You are correct sir, they are pretty flat. But, correct again, you get a great workout (aerobically, and in terms of balance/core stregthening) trying to keep the bike moving forward.
As for Loantaka, I divide it into 3 sections: Northern loops (ballfields area), Central trail (Duck pond down to Chatham parking lot) and Southern Trail (extends down to post office at Green Village).
I usually park at the Duck Pond, head north and do the northern loop trails. With only a slight amount of doubling back, you can carve out 3.5 miles. Then, I cross Loantaka road (near the Duck Pond) and head out to the Chatham parking lot and back to the 4-way trail junction. From there I head West/South to the Southern section all the way to the Post Office. By the time I get back to the Duck pond, I've racked up 10+ miles. I then do the Northern loop trails again in the reverse order for a total of 13+ miles.
When the snow cover is a little less deep, there are some other non-marked dirt trails that are fun and that would add another couple miles, but being non-marked, they don't see much foot traffic, so as of now they aren't really rideable. I will be checking out the trail heads this afternoon in anticipation of a Sunday morning ride, so I can post back on their condition this evening. I will likely check out the Patriot's Path trails heads too.
