Location: Stillwell Woods - Syosset, New York
Date: 12/24/2006
Riders: 5 (Chris Veros Leader)

Directions:
I-95 N Over George Washington Bridge
Continue on Cross Bronx Expy Ext
Merge onto I-295 S
Merge onto Cross Island Pkwy S via the Cross Is Pkwy exit to Eastern L I
Take the Long Is Expwy/I-495 E exit 30E to Eastern Long Is, keep following signs
Merge onto I-495 E/Long Island Expy
Merge onto RT-135 N/Seaford-Oyster Bay Expy via the RT-135 N exit 44N to Syosset
Merge onto Jericho Tpke/RT-25 E via the RT-25 E exit 14E to Woodbury
Turn left at Southwoods Rd/S Woods Rd

Description: Stillwell is not too technical but does have some tricky places. There are a few black diamond alternate routes on the back side that are fun. The climbs are short but moderately steep with a good deal of sand to they can be tough if you're not in the right gear. Stillwell links up to the Nassau-Suffolk Greenbelt trail to the south. The greenbelt is an easier trail, but it's good to add a little distance onto your ride after doing a loop of Stillwell. also, check out more Long Island trails info on the C.L.I.M.B. web site. www.climbonline.org

Rating: 4 out 5 (for fast/fun Singletrack with some interesting trail features)

Post Ride: Egg Sanwiches and Coffee at the Local Bagel Shop, Corner Diner.

GPS Link: http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.mb?episodePk.pkValue=1808328

A recount of my experience with an order I had placed for Christmas with performancebike.com

Link to Article

Location:Blue Mountain (PEEKSKILL NY)

Date: 12/17/2006

Riders: 10

Directions: Get on Palisades North. Take this to the end. Watch close for left hand exits by 18, make sure you stay on the Palisades. At the end of the Palisades cross the Bear Mountain Bridge. After the bridge make a right and continue along side of the mountain with the Hudson River on your right. At the bottom follow signs for Route 9 South. Take this to Welcher Avenue exit. Make a left at the bottom of the ramp and continue straight through the next intersection. This is the entrance of Blue Mountain.

Description: Great Place to ride Lots of twisty Single Track, Rocks, Roots, and some Carriage roads. Some good Climbs and down hill sections, Lots of Technical sections with Ride arounds if you change your mind.

Rating: 4 out 5

GPS Link:http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.mb?episodePk.pkValue=1760032

Location: Hartshorne Woods
Date: 12/3/2006
Riders: 10 Riders (Ride Split into A/B Group - Special Thanks to Stephan for Leading the B ride and Sharing his riding knowledge)

Description:
The trail system includes about 15-miles of well-maintained and marked double-track and some fire roads. 3 miles of paved paths closed to vehicular traffic are located in the Rocky Point Section. The trail classification system was designed with mountain bikers in mind. Green Circles are easy (mainly walking), Blue Squares are moderate multi-use trails. Black Diamonds are challenging with steep grades and obstructions.

Ride Rating: 4 out of 5+ (Bonus points for the fun factor)
Good overall riding - Great place to ride aafter a rainy week (Soil is sandy and drains well)
Medium Technical Small Logs (but quite a few) and some small drops (None over a foot or two)
Good BMX style Bermed Turns Primarilly Rolling Terain with a few Longer climbs
- Overall Course Length too short about a 9 mile loop and not enough variety

Post-Ride: Coffee and Donuts/Bagels

GPS Link to Ride:
http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.do?episodePk.pkValue=1704986

Lance Armstrong will ride in Leadville Trail 100:
The rumors are true: Lance Armstrong is scheduled to ride in the Leadville Trail 100's mountain bike race in August 2007. Yes, that Lance Armstrong,, the seven-time winner of the Tour de France. Leadville Trail 100 race director Ken Chlouber confirmed, after speaking with Armstrong's coach, that the race was on Armstrong's schedule.

http://www.leadvillechronicle.com/home.php?content=article&article=1910