"Felt real bad adding to the ruts and go-arounds." Well then you should have NOT
ridden through those spots. If you felt bad, then you know you did something wrong. There is no excuse. Sorry, not sorry.
Thanks to
@Kirt for the props. I try to do what I can to educate and inform. I obviously can't see the entire park all the time, but I do know it well, and this summer has created some real problem areas. I can post to stay away (and do) when conditions are bad. That doesn't mean people will listen. Also, it's not like everyone who rides 6MR follows @sixmilers or is on here.
@AndyJ is also 100% correct. Use yer noggins people.
I judge conditions in an overall sense. If the trail is mostly dry and there are only problem areas, I say it like it is. I assume people will use their best judgement (even though I know not everyone will). I probably ride there more than anyone, but even I can't get there EVERY day and hit the whole park. So sometimes I judge conditions based on reports from others, and sometimes I go on my experience based on the weather and my knowledge of the trail and how it handles water (which is normally pretty good).
Last Friday afternoon I was out and it was great. Even too dusty in spots. Wednesday I went out after work and it was great. Thursday evening I rode the road down to check things out at South Middlebush and the trails were mostly too wet (and the bridge is almost done, btw).
This summer sucks. 95% of the park can be great, and there there are persistent mud pits. I feel like it should go without saying, but the key is to NOT RIDE THROUGH THE MUD PITS.
Screw your Strava times and stop, get off, and walk around.
General rule of thumb that EVERYONE should know... If it POURS today for even an hour, it will be NO GOOD to ride tomorrow.