OutdoorsVT: Got bike?

 By Darren Marcy

Eight years ago, I found myself wheeling down a single track just north of Aztec, N.M. I was riding the Alien Run at Hart Canyon, a new mountain bike trail that was named after an alleged alien crash site in the area.

The fact that I was on a mountain bike at that time in my life was as alien as any little green men that might have met their demise in the area. I simply hadn’t done much riding in quite a few years. So, it wasn’t terribly surprising when an hour into the ride I found myself separated from my bike. Handlebars, pedals and seat became a fond memory in the blink of an eye.

Coming down a very short, but steep, section my front wheel found a rut. I performed a mid-air somersault realizing that landing on my skid lid-protected noggin wasn’t the best idea in New Mexico’s rock-strewn desert.

After executing the mid-air tuck-and-roll maneuver and skidding to a stop, I checked to see if all parts were still attached. They were. Although a few of them wouldn’t let me forget that trick for at least a week.

The bike was uninjured as well.

The only casualty - beyond my wounded pride - was an orange I had in my backpack, which was turned into orange juice as a result.

The worst part about the incident is, I knew better. Because it was my first time on the trail and there had already been a couple of hairy spots - I won’t even tell you about the 50-foot drop I managed to avoid at the last minute - I was riding cautiously and stopping to scout when necessary.

This time, I took a swig of water and launched myself toward a lesson in humility.

I have thought about that moment every time I’ve ridden since then because it reminds me that taking on a section of a trail you’re not capable of riding can lead to bad things. It also reminds not to carry squishable fruit in my pack, but that’s beside the point.

So while these biking locations have been chosen for a variety of reasons, most of them are being listed here because they have been identified as being appropriate for beginners or intermediate-level riders. But that doesn’t mean that they won’t include sections where you should get off and walk your bike past.

Please. The last thing you want is dirt in places dirt shouldn’t be. Or orange juice in your backpack. I’ve been there. It’s not pretty.

Don’t blame me

It’s important that you know I’m not very smart. In fact, it’s probably way beyond obvious at this point, but I thought I’d point that out just the same.

These rides are not my concoctions. I didn’t discover them, name them, rate them or detail them. Heck, with very few exceptions, I’ve never been on any of them. Therefore, if you actually like them, I get no credit.

They come from a variety of sources - the Internet, guide books, individuals’ recommendations, riding organization’s lists, etc.

Take my story about orange juice to heart and look into these rides for yourself before launching yourself and your family down one of them.

And always wear a skid lid.

Easy does it

The great thing about Vermont is just about any road that doesn’t see a lot of traffic offers a nice leisurely bike ride.

The bad thing about Vermont is just about any road anywhere is going to be made up of hills. At least some of those hills are going to go up. Sorry, that’s just the way it is.

Some trails, however, have been advertised as being family or beginner friendly, or at least very close.

The U.S. Forest Service roads are open to bicycling unless gated or posted as being closed to bikes. Many of these roads offer scenic rides, although there will be sections of uphills.

One such Forest Service road is Forest Road 42, or Bingo Road, in Rochester. It’s off Route 73 on the Rochester side of the Brandon Gap.

This is a beautiful little dirt road that runs along a small stream offering lots of locations for picnics or just stopping to rest. This is an up-and-back ride so you can go as far as you want and then turn around. Bingo Road is nearly completely flat and is listed as good for beginners and families.

Another option is Forest Road 10 in Danby between Rutland and Manchester off Route 7. Ride this 14-miler past beaver ponds, Utley Brook and Devil’s Glen Cave. On the Danby side, there is a site for a picnic overlooking the river gorge.

The Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail runs nearly 20 miles from West Rupert to Castleton on a ballast surface with two distinct sections - the northern 10 miles is flat, with smooth ballast and cinder surface, while the southern section is more varied and rough with original rail bed ballast, gravel and grass.

The ride is listed as easy and an ideal trail for a family mountain bike tour through farmland, rural villages, forests, wetlands, flora and fauna. Park in the visitors’ lot at Castleton State College.

The Toonerville Trail, also known as the Springfield Greenway, offers 3 miles of asphalt trail from Rob

ert B. Jones Industrial Center in downtown Springfield to Hoyt’s Landing on the Connecticut River.

In Arlington, hop on your bike and check out River Road for a quiet backcountry ride past the place where Norman Rockwell once lived and worked.

Step it up a notch

So this flat, rambling stuff doesn’t do it for you? Refill your hydration pack and try these trails.

The roads and trails around Chittenden Reservoir are no secret and popular bike rides.

The Round Robin trail is a 10.5-mile loop on paved road, gravel and dirt roads, and cross-country ski trails in woods and meadows. It is listed as an intermediate ride that is challenging for beginners with a wide trail. The Lefferts Pond trail is much shorter with gradual ascents and descents.

The International Paper Road, or Forest Road 341, is a moderate 10-mile ride on a hard gravel road surface.

In Manchester, there is a network of trails near Mount Equinox consisting of old Jeep roads, double tracks and some single tracks. Some of it is gentle, some steep. Pick your poison.

Moses Pond Road in Weston is a 9-mile loop that makes you do the work in the beginning with a rewarding 4-mile downhill back into Weston at the end.

The Hogback Mountain Trails are between Goshen and Ripton and listed as beginner to moderate with a good challenge for advancing beginners. The 31/2-mile loop follows groomed cross-country ski trails.

Try Michigan Brook Road, or Forest Road 35, in Pittsfield. Most of this route is flat with a climbing workout leading to nice views.

Several trails in the Brandon to Middlebury area offer challenging riding.

The Leicester Hollow Trail is an intermediate 4.8-miler with limited elevation gain, but it does cross the brook several times with many trail intersections. Silver Lake Trail follows an old carriage road from the Falls of Lana parking area past the Falls of Lana and Silver Lake to the Goshen parking area - uphill all the way. Minnie Baker Trail climbs steeply with descents and sharp turns.

Near Rochester, try Thresher Hill, or Forest Road 62, for a good climb leading to great views and a more relaxing return trip. Or try Liberty Hill, also known as Forest Road 223, off Route 100 with challenging riding on a four-wheel-drive road.

Gotta love ‘em

Some places defy definition, but they have to be mentioned in any list of biking destinations. Two of those are the Moosalamoo National Recreation Area near Brandon and Pine Hill Park in Rutland.

Moosalamoo offers a bevy of outdoor adventure in its 20,000 acres. Biking trails are among those offerings as are some backcountry dirt roads for quiet family rides.

Pine Hill Park offers something for all mountain bikers with 14 miles of single track in its 300 acres. And it’s all located just a few short minutes from downtown Rutland - by bike, of course.

Have fun. And if you take any fruit with you, perhaps the backpack isn’t the best place to carry it.

Darren Marcy is a local outdoor enthusiast. His Web site is www.DarrenMarcy.com. E-mail him at darren@darrenmarcy.com.