Upper Paugussett State Forest Riding Status: WYSIWYCR

What You See Is What You Can Ride at Upper Paugussett State Forest. After doing a re-route around this one tree that fell on the Tree Stand Trail, some folks came in and opened it.  I didn't even ride my reroute on this trip.

After the stream crossing where the lower Mulikin (purple blazes) turns I found the this tree was cut.

As well as the tree right before the little stream crossing with the rock spine crossing

And the trees immediately following the Mulikin's first Up and Over

However, there is still this obstruction blocking the Upper Mulikin

The blowdown on the forest road (Poly Brody) still hasn't been addressed and may not for quite sometime. I need to come back and figure out a good go around for this.

Once I was on the Gussy proper I was amazed at the number of trees down across the trail. I lost track after 15 but there still more than that.

A new skinny to be added to this area

And the one further back will need some tweaking since there is a tree now lying on top of it.

The double stream crossing wasn't spared either

But the most disappointing discovery is that the trail is completely blocked after the intersection with the Unmarked and Unauthorized Trail.  

Given the terrain and the fact that there are so many trees down in this location trying to re-route around them will be tough and not to mention I don't know what's going on after this.  I have heard that it's pretty bad.

The Unmarked and Unauthorized Trail had 5 or 6 blowdowns but not nearly the amount of destruction that is on the Gussy.  The good news is that there is at least a one loop at Upper Paugussett that is now open.

Thirsty Thursday: Lagunitas Sumpin' Easy Ale

So Juicy! 

It's got that Fu Manchu, California Crossing vibe that's perfect after a long ride on the bike!

Breaking with Tradition

I met Paul Saturday morning for a ride up through Roxbury and then we would stop off at our favorite French bakery in Woodbury.

Temperatures at 6 o'clock in the morning were pleasant and my clothing decisions were perfect but the weather got considerably warmer by the time we got to Toplands Farm, which is at the top of Painter Hill and over 1000 in elevation.

The view looking south was awesome

Heading down Painter Ridge, the view was equally breathtaking

We got to OOF right before 8 AM meaning the coffee would be free

We don't come hear for the coffee, it's pastry which is the attention getter. I have gotten only one croissant for the last 2 years and this time I decided to try something new. I got the Almond Croissant and it was outstanding!

Bikecommute: Breakfast at Tiffany's

I met Paul at the Newtown Flagpole and we rode to the West Redding Market for breakfast.  From there I headed down and up Giles Hill, which had a new layer of Black Butter and it was heavenly. The weather was perfect!

The ride home was hot, dusty and dry. Our summer hours started so I was able to leave a little early but the temperatures stayed in the low 80s. My eyes were really dry but I couldn't believe I wasn't having any allergic reactions.

The one thing I did differently this time was I tried riding with my new work backpack. It was certainly comfortable but when I got home and noticed the salt stains I think this is the end of the line of this bag for bike commuting.

Larkin Bridle Trail is a disaster!

The first official chapter meeting for Housatonic Valley NEMBA took place at the Black Hog Brewery in Oxford, CT and prior to the ride it was decided that we would do a quick ride down the Bridal Trail.