Commentary: May 28, 2003
by Jack Williams

Like the Sobe Lizard Fuel radio add says "to bike in the mountains is very hard." The foreigner with the accent could not be closer to the truth especially when it comes to riding in New England. After all New England is the fortress of hardship, and misery. Who in their right mind would actually try to be a well-rounded cyclist in a region that has a riding season of just more than half a year? Most of which is plagued by insects that flourish during the often humid summers with no more purpose than to help the climate suck the fluids from the inside of your body. If you have raced the m.i.a. EFTA sanctioned Hillsboro Classic you have a good idea of what I mean...

What were those pilgrims thinking settling on the perhaps the most rock infested piece of ground the east coast has to offer? It probably wasn’t, "Hey check out that eight foot drop." or "I think we need another stone wall right here." Any who-we’re here, and so is best riding. If you can ride the rocky terrain being constricted by the wooden pythons known as roots, you can ride just about anywhere. Spare the exceptional terrain of the infamous North Shore that pumps out talented riders faster than inner cities provide supposed drug dealers turned rap stars. The terrain combined with other variables makes for a unique experience that few can completely appreciate.

The best time to ride in New England especially New Hampshire is in autumn before the leaves fall, and after the humid weather and insects have retired. However there is a wrinkle of time in the spring. Just after the mud dries up, but before the blood sucking black flies, mosquitoes, deer, and horseflies hatch to live their short pestering lives.

While stuck in the box known has high school the pre-insect and post-mud season usually fell at the end of April, during vacation. Unfortunately college finals now fill that time slot. This leaves little time for riding between studying, except for a quick urban/jib session while on the way to the store for more caffeinated products. Thanks to the architects who designed the campus around big stair gaps, hip jumps, the Oya Hill rock, and knee high park benches.

They call it mountain biking for a reason. Though I rarely ride on what I consider a true mountain; the tightly packed hills are long and steep enough to get any "foreigner" to inhale a few bugs by sucking wind. Not to mention deciding if that vomit taste is an actual threat, or just the body’s way of telling you to slow down.

If riding in the Northeast is too much to for you to handle then return to where you came from. Leave the great terrain, and unknown trail networks to the locals. Who by the way have slowly turned into a large group of talented riders. Thanks to the former, NORBA Trail 66 Series. Not to mention the EFTA race series, the Plattekill series along with the other venues in the North East. Don’t forget the all-new Ragged Mountain Rush Championship series organized by DHD productions. Its about time New Hampshire got competitive in the DH world.

"To bike in the mountains is very hard." Anyone could tell you that. But to bike in New England brings a completely different set of givens to the equation.

About Jack Williams

Jack Williams lives and rides in Keene, NH and while attending Keene State College. He began mountain biking on the logging roads behind his house at the age of 12 on a custom toy store Huffy with 24" wheels long before they were cool. His senior year of high school he landed a job at Andy’s Cycle (Keene, NH). Since that time his riding style has progressed from three-hour XC rides/races, to DH riding and racing. Last fall he purchased a Balfa bb7 frame and is currently racing expert DH for Andy’s Cycles this summer and taking summer classes at KSC.

Bikes Owned:
- ’96 Gary Fisher Wahoo
- ’98 Specialized Stump jumper
- ’01 Schwinn Straight Six
- ’01 Balfa bb7