The Blackstone Ride Series: A Celebration of Mountain Biking Across Seasons

The Blackstone Ride Series

The Blackstone Ride Series

The Blackstone Ride Series connects riders to the trails of the Blackstone Valley through two complementary chapters: The Summer Blackstone and The VVinter Blackstone.

Together they celebrate what the Valley offers across the seasons—community, exploration, endurance, and story.

Begin the Journey

The Summer Blackstone

A Season of Exploration and Community

Running from the Summer Solstice to the Autumnal Equinox, the Summer Blackstone invited riders to explore fifteen curated trail networks across the Blackstone Valley. Inspired by the Appalachian Mountain Club’s “NH4000” challenge, it emphasized discovery, connection, and the simple joy of riding new terrain.

Trail Diversity and Accessibility

Riders experienced everything from flowy singletrack to technical climbs, with highlights including Vietnam, Goat Hill, and Douglas State Forest. Trailforks badges tracked progress and added a sense of accomplishment to every network completed.

Community and Events

Social rides brought together riders of all skill levels. Signature events like the Summer Solstice Sunset Ride and the Autumnal Equinox Wrap-Up fostered camaraderie and guided exploration across featured trails.

Trail Stewardship

Volunteers kept trails ride-ready throughout the season, underscoring the importance of local stewardship and care for the Valley’s networks.

“Ride. Record. Earn your badge. The story of summer is written in miles.”

Did you complete the Summer Series?

Continue to the VVinter Blackstone

The VVinter Blackstone

Embracing the Duality of Winter

As daylight shortens, the VVinter Blackstone invites riders to meet the cold on its own terms. Each route becomes a ritual—a meditation on endurance and balance within The Arcana, a tarot-inspired journey divided between two paths: The White Witch and The Dark Horse.

The White Witch

Symbolizing clarity and balance, this path follows calm, snow-lined trails such as Yellick & Suasco, Goat Hill, and Ashland Town Forest. It’s a test of endurance through serenity—ideal for riders seeking stillness and rhythm.

The Dark Horse

Embodying strength and defiance, this path winds through Vietnam, Mount Pisgah, and Nobscot. Frozen roots and steep climbs demand focus and resolve—the ride becomes its own quiet victory.

Completion and Recognition

Each network aligns with a Tarot archetype, granting unique badges that honor courage, adaptability, and wisdom. Riders can complete one path or pursue the full VVinter Arcana for ultimate mastery.

“Ride through the long night. Every turn of the wheel brings you closer to light.”
Join the VVinter Blackstone

Why the Blackstone Series Matters

  • Exploration and Connection — From summer’s discovery to winter’s resilience, the series links riders to the Valley through every season.
  • Community — Shared goals and signature rides foster camaraderie among riders of all levels.
  • Honoring the Seasons — By contrasting summer’s vibrancy with winter’s stillness, the series reveals the full character of the region’s trails.
  • Trail Stewardship — Volunteer efforts keep networks accessible and healthy for future generations.

Join the Ride

Two Seasons. One Trail.

The Blackstone Ride Series is open to all. Track rides on Trailforks, earn badges, and be part of a community that rides, volunteers, and celebrates the Blackstone Valley year-round.

© The Blackstone Ride Series • An independent community project by Blackstone Valley NEMBA
Curated by Dan Brown — A year-long record of riding, design, and story.
The Ledger — Blackstone 2025

The Ledger of the Blackstone

A record of riders, endurance, and stories that shaped the Blackstone year.

Riders of Distinction

Celebrating those who completed at least one full Blackstone program — riders who carried the banner of endurance, exploration, and story across seasons.

