Overland at Cyclocross Nationals in Hartford

Happy New Year!

With Cyclocross Nationals being held so close to our home trails we wanted to join the fun and spread the word.  We'll be down in Hartford, CT for Cyclocross Nationals from Tuesday, January 3rd to Sunday, January 8th.  We will be hanging out with (C)old and new friends alike.  Stop by our tent and say "hi", warm up and receive an exclusive discount code for all of our 2017 events.

New year, new friends, new rides, in 2017 we will be introducing some new rides, be sure to check out the calendar and register for your favorites, both new and old.  As you read this we are hard at work scouting some new terrain in Georgia for our Georgia Grounding ride in March, preparations for the Wintertide Ride on February 18th are well underway and we have some exciting bikepacking trips planned for March, July, and October to round out your riding calendars.

The Formidable Ride 2016 Happened

Thank you to Ride Headquarters & Ride Studio Cafe for their help and support! 

Thank you to all the riders for coming out and supporting Overland Base Camp.

Some feedback from riders:

  • We loved this road around the cornfields. Todd said "it's like a big warm hug from Northampton." And yes, we went right up the hill in the dark, and were rewarded with a view of the twinkling city far below. Magic. All of it. - Cris R.
  • Absolutely the best day, ride, support, and route incorporated into the Formidable Terra Ride. - Patria V.
  • Thanks for organizing and executing a most excellent ride! - Rich C.
  •  I had a great time. Well no. It was a great ride. Now I need to rest. - Doug C.
  • Big thanks to everyone that made the formidable ride a possibility. It was a great route, and well organized. - Matthew S.
  • Definitely worth traveling from Texas! Glad I got to participate in the Pave 160. Had a blast! - Brian O.
  • I would like to thank all of the Overland Base Camp crew for an excellently run event; from the food to the gps files, transportation and embroidered jersey. The crew was always helpful, smiling and willing to answer all my questions. The route was very scenic with minimal traffic issues. - James B.
  • Fantastically organized and executed ride yesterday. Formidable indeed! - Jeff D.

Honey 100 Recap

Our 5th annual Honey 100 was our biggest yet! A big thank you to the Ride Studio Cafe for being gracious hosts yet again.  The forecasted heatwave broke just in time for the ride providing cloud cover but leaving the humidity. All of it adds to the Honey 100, along with all roads, we ride all conditions too.

Riders rolling into stop 3

Riders rolling into stop 3

Riders had an amazing time with boardwalks, gravel, rolling countryside, a "murder-house", a baby owl, quiet roads, a visit with goats and whatever the following might be...

#honey100 (50k)

A video posted by Russ Campbell (@rusto88) on

Riders enjoying ice cream, popsicles, and iced mochas 

Riders enjoying ice cream, popsicles, and iced mochas 

We did our best to make it a calorie positive ride even with all the different types of terrain we threw in. Hot food at breakfast and mid ride, an ice cream truck at the last stop, dinner and of course, all the cold brew and mochas.

Thanks again to Ride Studio Cafe for their continued support, we'll see them next year for the 6th annual Honey 100.

To see what rides are coming up check out our calendar.

Private Property & No Trespassing

Signs of the Times

Disclaimer:  The information provided here contains our best, clearest details on the rules of various signage you'll find in the woods.  These are not legal claims or legal defenses.  This information is not intended as a justification of bad behavior.  Remember, you represent all cyclists when you're on the trails; make us proud.

Many of the signs we see out on the trails -- like "Private Property" and "No Trespassing" -- bother us at Overland Base Camp.  Not because we have something against property ownership, but because anyone can go to the hardware store and buy a bunch of these and post them wherever they want.  The sign itself is not an emblem of legal right.  Regardless, in the interest of following the law, and avoiding run ins with extreme survivalists, we avoid these areas.

Here are the more common signs we find when we're scouting, and the legal implications are for each.

"No Trespassing" Signs

We've written about this before.  Essentially, if you see a no trespassing sign, stay out of the area behind the sign.  This means that if the sign is parallel to the trail, you're fine with continuing on the trail.  However, if the sign is perpendicular to the trail, you better turn back.

"Private Property" Signs

If you see this sign, stay off the property.

"Private Road" Signs

"A private road can be used by the general public and is open to all who wish to use it, but it primarily benefits those at whose request it was established. [...]  Unlike highways that are cared for by the public at large, private roads are maintained at the expense of the private individuals who requested the road."  -- Legal Dictionary

A private road is "private" only in the sense that it's privately funded, not government funded.  The reason the public can use the road even though it's privately funded is because the highway authority allows the road to be built in the first place.  

 Sometimes people confuse “private road” signs with “private property” signs.  A private road is open to public use.  The term ‘private’ in this case refers to the source of funding for the road, not the intended user.

"Private Way" Signs

"Way" is simply another term for street, road, path, or track.  A "Private Way" is no different from a private road.

"Residents cannot put up a 'No Trespassing' sign at the front of a private way, [...] The public has the right to pass on it.  [...]  Being a way, it's open for the public to pass." -- Boston Globe "Private Ways, Public Access"

"Private Alley" Signs

If you're really lucky you might find one of these.  These have the same rules as private roads:  You can ride them.

"Private Drive" Signs

"Drive" is a more ambiguous term.  This can mean access road or driveway.  A driveway is on a person's property and therefore if it's a private drive it's private property.  If it's an access road it is a private road and therefore open to public use.  It can be challenging to determine what's a driveway and what's an access road.  When in doubt, avoid it.

Yes, you can ride this road.  In fact, it's a pretty great road!

"Private Land" Signs

Sometimes Overland events end up on private land.  However, we only ride on private land that has clearly posted easements that allow bikes.  We appreciate private land owners that share their trials with cyclists.  Be respectful so we can continue to enjoy the forest.