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Lynn Woods Current News
General Trail Updates - 2007
Lynn Woods Update 10.17.07
With the help of the local biking
community, Dieselbikes was able to complete 100% of our fifth and final
trail day in Lynn Woods for the 2007 season. As usual, this was
another backbreaking project but our main goal and a few extras were
accomplished.
A section of trail that connects Ridge
Run to the beginning of the Ballfield trail (section 5E) just past Mary
Ellen Drive was severely eroded with pieces of asphalt and concrete dumped
around the trail area. It was decided to close this section of trail
and re-route to more stable ground for long-term use. This section was in
poor condition and really did not offer anything fun in terms of technical
riding.
The new re-routed trail that was cut
incorporated a number of small rock features along with a small roller that
adds some technical challenges to this section. The entrance/exit of this
trail was move to ensure better line of site when riding. Now when you
approach this trail split, you need not stop and wonder where to go. The
direction of flow is more evident that allows you to keep pedaling without
stopping.
Once again we forget to get a work
group picture, but we do have plenty pictures below of everyone working
hard. I want to extend my personal thanks to each individual (listed below)
that helped complete this project. This trail section was short, but we were
able to pack in many natural features to make this section fun and flowy. I
look forward to see everyone again in future trail builds and/or maintenance
projects.
Simon- Somerville,
Pete- Lynn,
Frank- Lynn,
Nathanial- Lynnfield,
John- Stoneham,
Steve- Stoneham,
Steve- Gloucester,
Jay- Lynn,
Tom- Lynn,
Tommy w/Daughter- Lynnfield.
Lynn Woods Update 09.18.07
With the help of the local biking
community, Dieselbikes was able to complete 100% of our forth trail day in
Lynn Woods. As usual, this was another back breaking project but our
main goal and a few extra’s were accomplished.
A section of Overlook Trail runs
through a wet area that becomes flooded during heavy rain and stays muddy
most of the year. To reduce and/or eliminate environment damage, we
decided to install a few wooden ladder bridges to span the sections of wet
areas. This past Saturday, the heavy rain did not stop 12 highly
motivated volunteers who worked at a record pace installing each section of
the bridges.
With over 3000lbs of pre-cut lumber,
everyone went to work like a well oiled machine pulling rocks, clearing the
trail bed and assembling the bridges. After hammering in over 1200
twist-tie nails, the team decided to keep pushing forward by armoring each
end of the bridges and installing a few natural trail features.
In my opinion, I believe Dieselbikes
found the secret to keep volunteers working non-stop…that secret is coffee
and donuts. It is amazing what a "Box of Joe" and a few dozen donuts
and muffins will do to motivate people…can we say sugar rush!
This was one of the few times we were
not able to get a work crew shot, but everyone who attended will remember
this trail day. I want to extend my personal thanks to each individual
(listed below) that helped complete this project. This trail day ranks
in the top 5 for huge build projects, but it was completed. I look
forward to see everyone again in future trail builds and/or maintenance
projects.
Simon- Somerville,
Pete- Lynn,
Carole- Somerville,
Eric- Hampstead,
Frank- Lynn,
Nathanial- Lynnfield,
Greg- Melrose,
Jacob-Melrose,
Matt- Somerville,
John- Lynn and two others I forgot their names.
Lynn Woods Update 06.26.07
With the help of the local biking
community, Dieselbikes was able to complete 90% of our third trail day in
Lynn Woods. As usual, this was another back breaking project but our
main goal was accomplished.
During our pre-trail day survey,
Dieselbikes brought Park Management out to see an existing illegal trail
that existed for quite sometime out by the power lines. We explained
the benefits of this illegal trail and requested it’s incorporation into the
Lynn Woods trail network as a legal trail. Park Management agreed with
this request providing a few sections of this trail were adjusted to meet
the multi-use requirement for all park users.
All 11 trail volunteers work hard to
address these issues and thus the trail is now considered part of the legal
network (Blue-Dotted Line). We were able to cut a new 250 foot section
of trail connecting Ox Pasture Road to this existing trail keeping it with
in the park’s property line. This section of new trail has been
heavily armored (at least 50 – 60 feet) to ensure long term suitability and
add a level of technical challenge for mountain bikers. We were also
required to expand a small section of the existing trail and add a short
foot path for walker/hikers. One section we were not able to
accomplish due to time and the hot sun, was the opposite end of the existing
trail as it leads out onto Deep Woods Trail. This section will be
re-routed and the installation of a wooden bridge will take place next year
as an official trail day.
Since some sections of this trail are
new, that means they are soft. We ask everyone to ride this trail so
that the process of packing the soil naturally will occur. Dieselbikes
will continue to monitor this section for the next few months making any
adjustment if required. Furthermore, we ask all riders who are using
this trail not to move or use any rocks found on the sides of the trail.
