Trail Report...5/31/09

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea MA
- Riders: T, OMMB
- Weather: nice
- Temp: 79
- Humidity: low
- Trail Conditions: great...mud is all dried up
- Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 20%
- Distance: 5 mi
- Bug Report: not too bad
- Pollen Level: high
- Wildlife Observed: headless squirrel - in the woods, you never know what might be waiting to eat your head! ("Hey Rocky, watch me pull your head out of my hat...whoops, wrong hat")
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: Oh Sheet by T, rocks knocked some of her balance, a little tree took the rest...off the bike in true Superwoman style into the spiders and bushes! Some awesome bruises to show!
- Notes: we reversed the loop to make things interesting...it worked a little too well.

Tidbits: fellow riders from the left coast will be joining me this week...wish them luck ;)









More pix...
http://picasaweb.google.com/srebello417/TrailReportPix53109?feat=directlink

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/30/09

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea MA
- Riders: T (SR), Anna, OMMB
- Weather: excellent
- Temp: 79
- Humidity: none
- Trail Conditions: excellent
- Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 20%
- Distance: 6 mi
- Bug Report: if you stop too long, the giant skeets get you
- Pollen Level: med
- Wildlife Observed: a chipmunk, a swan, a farmer, Anna & Steve saw SRs, T saw a full portuguese moon
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: one whoops by OMMB, ended upside down
- Notes: a great day for a break in ride for Anna Swedie. Teri was forced to learn the snot rocket (SR) technique, now she's addicted

Tidbits: riding with these two sweeties, apres-ride G&Ts, eating oysters and salmon by the bay, Mark...wish you were here!

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/27/09

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea MA
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: rain
- Temp: 48
- Humidity: high, but cool
- Trail Conditions: soft & wet, at times very supple
- Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 15%
- Distance: 5.2 mi
- Bug Report: minimal
- Pollen Level: minimal
- Wildlife Observed: 3 deer and whats left of the just dead mink (someone has a new coat)
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: just a little slippery when wet
- Notes: wet branches in the face; good way to wake up on early morning rides

Tidbits: Happy Birthday Robin!!

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail (Hike) Report...5/25/09

- Place: Weetamoo Woods, Tiverton RI
- Hikers: Teri, Alexa, Anna, OMMB
- Weather: Nice
- Temp: 80
- Humidity: low
- Trail Conditions: very good
- Technical Level: if you can walk, you can hike here
- Hills: just rock climbs...highest was to top of High Rock RI where we had a Provender lunch
- Distance: about 3 miles
- Bug Report: minimal
- Pollen Level: med
- Wildlife Observed: several hawks and osprey, also I snuck up behind a rare Swedish Sasquatch that was sasquatching in the woods (I don't think she saw me).
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: one whoops by Alexa, a classic trail slide out
- Notes: great place for a recreational (to re-create) hike. Intent was to watch Alexa do some rock climbing (one of her passions).

Tidbits: the weather"people" were finally right...great day! ...and Happy Birthday Mark!! (we ate chocolate chip espresso cookies to celebrate)

More pix...
http://picasaweb.google.com/srebello417/TrailHikeReportPix52509?authkey=Gv1sRgCJ7o5Iqf247L1gE&feat=directlink

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/24/09

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: overcast (beat the rain)
- Temp: 60
- Humidity: moderate
- Trail Conditions: very good
- Technical Level: intermediate
- Hills: 20%
- Distance: 5.7 mi
- Bug Report: low
- Pollen Level: med
- Wildlife Observed: the mink is still there by the side of the trail, it's just dead
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets:
- Notes: found some additions to the normal loop. great ride for a Sunday morning wind up of the MTB god.

Tidbits: the weather"people" really blew the forecast this weekend. couldn't be more opposite than the beautiful weather they predicted. hoping for more sunshine and higher temps for Memorial Day tomorrow (don't forget to thank a Vet). planning to do some hiking/rock climbing at Weetamoo tomorrow...

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/22/09

- Place: Massasoit State Park, East Taunton, MA - Riders: OMMB
- Weather: NICE!
- Temp: 80
- Humidity: low
- Trail Conditions: excellent
- Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: lots of sharp steep hills off the main dirt roads
- Distance: 7.5 miles
- Bug Report: not too bad
- Pollen Level: high
- Wildlife Observed: heard a few creatures, non observed
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: some yikes, steep drop offs
- Notes: First time riding at Massasoit State Park for OMMB. Started off on a steep climb (Peter something trail). Unless you veer off the main double track trails, not too technical. A good place for a break in ride, or if you wish to work on your skills you can break off the main trail to some gnarly single track. But be prepared to walk, there's a lot of steep ups and downs. There's a crazy steep area used by quads...be fun to watch that! Some great places to stop and view the lakes. All in all, the real fun part of the place was a nice long single back to the parking lot (blue trail).

Tidbits: Happy Birthday to Swee-D! Happy Half Birthday to Swee-T!

Happy Trails,

OMMB

Trail Report...5/20/09

- Place: Big River, South Entrance off Rt 102 (near the Gun Club land)
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: NICE!
- Temp: 70
- Humidity: low
- Trail Conditions: excellent
- Technical Level: intermediate
- Hills: two that required going for an uphill walk
- Distance: 5 miles (guestimate since the GPS didn't lock in)
- Bug Report: everything you could imagine (all tasted the same). And there's going to be a serious gypsy moth caterpillar issue here.
- Pollen Level: low
- Wildlife Observed: none
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: none (other than missing the plank bridge)
- Notes: Tried entering BR from a new location off Rt 102 (intersection of Congdon Rd and New London Turnpike). Decent loop (some real technical stuff) but I was unable to grab a digital track due to the GPS never locking into enough SVs (satellite vehicles). I will post the map that enabled me to make it back to the truck asap (asap = when I finish making the BLOG site). DONE! See below.
- Interesting Tidbit: came across a very old locked safe. Yep, like a Bonnie & Clyde relic on the side of the trail. Anyone got dynamite?

