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Tour of the Landlocked Forest, this route will bring you to all the favorite trails.
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The Bay Circuit Trail, formerly known as the Bay Circuit Path is about 230 miles long. Although this changes constantly due to land ownership changes and new opportunities. It runs from Newburyport's Plum Island to Duxbury's Harbor running through 38 towns and linking 57 Greater Boston communities.
Most responsible for today's Bay Circuit Trail is Alan French, a North Andover resident, who working with a host of volunteers created, planned, marked and most importantly got permissions for mouch of what we now enjoy.
Today the trail is managed by the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Trusttes of Reservations.
Little know fact: The "original" Bay Circuit Path, in the early part of the 20th century, was conceived of as a motorway linking pastoral unpaved roadways for automobile use. The world has certainly changed since then.
The Bay Circuit Trail is mostly located between the Route 495 and 128 Beltways, It runs from sea leavel to sea level with a maximum elevation of 602 feet at Nobscot Hll in Framingham Some sections of the trail are on pavement, but the majority of it is trail.
The trail passes through an almost innuerable number of conservation parcels, parks and State forests.
Most of the Bay Circuit Trail is open to bikes. But there are a few exceptions.
One exception is the Nobscot Scout Reservation on Sudbury and Framingham. This includes most of the of the section of the trail between Brimstone Lane and Route 20 and includes both Nobscot Hill & Tipping Rock. The biking alternate is going north on Bay Circuit trail is north (downhill) on Brimstone Lane and east on Route 20. Going South, from Tippling Rock Trailhead, go west on Route 20 and south (uphill) on Brimstone Lane.
Other exceptions include certain trails on Sudbury Valley Trustees properties and Audubon's Moose Hill Sanctuary in Sharon.
NEMBA has a long history of volunteerism on the Bay Circuit. To see a list of these type Bay Circuit into the search box at the top of this page.
Riding the Bay Circuit Trail
Most people riding in their favorite areas in this corridor observe Bay Circuit Trail markers. But few people try to ride the whole thng. Check the maps. You may find that you can link a few of your favorite riding areas using trails that you've nvere explored. Many times people will park vehicles at two places on the Trail and ride between them. Over time they may ride the whole thing. I am aware of a few pwople who have done the whole thing, with the exceeption of a few no-bike restrictions, in one ride. But, they normally do some rough camping or stay at motels along the way.
When exploring the Bay Circuit Trail you'll go through many conservation areas and pass an uncountable number to trail junctions. Giving you a perfect opportiunity to explore.
The map at the top of the page links you to the Newburyport, or northern end of the trail at the Parker River National Wildlife Refuge. Here's a more detailed MAP.
The southern end is located at the Bay Farm Preserve located at 55 Loring Street in Dxbury. You'll fid a map of this area HERE. Note: You can actually do a loop ride at this end of the trail
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At 616 acres and incorporating parts of Ashland and Framingham ATF's 7+ miles of trails offer hardwood forests, stone outcroppings and wetlands. The trails can be wet in early spring, but dry out quickly.
The Bay Circuit Trail runs through the ATF and it's managed by the Ashland Town Forest Committee.
Local mountain bikers that ride the ATF refer to it as a hidden gem. It's great place to get 8-10 loopy miles.
It's fun with a few punchy climbs but mostly flat.
ATF is a great place to ride. Explore it once, and you'll be back. Read more about [node:title]
Attention Fells Mountain Bikers
DCR has asked us to remind the riding community about some important rules around mountain biking in the Fells. GBNEMBA encourages every rider in the Fells to respect and follow them.
Please ride only on trails open for multi-use (this includes mountain biking). These are the main singletrack trails open for mountain biking:
1. The Mountain Bike Loop (the green trail)
2. The Reservoir Trail (the orange trail)
Additionally, there are many trails that are listed as “Forest Ways” on the official DCR map for the Fells that are designated multi-use (see exceptions below).
Please do not ride on the following trails (or in these designated areas) as they are walking/hiking only:
In addition, GBNEMBA encourages all Fells trail users to follow these best practices when recreating in the Fells:
Thank you for helping to keep mountain biking a positive recreation activity in the Fells!
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The town of Bolton has an extensive network of trails. The best information on them is located on the Bolton Trails website.
This page focuses on the Vaughn Hills, a 187 acre property with almost 7 miles of trails. The Vaughn Hills trail map is quite detailed and shows three parking areas, but recommend parking at the "Moen Lot" at 245 Vaughn Hill Road, Bolton, MA. Trails meander along cliffs, farms, wooded areas, and a wetland pond with beaver activity. Climbs and descents from North peak are worthy of a visit with approximately 400ft of elevation change. Longer rides can be connected to adjacent properties within Bolton and Harvard.
Note: All trails in Bolton are dog, equestrian, and mountain bike friendly.
ProTip: These trails can be very muddy during the spring at the lower elevations, so best reserved for a visit during dry periods.
Get a better idea of the avilable trails in Bolton by looking at the Town Trail Map.
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The town of Bolton has an extensive network of trails. The best information on them is located on the Bolton Trails website.
This page focuses on Rattlesnake, a 453 acre parcel laced with trails and many natural features such as rock outcroppings, caves, and vernal pools and some historical features like quarries and mills. The trails consist of old cartpaths and singletracks. There is a mix of beginner and intermediate terrain with some advanced sections with typical New England rocky sections. The trail junction markers are useful for navigating the trail network, but only with a reference map on hand. There are multiple areas to park, but most people park in the lot directly visible from State Route 117 (195 Main Street, Bolton, MA) . Be sure to check out the Ridge Loop Trail and Boulder Trail. Longer rides can be connected to adjacent properties within Bolton, Harvard, or Stow.
