Bikers hear call of the woods

   Mountain bikers can be tight-lipped about their favorite trails, fearing crowds that could mar the back-to-nature experience and overuse that could lead land managers to limit public access. But this weekend, with National Trails Day celebrations spilling over from yesterday into today, trail users of all kinds are trumpeting the allure of the woods.

   It's no secret that the Massachusetts state forest and parks have hundreds of miles of rideable trails, from wide, flat fire roads to gnarly single track, suitable for all levels of off-road riders. Some area mountain bikers make their recommendations:

• Bill Perry of Sutton likes Douglas State Forest, where the New England Mountain Biking Association has its National Trails Day rides today. There are nearly 50 miles of trails, including a segment of the Southern New England Trunkline Trail, a former railroad bed that runs from Franklin to Willimantic, Conn. Trails south of the Trunkline are closed to motorized vehicles. "Some of the nicest areas are at the northern end of Douglas State Forest; the northernmost gate is on Northwest Main Street in Douglas and there's places to park," Perry said. But newcomers to the forest are advised to use the main entrance on Wallum Lake Road, where maps are available. 
  Perry rides horses more often than he bikes, and he reminds bikers on the trail to "talk, at a distance, as soon as you see a horse" to avoid startling the animal.
• Mike Troisi of Lancaster picks Wachusett Reservoir for family outings with his 9-year-old twin daughters, entering at the gate opposite Chace Hill Road off Route 110 in Sterling. "We usually backpack in a picnic, and sometimes go so far as to bring a hammock," he said. "We go right along the shore. It's not technical and there's gorgeous views."
• Bill Boles of Brockton laid out a 10-mile loop specifically for mountain biking in Foxboro State Forest, marked with arrows on trees. "The idea was to make the first 1.5 to 2 miles really easy, and then you can loop back to the parking lot'' on Mill Street, he said. Or you can continue 2 miles on an intermediate level, then loop back, or continue on the advanced route and complete the entire loop. 
  Boles also rides in Leominster State Forest off Route 31. He notes that bikers are asked to stay off the trails closest to the swimming area, but plenty of other routes are open.
• Sue Edwards of Pepperell recently led a NEMBA women's ride in Townsend State Forest on Dudley Road off Route 13, an area she rates "beginner with confidence." "There are ponds, swamps, some rocky areas, and a beautiful, gigantic rock outcrop," she said. She warns that some trails cross into New Hampshire, where hunting is allowed on Sundays.
• Lorraine Stewart of Worcester says Rutland State Park at Routes 122 and 122A is a good place, with lots of wide dirt roads, "but you have to know your way around. I've never seen maps. I wouldn't advise beginners to go anywhere alone or without a map, because you'll get lost." Being prepared also means wearing a helmet, having water and carrying a spare tube and the tools to change a flat tire. The Rutland trails also are accessible from Barre Falls Dam; park at the picnic area off Route 62 in Hubbardston, just east of the Barre line.

Always, riders are reminded to respect the environment and other trail users. The International Mountain Bicycling Association's six Rules of the Trail: Ride on open trails only. Leave no trace. Control your bicycle. Always yield trail. Never spook animals. Plan ahead.
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   TIP OF THE HELMET -- To the Worcester-based Mengoni/Hot Tubes juniors, who won the Tour of Somerville, N.J., on Monday. Hot Tubes' Andrew Mills of North Brookfield had an early breakaway in the 20-mile criterium, but the pack brought him back. Teammate Mike Rozsko of Westboro attacked next and built a gap of almost 30 seconds before he ran over a staple and got a flat tire. Then teammate Matt Decanio from Virginia took the lead and won by 40 seconds. The team is not racing this weekend because all the riders are attending their high school graduations, coach Toby Stanton of Leicester said.

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