Danger on Wachusett descent

[onegeardoug]

El Presidente and I rode up Wachusett Mtn today with the Monsters. There's a new gate now, which is past the pay station. The gate closer to the Ranger Station was open, and this second gate which I had never seen before, was closed this morning.

On the descent, I saw it late and thought "wow, its not very visible and it's closer than I thought." It kinda blends into the background in the morning light.

30 seconds later, one of the Monsters didn't see it until the last second, slammed on the brakes, slammed into the gate, destroyed his carbon bike and got a nice ride to Worcester in the funny van with the flashy lights. I'm pretty sure he's okay, other than a few broken ribs.

Don't let it happen to you.

[Bruce]

Doug, what's the ride like with Monsters? I've been thinking of jumping in to their rides. I know Skip and Chris C, but no one else. Bruce

[onegeardoug]

Doug, what's the ride like with Monsters? I've been thinking of jumping in to their rides. I know Skip and Chris C, but no one else. Bruce

The Tuesday bullet train is a "no wait" hammerfest. The Thursday WaWa ride is brisk, with stops to regroup periodically. I wouldn't call this a "no drop" ride, but a "we'll wait a reasonable time" ride.

[rusto]

Why do you think they added the second gate? Do the two gates bracket one of the ski trails coming down the mountain?

[jraguin]

The second gate is after the guard shack. So when you enter, the Ranger Station is on your left, then a gate, then a guard shack (and maybe some parking), then the second gate. Yes, and that second gate was closed when we did the Wachusett ride last week.

[pace21]

They need more parking at the base and moving the gate let them utilize the parking spots by the guard shack while still having the road closed.

It's on a downgrade and around a blind corner to make matters worse. The ranger said they are planning on a combo of paint and signage to rectify the problem.