Mountain Bikers and Horse Lovers Team Up in Connecticut

Two organizations, the New England Mountain Bike Association and the Newtown Bridle Lands Association, have teamed up with a trail proposal for the Department of Environmental Protection so that both mountain bikers and horse enthusiasts can have a place to "play" at the Upper Paugussett State Forest in Newtown.

Both organizations have been working on the 2.5-mile Upper Gussy Trail with hopes of it opening this fall. The trail will begin at the Pond Brook boat ramp on Lake Lillinona and will end at an access way off Sanford Road.

Mike Lurie, the bike association CT chapter VP, said that about 2 years ago, he began riding his bike on an access road used by horses at the state park to add a little variety to his riding there. He said, One day I followed a right-of-way through the forest and thought this would make a great trail."

He contacted the DEP, which put him in touch with the Newtown Bridle Lands Association, which has led to planning for the new trail.

After Lurie thoroughly explored the state forest using GPS, he found the best areas to create a safe trail for bikers, horses and hikers. The proposal was then approved by the DEP in January.

Lurie adds that this venture is a step towards preserving the environment. "The whole idea for towns is to use open space, and hopefully we can capitalize on that in Newtown."

But most of all, "It's all about getting exercise and enjoying the forest."