I read this forum every day and follow the suggested rules when it comes to riding while the trail is wet / muddy. However, if you look at these trail condition posts, I see plenty of the 'regulars' on the forum state that they rode the trails for recon purposes. Well, if the regulars go and do 'recon' rides and then post that conditions are not good, it may be construed that they rode but don't want other people to do the same.
And I understand the fat bike riding but wouldn't those big tires rut up just as much or more? This forum is full of fat bike riders touting conditions in all the parks that I won't ride due to muddy / sloppy conditions.
Just my $.02.
Without getting too far off topic, recon can be for snow, ice, mud, etc. Some of us are close enough to ride to the park in question, and if it is too muddy, we hit the manasquan bike path to the beach (
at least I do when Allaire is in discussion). Recon is usually done down south by locals so our friends who are snowed in up north can have an idea of the conditions (
and vise versa) in order to avoid damage and so they can make the best of their ride.
Fat bikes are not exempt and can cause damage too, usually less as they offer more float over the terrain, but they should stick to the same rules as a standrad MTB. FAT TIRES ARE NOT AN EXCUSE TO GO OUT IN THE MUD (
there, I said it)
Yes this foum is full of fat bikers reporting conditions, especially in the winter, as with the snow pack the fat bikes have an advantage of covering more ground and can report what is ridable to a CX bike or standard MTB. Standard wheeled riders report just as well, so lets not make this a fat/standard thing.
And I get back to the original sentiment. The conditions are aweful in Allaire right now (
tons of snow melt, standing water, mud, and additional rain on the way), bike traffic should be out of the park. If you disagree, I have had that argument too many times and do not want to again. We have this discussion annually (
please revert back a few posts for my statement that mitgates this).
If you are curious or want more info, come out to one of the maintenance days that will be posted shortly and lend a hand.