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Bourne/Falmouth on Cape Cod

By Bill Boles


Difficulty-- Easy:40%, Moderate:35%, Difficult:14%, Caution:1%

The riding in the Bourne/Falmouth area is usually referred to as riding at Otis. The riding area abuts the Otis Air Force Base which has been officially closed to anyone except official personal since the events of September 11th 2001.

Most people don't realize that they are actually riding on Town of Falmouth Conservation Land and The Frances Crane Wildlife Management Area, which is not part of the base. Unfortunately, there is really no physical delineation between these areas. Most people ride Otis without ever crossing into base land or seeing military police. But, if you happen to be crossing a paved road and encounter a base official, they will ask you to leave, or perhaps escort you out. They are not out there patrolling, or looking for mountain bikers in the woods. If you see what looks like base housing or the National Cemetery you are no longer in an open riding area.

Cape Cod NEMBA members are responsible for the upkeep of Otis's trails. Here are a couple of pictures taken on a late winter Trail Care day.  Future Trail Care Dates will be listed here.

  

Directions

These best way to access the riding is from route 151. There are a lot of trails in this area which do not go onto base property. Parking is along Route 151 near the dirt mound on your left after you exit from Mac Arthur Blvd. (Rt.28), or 100 yards after in on your right. There is also parking about a mile away through a yellow gate on Cloverfield Lane. From here, you bike to the end of the big field, cross the railroad tracks and enter the trails area.

The Crane Wildlife Manageent Area extends along route 151 for a few miles and there are many parking areas to choose from. You'll find many many miles of relatively easy trails to explore leading out of any of these parking lots. However, most people choose to park and to ride near the dirt mound.

The Riding

The riding at "Otis" mostly consists of fast singletrack that run up, down and around a long series of drumlins that head north paralleling route 28 heading north. There are some very technical trails and some very long hills. Expect to spend a lot of time exploring.  MAP   There are many more trails than are shown on this map. Otis, Myles Standish State Forest and Shawme Crowell State Forest are very popular in the winter when more northern trails are covered with snow and ice.

Directions

Local bike shops and NEMBA Chapters   SEMASS NEMBA    Cape Cod NEMBA   Bike Barn      Bicycle Link   EMS, Inc., Hyannis MA


Places To Ride
Places To Ride