Merrimack Valley Chapter
Welcome to the web site for the Merrimack Valley Chapter of NEMBA, New England Mountain Bike Association. Merrimack Valley is one of 18 NEMBA chapters throughout New England. We will keep this site up to date with breaking news on rides, events and trail maintenance issues. We welcome any feedback from you that can make this site even better.
Norman Blanchette
MV Web Advisor
The Lowell Dracut Tyngsboro State Forest has been completely revitalized in the last 11 years and is now a destination of choice for all outdoor user groups. The trail system has been expanded to allow riding or hiking options from 2 to 20 miles.
Russell Mills trail system can be accessed from Great Brook Farm with a short stretch of back roads. When combined with Great Brook, epic ride combination are possible.
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Weekly Ride Series Returns
The trails are ready to ride
Tuesday evenings has traditionally been set aside for the weekly show and go rides and this year is no different. The Two for Tuesday (as in two start times) is up and running and is already very well attended.
If the turnout gets too big we have on occasion broken up the riders into several different groups. That makes it that much easier to find the pace that's just right for you. Join us at the Lowell Dracut Tyngsboro State Forest.
Park at the Trotting Park Road lot in Lowell off of Varnum Ave. Start time is usually ~5:00 for the early riders with a return to the parking lot at ~5:50 to pick up the 2nd wave.
These rides are at an intermediate pace with stops to regroup. Nobody gets left behind. The rides are cross country in nature with plenty of opportunities to play on the rocks. Come on out.
Get Current Weather
Merrimack Valley NEMBA had another very successful trail day at Great Brook
Farm on June the 18th, 2011. The trails of Keyes Loop, Beaver Loop, Tophet Loop a
nd the
5 boardwalk trail all saw some serious work. And Keyes Loop even got a little reroute near the entrance. These trails have been ignored in recent years and were badly overgrown. Fallen trees were removed and the trails were blown clean and brushed back. A real pleasant surprise was the 5 boardwalk trail. That was so badly overgrown in recent years I used to avoid it at all cost. But right now it just might be my favorite trail at Great Brook. Check it out for yourself and see if you don't agree. Enjoy!
New Event
MV-NEMBA Bike Skills Clinic
DSF Thursday Evenings
Come on out to Dracut state forest and work on some basic mt bike skills. This
clinic will start with the basics and work slowly to help build confidence in
all attendees. All that is needed is a working bike a helmet and a willingness
to learn. Meet ~ 5pm
Directions:
http://tinyurl.com/3d8jp59
NEMBA TREK / Trail Care Series
Schedule for 2011
September 17 - Great Brook Farm
Several More To Be Determined
All Trail days start at 8:30 AM unless notified otherwise .
| June 19 | Happening at Huntington | Redding CT |
| June 26 | Pittsfield State Forest | Pittsfield MA |
| July 10 | Wendell State Forest | Wendell MA |
| July 31 | Bradbury Mountain | Pownal ME |
| August 7 | Cockaponset State Forest | Haddam CT |
| August 28 | Lynn Woods Reservation | Lynn MA |
| September 11 | Great Brook Farm SP | Carlisle MA |
| September 25 | Foxboro State Forest | Foxboro MA |
| October 8-9 | NEMBAfest @ Bear Brook | Allenstown NH |
| October 30 | Wicked Ride of the East | N. Andover MA |
For more info, visit http://www.mtbadventureseries.org
Russell Mill TM and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Merrimack Valley NEMBA has been working with the Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship to develop mountain bike specific trails at Russell Mill. This work has been on-going for about 3 years now. Bob Giunta has been the driving force behind this project. As a result of his dogged efforts, Russell Mill now sports about 7 miles of new mtb specific Singletrack.
The town of Chelmsford decided that Saturday May the 16th would see the dedication of the new trails at Russell Mill. We would have a ribbon cutting ceremony followed by a BBQ in the parking lot. After the BBQ we would take to the new trails on our mountain bikes.
As part of the ceremony, Merrimack Valley donated a check for $200.00 to the Chelmsford Open Space Stewardship.
Directions
Chapter Rides and Events for 2011
Tuesday Ride @ LDT
Thursday PYT Ride @ LDT
Friday Night @ RM
September 18 - NEMBA MBAS @ GBF
Chapter Meetings for 2011
May 02 - Location Changed. Call or email Stuart for more information.
August 01 - Sals Pizza Chelmsford
November 07 - Sals Pizza Chelmsford
Meanwhile we will continue to stay ahead of any issues involving our access to the local trail system. The bottom line is to keep the trails safe, clean, open and user friendly with a heavy dose of the fun factor.