These rocks are there for a reason and will be utilized for additional trail
armoring in key areas. If you do not know where this trail is, find
someone who does.
I want to extend my personal thanks to
each individual (listed below) that helped complete this project. This
was a HOT day but everyone stayed motivated and worked there ASSES off to
finish the assigned task! I look forward to see everyone again in
future trail builds and/or maintenance projects.
Also this was the final day for the
JRA Bike Frame Trail Raffle. Eric from Gloucester (not present) won
the JRA bike trail raffle. We will have a full write with Pictures
ASAP. On top of that, Wheelworks was kind enough to provide
Dieselbikes with a box of goodies for us to raffle too all the volunteers
who attend this trail day. Again, I want to thank both
JRA Cycles and
Wheelworks for there generous support of
Dieselbikes and providing some sort of payback for the hours of volunteer
service.
Simon- Somerville,
Pete- Lynn,
Carole- Somerville,
Tina- Lynn,
Kevin- Lynn,
John- Stoneham,
Tina- Lynn,
Frank-Lynn,
Nathanial – Lynnfield,
Steve – Stoneham, The New Guy…forget his name.
Lynn Woods Update 05.28.07
With the help of the local biking
community, Dieselbikes was able to complete 100% of our second trail day in
Lynn Woods. This was another huge project that was back breaking work
but our main goal was accomplished.
A section of trail which climbs up
from the Wolf Pits Bridge towards Boston Rock was severely eroded. A
survey by Park Management left us with no suitable path to cut a new
re-route trail without drastically changing the flow of the current trail.
Regardless of this severe erosion, Park Management wanted to keep this
section of trail open due to its long historical presents and heavy user
traffic.
All 8 trail volunteers worked hard to
complete a massive rock armoring job to repair this section and make it more
stable for all park users. We were able to mine, move and bury over
5000lbs of rock to ensure the trail thread will last for years to come.
By armoring the trail thread, we will greatly reduce the current erosion
problem which is occurring. This section also has been narrowed to
create a better line of site for park users and turn this eroded mess back
into beautiful single-track. We believe in a few years, nature will
re-claim this section and our severe erosion problems will be a thing of the
past.
We ask the local bike community to
ride this section as much as possible to help pack the sand/dirt we placed
on top of the underlying stone work. Dieselbikes will monitor this
section for the next few months making any adjustments if required. I
want to extend my personal thanks to each individual (listed below) that
helped complete this project. This was a small section of trail but the task
at hand was huge. I look forward to see everyone again in future trail
builds and/or maintenance projects.
Simon- Somerville,
Pete- Lynn,
John- Stoneham, Paul- JP,
Tina- Lynn, Frank-Lynn,
Yulia- Lynn, Paul- Lynn.
Lynn Woods Update 04.30.07
With the help of the local biking
community, Dieselbikes was able to complete 100% of our first trail day in
Lynn Woods. This was a huge project and we completed our main goal to cut
and define the trail thread.
All 19 trail volunteers work hard to
complete this 1200+ foot trail section in record time. During the early
morning hours the weather looked questionable, but that did not dampen the
work spirit of the volunteers. This new "Power Line Trail" connects from
the beginning of "Sharks Tooth Trail" near route 1 North and runs up hill
towards "Deep Woods Trail" about 400 feet inside the property line of Lynn
Woods. The work completed this past Saturday is just phase one of the new
"Power Line Trail". Phase two trail work is scheduled on June 24th
which will complete the full path of the "Power Line Trail" totaling an
estimated length of 2000+ feet.
This trail has FLOW….yes I said
it….FLOW! The ideal direction of travel for this trail is to ride from
"Deep Woods Trail" and head towards "Sharks Tooth Trail" near Route 1.
Riding in this direction you will fine tons of natural technical trail
features. As usual, the trail was design to utilize as much natural rock as
possible. This trail features a few rock armored paths, a 10 foot stone
walkway to cross a wet area and tons of twist/turns that will make you feel
like you are riding a slalom course.
Since the trail is new, that means it
is soft, we ask everyone to ride this new section so that the process of
packing the soil naturally will occur. Dieselbikes will continue to monitor
this section for the next few months making any adjustment if required.
Furthermore, we ask all riders who are using this trail not to move or use
any rocks found on the sides of the trail. These rocks are there for a
reason and will be utilized for additional trail armoring in key areas. If
you do not know where this trail is, find someone who does.
I want to extend my personal thanks to
each individual (listed below) that helped complete this project. Some
volunteers arrived mid morning and had to leave early, so we did not get
their names, but still want to say thanks. This was a large scale project
and everyone worked there ASSES off! I look forward to see everyone again
in future trail builds and/or maintenance projects.
