Wet-proof trails?

[mikewest]

Is there such a thing as a rain proof trail? Moab, perhaps? As far as MD trails go, I recall Gambrills having a good number of pine-needle or rocky trails that might be doable.

Since I'm stuck inside do to a wet Patapsco, this seemed like a reasonable coffee sipping question to ponder.

mike

[drevil]

Is there such a thing as a rain proof trail? Moab, perhaps? As far as MD trails go, I recall Gambrills having a good number of pine-needle or rocky trails that might be doable.

Since I'm stuck inside do to a wet Patapsco, this seemed like a reasonable coffee sipping question to ponder.

mikeRoad. :D

Gambrill would be the closest, safest bet, but with enough rain it can get muddy in spots too.

One of a handful of discussions about this topic:
http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?p=45099

[Fitz]

Fort Dupont (aka the Fort Circle trail system) is better than most because much of it has an aggregate base, but the 24 hour rule still applies, especially this time of year.

[mjbrox]

Fort Dupont (aka the Fort Circle trail system) is better than most because much of it has an aggregate base, but the 24 hour rule still applies, especially this time of year.

I would think that this time a year, you are more likely to be able to ride since all the plants are soaking up rain

[bills]

I have family and friends who ride on Long Island, in NY, and a lot of their trails drain fast because they're sand based. This is especially true when riding the trails in the pine barrens way out toward the end of the island. Of course, don't expect any climbs there... those trails are as flat as a pancake!

[jabberwocky]

I would think that this time a year, you are more likely to be able to ride since all the plants are soaking up rainThe cool temps mean that things dry a lot slower.

[Squirrel Girl]

I would think that this time a year, you are more likely to be able to ride since all the plants are soaking up rainAt this time of year the big trees don't have leaves yet and aren't soaking up much. In a few weeks that will change.

(the beautiful flowering cherries and Bradford pears don't count--and there aren't many willows around which do have leaves now)

[brian_brox]

Is there such a thing as a rain proof trail?The Mount Vernon Trail is rain proof, but the bridges get slick. ;)

This time of year is tough. It feels like it only rains between Friday and Sunday...

[DaveG]

Road. :D

Gambrill would be the closest, safest bet, but with enough rain it can get muddy in spots too.

One of a handful of discussions about this topic:
http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?p=45099


you could do trail maintenance, right Ricky ;)

[wrench177]

you could do trail maintenance, right Ricky ;)
Yeah.....WTF.....where were you? We cut a a sweet section of trail and Jojo was there, swinging a tool of one form or another the whole day. Where were you Drevil??????????:confused:

[MyOtherBrotherL]

...One of a handful of discussions about this topic:
http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?p=45099

http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?t=396492

I was following this thread on MTBR. I can't say it actually helps here because I don't think the originator was asking his question right or getting the answers he was looking for.

Anyway - Some may find it interesting.

[MyOtherBrotherL]

I have family and friends who ride on Long Island, in NY, and a lot of their trails drain fast because they're sand based. This is especially true when riding the trails in the pine barrens way out toward the end of the island. Of course, don't expect any climbs there... those trails are as flat as a pancake!

Yea - Sand drains well and clay turns to POO when wet.

Clay can hold grades up to 15%. Sand can't push past 7 to 10 percent.

Welcome to my world............

[mikewest]

Ha! My favorite two responses in the mtbr thread were
1. Ray's MTB
2. Moab.

I havn't been to Moab, but it appears to be one big rock. For all I know, though, it never rains there...

mike

[dan_hudson]

Sand can't push past 7 to 10 percent.

Not even that.

[jabberwocky]

I havn't been to Moab, but it appears to be one big rock. For all I know, though, it never rains there...I can assure you that it does rain there. Crashmore and I got rained out the day we were going to ride Sovereign last year.

The Moab trails are pretty rocky, but there is some sandy dirt sections on some of the trails. Slickrock is pretty much solid rock though.

[MyOtherBrotherL]

Not even that.

Yea - I guess you're right if we're talking about VA Beach type sand.

I was thinking more like the sandy soils at FH and LH..................

[eloach]

Locally, EF single track dries faster than anything I have seen here. The fire roads will still be a mess long after the trails are good. Vertical, Rocky and Sandy soil with few riders in the winter and well protected by leaves. Often dry the day after a rain. It's a bit of a drive for MD, but since I am in VA it's been my "go to" ride all winter. I don't think I have ever even left a tire track except on the fire roads and mud hole gap, which is appropriately named.

[macdaid]

Just looked at the 10 day forcast.

It lines up rain on exactly the same days I have left before leaving for a work trip next week.

And the days I'm away?

You got it; sunny.....

:rolleyes:

[drevil]

Where were you Drevil??????????:confused:Same place you and DaveG were at the Rosaryville trail day and probably the upcoming Avalon trail day: nowhere to be found... :p

[DaveG]

Same place you and DaveG were at the Rosaryville trail day and probably the upcoming Avalon trail day: nowhere to be found... :p

Touche.... :D

[wrench177]

Touche.... :D
Well played sir.....;)

[oldnoob]

the very under-utilized Whitney State Forest trails in Warrenton were in very good shape this past saturday afternoon. The place drains awesome because of its rolling terrain. if you are local to conway, and want to ride after some rain, check it out cause its not too far from there.