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/16/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: T, OMMB
- Weather: clear
- Temp: 60
- Trail Conditions: moderate mud
- Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 10%
- Distance: 4 miles
- Bug Report: mosquito bastards
- Pollen Level: med
- Wildlife Observed: none
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: none (although I heard a couple of eeks and whoas from someone)
- Notes: nice loop with my wife, who has mastered the bridge of rocks over mud technique!

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/14/09 - Weetamoo Woods, Tiverton, RI

- Place: Weetamoo Woods, Tiverton, RI
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: Windy, muggy
- Temp: 60
- Trail Conditions: more mud than usual, enough for everyone
- Technical Level: intermediate
- Hills: 5%
- Distance: 6 miles
- Bug Report: tons of mosquitos (didn't seem to be biting though, maybe they were full from eating at Grey's)
- Pollen Report: low
- Wildlife Observed: none (maybe these woods are haunted)
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: none (still sore from the last one!)
- Notes: Fairly technical single track with plenty of variety (log hops, rock gardens, bridges, ledges). I hope to take my son here someday ;)

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/12/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: Bob, OMMB
- Weather: Cloudy with slight mist (rain held off)
- Temp: 60
- Trail Conditions: good, starting to dry up again
- Technical Level: intermediate/expert (due to the pace and some hills)
- Hills: 20%
- Distance: 5 miles
- Bug Report: damn gnats still don't taste very good
- Pollen Report: high
- Wildlife Observed: a mink, yes a mink. Although it was either mostly dead or just sleeping by the trailside (he needs a better place to lay down).
- Whoops, Yikes, and Oh Sheets: Bob; one whoops over a 6 foot boulder, down the other side into a small tree (good recovery, intentionally ejecting from his bike). Steve; one Oh Sheet down a 4 foot drop off, rode the front wheel until Mr. Endo decided to visit...unintentional ejection over the handle bars landing in a tuck & role 10 feet from the bike (which landed in the trees).
- Notes: nuf said.

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail (NOT) Report...5/11/09

- Place: Bristol Bike Path
- Riders: T, OMMB
- Weather: Clear & cool
- Temp: 58
- Trail Conditions: black tar...smooth with some root bumps, no mud or stream crossings
- Technical Level: beginner
- Hills: nope
- Distance: 6.2 miles
- Bug Report: damn gnats don't taste good at all
- Pollen Report: high
- Wildlife Observed: bunnies, bunnies, bunnies....
- Notes:

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/10/09 - Big River - RI

- Place: Big River (West Side), Exit 6 entrance
- Riders: T, OMMB
- Weather: Clear & windy
- Temp: 65
- Trail Conditions: good... several manageable mud & stream crossings
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 15%
- Distance: 5.25 miles
- Bug Report: some skeeters
- Pollen Report: high
- Wildlife Observed: squirrel and raccoon (or fox) tails hanging from some guy named Mike's helmet
- Notes: Considering all the rain, this loop of trails held up well. We met several nice folks, one was so kind as to let us know it was turkey hunting season (glad I left my feather suit at home).

By the way, this ride was requested by T for Mother's Day (can't beat that).

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/9/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: T, OMMB
- Weather: Cloudy
- Temp: 60
- Trail Conditions: "they're baaaack" ... the mud crossings
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 10%
- Distance: 5.1 miles
- Bug Report: several gnats
- Pollen Report: low
- Wildlife Observed: other than a goiter ridden dog, not much
- Notes: this week's rain really left it's mark. Kerry's Hoodlums have recommended that I start an OMMB BLOG...under consideration (thanks).

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/5/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

Today's ride...

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: Bob, Jack, OMMB
- Weather: RAIN
- Temp: 50
- Trail Conditions: good, mud crossings WERE almost dried up
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 15%
- Distance: 5 miles
- Bug Report: if there were any, I was too busy trying to keep up
- Pollen Report: n/a
- Wildlife Observed: none... too wet for the ducks and too cold for the frogs
- Notes: those bastards took me on the usual route, but in reverse and fast paced...TOUGH! (only two stops for wind)

Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...5/2/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: clear
- Temp: 55
- Trail Conditions: good, mud crossings are almost dried up
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 25%
- Distance: 5 miles
- Bug Report: low - tasted a couple different types, no flavor
- Pollen Report: low
- Wildlife Observed: none
- Notes: threw some extra climbs over several rock outcroppings within the loop, interesting terrain
Happy Trails,
OMMB

Trail Report...4/29/09 - Case Jr High, Swansea, MA

- Place: Case Jr High, Swansea, MA
- Riders: OMMB
- Weather: clear & cool
- Temp: 55
- Trail Conditions: good, minor mud crossings
- Trail Technical Level: beginner/intermediate
- Hills: 10%
- Distance: 5 miles
- Bug Report: low
- Pollen Report: low
- Wildlife Observed: just bunny rabbits
- Notes: nice fast loop for a late in the day ride (52 minutes)

Happy Trails,
OMMB