|   Winter riding workout | Jisch
Dec 15, 2002 9:58 AM | | I rode today at the local state forest (Shenipsit). It rained all day yesterday and it got cold over night, 30 deg or so. I was hoping I'd be riding on frozen crust. Unfortunately this was not the case. There was about 2 inches of crusty snow and ice on the trails. The snow was not frozen enough to ride on, I just plowed through it. I rode 10 miles, one pedal stroke at a time. There was traction enough to move along, but just enough. Overall there was MAYBE 1/4 mile of clear trail, after pushing through the snow, I felt like superman on the leaves alone.
Forget everything I said about riding in Connecticut. I'm getting tired of subpar riding conditions. Its rare that we get snow before Xmas, we've had probably 12" of snow already. Its really messing things up. Hopefully we'll either get dumped on so we can't start skiing or it freezes hard.
John |
| a Palomino | JimC.
Dec 15, 2002 11:31 AM | | oops sorry, wrong topic.... ;P
In BC we've had warm and wet, just got back in from a ride and it's gotta be mid 50's? a long sleeve jerseuy and a Sugoi jacket and I overheated. A bit wet, but the woods were full of die-hard riders, almost a full parking lot.
Jim |
| Man you have a long... | Jisch
Dec 15, 2002 4:20 PM | | memory. The Palomino thing had to be 4 or 5 months ago now...
:-) |
| re: Winter riding workout | CTRider
Dec 15, 2002 2:35 PM | | John, riding in that snow and crud is kinda like riding in sand only a helluva lot sketchier isn't it!? I rode yesterday afternoon and again today (for about 3 hours at the Resevoir). Some sections of the trails were okay, but others were super muddy or snowy (not sure which is worse).
All in all it was still a blast. Hopefully we'll get decent riding weather again here in CT because I want to get better at this sport!
Cheers,
Mark |
| No mud here | Jisch
Dec 15, 2002 4:22 PM | | No mud to be seen at Shenipsit, all the dirt roads were glare ice. There were a couple of frozen mud puddles that I crashed through. I am really hoping for a freeze up. I love riding on the cement like frozen mud - super traction. Ideally we'd have a day or two of warm weather to clear some more snow then sub-freezing temps.
John |
| I wonder which is worse....... | CTRider
Dec 15, 2002 4:56 PM | | snow, some glare ice and mud (some sections of the trail were like mini-creek beds!)....or the slippery glare ice you had to contend with.
Shall we start doing a "weather dance" to improve conditions in CT?
Cheers,
Mark |
| Just go easy on the mud... | Doug
Dec 15, 2002 5:40 PM | | Weather like this is what can really do in the trails. They are so soft and we that tires really sink in and mud holes and ruts get formed that last for years. I realize its no fun, but staying off the trails until they dry out or freeze is really best.
Just a friendly reminder from your local NEMBA rep and TM guy. On a related note, every spring we have several days when we go out there to clean up a lot of these kinds of spots. Spring is great TM weather. warm, but still wet so you know how the trails react to water. If interested keep an eye on www.nemba.org and www.ctnemba.org. |
| Just go easy on the mud....We were and I was.... | CTRider
Dec 15, 2002 6:07 PM | | riding with fellow CT NEMBA members.
I'm stoked to be a NEMBA member and plan to do my part in terms of TM this spring.
Take care,
Mark in Mansfield, CT |
| now for a PSA.... | Doug
Dec 16, 2002 7:29 AM | | Each fall NEMBA hosts trail maintenance clinics. Basic how to sessions of trail maintenance. There is usually one in SW, and NE CT.
There is also the trail ambassador program. For this you must be a NEMBA member. YOu get free jerseys, the best folding saw known to man (I LOVE that thing), tool kit and some other odds and ends. What is your role? Ride, be nice, provide directions, ID spots that need maintenance, and do trailside repairs. 5 (or 6?) hours a month are all you need to do. TA training is usually once in the fall. Early March.
Both the TM and TA programs go a LONG way in the eyes of the land managers. They are very easy and rewarding ways to make a difference. As these training days get announced I'll probably post them here for people to see.
Should you ever want to ride the Trumbull area, feel free to email me:
sideoutmtb at mac dot com
Doug |
| now for a PSA.... | Jisch
Dec 16, 2002 8:19 AM | | Doug:
Thanks for the info. I've been in contact with Turch, we're supposed to be setting up something for the spring in Shenipsit. Please do post pertinent info here for the stuff you are lining up...
Thanks,
John |
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