Borden Mountain/Tannery Falls Epic
Savoy, Massachusetts
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One of the most IMBA remote Epics designated yet, the Borden Mountain/Tannery Falls ride is tucked into a scenic corner of northwest Massachusetts, an hour and a half from the nearest major city.
It's classic New England mountain biking, mixing rolling dirt roads and four-wheel trails with vintage tight Eastern singletrack. Mud, roots and their attendant slipperiness are all part of the bargain as the ride stretches between one end of the Savoy Mountain State Forest to the other. One reward is a view of four states (Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire on a clear day) from the fire lookout on top of Borden Mountain, and the ride takes in natural wonders such as Balanced rock (a precariously positioned glacial erratic from the last Ice Age) and Tannery Falls, a sequence of 300-foot waterfalls.
For those who think there are no deep backcountry rides in the East, the Borden Mountain Epic is one to add to your "must do" list. Even on the one short section of pavement between the two forests, riders can expect to encounter little or no traffic.
Location: The Borden Mountain/Tannery Falls Epic is located in Savoy, Massachusetts, an hour and a half drive from Bradley Airport near Springfield, Mass.
Length: 25 miles; longer rides are possible
Elevation: 3,000 feet of climbing
Terrain: Rolling singletrack, doubletrack and fire road through two lush state forests that redefine the term "deep woods."
Season: May to November, some winter riding on packed snow. Rain is a constant possibility, though the trails are generally rideable when wet. Watch for hunters during the fall season (wear orange).
Details: www.nemba.org, USGS Topo maps
Map: http://www.state.ma.us/dem/parks/trails/savoy-summer.gif
State Forest information: http://www.state.ma.us/dem/parks/svym.htm