Some of the trails at Rattlesnak will bite you if you're not careful. Nest not to ride here the morning after a rainstorm.
Note: All trails in Bolton are dog, equestrian, and mountain bike friendly.
Get a better idea of the avilable trails in Bolton by looking at the Town Trail Map.
ProTip: End your ride with BBQ, pizza, and beer at Slater's (outdoor seating + view of parking lot
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In 2003 after completing a $210,000 fundraising effort NEMBA was able to purchase 47 acres of land in Milford, Massachusetts. We bought this land to prevent its development and to protect and preserve a wonderful network of trails that were known locally as “Vietnam”. Our land forms an integral part of a much larger area of conservation land in the towns of Milford, Holliston and Hopkinton.
Parking:
There are four parking areas offering direct access to the Conservation Land surrounding Vietnam. Please keep in mind Vietnam proper does not have any actual parking as it is land locked and surrounded by Conservation land owned by several different towns. Please act accordingly. Trail building or trail modifications are absolutely forbidden without prior written permission.
NEMBA’s purchase of this land marked a first for mountain bike associations in our nation, and in the world.
Our Vietnam property is right in the middle of approximately 1000 acres of protected open space. Vietnam and the surrounding lands are, of course, replete with many miles of trails that are open to non-motorized trail users. Emtbs, or electric powered mountain bikes are prohibited on the protected open space surrounding NEMBA's Vietnam property and therefore in Vietnam itself. NEMBA has been very active, since the purchase of the land, in improving the existing trail network in the entire area, as well as in building and enhancing trails on our own property.
Ajax Gaming Ventures, a Delaware Limited Liability Corporation owned by Donald Trump offered NEMBA a $35,000, one year purchase option, based on a sale price of $1,650,000 to buy Vietnam. Despite the astounding price, NEMBA summarily rejected the purchase offer. Mountain bikers bought this land to preserve it, not to profit from it. Still, it’s amazing to think of just how lucky we were to be there at the right time to make that purchase.
It was quite a gamble. In 2002 NEMBA purchased an option to buy the land from the Liner Trust for $15,000. We had no idea if we could raise the rest of the money, but we couldn’t let the opportunity slip by. Somehow, through donations large and small, donations that in some cases came in from around the country, we beat the option deadline and were able to purchase the land.
After we took ownership NEMBA formed the Vietnam Land Management Steering Committee to oversee and manage the property. Owning conservation land, even if you’re a non-profit organization, is not an easy thing to do. In addition to the obvious issue of trail maintenance and upkeep there are liability issues to consider. That means insurance costs every year. If you're not already a member of NEMBA you should join to, among other things, help us in our efforts to preserve and protect this land.
The Riding:
The riding in Vietnam is legendary for its technical nature. There are some mellow trails both on NEMBA's property and in the surrounding conservation land but most people ride at Vietnam to be challenged both technially and physically. You'll see a lot of "big hit" bikes out on the trails. There are ways around most of the technical features, but you will find yourself paying attention to the trails a lot more than you'll find yourself looking at scenery. Blackstone Valley NEMBA has performed many hundreds of hours of trail work maintaining and building the trails in Vietnam.
Facebook Page:
Vietnam has a Facebook Page with a lot of current information.
By Bill Boles
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While Billerica State Forest is a relatively small 370 acres DCR property divided by roads into three parcels, it has fast become a local gem for mountain biking, trail running and hiking.
Since there are currently no designated parking lots, most riders access BSF from Russell Mill Town Forest in Chelmsford. However, there is limited parking on the side of Rangeway Road, next to Rte 3.
The Gilson Hill side of BSF contains the majority of the high quality and exceptionally fun singletrack trails. Riders usually begin by ascending Yellow Rabbit and then navigating around the Gilson Hill Loop. The top of Gilson Hill is the second highest point in the Town of Billerica. After finishing the Gilson Hill Loop, one can ride the Northern Loop either clockwise or counter-clockwise, however riding the loop clockwise maximizes the downhill/enduro features of the trail. There is also a very fun lollipop trail called The Inner Loop off of the Northern Loop.
On the northern side of Rangeway Road is a small but fun <3-mile loop, and if one wishes to put in an extra mile, you can cross Chelmsford Road and do a short loop around the Manning State Forest. However, be aware that this section is intensively used by walkers and people using the exercise stations along the path.
The attached GPX file is a 18-mile ride that includes most of Russell Mill and the Billerica State Forest trails. For a shorter ride, you can beeline it to Billerica.
Merrimack Valley NEMBA is responsible for most all of the best trails in both Russell Mill and the Billerica State Forest, so be sure to support them by joining their chapter.
Join Blackstone Valley NEMBA for some trail work in Vietnam on Sunday, April 4th, meeting at 9:00AM at the NEMBA Plaque. This is in the center of NEMBA land and can be located on TrailForks.
We will have tools from our storage lockers, or feel free to bring your own if you prefer, and come with gloves, water, and bug spray. Hope to see you there.
There may be a ride after the work is done.
Be sure to sign NEMBA's 2021 Ride Waiver before you get there. But you only have to sign it once a year.
Oh! Bring a mask. But you'll only need to wear it when we're congregated together.
We look forward to seeing you Sunday. It will be great to get something done.
Any late breaking details will be posted to the Nemba Vietnam Facebook Page.
Kevin Keenan
KevinKeenan@gmail.com
Tuesday, June 13, 2017
