There’s still a small pile of snow on the north side of my house but I’m declaring “Winter is over!” No where is that more apparent than on today’s mountain bike ride on Mt. Pleasant, here in Midcoast Maine. Just last week, a skeleton crew of Bubbas , labored our way up the 800 foot climb to the top of the mountain, where conditions forced an early bail back to the parking lot. Deep mud, ice, sleet, freezing rain , and then cold rain wore us down. 
That was then, this was now. Nine of us went double the distance this week. There is still mud and water to churn through , but it’s not so deep. And not so cold, and the sun was shining. There was one big tree that had to be cleared out in order to to make the ledge challenge possible today. It was a very long and heavy tree.
Once we cleared the fallen timber, the challenge began and just a few of us made it up the ledge challenge. Here’s a video clip of The Hawk and Rigger clearing it:
On the way up, I had what we call “a mechanical”. I had a chain suck, which is a dislodged chain jammed into the drive train somewhere, but not exactly. Then I saw a broken part situation like I’ve never seen before. One of the bigger rings on the rear cassette was bent sideways. 
I hiked-a-bike up the last short portion to the top, where Ian launched into action, and went into the woods with a saw, cut a hardwood chisel, sharpened a point on it, grabbed a rock, and made it right. Then he adjusted the rear derailleur and I was able to complete the ride. The guy is an exceptional mechanical problem solver. Thanks, buddy!
The rest of the ride was much better, with the climbing over, well most of it. Ian even made it up the super-challenging Abyss today, a feat that no one else was able to accomplish. It’s astounding that four-wheeled drive vehicles get in here right now, when it is so soft and muddy, and totally churn up these old forest roads. We see parts of cars, lenses, headlight, grills , and undercarriage parts strewn all over the place.
It’s doesn’t get dark now until almost 7:45 PM. Next up will be my first Rockland Bog ride of the season in two days, now that winter is over. I hope to have my Pugsley’s rear cassette replaced by then, where I’ll join my Bubba pals in another wild ride through the forest and streams.
Tom Jamrog's Weblog 
Can you tell me where the parking lot and entrance to this trail is? I live in Rockport and would love to try this trail!
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I only bike it. We park at the old East Coast Rover garage on Rt 90 and then bike up the pavement until it goes through the intersection past Sharkey’s. Then the pavement ends and the road changes to abandoned. That is the up. Eventually you take a right and then work your way up to the top. There is a mess of 4WD paths in that area. Alternatively, you can follow the Highland Trail from the other end and then get up to the top. Hope this might help you.
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