Wakefield/Accotink

[Snot-Rocket]

Just in case you were wondering, looks like great riding conditions- colder would be better, but you can't have it all...dress snugly!

Er, you may wanna read my Winter Riding Tips in the 'Pit?'

Rah,

Tom

[smileyfunjoy]

:confused:
What are the chances for Sunday's Wake-Tink casual ride considering the snow/rain the past few days? Bike's gettin' rusty just sitting!

bike on!
joy

[Snot-Rocket]

Well given the saturation of the soils and the fact that my sump pump is still kicking in (and I live on a Hill by Wake-Tink)- we need good freezing conditions for the trails to be Legal!

Folks need to stay away from Wakefield-that trail system is blown except for below freezing conditions. This past Sunday we had this permafrost like detail- the trails were really boderline, ground frozen by like 1/4-inch of moist soil!

I'll send out notice tomorrow or Saturday...

Joy,

Tom

[spongedog]

Hey Snot-Rocket, how things looking out there today? Should be below freezing this am...

[Snot-Rocket]

With all the rain, just not cold enough and mucky- pending sleet also makes it no love...

Hopefully next weekend!

Rah,

Tom

[Snot-Rocket]

I think the weather and at least Accotink is legal, but I injured my knee Saturday morning and won't be spinning for a couple o' days!

So Sorry, see yah in the New YeAR!

Rah,

Tom

[dmofot]

Let's start by saying, I don't think anyone should be riding
Wakefield for at least the next week. It's that bad.

There was no official MORE ride last night...just a group of people who wanted to ride in the 50 degree weather. We took the
second half of the creek trail. To get to the creek trail we took
the fire road connection, which still has a great deal of standing
water. Once on the creek trail you will notice that it is no longer
a trail, but a beach complete with sand. On over to the power lines hill, which is muddy clay and is completely unrideable. Cutting
back into the woods (after walking the clay) we took a left downhill, which was actually fine as it has drained well...at least until you get to the bottom of the hill near the creek and it is all muddy again. Back onto the creek trail to go back to the parking lot. The first half of the creek trail has a lot of sand like the second half, but it actually looks deforrested in sections where the water created a flat mud basin look. The trail disappears into the flatness. The creek trail took us back to the parking lots.

One of the guys rode Accotink before hooking up with us and he said it was bad, but not as bad as the Wakefield side.

So yea, between the rash of car breakins and how nasty the trails are, I would go elsewhere for at least the next week...possibly more.

DT

[pete]

Wakefield is a floodplain, it has always been wet in the winter unless frozen. Even without rain once it thaws it gets messy. Accotink drains, Fhead and Shaffer will be closed. Other than that you need to go to the Shed or GW for solid ground.

[DC Rider]

I have been at the Accotink trail twice since it last rained and except for a few "bad" spots, the trail is in excellent condition. With the exception of a few mud puddles, which a day of trail maintenance will fix, the trail is very ridable. There are how ever the low lying area between the ridges near the asphalt path that should be avoided. This trail is my favorite and most ridden.

[pete]

Accotink rules. It has always drained well except that spot you describe which can easily be skipped. Did you happen to investigate Wakefield as well?

[DC Rider]

no, i rarely go over on that end of the park since i access Accotink from Rolling Road. I have the luxury of leaving my garage instead of lugging by bike on my Jeep. But, i wouldn't have gone over there anyway because if Accotink is anywhere questionable, i know Wakefield is out of the question. Plus i favor Accotink anyway.

[cowboy00242]

I made my first trip ever to Wakefield over the weekend, and had to dig my way out. The mud was unbelievable. It definitely needs to be left alone for some time. Someone with more knowledge of the place than I could probably choose the correct turns to stay in the sandy areas (or the main trail, but it's also muddy in many places) and keep out of the (horribly sticky, like bad caramel) mud. Maybe it will be passable once frozen? I'll try Accotink next... everyone seems to be saying it's better drained! :)

[dmofot]

Well right now you should be able to ride both Wakefield and Accotink. Any mud at the two should be frozen solid. While you might think it's too cold to ride, get the rides in while you can. Once the weather warms up a bit and the freeze/thaw process starts, it's gonna be real nasty!

DT

[wrtaylo]

Accotink 1/10/04

I rode Accotink this morning. Awesome conditions, awesome ride, even though I could not feel my toes by the end.

[pete]

Wakefield was rock solid on Sat too, great ride. Went places I haven't been since Sept. Too bad we're looking at 40's this week.

[Muddy1]

I'll second that! I had a great time out there yesterday and it was nice to come home NOT covered in mud for a change. Friday is supposed to be pretty cold again so I'm keeping my fingers crossed to keep the deep freeze through Saturday.

[drewdane]

I had a great time at Accotink on Sunday (except *ahem!* for the frozen tire tracks where people rode through the mud;))

Bring an extra pair of socks (or wrap a plastic bag around your feet) in case you dab on a creek crossing, though. That water's COLD!!!