Rider Tier Programs Completed Badge Count Distance (km) Ride Hours
splat-man Triple Crown Blackstone 2024 Winter, Blackstone 2025, Blackstone 2024 42 274.2 31.3
DeaDL0K Triple Crown Blackstone 2024 Winter, Blackstone 2025, Blackstone 2024 39 268.4 56.54
KapitolPhoto Double Blackstone Blackstone 2024 Winter, Blackstone 2024 26 77.8 7.66
stumpshredder Double Blackstone Blackstone 2025, Blackstone 2024 32 221.4 35.26
BikeRitz Single Series Blackstone 2024 20 134.6 13.96
UMasswede Single Series Blackstone 2024 Winter 9 78.2 11.35
ssponseller5827 Single Series Blackstone 2025 22 266.1 23.47
GRIZZ-Mike Single Series Blackstone 2024 16 126.2 17.93
du5tb1n Single Series Blackstone 2024 19 238.4 23.91
Froman1331 Single Series Blackstone 2024 24 213.8 21.21
hitthetrail Single Series Blackstone 2024 30 379.1 19.7
KirsieT Single Series Blackstone 2025 23 181.9 18.75
JenyGangemi Single Series Blackstone 2024 19 171.2 19
LisaFtYV2w Single Series Blackstone 2024 15 121.5 19.24
miketonry Single Series Blackstone 2024 26 140.5 12.91
wrossi2 Single Series Blackstone 2024 20 144.4 14.37
wallnerryan Single Series Blackstone 2024 18 191.4 16.38
cfiala Single Series Blackstone 2024 17 139.2

*Due to shifts in Strava and Trailforks API policies, some metrics may appear slightly inconsistent. I’ve done my best to account for these variations when calculating rankings and totals.

Season Riders

Recognizing those who earned five or more badges during the 2025 season — steadfast explorers building their own legend.

Rider Tier Programs Completed Badge Count Distance (km) Ride Hours
Vooman82 Participant None 15 196.9
Foodee Participant None 15 162.3
teresatreetree Participant None 15 161.7
Tmhudg Participant None 13 157.3
juliusmex Participant None 13 53
biagioc Participant None 12 136.8
red-october54 Participant None 12
cross1977 Participant None 11 81
JASmith75 Participant None 11 31.7
CDesourdy Participant None 10 144.3
Sc0ttmic Participant None 10 94.9
EBikeford Participant None 9 150.3
Blakev637ub Participant None 9 108.2
ibisrip21 Participant None 9 104.8
DParkerN Participant None 9 93.6
mike-carvalho Participant None 9 57.7
AndrewDClfL6 Participant None 8 92.9
Kilocat9 Participant None 8 85.3
Durtyfeets Participant None 8 78.7
RabbiOfRhythms Participant None 8 76.2
kgervais10 Participant None 8 70.9
QuadFang Participant None 8 57.6
Tlkowalczyk Participant None 8
FrankRossi Participant None 7 108.7
BigLips93 Participant None 7 91.6
kevinkeenan Participant None 7 72.5
TypeRKelley Participant None 7 30.8
cmack61 Participant None 7 19.3
ljannery Participant None 7
dglidden96 Participant None 6 97.5
Kevinality Participant None 6 91.4
JohnnieGee Participant None 6 88.1
pduggan Participant None 6 87
jimgoss Participant None 6 76.4
RJLWc Participant None 6 69.1
Kyle9709w3 Participant None 6 68
MRF1 Participant None 6 62.3
Jpkellett Participant None 6 61.1
JMBGDG Participant None 6 43.7
Adidasmjo Participant None 6 41.9
p3ck Participant None 6 37.5
czuc1521 Participant None 6
drummstick Participant None 6
Jblue213 Participant None 6
MatY9yA8G Participant None 6
smepple Participant None 6
dykhoffm Participant None 5 78
mtgoebel Participant None 5 65.3
NicholasaGh29 Participant None 5 64.8
boost1231 Participant None 5 63.8
andyisbarnes Participant None 5 59.7
Gasmussen Participant None 5 59
greatdansby Participant None 5 56
DanKelly0312 Participant None 5 56
stonewall39 Participant None 5 51
CarlitosPR Participant None 5 47.6
jmgervais Participant None 5 47.3
burgerdj Participant None 5 44.9
Yiasik Participant None 5 35.6
Markp173 Participant None 5 31.4
Zeke249 Participant None 5 31.2
Majorgroove Participant None 5 30.6
jimroche Participant None 5 27.7
bpalmer07 Participant None 5
cpr Participant None 5
grak Participant None 5
Johnaicardi Participant None 5
kpowell024 Participant None 5
rexturbo Participant None 5
rlcsbr Participant None 5

*Due to shifts in Strava and Trailforks API policies, some metrics may appear slightly inconsistent. I’ve done my best to account for these variations when calculating rankings and totals.