Warming Trend

pixychick

pixychick

JORBA: Ringwood
JORBA.ORG
Hello mountain bikers. It looks like we are in the beginning of another warming trend. In my town up north, temps are predicted stay above freezing for over a week. This may mean thaw and melting snow, leaving trails very soft. Just a reminder from Jorba: Please try to be as responsible as you can with where you ride. If jorba does not post conditions, it may mean the woods are too sensitive to go in. If so inclined, contact chapter head for conditions.

Riding in soft conditions causes tread cupping, a condition that can threaten trail sustainability, if not repaired. It also causes trail widening when people ride around puddles and soft spots.

The warm weather could make for some nice road ride opportunities.

Thanks for helping us keep the trails in good shape. 🙂
 
pixychick said:
Hello mountain bikers. It looks like we are in the beginning of another warming trend. In my town up north, temps are predicted stay above freezing for over a week. This may mean thaw and melting snow, leaving trails very soft. Just a reminder from Jorba: Please try to be as responsible as you can with where you ride. If jorba does not post conditions, it may mean the woods are too sensitive to go in. If so inclined, contact chapter head for conditions.

Riding in soft conditions causes tread cupping, a condition that can threaten trail sustainability, if not repaired. It also causes trail widening when people ride around puddles and soft spots.

The warm weather could make for some nice road ride opportunities.

Thanks for helping us keep the trails in good shape. 🙂
Click to expand...

IMO at this time of year and when conditions are not ideal you really only get a few bikers out there. Do you think that a few people riding the trails in these conditions can do that much damage to the trails?

I'm actually just asking because i usually go by these rules. If I think it's a mess out there I generally dont bother because it's just not that fun for me.
 
yes they do...

The thing the ppl that don't like to ride early wait until later in the day when the trails are warmed up and thawed out. The other thing ppl that don't like the cold will go out on days like today thinking it is "perfect" weather for a ride but again the trails are thawed and wet. In the end it is perfect weather for riding...just on the road 😱. A lot of the times these ppl just are unaware

Usually what happens next is the temps go back to normal and the deep ruts that are left behind freeze making for some tricky riding. Wheels get stuck in those ruts causing riders to go OTB resulting in broken bones on frozen solid surfaces and busted up bikes
 
Yeah, stick to the road peoples. If you don't have a road bike, then there are plenty of canal paths and rail-to-trails
 
Very informative post, this is my first year winter riding and I learned this first hand.

I went to six mile after it thawed a couple weeks ago, it was a mess, the more people that ride the slop the worse it gets, I will stay at Allaire or Clayton until some other trails freeze up again
 
Last edited:
On the bright side, don't have to worry about screaming down hills on the road and hitting patches of ice.
 
Great post Ellen!



Lupob6 said:
I will stay at Allaire or Clayton until some other trails freeze up again
Click to expand...

These places always suffer too, currently Allaire is getting rutted, and some wet weather hitting Friday will mean that Allaire will get chewed Saturday. 🙁
 
gt2brew said:
These places always suffer too, currently Allaire is getting rutted, and some wet weather hitting Friday will mean that Allaire will get chewed Saturday. 🙁
Click to expand...

I've been riding Allaire all fall and winter and have not noticed any changes in trail conditions, other than the sand and gravel getting loose or tight depending on temps.

What do you mean by chewed up?

Any trails to avoid at allaire? I'm not looking to destroy the trails for others, just trying to ride in the winter
 
Lupob6 said:
I've been riding Allaire all fall and winter and have not noticed any changes in trail conditions, other than the sand and gravel getting loose or tight depending on temps.

What do you mean by chewed up?

Any trails to avoid at allaire? I'm not looking to destroy the trails for others, just trying to ride in the winter
Click to expand...

We rode Allaire last weekend and conditions were fantastic.

The conditions of the trails depend not only on temps/snow cover but also on the soil type and drainage - so while most of our parks are experiencing the "freeze-thaw", Allaire might be an exception due to the sand and the fact that they didn't get the snow pack the northern trails did.

When in doubt, ask/check the forum/JORBA for trail conditions.
 
Great comment Robin about soil. Conditions vary from park to park, trail to trail, and depending on sun exposure as well.
 
Great post! If it's soft or prone to damage, best to leave it for another day.

Another "ride" option ...😉

P3110011.jpg
 
Lupob6 said:
I've been riding Allaire all fall and winter and have not noticed any changes in trail conditions, other than the sand and gravel getting loose or tight depending on temps.

What do you mean by chewed up?

Any trails to avoid at allaire? I'm not looking to destroy the trails for others, just trying to ride in the winter
Click to expand...

If your tire starts to leave marks in the ground due to wet/soft-ness, it's probably time to head back home. You have to use your judgement at some point, like with anything else. No one expects us to bring a ruler to see how deep of ruts we are leaving and take an average of all the measurements. After you go through a wet section, take a look back. See if you left ruts. If you feel like that's something you might be annoyed by if someone else did that, it's probably a good time to head home.

One pet peeve of mine is when everyone is telling you not to go out and ride because the trail conditions will suck, too wet, etc... when they have not checked themselves or heard confirmation otherwise. I say if you are local enough, just go out and take a look yourself. No one is putting a gun to your head and say you have to keep riding wet trails just because you are there. Oh and don't forget to post the conditions you found for the benefit of others.

If you are planning an epic trip to some far-away NJ location and you are unsure about trail conditions, check online or ask first .. if things are iffy, make different plans.
 
Last edited:
icebiker said:
Great post! If it's soft or prone to damage, best to leave it for another day.

Another "ride" option ...😉

P3110011.jpg
Click to expand...

Where you riding - Mtn Creek?

+1 on boarding as an alternative.
Have to imagine all the northern parks are mush after all the snow melt
 
The D&R Canal Path for me is convenient plus I can go for dozens and dozens of miles. The trails are far too muddy and will certainly create various mechanical issues with your bike, and screw up the trails. Stay road, stay trail, or stay home.😉
 
MtnRider said:
Where you riding - Mtn Creek?

+1 on boarding as an alternative.
Have to imagine all the northern parks are mush after all the snow melt
Click to expand...

Good eye, yes that was Mtn Creek last day of the season March 2012. Haven't been there yet this year but they must be hurting. Catskills, Adirondacks and VT are doing great though. We had a foot of fresh powder a few days after Christmas up at K'ton/Pico.😎
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom