Reviewed by: madbikeguy ,  Weekend Warrior

Summary:
I like to make this trail part of a longer ride that I start from my shop. Even more fun when a couple of friends, customers or family instigate it. We are about 6 miles north of the University but with a little sidetrack beginnning right here at home, around the Madison school and park, then south on the Canal trail. After the canal you get a little road ride where you get a good look at the Hill and Colgate from a couple miles away. For good measure you look at your riding companions and say "see that hill, you'll be at the top soon". From there look you decide whether it will be 1 lap or 2. From the road before you get to town you take the old rail bed that will bring you to the base of the hill and your all warmed up for the climb. The trails are fabulous, exspecially if you don't mind climbing. Also, most of the downfall got moved or bridged. I started the recommended route but they wouldn't give me enough room. Instigate me to give you the full tour madbikeguy@citlink.net

Recommended Route:
If your warmed up or want to warm up quick and want to test your climbing ability, climb the old ski slope. For an easier route ride the blacktop to the cemetery, or drive and park at the cemetery. From there go up and around and follow the dirt road that goes across the top of the old golf course and into the woods. Go around the chain and straight up to the old quarry where they got the rock for the origanal buildings. In the quarry you will see a trail on the left that will take you up and around and up and down and up an up to the top of the hill. Then you will cross the cross country running track and then off to the left. Go straight across the XC trail again and drop down into the woods and with a few zigzags straight across the XC trail and in an around a couple tree mounds and out onto a grassy path which you should take a right on which will then lead you to the back hedge row property line. Go west along the hedge and if you want to try some technical stuff slip into the woods at the top of the knole on the right. That trail will come back out to the one your on further down the hill. Then right, left, right, right, straight. They say I can write anymore.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Stony Pond and Brookfield

Reviewed by: ProfT ,  Weekend Warrior , from Hamilton, NY

Summary:
OK, I ride this trail about once a week, since it's minutes from my house. From the village, you're looking at a nice 10 - 15 minute ride straight uphill, either up the old ski hill near the hospital, up through the cemetary to the old quarry trail, or a few assorted other paths. Once you're up on the main network of trails (which were primarily put in as cross-country running trails), keep an eye out for the many mountain bike trails crisscrossing your route. Lots of fun, technical singletrack through here, though last winter sure knocked down a bunch of big trees that require dismounting by almost all bikers. This place will keep you busy for two hours, but it's not an all-day adventure park.

Recommended Route:
Se above

Other recommended trails in the same area:
Shindagin Hollow, near Ithaca. Skidmore trails in Saratoga Springs are the best!!!

Reviewed by: project manager , from hamilton

Summary:
alright. these trails are good. there is a little of everything. hairy drops as high as you want to go and lots and lots of good single track. just started working on the "long horned easterbunny project" which is a complete revamping of what was once the "arrow trail" log bridges, new inplay rock kickers, dirt kickers and a brand new (as of yesterday) tree balance ride thats about four feet up. dont try it when it raining because you WILL fall off the tree. other trails that are good are the teepee trail and a new downhill trail i just made with some little drops in it and some really steep as sections. email me and ill take you out any time. freeride, drops, cross country... whatever this is my backyard and i'll show you whatever you want to ride. oh yeah.. and what that other guy wrote about launching off the greens is for real. it's pretty sweet, but you best have an extra pair of forks cause ive blown out five pair in two years riding colgate. see you out there. word

Recommended Route:
go to my house... wake me up and we can leave on my trail from my backyard.

Other recommended trails in the same area:
dont waste your time with the other trails in the area unless you go to skytop or something.