FitmanNJ
Well-Known Member
There's been an increase in trail maintenance at the Rutgers Ecological Preserve in the last couple of years. As part of these efforts, several sections of trail have been covered with a thin layer of woodchips or fine gravel to, among other things, reduce the mudiness after rains and the melting of snow. I couldn't remember the extent of this coverage, so I went there today hoping that I might be pleasantly surprised at the conditions.
Unfortunately, I found that the areas receiving "anti-mud" treatment are rather limited. The trails are very moist in some spots, and "OK" in other spots where leaves have absorbed some of the moisture. In the softest of the spots, my fatbike tires had (barely) enough "float" to avoid unacceptable trail damage, but it's still probably not a good idea to ride Rutgers in conditions like we have currently, especially with narrow tires.
So, in my judgment at least, Round Valley continues to be the most durable trail system in Central Jersey after rains, snows, and freeze-thaw cycles.
Unfortunately, I found that the areas receiving "anti-mud" treatment are rather limited. The trails are very moist in some spots, and "OK" in other spots where leaves have absorbed some of the moisture. In the softest of the spots, my fatbike tires had (barely) enough "float" to avoid unacceptable trail damage, but it's still probably not a good idea to ride Rutgers in conditions like we have currently, especially with narrow tires.
So, in my judgment at least, Round Valley continues to be the most durable trail system in Central Jersey after rains, snows, and freeze-thaw cycles.