Middlesex Fells Reservation
Stoneham Medford Winchester Melrose Malden, Massachusetts

Articles

National Parks Sign Agreement with IMBA! (2005)

Natural Resource Impacts of Mountain Biking (2004)

Trail Runner Magazine (2003)

New Zealand Department Of Conservation (2002)

massbike list (2000)

massbike list (2000)

Outside Magazine (1999)

New Zealand Department Of Conservation (1995)

Mountain Bike & Fells Advocacy

Times are changing in the Middlesex Fells. The MDC has been replaced by the Urban Parks and Recreation Division of the Department of Conservation and Recreation and already positive changes can be seen. NEMBA is back in the Fells with it's Trail Maintenance Days. The new organization is listening to people, and putting the Fells first, instead of their own political interests. But to get Mountain Bikes a fair shake in the Fells, more has to be done. Everyone who rides in the Fells should feel obligated to help fight to save the Fells. There are many ways you can help out, and it's vital that as many bikers as possible do as much as we can. The future of Biking in the Fells is in our hands, and no one else's.

Read the Riding section of this site! Listed there are many very important tips you can follow to help minimize impact and make the trails better.

Attend the Trail Maintenance Days! These trail days are very important for many reasons. First and foremost, the work that gets done on a Trail Maintenance days makes the trails significantly better to use. They show the Land Managers that we are serious about the Fells, and that we are willing to work and get dirty to earn our access to the trails.

Write a letter! Write a letter to the DCR. Let them know you support Mountain Biking Access in the Fells. It is important to let them know you support biking in the Fells, because other groups are so vocal about banning bikes. All they hear is negative things, they need to know that anti-bikers are the minority, and that bikers can 'nag' them just as much as anti-bikers (fof). You can also write a letter to the current Commissioner of Parks. You can Email these people as well, though good old pen and paper really drive a point home more than an Email. You can't loose with both.

Additionally, if people want me to start a page where I publish letters written to the DCR and/or other state agencies, just let me know and email me a copy of your letter.