Simon- Somerville,
George- Somerville,
Steve- Gloucester, Pete- Lynn,
Eric-Peabody, Frank- Byfield,
Carole- Somerville, Tina G- Lynn,
James- Lynn, Kamala- Lynn,
John- Stoneham, Paul- JP,
Tina- Lynn, Frank-Lynn…5
others, did not get their names.
Lynn Woods Update 03.23.07
Dieselbikes is pleased to
announce our Lynn Woods Trail Maintenance Series for 2007. Park
Management has approved 4 trail projects which will span over 5 trail days
during this season. Our feature trail project this year is the
addition of a new trail that will snake its way from Ox Pasture Road, to
Route 1 near the power lines. This trail will be within the Property
line of Lynn Woods and is sure to be a fun for all.
Below is our schedule for the
2007 Lynn Trail Maintenance Series:
Note: Click on Trail Date for
more info.
Saturday April 28th:
(Trail Day Sponsored by JRA
Cycles)
New Power Line Trail Phase 1: New trail section from Route 1 near Shark’s
Tooth Trail.
Saturday May 26th:
(Trail Day Sponsored by JRA
Cycles) Bow Ridge Trail
Repair: Rock armoring a section of trail that leads from the Wolf Pits and
climbs up to Boston Rock.
Sunday June 24th:
(Trail Day Sponsored by JRA
Cycles)
New Power Line Trail Phase 2: New trail section from Route 1 near Shark’s
Tooth Trail.
Saturday September 15th:
Overlook Trail Bridge: Build a wooden ladder bridge near section D4-4 on
Overlook Trail.
Sunday October 14th:
Ballfield Trail Repair: Re-routing and cutting a new trail section on the
Ballfield trail near map grid section E5.
Sunday November 10th:
Additional trail day if required.
With our past planning and
implementation of 11 trail projects in Lynn Woods, this year's projects will
add more enhancements to a great riding location. We look forward
working with members of the local mountain bike community in completing
these trail days.
If you have any questions,
comments and/or concerns, please feel free to contact us at
info@dieselbikes.com
We thank you for our support.
Lynn Woods Update 02.14.07
We at Dieselbikes had a meeting with
Park Management yesterday to review some problems occurring in Lynn Woods.
One problem brought to the City's attention was a rogue trail that was cut
sometime in the last 3 months near the power lines on the Lynn Woods side.
This trail was spotted by the EPA whom performs environmental inspections of
the park due to the fresh water supply.
Park Management and I went to
investigate this rogue trail and found the trail does appear to be fairly
new. It leads off from the power line area towards a moderate size
rock feature and then comes to a dead end. Park Management is not
pissed off about this trail; just voiced their concerns about such conduct.
Repair of this section will take place during the spring months. We at
Dieselbikes are working with the City to get the trails by RT1 officially
recognized as legitimate trails for mountain bikers and other park users.
In fact, if this area becomes official, we will then look to expand the
network.
The second problem is one of vandalism
which is becoming more and more persistent. Graffiti, paint ball and
drinking parties are on the rise and the City of Lynn (as so the EPA) will
be taking action to catch this person or persons. This matter is
important to Mountain Bikers because Lynn will be installing tree cameras in
certain areas of the wood where such illicit activities occur. They
operate on battery and can be used year round in all conditions and snap
pictures via detection of motion. These cameras are small, well hidden
and have been in use by the City to estimate the growing deer population in
the Woods on the south side.
Again, these cameras will be deployed
from time to time because of increasing vandalism, not mountain bikers
cutting rogue trails. If any additional information regarding this
matter surfaces we will do our best to let the biking community know the
facts.
Lynn Woods Update 01.02.07
We at Dieselbikes want to wish
everyone the best for 2007. As many of you know, but for anyone who
does not know, Lynn Woods is officially closed to biking until April 15th.
There is a small area near the powerlines which is open for us to ride year
round. This area is accessible behind the Naked Fish and Full Blast on
Route 1 in Lynnfield. Dieselbikes has created an un-official map of
this area which mountain bikers are allow to ride until Lynn Woods re-opens
on April 15th.
We ask the mountain biking community
does their best to respect Lynn Woods's closure. Riding on frozen
trails it not the biggest problem during this period or a major
environmental issue (at least for Lynn Woods), but the political fallout
that occurs when other park users complain about mountain bikers breaking
official park policy.
We are currently working with Lynn
Woods Park Management on approval for 2007 trail projects. This year we are
planning on 5 potential trail projects that will be bigger and more intense
then past projects. We are excited to present these trail projects to
Park Management and with our past performance, we believe with great
confidence they will be approved. As these projects become approved,
you (mountain bike community) will be the first to know.
Again, we want to wish everyone the
best for 2007. If you have any questions, comments or concerns about Lynn
Woods, drop us a line and we will try to address them the best we can.
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