By youker on August 26, 2010
I can only recommend this trail to those Mt and Hybrid bikers who are prepared to deal with lots of soft sand. The reviews said the first 2 miles were soft sand torn up by the ATVs and Dirt Bikes, but about half of the rest of the trail was soft sand. The ATVs ignore private propeerty and love to make wheelies or what their efforts to tear up the trail are called. The stretches with firm surface were delightful and the views along the river wonderful. In the middle there is a section where the trail is very rocky for 100 yards or so and people ride on the dirt road along side the trail. The managers of this trail could learn from other trails how to improve signs at the trail heads, how to mark the mileage along the trail and how to solve the problem of soft sand tracks. The best signal for the end of the trail parking in Claremont is the sign for Old Newport Road. The small trail parking sign is easy to miss and the start of the trail in Newport is also not well marked. A contractor is re-constructing the RR covered bridges so it is good to walk thru those areas as long as the construction continues. The wonderful old mills in the town of Clarement are a sight to see after your bike trip. Youker 8/26/2010
By pilots48 on July 03, 2010
Road the trail today and yes it does have some soft spots but with a cross-trail or mountain bike should be no problem. I averaged 8mph. Maybe late spring or early summer would be a better time to ride so as more moisture would be on the trail to keep it packed down. The shady places were harder packed than sunny spots. At one point you ride up to a parking lot and it appears as though the trail ends but if you keep going you will find that the trail drops down out of the parking lot and continues. If you follow the trail along side Washington St. you can also ride through part of the town and the trail picks up again. You will re-enter the woods and be able to ride to Pleasant St. It ends at Claremont building supplies. You can see some left over tracks if you cross the road and go into the parking lot of the building supply company. It is a multi-use trail and you will meet up with OHRV and dirt bilks. They were very courteous towards me by slowing down and not making dust. The trail follows the river for most of the trail. Plenty of places to stop and get wet if it is hot. Total length of the trail is 11.5 miles. Very scenic ride.
By bruce gordon on June 06, 2005
The trail guide mentions the sandy condition of the first part of the trail but not the fact that it has become 6-8 inches deep as the result of Heavy atv use. We gave up after the first 2 miles as at least 10 atv's and the dust that came with them drove us from the trail. The trail is so soft in places it's like riding in sand dunes. Nice location but not good for biking.