(Scroll down for additional New England ride info)
ARCADIA
Arcadia Management Area is a few miles west of Interstate 95 and 25 minutes southwest of Providence. It is found off of Route 165 in Exeter, RI, which splits the area into the North side and the South side. There is a main parking lot on Route 165 as well as additional parking on the south side at Browning Mill Pond on Arcadia Road in Richmond, RI.
Directions 95 N or S, take exit 5A onto Route 102, follow for half a mile and take a right onto Route 3, follow for 1-1/2 miles to the blinking light and take a right onto Route 165. Follow Route 165 for about 3-1/2 miles and the main parking lot will be on the right.
Arcadia management area is over 15,000 acres with about 40 miles of trail riding--85% singletrack and 15% dirt roads. There is not much elevation change in Arcadia but there are a lot of challenging short ups and downs. There are lots of rock gardens and some very technical sections. You can spend hours riding and enjoying many different trails. There are some fire roads and easy trails for beginners, however it can be hard to find these sections if you do not know the area. Exploring the trails is better suited for intermediate to advanced riders. The local NEMBA chapter leads rides for all levels during the summer months.
Arcadia can be confusing to ride without a map, but great maps are put out by the Great Swamp Press and can be found at local bike shops and camping stores. In addition, directions and other maps can be found at www.rinemba.org website.
Trails are maintained by the local chapter of NEMBA and the local chapter of AMC, and many bridges, water bars, and much more work has been done by these two groups.
The area is shared with hikers, horseback riders, motorcyclist, canoeist, fishermen and hunters. Hunting season lasts from the second weekend in October until the last day of February. This includes hunting on Sunday.
LOCAL BIKE SHOP: Victory Cycles, 1190 Main St., Wyoming, RI; (401)-539-7540 is located about 4 miles from the Browning Mill Parking Lot. Exit 3B off of Route 95.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Nothing right nearby, about 10 minutes away off of exit 6 there is the West Greenwich Best Western and a Super 8, both right off the highway.
FOOD: Little Country Pizza (401)-397-2500 is on the corner of Route 3 and 165 and is a popular after riding eating spot. Big River Inn is on Route 3 north about 3 miles on the right after coming off of Route 165. Additional food is located at exit 3A and 3B in Wyoming, RI.
MORE BLACK DIAMOND BONANZA RIDE INFO
If you don't already have one, pick up the October 2006 edition of Mountain Bike Action Magazine. The all-inclusive guide on riding New England is mind blowing. Imagine a tightly packaged, well organized series of highly technical singletrack right out the back door. Well, that's New England.
Rush out and get the October '06 MBA, hit up www.nemba.org, and get out there so you can redefine your understanding of "epic".
ATTITASH MOUNTAIN IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
Located on Route 302 in Bartlett, New Hampshire. It offers seven miles of lift-serviced singletrack.
ENTERTAINMENT: Attitash is 15 minutes from Downtown North Conway. North Conway has plenty of bars and restaurants to meet anyone's tastes in food. There are also plenty of shops and outlet stores to do some shopping.
ACCOMMODATIONS: The Grand Summit Hotel is less than a mile from the base of Attitash and runs shuttles to Attitash. (603) 374-1111.
FOOD: We have a full service cafeteria in the main base. There is also a bar across the street. Matty B's offers pizza, burgers, and pub food.
Get the October 2006 MBA for the rest.
BEAR BROOK IN NEW HAMPSHIRE
At 10,000 acres, Bear Brook is New Hampshire's largest developed state park. There are 40 miles of varied trail types including an abundance of singletrack.
ENTERTAINMENT: Manchester has a fun night life along Elm St. with it's many bars and smaller clubs. Concord has a few nice bars and excellent dining. The Capital Center for the Arts has many shows. Boston is within an hour south of the area and the White Mountains are within about an hour north, with the lakes region on the way.
ACCOMMODATIONS: The park has a campground as well as there are many hotels/motels in the area.
FOOD: Both Concord and Manchester have excellent dining.
Read about the hot Bear Brook setup in the October, 2006 MBA.
3. BRADBURY MOUNTAIN STATE PARK IN MAINE
In the last 10 years Bradbury Mountain has been expanded into a mountain bike park. The 19 miles of trails are very organized and fully marked.
ENTERTAINMENT: There are a few nearby pubs. Gritty McDuff, Sebago Brew, and others have bar food, sandwiches and beer. Outdoor outfitters L.L. Bean's corporate headquarters are right nearby in Freeport, Maine.
Come out for the inaugural Maine Mountain Bike Festival at Bradbury Mountain on August 20, 2006. It's open to everybody and will have lots of prizes, giveaways, organized rides, food and fun activities.
ACCOMMODATIONS: Best Western is in Freeport, as well as are a bunch of independent motels there, as well as in Bath. All are within 20 minutes. Bradbury Mountain has camping, although there are only a half a dozen sites. You need to first call the State Parks to make registration and check availability.
FOOD: Freeport has McDonald's, Subway, Chinese food, and a couple of small steak houses. You can go from one extreme; $150 per couple for?20a meal to $5.
The June, 2006 MBA tells more, right down to the best tires to use.
