More info and pics about my favorite trail, Chicopee Woods, which is just 15 min from my house.
http://www.mtbproject.com/trail/7000014Here is a 3D view of the trials from mtbproject.com. There are a total of 26 miles of trails these days.
In the Spring we get these white flowers on the Tortoise Trail. The Tortoise is a good beginner trail and is also the entrance/exit trail from and to the parking lot. Even though I say it's a beginner trail it still has some fast sections, rocky sections, and some decent short climbs. Tortious is about 3 miles and includes some single track and double track.
This is the entrance to the Flying Squirrel trail. The Squirrel is super fast and flowy, about 5 miles long.
Here is a shot from the Red Tail trail, it's only about 2.5 miles long, branches off the White Tail trail. It climbs up one side of a big hill and then drops down the other side, all single track so watch out for the trees.
Here is a tough climb toward the end of the White Tail trail, most people walk up this section. The climb is right after a creek crossing, so on top of the difficult terrain and flat rocks, your trying to climb up on wet tires (and wet feet if you ride across the creek). The White Tail is also called the outer loop and is about 6 miles worth of single track.
Finally, once you get up that climb after the creek, there are a few benches that overlook the creek. The benches are also there so you can rest before you climb Granny Gear Hill, about 3/4 of a mile of double track gravel that's about a 15% grade the entire way.
Chicopee is not a super difficult trail but there is lots there to challenge most riders and make you work hard. The hardest trail is the Copperhead Loop, featuring about 6 miles of roots, rolling flats, and tougher short climbs.
What I find fun about Chicopee Woods is you can really change it up, the only directional trail is the Tortoise Entry/Exit trail. The rest of the trails are bidirectional, you can run the loops either clockwise or counterclockwise. I typically do 10-12 miles and it takes me about an hour of ride time if I keep my pace up. My best average speed so far is 10.6 mph, that was before my leg and collar bone injuries. However, I did pull a 10.3 mph average the other day so I am getting back in shape.
