no riding muddy trails!!!!
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max
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« on: January 06, 2008, 06:20:40 PM »
hey,

so i know 99% of people in here know but i figured my grumpy ass would come and make a plea...

PLEASE

PLEASE

PLEASE

stay off the trails when they finally thaw out enough to get really f-ing muddy.

get a road bike... i know, i know that is pretty harsh but really... stay the hell off the trails when it is really evident you are tearing them up.

NEED to go ride trails? i just found your solution. i had a great ride up at mt.penn in reading... zero mud. get a local to show you the way there is some good riding up there! i am convinced you could ride there during a thunderstorm without seeing mud.

thanks everybody and happy winter, together we will make it to the times when the trails are rideable again....
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Lou
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« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2008, 07:41:13 PM »
YEs I have to agree with Max that riding in the mud does damage the trails. But I am not an expert on this issue and there is plenty to debate on the short and long term effects of the damage... A group of us rode today because we rode yesterday and the trials were perfect. I can't believe how soft they got overnight! It was evident that we were damaging the trails so we cut the ride short. When I say damaging I mean we were leaving ruts and pushing dirt down hill on the sideslope and that changes the angle and causes water to puddle, thus making the problem worse over time if they are not repaired. The potential to damage trails is especially high on our new sections which are not cured yet. However, the freeze thaw cycle can soften the most sustainable trails out there... I don't think the damage is long term, as the trail will dry and be rode back into a solid tread in time. But the short term damage is not good for our image. Also more important is the fact that riding on soft trails will damage their sustainable features and make them retain water which is not good. This means they require more maintenance, but they can be easily repaired. However that is a lot of work! SOooooooooooooo, anyone who rides when it's soft, MUST come out to help repair them or you will be hunted down and ridden over with my knobby tires.  Grin  You know who you are, so I plan to see you all at the next TMD!!!!

When we got back we didn't have enough ride time so we went for a ride around Manayunk. I rode my new Cowan Dirt Jumper and it's sweet! I love urban riding, but I won't be doing any road riding though... No road bike here...
« Last Edit: January 06, 2008, 07:53:32 PM by Lou » Logged
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MADDOG
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« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2008, 08:21:13 PM »
When I ride Belle Island in Richmond, they have signs posted on trail condition and permanent signs saying not to ride when wet and to wait 24 hrs for each inch of rain before riding.  I believe its handled by the guys at RIDE-MORE.  I'm surprised Wiss does not have similar type signs.  Maybe Lou or someone with initiative could check in with them.  Believe it or not, some rides don't know enough to stay off the trails when wet.  Here is the link.  http://www.richmond-more.org/home/
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Dmitri
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« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2008, 10:29:29 PM »
Yep, the key is to be responsible. We all try to go out and ride, but we should be open minded, like Lou's group, and bail as soon as it looks like the conditions are not right.

Yes, it's a wasted day of riding, but a life time of trails preserved for the future!

Please, stay off the trails for at least 1-2 days!!

dz
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fishnchips
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« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2008, 10:52:05 PM »


when is next TMD and next FOW TMD?
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Kelly
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« Reply #5 on: January 07, 2008, 12:02:16 AM »
The thaws make this really hard to judge too.  If it's re-freezing, the trails can hold water from rain for a long time and re-release it when it thaws.  Like today, even though we also had a small amount of rain last night.  We shouldn't freeze for a few days now so it will probably dry out nicely but then it might rain on Weds.   I will be working out of town all of Tues.  Sad

I went back today to check it out with a few out of town friends.  Roxy side was obviously wayyy to wet, so we hit forbidden and then tried some chestnut side stuff which was much better but still too wet....spotty too.  Lots of riders out today but it was nice to stop and talk with a few who knew it was too wet and were getting out of there.

I went home via forbidden and out via gorgas which still says closed even though the gate is moved over.  That is a total mess because of the PWD work going on there, but I don't think I could make it worse, so just rode out.  Still not as bad as the Dec  work day....gorgas was like soup that day.

What a difference from yesterday morning....frozen and perfect.  Hopefully the ground won't be frozen for next weeks TMD.  It looks like I should make it out to that one (fingers crossed).
« Last Edit: January 07, 2008, 12:07:12 AM by Chuck U » Logged
Lou
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« Reply #6 on: January 07, 2008, 10:57:53 AM »
Jesse, as the guy who handles the sign up area, how could you not know that our TMD is EVERY 4th Saturday of the month?!?!?  Huh  Wink

Also WE all should know that the FOW work day is the 2nd Saturday of every month.

You better lay off the sauce...  Grin
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fishnchips
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« Reply #7 on: January 07, 2008, 11:19:16 AM »
Exactly, I'm just the guy who handles the "SIGN IN" area. We didn't have TD in December did we? So obviously they don't happen every 4th Saturday. And I've received no reports and and nothing is on the schedule for what is planned on the next two. You know; Time, Place, Plan of Action, ... ". I can't educate the proletariat unless our President lets us know what's happening.

There is an Official Events section and a calendar... make it happen. As the Union Rep I demand management keep it's workers informed.
« Last Edit: January 07, 2008, 04:30:08 PM by fishnchips » Logged
Kelly
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« Reply #8 on: January 07, 2008, 02:01:47 PM »
Simmer down fellas, we don't need a strike on our hands.  Next thing you know there will be people getting into fights at trail entrances yelling, "Scabs!!!"

 Grin Grin Grin
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Lou
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« Reply #9 on: January 08, 2008, 12:11:15 AM »
OK, Ok. I hear ya. It's always managments' fault, ya know!?!?  I try to tell the TMD guys to stay on top of this and they threaten to strike me, like hit me! Kidding. Anyhoo, hopefully Tom or Dmitri will read this and get off their butts and post the dates. After Hunter's web training at tonights board meeting, they have no excuses!!!!  Lips sealed 
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Dmitri
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« Reply #10 on: January 08, 2008, 07:02:55 AM »
Heh, I'll send the info out shortly. This time around I was getting confused as Tom and Kevin were discussing options, whether they were talking about FOW day on the 12th or PMBA on the 26th.

My fault. I'll be good now.  Wink

dz
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Lust4singletrack
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« Reply #11 on: January 08, 2008, 11:50:12 AM »
I saw there was nothing on the schedule the other day. I did not have the ability to update it.
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