Meshomasic SF, EH/Portland/Gbury 5/25

[Paul]

Said to Hell with work Monday and took advantage of the weather to go for a MTB ride with the girls. We headed into the Meshmasic State Forest located in the towns of East Hampton, Portland and Glastonbury. There's a network of roads for logging etc... and if you look carefully, lots of single-track off of them. Most of the ST ranges from moderately difficult to downright technical. We did a little of both, even the 8-year-old. I had figured it would be too much, but she really enjoyed it. Lost my GPS last year so I have to guess the total distance was around 4 miles, 90% of which was all ST.

It is a huge forest and I grew-up visiting it a lot, so if anyone wants to try it, let me know.

This isn't so bad...

There were numerous brook crossings, she even made it across most of them

Some were easier than others

I only went OTB once, but it resulted in this gruesome injury. Owie indeed.

 

[severine]

Very nice, Paul! Love seeing your daughter out on the ride with you! I can't wait til my kids are old enough to join us.

 

[Paul]

Very nice, Paul! Love seeing your daughter out on the ride with you! I can't wait til my kids are old enough to join us.

Thanks! It is a blast, and I'm constantly amazed at what she'll try, and do. Same with skiing I s'pose.

 

[Greg]

How old is your daughter, Paul? I was trying to get my 6 year old to ride without training wheels yesterday with limited success.

 

[Paul]

How old is your daughter, Paul? I was trying to get my 6 year old to ride without training wheels yesterday with limited success.

She'll be 9 in September. She was shakey for the first Summer when we took them off (about 5) but the next year it was like flipping a switch. Kids are funny that way, no matter when you start, they just become ready when they're ready. Like pre-programming or something.

 

[bvibert]

Nice Paul! Way to get the youngin out there with ya!

 

[Paul]

Nice Paul! Way to get the youngin out there with ya!

She doesn't have a choice, the older one goes as well.

 

[o3jeff]

Sounds like a good place to ride(right down the street form where I work)

CF info http://www.crankfire.com/trails/trail.php?trailid=18

 

[Paul]

Sounds like a good place to ride(right down the street form where I work)

CF info http://www.crankfire.com/trails/trail.php?trailid=18

Lots of good rides in there...

http://trails.mtbr.com/cat/united-states-trails/trails-connecticut/trail/PRD_166851_4534crx.aspx#reviews

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

nice..I like the shot going through the water..

 

[rueler]

from what I've heard, the place has scarier stunts in there than Nepaug if you look hard enough