Turkey Afterburner | November 2020
We’re thrilled to once again serve as the venue for the New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA)—Southeastern Massachusetts Chapter’s annual Turkey Afterburner.
This tradition typically brings the area’s most passionate mountain bikers together for a post-Thanksgiving ride. But due to current health and safety protocols, it’s going to look a little different this year: Instead of gathering for a one-day event, riders will celebrate the sport and support Hale’s youth programs throughout the entire month of November.
All riders are required to comply with Hale’s Visitor Guidelines and COVID-19 Policy. Hale’s trails are multi-use; please be mindful of people who are walking and hiking. Also note that Hale programs continue to operate, particularly during business hours on weekdays. Kindly avoid program areas during those times and remember to walk bikes through parking lots and other heavily trafficked spaces (including fields and trails near Powissett Lodge, Cat Rock, Trading Post, and the Simches Family Center).
Routes
A Word from SEMASS NEMBA
Hale’s expansive trail network allowed us to identify five fun routes for mountain bikers of all ages and abilities. We found quite a few new twists and turns. There’s a short route and a long route for kids; a flowy route for intermediate riders who don’t like tech; and a “mixed bag” route for advanced intermediates who like to mix flowy single track with a little tech. There’s also a super technical route for experts. Riders are sure to have a great time, and they’ll feel good about supporting a local nonprofit that’s working hard to steward land and offer creative outdoor academic and recreational programs amidst the pandemic.
Founded in 1918, Hale is a private, nonprofit education organization that manages 1,137 acres of adventure in Westwood and Dover, Massachusetts. Its flagship programs include Hale Day Camp, Hale Summer Club, School & Professional Programs, Hale Outdoor Learning Adventures, and Intrepid Academy at Hale. Currently, Hale is also offering a Remote Learning Program for students from Westwood Public Schools and a variety of Youth Clubs for children and teens throughout Greater Boston.
Hale has deep roots in the mountain biking community. Its Oak Hill trail network was specifically designed for the sport and offers a variety of steeps, sends, and shortcuts. A new pump track and jump line near Hale Day Camp offers kids an amazing introduction to MTB. And with 20 miles of trails that crisscross every corner of its expansive property, there’s no shortage of terrain for riders of all ages and abilities.
All proceeds from this event will support Hale’s property and programs.
When and Where
When: November 1–30, 2020
Address: 80 Carby Street, Westwood, MA 02090
Parking: Cat Rock Parking Area
Cost
There is no registration fee but Hale’s daily parking fee is $10 per vehicle (you may pre-pay this fee online or upon arrival). But rather than pay a parking fee, we encourage everyone to make a donation to Hale. A gift of $10 or more confers one day of complimentary parking, but more importantly, it helps Hale maintain trails we use and programs that inspire and educate the next generation of MTBers.
Routes
All routes start from the Cat Rock parking area, which is the first major parking area you’ll pass and is roughly half a mile from the main entrance. We recommend riding the routes in one direction only.
Please note that Hale programs continue to operate, particularly during business hours on weekdays. Kindly avoid program areas during those times and remember to walk bikes through parking lots and other heavily trafficked spaces (including fields and trails near Powissett Lodge, Cat Rock, Trading Post, and the Simches Family Center).
You can access the routes three different ways:
- Trailforks.com or app. From November 1–30, visit trailforks.com/event/4908/ or search for the SEMASS NEMBA 2020 Turkey Afterburner. On a phone, select Events on the upper-left drop-down menu and select SEMASS NEMBA 2020 Turkey Afterburner. The event description contains links to the routes. When you follow a Trailforks route the GPS needs to be manually centered every time you look at the map, but all trails in the area are displayed in addition to the route.
- Strava.com or app. From November 1–30, join the SEMASS NEMBA Turkey Afterburner Strava Club at strava.com/clubs/753796. There are five events in the club that represent each of the five routes. On your phone, select the club, the event in the club, view the route from the event, and “Use Route” to follow the route on Strava. When you follow a Strava route, your GPS track stays centered on your screen but only provides the trails on the route. You don’t see the other trails in the park.
- Print a paper map. One for each route is available for download: Kid (Short), Kid (Long), Intermediate (Flow), Advanced Intermediate (Mixed Bag), Expert (Super Technical). We also recommend downloading a map of Hale for general reference.
Sponsors
Please visit our tremendously supportive sponsors’ websites:
Registration
Hale stewards 1,137 acres that include a skills park and more than 20 miles of trails. It also operates youth mountain biking programs that serve hundreds of young riders. To support these efforts, parking requires payment of a $10 daily parking fee or purchase of a $75 annual parking permit.
We encourage all riders to consider making gifts to help steward Hale’s trails and support its programs. Any gift of $10 or more confers complimentary parking for one day—simply show your gift receipt to the front gate attendant on whatever date you plan to ride.