[Heckler1]

I'll be in Mystic all next week, down from VT for vaca, and looking for a spot(s) to ride. I've been on Crankfire and there were so many trails listed it was hard to pick anything out without insider knowledge.

I've been to Trumball before, and plan on going there again, but I'd also like to find something closer to Mystic. Is Bluff Point/Haley Farm worth the time? Looks like it's pretty mild mannered there? Definately willing to travel a bit for a little more adventure.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

 

[spoonylove]

Hey Chris

Riding at bluffpoint is not a hard place .It has some good XC riding

 

[davidbeinct]

Bluff and Haley are definitely worth the time. Bluff has some nice trails, and I do see guys and gals there with your style of bike (I'm assuming given your forum name). There's not a lot of steady downhill, but a good bit of rock and exposed ledge to play around on.

Haley is connected to Bluff. We usually use it for a warmup loop, not nearly as much technical there. It's worth going for the views though, it's on the edge of a cove, you will see shore birds and osprey, going through the meadow you occassionally will see red tail hawk.

Moving away from the immediate Mystic area, you have:

Oswagatchie Hills, new area, very well blazed trails, some very technical spots that I think could challenge anyone, though I am a bit of a newb and an old (47) careful cross country/trail rider. This spot is in Niantic and that's a seaside town worth a visit, less touristy than Mystic. Check out the Black Sheep for a nice beer and lunch.

Hartman Park in Lyme/Salem. Lots of rock, technical climbs and descents.

The various trail systems off of the Airline Trail, a rail-trail in central/eastern CT. These include Salmon River State Forest and Grayville Pond.

Moving east towards Rhode Island, you have Burlingame, Big River and Arcadia. Of these I would say the one most worth a visit is Big River. Not because the other two aren't fun, in fact overall Arcadia might be a little more fun. But rather because much of Big River lacks the typical New England glacier remnant topography. Not much in the way of rocks, more pine forest with sandy soil that berms up really nice. There are swoopy section there you can really fly though.

I know Bluff very well, the other places I tend to be following others. You really can't get lost at Bluff or Oswagatchie, so I would encourage you to go there if guideless. If you want a guide for Bluff drop me a line and I'll see what's up. I have family stuff going on part of this weekend, not so sure about next weekend. I live close so I'm always a possibility for a mid week ride as well.

David B.

 

[TegRacer324]

I can speak for oswegatchie that it's a pretty cool place. Definitely some technical stuff there. Bluff isn't too bad either, but definitely more mild mannered from what I could tell when I rode it one time. If you want more adventerous I'd definitely check out oswegatchie first.

Also if you're into more man made stuff and wanna go about 40 min north there's grayville in hebron ct. I stop by there once a week after work usually. Trails aren't well blazed, but it's pretty hard to get lost.

 

[Heckler1]

Just returned from vacation and wanted to say thanks for the trail info you folks provided.

I did a 3 hour ride at Trumball Indian Ledges and had a blast. That place has it all, including some stunts that made my jaw drop just by looking at them.

I also did 2 rides at Haley Farm/Bluff Point. I was able to ride there from my Father-In-Law's house, so it was very convenient. This place was very cool, too, sort of like a playground for bikes. One highlight was riding up on a "naturalist" couple who were bare as babies going at it on one of the rocky outcroppings. Didn't know CT wildlife was quite that wild.

Anyway, thanks again for the advice.

Chris

 

[Tony777]

We need pictures

 

[Heckler1]

I usually ride with a GoPro Helmet Hero camera strapped to my head, but I didn't bring it with me. That would have been hilarious.