Conditions - 10/21

[Mrs. Outlaw]

Anyone know if the trails will be ridable for Saturday 10/21?

Thanks,
Julie

[werace424]

If riding Rosey, Shaffer, Patapsco (watch out for Trail nazis) ;) , or similar places, I would personally wait until Sunday, maybe afternoon.

Gambrill, Shed, or gravel roads :( , heck yea.

Later,
Paul

[Vecsus]

At this time of year the trails are going to take longer to dry out. I kinda resent the term "trail nazi" though. Granted, some people can get over-protective but more often than not, people ride trails they know are too wet. Of course, those dorks don't read this forum anyway.

Gambril is always a viable trail. Hell, I even rode there while Noah was looking for a place to dock the Ark.

[werace424]

At this time of year the trails are going to take longer to dry out. I kinda resent the term "trail nazi" though. Granted, some people can get over-protective but more often than not, people ride trails they know are too wet. Of course, those dorks don't read this forum anyway.

Gambril is always a viable trail. Hell, I even rode there while Noah was looking for a place to dock the Ark.

Trail Nazis is a term I use loosely to refer to those that judge those who rode without actually knowing the conditions of the trail because they didn't actually go to said trail and look for themselves, they ASSUME!

No offense intended.
Paul

The ark ref is a good one. :D

[Vecsus]

Trail Nazis is a term I use loosely to refer to those that judge those who rode without actually knowing the conditions of the trail because they didn't actually go to said trail and look for themselves, they ASSUME!


Quite often those assumptions are based off prior experience. I don't need to drive all the way to Fountainhead to know that it's too wet to ride 12 hours after a heavy rain. Trail condition hotlines are not always updated properly so those are not always a valid way to choose a trail after a rain.

When people really want to ride they tend to rationalize and justify their trail decision. I cringe when I see a bike caked with mud on the top of a car. Don't get me wrong, I am not a purely fair-weather cyclist. But many of the trails in the local area cannot stand up to the abuse of being ridden when soggy.

[dcraider]

Quite often those assumptions are based off prior experience. I don't need to drive all the way to Fountainhead to know that it's too wet to ride 12 hours after a heavy rain. Trail condition hotlines are not always updated properly so those are not always a valid way to choose a trail after a rain.

When people really want to ride they tend to rationalize and justify their trail decision. I cringe when I see a bike caked with mud on the top of a car. Don't get me wrong, I am not a purely fair-weather cyclist. But many of the trails in the local area cannot stand up to the abuse of being ridden when soggy.


Too many people have taken upon themselves to become the "keepers of the trails" almost to the point of being zealots. I understand it IS our responsibility to take care of OUR trails and will do so, but in a manner that promotes trail education and not disgust, as has been the case. It's so easy, even a caveman can do it!

There's been several instances when folks have passed judgement on fellow riders because of what they assume happened; they hear it from a second hand source. Instead of knowing first hand what had happened or what the "actual" trail conditions are or were.

I don't like the term Trail Nazi's, I prefer Trail Al-Queda (for up-to-date for the times). And yes, they know who they are.

[mr_natural]

I rode Schaeffer last night right before dark and the conditions under the trees was fine, never went out in the fields as I assumed that would be too wet. Rode all the trails to #14 and turned around due to impending darkness and 99% of trail was fine, hit 2 water holes at bottom of downhill turns (which looked like nothing with all the leaves on top) and they were deep but everything else was fine, even the trail realignment between #2 & #3 was fine to ride, and if new trail is good, you know established trail was no problem.

Marty

[Mrs. Outlaw]

Just got done riding and the trails are fine! Get out and enjoy this beautiful fall afternoon!

Julie

[saba]

The fields near the radio tower were really muddy today best to avoid.

[nocro]

Did anyone ride today? I'm thinking about a lunchtime ride Nov. 1st, and would like to know if the trails are usable.

[random-adam]

It was beautiful. Lots of dry multi-colored leaves all over the white, orange, and yellow trails. Reminded me of exactly how a nice fall day should be - a couple of times I just had to stop and look up for a bit, it was so nice out. No particularly muddy bits.

[nocro]

A great day for a bike ride.

The leaves made it really interesting. I don't know the trails well at all. I demonstrated that several times today.

This is on the Schaeffer Farms list, but I actually rode Seneca Creek. There was just one spot of mud near the observation deck. I think that needs some gravel to help it out. The tire tracks indicate people are riding around the edge of it, making it wider.