North Shore NEMBA Trail Maintenance Events
Save the Trails! --- A significant part of North Shore NEMBA's efforts go into organizing trail maintenance events.  Many of our members find this work both fun and rewarding.  Riding a trail that you have helped to build and maintain can make your rides just that much more enjoyable.  The chapter usually holds about six trail maintenance events per year.  Event activities can range from building sweet new single track to routine trail maintenance like restoring drainage dips. 

Each event typically involves about three hours of trail work in the morning, followed by a lunch that is provided by the chapter, and then a group ride.  Normally, only heavy rain will cause an event to be cancelled.

What to wear and bring:

  • Gloves, long pants, sturdy shoes, and eye protection are highly recommended.
  • Rain gear for those days when "light" rain doesn't cancel the event.
  • Lotions or spays to protect yourself from the sun, bugs, and poison ivy.
  • Tools are provided by the chapter.  However, if you have some of your own favorite tools, feel free to bring them.  Marking them with your initials to identify them as your tools is a good idea.
  • Don't forget your bike, helmet, and gear for the ride afterwards!  Please have a means of locking up your bike during trail work if you are unable to stow the bike in your vehicle.

Want to learn more about trail building and maintenance?  Click here for some recommended reading.

All North Shore trail events are part of the 2008 Trek Bicycles / NEMBA Trail Care Series.  Trek has graciously donated two dual suspension mountain bikes.  Every time you join us at a trail care series event you will be entered for a chance to win a Trek Fuel EX 8.  Come to three or more events and you will have a chance to win a Trek Top Fuel 69er.  Click here for more details.

Sunday, April 20th, 2008 - Harold Parker State Forest

Description: Maintenance/boardwalk replacement on campground connector trail.  See map below for work location.
Parking / Directions: Harold Parker Rd. Forest Gate 11 at east end of Field Pond.  0.9 mi. east of Rt. 125.  0.6 mi. west of Jenkins Rd.  Additional parking on north side of HP Rd. at nearby pull-offs.  Please park off road and don’t block gates.  Map
Time: 8:30 AM with lunch and ride to follow
Contact:

Dan Streeter  Cell Phone: 978-618-8596

Heavy Rain Cancels.  Call if questionable.

Sunday, May 4th, 2008 - Tompson St. Reservation -

West Gloucester, MA

Description: Trail reroute on Essex County Greenbelt Association’s Tompson St. Reservation, continuing the work done last year on National Trails Day.  This reservation contains many of the trails that form “Bruce and Tom’s Excellent Adventure”.  In cooperation with Dieselbikes and Sinister Bikes.
Parking / Directions: Follow Route 128 toward Gloucester.  Exit at Route 133.  Primary parking is just north of the 128/133 overpass on the west side of the road near the storage facility.  Additional parking is available on Fernald St., in the vicinity of the cemetery gate or the Greenbelt trailhead a bit further north.  From these locations, you can follow trails over Sunset Mt. to the work site.  Additionally, there may be space off 133 immediately south of 128.  Car pooling is encouraged given the limited parking.  Map & ECGA Map
Time: 8:30 AM with light lunch and soft drinks provided. Ride to follow if time allows.
Contact:

RSVP Appreciated!

Dan Streeter  Cell Phone: 978-618-8596

Heavy Rain Cancels.  Call if questionable.

Saturday, May 17th, 2008 - Park Serve Day - Georgetown-Rowley

Description: Our chapter's third trail care event of the year has been scheduled to be part of the Massachusetts "Park Serve Day", a statewide effort to cleanup our parks and beaches.  North Shore NEMBA members and other interested cyclists are encouraged to assist with a boardwalk/reroute project in Georgetown-Rowley SF organized by the Friends of Georgetown-Rowley SF.  Some of the NS members may ride afterwards if time & conditions permit.

Note: This is the same weekend as the NEMBA Trail School in Wendell, which you should opt for over Park Serve Day if you are interested in improving your expertise in trail building and maintenance.

Parking / Directions: Meet at King Edward Court in Boxford  Map
Time: 9:00 AM,
Contact: Dan Streeter  Cell Phone: 978-618-8596

Heavy Rain Cancels.  Call if questionable.

Saturday, June 7th, 2008 - National Trails Day - Willowdale Meadow
Description: We will be completing a loop trail starting in a new property acquired by Essex County Greenbelt Association.  The trail will circle a knoll in Willowdale SF and return, also connecting the ECGA parcel to the SF trails system.  In cooperation with DCR.
Parking / Directions: Parking is in roadside pull-offs at the ECGA property entrance on Ipswich/Topsfield Rd. east of Route 1 and Asbury St.  Map
Time: 9 AM, refreshments served, BYO lunch, and ride to follow
Contact: Dan Streeter  Cell Phone: 978-618-8596

Heavy Rain Cancels.  Call if questionable.

Saturday, June 14th, 2008 - Willowdale State Forest - CANCELLED
Description: We will be either adding new singletrack trail in the southern part of the Pine Swamp section of Willowdale SF or doing some maintenance/reroutes in various areas.
Parking / Directions:  
Time:  
Contact:  

Saturday, September 13th, 2008 - Harold Parker State Forest

(Also, Sunday, September 14th if needed)

Description: A big reroute around the pit area off Jenkins Rd. - several boardwalk sections and a major benchcut section.  Lots of volunteers needed.
Parking / Directions: Meeting location is at the Jenkins Rd. lot with carpooling to the site.  Map
Time: 8:30 AM with lunch and ride to follow
Contact: Dan Streeter  Cell Phone: 978-618-8596

Heavy Rain Cancels.  Call if questionable.

Sunday, October 19th, 2008 - TBD

Description: TBD
Parking / Directions: TBD
Time: 8:30 AM with lunch and ride to follow
Contact: Dan Streeter  Cell Phone: 978-618-8596

Heavy Rain Cancels.  Call if questionable.

Click here for trail maintenance events sponsored by other NEMBA chapters.