy and person power they have been pumping into promotion and turn it into an on trail presence. For example, more trail ambassadors and/or patrollers. Signage about respecting landowners and their property.
It is the wild west out there with no official visibility on the trails. There used to be a patrol but I haven't seen one in a long time. Someone needs to start actually enforcing the rules of the trail system. Run it more like a ski resort, since that is really what it has become.

Luckily, they haven’t blown up the BC stuff like KT, but that’s probably in the works.

[biggins]

It's such a different ride or riding experience than dirt. Personally, I don't think it's necessary to go 'big $$' on a fatty. Every once in a while I think about how it would be nice to have 'this, that, and the other thing' and then I look at my bike after a ride and especially from the car ride back as it's covered in salt and shit with no option to hose off because of temperature and say, yeah no, this bike is just perfect.

I have an older Beargrease that I picked up used for $700 when it was a year old. It's just fun.

Makes a lot of sense. Hard to imagine a suspension fork, dropper post, hydro brakes, and light parts will all function well in the freezing cold, all winter. One or two of the above, no big deal over the long-haul, but going that tricked out does, indeed, seem silly. Thanks.

One step closer to the purchase. I'm a big fella, brands that shops around here push are Rocky Mtn, Kona, and Scott. Any thoughts collective zaftig-bike nerds?

[Self Jupiter]

I bought a Rocky Mountain Blizzard 10 new on sale for $700. Mechanical brakes, entry-level components etc. Not riding anything too rad / long / icy but so far so good on the beach, in the snow and as a loaner to friends for trails. It is definitely heavy, sometimes I have a hard time getting it on my roof rack without a hand.

Yesterday at Deer Island in Winthrop MA

Beach route to get there (these are from a couple weeks ago iirc)

Personally, I don't think it's necessary to go 'big $$' on a fatty. Every once in a while I think about how it would be nice to have 'this, that, and the other thing' and then I look at my bike after a ride and especially from the car ride back as it's covered in salt and shit with no option to hose off because of temperature and say, yeah no, this bike is just perfect.

I have an older Beargrease that I picked up used for $700 when it was a year old. It's just fun.

This is how I feel. It’s been fun to have a bike I haven’t felt the need to baby since day 1. I run mine under a watering can after the beach in the winter.

[Generalstark]

Hey Biggins. Perhaps this is already on your radar but if not, it could be worth going to see Doon at green mtn cycles in Rochester. He’s got a bunch of fatties he’s trying to sell off. A friend just got a pretty good deal on a Kona.

I’m headed to Boston area for the holidays and I’m bringing the fatty. Anyone have any suggestions for some spots to ride on the north side of the city. I’ve ridden Lynn woods some but would certainly be open to checking other spots out. Some of my family is in Stoneham and I see some trails on Trailforks in that area. Anyhow if anyone has any suggestions fire away.


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