How Singletrack is Born

 Joe's Yoke: A great way to get in crushed rock, old school.

 Kip trying out the bridges, even the unfinished ones.

(photos courtesy of Kip Roberts and Kevin Jaques)

The ORS crew met up at one of our favorite local places to ride, Millstone Hill, in the beautiful historic quarries of Websterville, Vermont to get our hands dirty and work with the likes of Kevin and Jason Jacques, Joe, and Ricky of the Millstone crew.  These folks have been responsible for all the new trail creativity and vision at the touring center, and we figured it was time to help out.  With tools abounding and by way of tractor and lots of muscle power we were able to get some quality trail work done on "Rock and Roll" a trail that gives access to the new Harrington Heights.

This is how it happens folks: a lot of hard work and sweat. I myself need to log in more time to giving back and making the singletrack here in Vermont even better than it already is.  If you love to ride singetrack, get out there and throw some dirt or rock around; give back.  Singletrack doesn't just happen, it's born by sweat, blood, and sometimes tears; good tears that is! So next time you hear about a trail day or run into to folks doing trail work while you're riding, stop for a second and help out; I guarantee you and the VT singletrack will be better for it!

T.

The Brother Jacques; Millstone Hill

Well the pictures pretty much say it all about my tour of Millstone Hill with the Jacques brothers as it pretty much lives up to what I have been saying the last two years; If you haven't ridden here, what are you waiting for? Harrington Heights the newest invention at Millstone Hill is something to get excited about. Pierre Couture's idea with the brothers Jacques trail building vision makes this new trail a wicked ride. A trail built for more advanced riding gives you that high Alpine feel that I have only ever experienced out the Waitsfield valley way. The only difference? you don't have to climb 1,500 ft vertical to get it. With granite spines, bridges and fun challenging drops this new trail keeps your interest no matter what. Still under construction this trail only has more and more to give as the single track turns, corners and granite spines get buffed out. So what are you waiting for, as soon as this monsoon of a season lets up there's no excuse as to where to ride now is there?!

So stop by the new touring center in Websterville and get your day or season pass from Pierre where you can ask and get all the latest buzz and info on where to ride at Millstone Hill.

Get all the beta here.....

Millstone Hill Touring center

Get out and ride

T.

Millstone Hill; get there.

With terrain like this it still amazes me at how many people either don't know about Mill Stone Hill or simply over look it but what is for sure is that they have a friend and supporter in me. In just the last few years things have taken off and the trails seem alive due to one groups tireless efforts in this particular area of single track that Sarah and I chose to explore today and are very fond of. If you haven't checked out Millstone Hill do yourself a favor and get there. I will admit it took me a year to find my way around and discover my favorite trails and link them together, but Mill Stone Hill is sure to please. People are always friendly and sure to help show you around. Stop by the visitor center in Websterville where Pierre Couture can recommend a trail or loop and share some of the local history where one feels like a ride back in time as you tour the many historic Granite quarries that make this area famous. But make no mistake I can foresee its not to long before Mill Stone Hill becomes a bit more famous for their single track rather than their long lost Granite quarries as one need not ride far to discover just what kind of ripping single track is alive and well at... Mill Stone Hill Touring and recreation Center

Oh and don't forget the Mill Stone Grind which gains more and more popularity every year. Andrew Wellman does a phenomenal job organizing and getting this race together. Check it out here.... The Mill Stone Grind

Now get out there and see it for yourself, and keep up the good work guys I'll see you soon enough.

T.

In the Kingdom with some old and new friends.

I found myself in the company of some good old friends from home and some new ones as well . Here's to good times and more to come, I know I'll be expecting you sometime soon. I swear that's not a hippy house behind us....Ok who are we kidding that place is awesome! Till next time.

Cheers!

Millstone Hill Touring Center

Kingdom Trails in East Burke, Vermont is still my favorite place to ride (http://www.kingdomtrails.org/). But look out trails, there's a new number 2 in town. Hmmm...a new #2? That didn't come out right.

Anyways, Millstone Hill offers some excellent riding. And in the spirit of backyard adventures, we shot up to Grand Lookout at the end of a 2-hour ride. This sunset over Camel's Hump and the valley below was so worth not being able to see a thing on the trail back down to the car. Boy was it dark - and muddy!

And for those of you who want more than just some romantic sunset pictures, check out the shot of the bridges at the top of Millstone's newest trail: Rollercoaster. WOWza.

Happy trails!

Oh, and check out http://www.millstonehill.com/touring/.