Review Date
May 18, 2007

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 2 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Reviewed by: johncandie ,  Cross Country Rider

Summary:
Middlesex is a delight- I rode for 140 minutes after a conference at Wesleyan. Park at the Reservoir Road off of Brooks Road just after the gates. Trail access is just ahead on the right. I used BikeRag's topo map; while incomplete it was adequate for orientation purposes. I got 'lost' a few times but was able to figure out where I was using the map- power lines, roads and reservoirs provide key landmarks. Plus the trails are quite well marked. Yellow/blue, blue, and red. Ran into only one rider, who appeared to be overmatched by the technical aspects, on a Thursday afternoon.

Ride was varied- lots of buff fast pedaling trails linking very technical spots. Heart rate only jumps during the short, but steep ups. Enjoyed the jungle's flowing single track tunneling through a mountain laurel forest(would love to ride during the bloom), but loved the many rocky climbs and descents onto whalebacks. A few hike-a-bikes which were tricky on my feet. The fire roads are way beat up- rutted, muddy- to be avoided- not that hard to do. I saw evidence of logging, but it didn't kill the ride. Power line trail looked little worn and provided some excitement when I chose to abandon fire road to return to single track. Some really fun twisty-turny elements put a big smile on my face.

Not a place for beginners or novices.

Recommended Route:
Avoid the fire roads as much as possible. Otherwise duck into a trail anywhere and just go.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
1st time in the area.

Review Date
June 6, 2006

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Aerobic Difficulty
 3 of 5

Technical Difficulty
 4 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a month

Reviewed by: Quill ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I have been riding here three years and I still get lost. Once you know it though, you can put together rides of 90% singletrack totaling maybe 8 hours without significant repeats. Not for beginners... lots of rocks and roots and short technical steeps. Lots of doubletrack that you use to connect to sections of singletrack... if you come and explore on your own you will spend way too much time on the doubletrack. Best is to find a friend who knows it... tuesday night Pedal Power rides are next best.

Recommended Route:
Even with a map you will get lost... just too many intersections. The bikerag map has only half the trails. You might get lucky and find someone to show you around, but most of the riders here are advanced so be prepared.

Review Date
April 5, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Ridden Once

Review Date
April 3, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Please Select

Review Date
March 30, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Ridden Trail:
Once a week