We’d like to introduce you to our new column, I’M BORED. A day doesn’t go by when I don’t hear someone say “There’s nothing to do up here” followed by incoherent sobbing about how boring their life is in Sullivan County. Well I’m here to help you find something to do that will be keep you busy beyond one afternoon. Each week we’ll take a look at a different community organization, project, business, park, etc… that will provide you with what you need to get off your butt and bring some non-boring to your I’m bored Sullivan County life.
Today we’ll start with a group that has opened the rail trail in Liberty, brought relevance back to the biking trails at Walnut Mountain, and has a great racing team that rides across the tri-state area for fitness and most importantly – fun. The group is LibertyBikeTrail.org. Now it may be a little unfair to start with LBT because I founded it years ago, but after I’ve met yet another Liberty resident that has no idea Walnut even exists – I have to get it out of the way! Ha!
LibertyBikeTrail.org was founded in January 2007 with the goal of bringing the Rail Trail to life, make residents aware of the benefits of bicycles, hold events where all skill levels and all ages can participate, and promote bicycle riding to the youth of Sullivan County. Over the years the organization held multiple mountain bike and music events with mixed success in the Town of Liberty. But forget all of these goals and events, their biggest achievement is getting the word out about Walnut Mountain, the Liberty Rail Trail, and their Team LBT Mountain Bike Team.
It doesn’t matter if you Bike or just like to go out for a leisurly walk or hike, the Rail Trail and Walnut Mountain provide a perfect outlet to not be bored anymore. The Liberty Rail Trail runs for 3.1 miles from the Chestnut St trail head to the location of the old railroad trestle in Ferndale. The surface is mixed grass/cinder/paved, sneakers are fine on the trail. As for bikes – you should use a Mountain Bike style bike. The trail is open year round and is maintained by volunteers and community members who walk it. There are several benches along the trail to take a break on. The trail is rich with history, at one time the O&W Rail Line used to run on the trail. For decades trains ran through Liberty on this path.
Liberty Rail Trail Information: http://www.libertybiketrail.org/liberty-rail-trail/
Walnut Mountain offers the widest array of walking, hiking, and mountain biking in Sullivan County. With over 200 acres the park is the largest mountain biking destination in Sullivan County. Carriage trails criss-cross the mountain and features over 6 miles of single track. Renegades Bike Club out of Wawarsing, NY is currently in the process of cutting another 5 miles of single track trails up at Walnut. Mountain Bikes are a must, some of the climbs could be challenging for the novice rider. Hiking with your family or family dog is another great use for Walnut Mountain. The scenery is wonderful featuring a lookout where you can see nearby Swan Lake, and wooded areas where you feel like you’ve escaped into nature.
There are two picnic areas, a baseball field, and a soccer field. Over the summer a civil war reenactment is held at the park.
Walnut Mountain Information: http://www.libertybiketrail.org/walnut-mountain/
Their Mountain Biking Team is open to anyone. The group posts rides on their facebook page and races together at races across the tri-state area. It’s all about fun really, with riders of all levels and ages just getting out and riding together. Team members ages range from 12 to 50. You never feel left out and there is never any pressure to perform, everyone cheers and supports each other. It’s really a fun group to be a part of. For more information ‘like’ the LibertyBikeTrail.org page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/libertybiketrail
There’s three wonderful things to work into your boring life, making it a little less boring. Even if you are not into fitness, just the ability to go out and enjoy a peaceful walk on a trail will lower stress and bring a smile to your face. For more information on the trails, locations, Team LBT, or how to get involved visit: http://www.libertybiketrail.org or visit their facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/libertybiketrail
