Bicycles Unlimited - Now this is more like it - Deerfield Tuesday B4 the Snows

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Now this is more like it - Deerfield Tuesday B4 the Snows

Written by Harold Green

Saturday, 12 December 2009

Curt and I decided that the Deerfield Ridge would be a superb place for the ride tonight. Joining us were Mark, Todd, Jamie and Matt B. After milling around to allow those that show up at ride time (guilty) we headed up the road to the Blueberry Trail. Tonight we would see classic early winter conditions. The small storm over the weekend had lightly powdered the trails leaving patches bare, and other patches with light tracks from prior riders. It was a beautiful clear cool night with temps in the low 30s. I took the early lead, in an attempt to keep our pace manageble and not get us overheated before we hit the first real climbs. Everyone stayed pretty much together through this nice warm up and before you knew it, we were gathered at the Sandy Rd contemplating the pending assault on Crystal Cave. Crystal Cave was a challenge for most of us tonight. The light snow and some remaining loose leaves made traction pretty scarce. I know I ended up hiking more of it than I have in a long time, but the rest of the trail rides so nicely, I don't think anyone really minded.

After we headed off the top and down into the back valley, we encountered about a 6" maple that had fallen into the trail. Mark and I pulled out or respective pocket saws, and between us, we clipped the branches and topped the tree to clear the trail. (More trail maintenance points to the NEMBA crews!) As we gathered at the wet road we decided to head right and climb up the blue blaze pocomtuck road to Pine Nook Rd. There was still lots of running water on the road, and the tire tracks from the various pickups had made this experience less than pleasant.

At Pine Nook, we crossed the road and headed up the Single Track. This is an enjoyable mild climb that rode really nicely tonight. Firm, clear and moderately traveled before we got to it. When we reached the decision point (up the ski trail, up the road, or across the road and toward the ST), we opted to skip the climb to the tower and headed for the cliff trail. The cliff trail is one of my favorites on the ridge, once past the hike up the rocks, it is a moderately challenging, but really nice flowing winder. I knew we were pushing the comfort limits of Jamie and Curt on this, but felt confident that with a little determination, and willingness to hike the more rigourous features, they would enjoy it lots more than their first time on it when it was brand new last summer. Both survived admirably and seemed to be glad we opted for this loop. NOTE to self - chain saw needed just before the descent to the pond. A big pine has fallen across the trail.

Once back onto the old XC trail, we followed it back to Pine Nook Rd, and then took the road to the trail junction. We opted to head down Friends trail to Fridge which was again a real joy tonight. At this point we discussed our options, exit now, or back track various portions of trail we had ridden previously. We opted to split and retrace... Curt and Jamie road with us to the intersection of Sandy Rd to take a pair of lefts and finish with the beginning of Blueberry in reverse, while the rest of the group got in some more climbing by retracing all the way around Crystal Cave up the twisty downhill and back Blueberry and the road to the Pool.

We finished in good spirits with only a little battery life left, eager for the impending storm.

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Last Updated ( Saturday, 12 December 2009 )

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