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Hello! I was thinking about bringing the team up to Bangor for the day, and was wondering if the BCF trails were more on the "rustic" side or on the "trimmed" side...we seem to have become tick magnets lately, even with the proper clothing and bug spray, and if we can avoid too much bushwacking on a day of caching we'd like to. Also, is it reasonable to shoot for all the caches in one day, or is it definitely a multi-trip thing? Thanks!
-Mike
Oops...and this is why I never comment on stuff; because I'm a doofus!! Can someone smarter than me please tell me how I can put this thread into the General Discussion Forum? Thank you...
-Mike
The thread has been moved for you, don't let something that simple keep you from posting!
The trails at the BCF are great, the main trails are like roads and the side trails are mostly brush-free. Ticks are not as big a problem this far north, either. Don't miss the Orono Boardwalk while you are there either. More information can be found at http://cityforest.bangorinfo.com/
Thanks for the tech-help and the info! It sounds like exactly what we're looking for! We'll check out the Boardwalk as well!
-Mike
??? A tick bite up here can give you the same disasterous results as a tick bite from other places. The deer ticks are in their most potent stage right now, the nymph stage, although they can give you lyme disease, babesia, etc etc at any stage of their lives. It was 4 yrs ago this month that I was bitten by a tick after visiting the board walk in BCF and basically lost 2 yrs of my life to the two tick born diseases I contracted as a result. And just the first week of this month, there was a nymph attached to my neck, and I had to have preventative treatment. Would I go to the BCR to do the caches? Absolutely! Now? Absolutely! But keep doing your preventative measures and daily 'tick checks' to keep yourself and your family/team safe and healthy. And if you have any bites, see your PCP to discuss treatment options, whether or not you get a rash. Only 30% of those who contract tick born diseases do. I am not a biologist. Maybe the ticks are not as much of a 'problem this far north' but it only takes one and the one that bit me certainly created #(%& on earth for me and without boring you with the medical issues, lets just say I am fortunate to be alive after the resulting medical issues.Quote:
Originally Posted by brdad
I'm not seeing a way to edit my thread, so let me complete the sentence that I started: Only 30% of those who contract tick born diseases do. (get a rash)
I was not suggesting to not be concerned about ticks this far north, only that the density is not as great. One is too many in my book. A person still needs to be aware of their existence and take the proper precautions.
I have done half of the caches in there and the trails are wonderful. I was 4 hours. I think they could be all done in a day but man what a day!Quote:
Originally Posted by ampmdp
Cool Tools and Dyslexic's Nightmare both took me a while. A mountain bike would be a big help.
Bicycle. bicycle, bicycle.......You want to ride your bicycle. you want to ride your bike.
Seriously, I think that you could get them all by bicycle in one day pretty easy. Tandemstoker and I did about half of them by bike and she was pulling that trailer with her dog, food, extra clothes, the kitchen sink. LOL
It all depends on what you consider the BCF. The Great Bangor City Forest Adventure and Cool Tools will take some time alone and will bring you out to the Board Walk. There are many others out there too that are not that easy to find.
Take your time and enjoy your surroundings. If you start early enough it can be done but rushing through them might take away from the experience of the forest. To me anyway. The BCF Adventure is said to be about 7 miles to just complete that series.
More than one day is my recommendation. The trick will be to find two good days or more to enjoy it.
I did about half of them with my youngest son and we walked. It was last year before mainiac's event and we had a great time. The trails are very nice and the caches were fun. The only one I can think of that was kind of grown over was The Bogeyman. It was one of my favorites though.
That is how I was thinking of doing the series, but I am not very athletic on my bike. Are the bike trails somewhat groomed?Quote:
Originally Posted by tat
I am not an expert on the "forest", but from observation, I would say it depends on your bike and your skills. Part of the trails are like roads - you could take a vehicle on them, some are old railbed and still others are cut through the forest (some natigatable by trail bike and others...........well,?????).Quote:
Originally Posted by dufzor
That is one of the things so unique and special about the area - something for everyone. I am not a bike rider so any I have done I have hiked to........and a lot of fun it was. Still have a lot left to do.
And be a litte leery of tat's suggestions when he says a mountain bike would be "fun." This is the same super-bike-crazy that did 100 caches on his mountain bike in 24 hours and I'm sure would like to pedal up Katadin if it was permitted! But Di and I have already made up our minds that we'll take our bikes when we do them...sounds perfect to us.
Many of the city forest trails are flat, hard surface, so you can bike around until you are near a cache. Walking is required in places, especially for Dyslexic's Nightmare and some of Cool Tools. Bring a lock!
Remember the trail in Solon?! now multiply your issue by 6 and enjoy standing up!Quote:
Originally Posted by dubord207