4. HUNTINGTON STATE PARK IN CONNECTICUT
Huntington State Park is an 800 acre park with quite a variety of riding: Singletrack, doubletrack, some rocky stuff, a couple of gnarly downs, and a drop oBR>
ENTERTAINMENT: Check out the Military Museum of Southern New England. It's located in the town of Danbury (203) 790-9277. Or check out the Redding Roadhouse at 406 Redding Rd (203) 938-3388. They server giant steaks, fresh seafood, and have live entertainment every weekend.
ACCOMMODATIONS: The following hotels are located within Bethel: Best Western Berkshire Inn, 11 Stony Hill Rd; (203) 744-3200. Best Western Inn, 46 Stony Hill Rd#1; (203) 743-5533. Hillside Inn & Suites, 21 Stony Hill Rd; (203) 743-3855. Microtel Inn & Suites, 80 Benedict Rd; (203) 748-8318. Travel Inn 18, Stony Hill Rd; (203) 743-5990.
FOOD: O'Niells in Bethel (PT Barnum Square) is our favorite after ride place for great sandwiches. There are many other restaurants and coffee houses in downtown. Old Heidelberg, 55 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel, CT 06801, (203) 797-1860. Serving more than 40 German beers, over 40 different wines and German food specials. Outdoor seating available.
The October, 2006 MBA explains why this is one of the most beautiful places to ride in the world.
KINGDOM TRAILS IN VERMONT
The Kingdom Trail System is located in the Village of East Burke in the heart of the region of Vermont known as the Northeast Kingdom. It consists of 115 miles of connected singletrack and doubletrack.
ENTERTAINMENT: Bands play regularly at the local pub or at the base of the ski lodge. The Trout River Brewery in Lyndonville is open on weekends. The town of St. Johnsbury is 15 miles away with museums, theaters and downtown shops. Most people take advantage of the peace and quiet of the rural setting. Lake Willoughby is only 8 miles away for great boating.
ACCOMMODATIONS: There are many nice Bed & Breakfasts, Inns, motels, cabins and vacation rentals located within 15 miles of Kingdom Trails. There are a few campgrounds to chose from as well. Many accommodations have bike packages and some are located directly on the trail system. The website has a full listing www.kingdomtrails.org.
FOOD: Within a 10 mile radius and in East Burke you will find many places to eat. You can grab breakfast at the Miss Lyndonville Diner, lunch at Baileys and Burke General Store and dinner at The River Garden or Junipers at the Wildflower Inn or the Tamarack Grill on Burke Mountain. Check the website for a full listing.
Read the October, 2006 issue of MBA to find out why Kingdom Trails has something for every type and skill rider.
6. MOUNT AGAMENTICUS IN MAINE
The Mount Agamenticus region covers nearly 30,000 acres in southern Maine. Mt. A's trails have a reputation for being very tough and technical. There are no beginner trails. Bringing a GPS and a cell phone is a good idea.
ENTERTAINMENT: Besides watching out-of-state riders try to navigate the trails... "Inn on the Blues" in York Beach has live music and spirits. Portsmouth NH also has a good nightlife.
ACCOMMODATIONS: There are a billion along the coast.
FOOD: Ruby's Pizza, Flo's Hotdogs, Anthony's Subs... or get a Lobsta at Barnacle Billy's in Perkin's Cove.
In the October, 2006 MBA we explain why Mt. Agamenticus might be too hot to handle for some.
7. VIETNAM IN MASSACHUSETTS
Vietnam is the first trail system that was purchased and protected by a mountain bike club, the New England Mountain Bike Association. It consists of 20 miles of singletrack trails over 1500 acres in the towns of Milford, Holliston, and Hopkinton.
ENTERTAINMENT: Vietnam is half an hour from Downtown Boston, and Downtown Boston has everything. Besides the great theater districts and Harpoon Brewery, go check out the USS Constitution. Known as Old Ironside, the wooden--hulled vessel is the oldest commissioned ship still active in service.
Fenway Park, home to the Boston Red Sox and iconic Green Monster (giant green wall in left field), it's one of the oldest baseball stadiums in existence. Check out the huge three story sports bar, Jillians, right next door.
ACCOMMODATIONS: The following hotels are within a mile from Vietnam: Holiday Inn Express, 50 Fortune Blvd., Milford, MA 01757; (508) 634-1054. Fairfield Inn, 1 Fortune Blvd., Milford, MA 01757; (508) 478-0900. Courtyard Marriott, 10 Fortune Blvd., Milford, MA 01757; (508) 634-9500.
FOOD: There are many places to eat within a 10 mile radius. Some of the local favorites other than the usual chain restaurants: Cornell's Pub and Spirits, 229 Hayden Rowe Street, Hopkinton, MA 01748; (508) 435-6191. Prezo Grille & Bar, 229 East Main Street, Milford, MA 01757; (508) 634-0101. Mango Thai Cuisine, 9 Medway Road, Milford, MA 01757; (508) 482-9779. Acapulco's Cantina, 231 East Main Street, Milford, MA 01757; (508) 478-7197. Doc's Sports Bar & Grille, 340 East Main Street, Milford, MA 01757; (508) 634-4000.
The October, 2006 MBA tells the secret behind the reason this riding area earned the name Vietnam. |