Carvins Cove or Douthat

Carvins Cove - some trails are good for the most part but all (that I have taken) have some snowy/ice patches. The fire roads are mostly still covered but have gotten hard packed and can be ridden. Up on Brushy Mountain it's very deep in places and I couldn't plow through so I pushed some. I think it will stay frozen this entire week and into the weekend, but when it thaws it will be a real mess.

I live about 20 miles South of Douthat. I haven't been to Douthat recently, but rode by Clifton Forge yesterday and there is still a lot of snow/ice in the area. Theres still 5-6 inches in the shade on my creek bottom, probably more up on Middle Mountain in Douthat. OK I guess if you like that kind of riding. Beards Mountain side gets afternoon sun and will probably clear up first - but still some deep dark hollows on that side.

jamas1395 said:

I was thinking about driving to Douthat or Carvins Cove from Charlottesville this coming weekend does any one know what the trail conditions are like at either place?

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http://forums.mtbr.com/showthread.php?p=6468337#poststop

keep in mind that as soon as it gets above freezing, it is going to be a f-ing mess out there.

The thawed out sections of the fireroad at the Cove are muddy and almost a stream bed in places. I'm referring to the fireroad from boatdock to Schoolhouse. We had a hard time on some of the uphills and resorted to walking.

RE: Trails: I only took Schoolhouse and it's ok except mud. The streams are deeper than usual as to be expected. There's going to be little to no melting this week. It never got above 25 yesterday and I live 8 miles from the boatdock. No warmup in sight for the next several days.

Please becareful!!!

jamas1395 said:

I was thinking about driving to Douthat or Carvins Cove from Charlottesville this coming weekend does any one know what the trail conditions are like at either place?

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Seeing as it is predicted to stay below freezing through the end of this weekend, I would count on nothing melting, and no mud whatsoever anywhere. It is a little sketchy in places, though.

BikerJen, those flooded/muddy parts you are talking about are now frozen solid (I busted my @ss on one such patch).

kapusta said:

Seeing as it is predicted to stay below freezing through the end of this weekend, I would count on nothing melting, and no mud whatsoever anywhere. It is a little sketchy in places, though.

BikerJen, those flooded/muddy parts you are talking about are now frozen solid (I busted my @ss on one such patch).

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Yea I should have said that I rode there 1/1/10. Hope you're ok! It took me 4 days to get over neck pain from hitting the parking lot on black ice back on 12/27 :madman: . OWIE!!! Just not used to these conditions!!! Really looking forward to warmer temperatures!!!!

BikerJen said:

Yea I should have said that I rode there 1/1/10. Hope you're ok! It took me 4 days to get over neck pain from hitting the parking lot on black ice back on 12/27 :madman: . OWIE!!! Just not used to these conditions!!! Really looking forward to warmer temperatures!!!!

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Ouch! I was pretty lucky when I hut the ice, I sort of hit the ground in stages. I know it can happen more suddenly and painfully. Hope you get better. Yeah, I talk up the virtues of these sub-freezing temps, but truthfully, I would love nothing more that to just skip ahead to spring right now.