I checked out two new (to me) mountain bike trail systems recently, one very well known and one a little less so. Guess which one I liked best?

I’m a predictable snob… other things being equal, I’ll always favor the obscure. Both were far enough from home that I drove to get there.

The FOMBA trails around little Massabesic Lake are well-known, well-established and deservedly popular place to ride. I’d never been, but it was easy to find (Exit 2 off Route 101 east of Manchester, south on Route 28, left on Depot Road to parking area on left, FOMBA trails are across, on the opposite side of the road) and super fun to ride. I hit all but three, the first time out. The trails I tried were all wicked twisty, much like those in Yudicky here in Nashua, with plenty of natural obstacles (and a few enhanced features) to challenge your balance and daring, but not much by way of natural hills to tax the legs and lungs. For the latter, there’s a vast network of wider, straighter snowmobile trails that link to the FOMBA loops. My favorite so far was “Fire Line.”

The trails all link to wider fireroad type trails, and are well marked with signs. I went during the daytime on a Friday, but there were several other riders and a few walkers about… not surprisingly, given the gorgeous weather. I’ve never liked driving a car to go ride my bike, both as a point of principle and lately economics as well, but FOMBA was definitely worth the trip.

The Hazeltine Conservation Land in Amherst is within riding distance of Nashua if you’re up for an extra hour or two of peddling to and from the trails. It’s located off Austin Road, which is just off Route 101. I visited for the first time Tuesday night, joining (also for the first time) a NEMBA group ride. It was an absolute blast, and I look forward to exploring the area more fully.

A snakebite pinch flat kept me from seeing all the group’s loops (thanks again to Justin of Souhegan Cycleworks, who stayed to offer moral support while I patched it, and led the way to catch us up to the group). My patches left me with a slow leak, so I bailed back to the parking lot and then stayed out till dark, keeping closer to the car.

From what I saw of the trails, they are every bit as narrow and rock-strewn as any good trail system, but straighter, to allow for higher speeds. I like that!

Riding with a group was fun, too. In addition to the obvious social aspect, I like being able to follow someone more skilled than myself (let’s just say it’s easy to find such riders) in hope that I might learn a trick or two. On the down side, it’s harder to see the terrain with other riders on the trail, and I don’t like stopping so much.

Hazeltine was definitely worth the trip, whether by bike or otherwise. I will be back at the first chance I get.