Mountain Biking: New York and Vermont

During the months of summer all of us skiers and riders find ourselves day dreaming of the turns they had during the last season and the ones to be had in the future. However thoughtful we get about our shredding, thinking about it never seems to cure the itch, so other various summer activities fill the skier/rider void of winter.

I have found my void quite satisfied with the time I have invested in Mountain Biking in New York and Vermont. I ride as much as Forty miles a week in the early spring, and as little as once or twice a week in the evenings. It usually works out to be one hell-of-a-ride when it doesn’t get dark until nearly 9 PM this time of year.

I attribute the love of the ride to a love of seeing how fast I can pass through tangled trees, navigate snarled roots, play in rock gardens and find the best line possible…was I just shredding some wooded glade in February, no, just tearing up the local trails I have been riding with a few guys from the local ski and bike shop, the Inside Edge on Tuesday nights. Unfortunately the only way to find out about these trails is to show up for the ride with a six pack to contribute to the group guzzle after the ride.

Just because I won’t tell you where some of my favorite spots to go lose my mind on my bike are doesn’t mean I can’t tell you about any at all because that would make this blog just one big tease, so here’s a couple killer spots I have explored over the past 6 weeks.

The first place is called Pine Hill Park and was shown to me by Zach Miller of Pico, Vermont. Pine Hill Park is Vermont mountain biking at its finest. It's located just a few blocks from down town Rutland right in the middle of some of the suburbia side streets. What is so great about Pine Hill is the pull from west coast mountain biking scene and the nearly artistic tie in of cross country single track riding to form the ultimate east coast XC riding experience. There is an initial climb to get to some of the good riding but once on top of the ridge, Pine Hill boasts a series of single track trails which snake back and forth through the woods at near 90 degree turns with phenomenal banks to accelerate each turn and the occasional suspension bridge here and there to toss into the mix of unlimited fun.  How close can you get your handle bars to parallel with the earth? SICK. There is also a lot of traditional single track which contain plenty of technical climbs to keep any bike weenie satisfied for hours.

The second is a well known local spot just outside of Saratoga Springs N.Y. called the Stables; I’m assuming it got that name for the Skidmore College Horse Stables next store, just a guess. Every time I get in this place I find something new and exciting. The stables are definitely more of the traditional cross country riding but contain so many natural rock features to play on, the fun to be had is limitless. Saratoga local and good friend Steve Bouchard and I made it over there for some classic New York Mountain Biking a few weeks ago.

Whether it’s golfing, wake surfing, bocce ball or lawn darts, everybody has their own way of getting through summer, mountain biking just happens to be one of mine. So if you haven’t in a while, hop on a bike and see if you discover the fun so many others have, oh, and just because you think you’re an extra special bike snob doesn’t mean it’s cool to not wear a helmet, so wear one damnit.

Photo Info:

Location: The Stables, Saratoga Springs N.Y.

Camera: Canon Rebel T1I EFS 18-55mm lens

Photographer: Steven Bouchard

Rider: Beau Schwab