In Richmond, Vermont, a local mountain biking organization, Richmond Mountain Trails (RMT), faced significant challenges in establishing new trails on town-owned land. Despite the property being designated for both recreation and conservation, disagreements among residents regarding trail development led to a stalemate. However, this setback paved the way for an innovative solution: the transformation of private land at Maple Wind Farm into a dynamic and challenging mountain bike trail network, thanks to the vision and dedication of landowner Bruce Hennessey and skilled trail builder Jake Robertson.
The initial plan for RMT was to construct singletrack trails on a 428-acre parcel of land, formerly part of Maple Wind Farm, which had been acquired by the town and designated as the Richmond Town Forest. Unfortunately, political complexities and conflicting community views on land use hindered any progress. As Berne Broudy, President of RMT, explained, "no one in the town can agree on whether there should be trails there or not trails there," causing the project to stall indefinitely.
Faced with this impasse, RMT turned its attention to private landowners, and Bruce Hennessey, co-owner of Maple Wind Farm, eagerly stepped forward. Hennessey, a lifelong outdoor sports enthusiast and former guide, had long envisioned creating trails on his property. After a knee replacement and rediscovering his passion for mountain biking with an e-mountain bike, he was deeply impressed by modern trail design and building techniques. He readily offered approximately 125 acres of Maple Wind Farm for the development of a new trail system, eager to see his land contribute to the local mountain biking community.
The project gained significant momentum with the involvement of Jake Robertson, a highly dedicated RMT volunteer and an exceptionally talented trail builder. Robertson took on the ambitious task of constructing 2.5 miles of technical singletrack by hand over 18 months, pouring 906 hours into the effort. His extraordinary commitment and unique ability to interpret the landscape allowed him to create a trail that is both challenging and exhilarating. Broudy remarked on Robertson's incredible strength and passion, describing him as "a monster rock carrier" who moves rocks "like he's a man possessed."
Robertson's design philosophy was to create old-school, technical trails that contrast with the more common flow trails. He deliberately incorporated natural features like rock slabs and ledges, aiming for a challenging experience that would require multiple attempts to master. The trails feature tight turns, steep climbs, and numerous micro features, catering to upper-intermediate riders while offering formidable challenges for advanced cyclists. Hennessey praised Robertson's genius, noting his "special intelligence for seeing the line and then producing it in a way that rides really well and super fun."
The new trail system at Maple Wind Farm provides about 300 vertical feet of terrain, with technical downhills designed to keep speeds moderate and ensure user safety. This design prevents conflicts between mountain bikers and other trail users, such as hikers, who also frequent the paths. Beyond the initial 2.5 miles, the trails connect to additional singletrack on adjacent properties, including the Vermont Youth Conservation Corps and the Andrews Community Forest, forming an expansive network that can support rides exceeding three hours.
Looking ahead, Robertson is already working on phase two, with plans for three additional trails to open by 2027. These include "Free Range," a downhill trail; "Easy Does It," which promises to be the network's most difficult with substantial ledge features; and "Stone Soup," an old-school trail rich in rock and wooden skinnies. This ambitious project is a testament to the collaborative spirit of Bruce Hennessey, his wife Beth Whiting, the RMT board members Berne Broudy and Merrick Gillies, and the unparalleled dedication of Jake Robertson. Their collective efforts have not only brought a remarkable mountain biking destination to life but have also demonstrated a successful model for trail development on private land when public options prove unfeasible.