[JST169]

How are the trails out there in the Wissahickon / Valley Green? I think the last post I saw said they were icy, as was Forbidden Drive. If anyone ventures out Saturday or got out today, post up so we know if it's worth riding on Sunday.

Let us know which sections of trail you ride, since I'm sure the conditions will vary.

I hope our spring-tease this coming week doesn't turn the trails to mush!

Jeremy

 

[JST169]

OK, I'll reply to my own thread...

Got out to the Wiss this morning about 8:30. Trails were still frozen. Forbidden had "traction ice" on most parts if you were brave enough to look for it. There was typically a packed snow/slightly icy path on the inn side of Forbidden as well. As for the regular trails, the Inn side trails were less icy than the Indian side, but still had patches of quite slippery ice. The sensation while riding is akin to being in a slot car--bouncing back and forth like a pin ball, except once in a while there was nothing to catch you on one side and you'd go down.

All in all, it was rideable, which is better than I thought it would be. With the warm weather forecasted for this week, I expect the conditions to degrade. The ice/snow pack seemed to be several inches thick. It's going to be quite a while before it disappears, I think.

Studded tires would be ideal out there.

Jeremy

 

[Katie785]

I went out and did a 6mi loop at about 330 yesterday hoping the ice would have melted mostly with the warm air... I was wrong.. 80% of it was covered in about 1-2" of snow still (rideable with a bit of caution).. there were some steep sections that were a total sheet of ice.. barely walkable.. Other sections were just thick horrible mud. The ride was fun, but unless you want quite a challenge or have studded tires i'd hold off anotehr week.... I'll prob go out again tomorrow and let you know what its like.

 

[JST169]

I'm curious if this week's weather will be enough to get rid of most of the ice on the trails. Sure, it will reveal the dirt/mud, but at least that's readily rideable when frozen, unlike the ice.

We're thinking about heading to French Creek or Wharton SF (New Jersey) this weekend, thinking they'll be more rideable. FC doesn't get near the traffic of Valley Green, so may not have had as much ice form. Wharton is rumored to be rideable now.

 

[Katie785]

what day are you planning on going up there? maybe I could tag along??

 

[JST169]

what day are you planning on going up there? maybe I could tag along??

We've never been to Wharton; do FC frequently when the trails aren't snowed in. Either place, we'll ride early Sunday morning. We probably won't make the call on location until Saturday evening.

 

[Katie785]

Ok.. got back out there yesterday (i literally live right next to it, so its easy to cruise over there.. esp when my Roadie has a flat and I bought the wrong tube and was unable to fix it..)

It's still 50% slush, 30% ice, 20% thick nasty mudd.. I rode around the mud to not disrupt the trail.. I think after Friday's 65 degrees We'll be all mud so by the time it freezes back up Sunday it'll be good riding! (as long as not too many hikers stop it up)

 

[92gli]

They have almost daily updates on phillymtb.com. Right now it asks people to stay off the mess.

 

[JST169]

I feel like the freeze Saturday night won't be deep enough to really solidify things out there, especially since it's going back above freezing on Sunday.

It's that time of year, I guess.

 

[diggingtrail]

It's still 50% slush, 30% ice, 20% thick nasty mudd.. I rode around the mud to not disrupt the trail..

Riding around the mud will only widen the trail. The best thing to do is not ride when the trail is soft, wet, or muddy. But if you do come across a wet spot the next best thing to do is ride thru the middle. While this enhances the already low spot or channel that exists, it is an easier repair than trying to narrow down a section of singletrack that has become 8 feet wide.

 

[amysue135]

What app is that Kaite? I want it!

 

[bear]

What app is that Kaite? I want it!

Image has the words "MapMyFitness" on it, if that helps.

 

[JST169]

We ended up riding Allaire State Park in NJ today (Sunday). It was in excellent condition: some snow on the sides of the trails, but mostly clear trails, amazingly. Definitely recommend heading out there if you get the chance.

As for the Wiss, I hear there's still a good bit of ice out there. It's going to take a while before it's gone. I wonder if French Creek is ridable yet? Not as much traffic, so maybe the snow on the trails has melted and cleared.

We'll see what this week's weather brings...

 

[Whitney.Smith]

French Creek

French Creek was ridable yesterday until the ground thawed. Then it became very muddy. There are lots of trees down from this week's wind. The snow is mostly gone.

 

[Katie785]

Sorry.. that was iMapmyride but I dont like it... I went back to Cycle Meter.. MUCH better with a ton more options.. its $4.99 and worth every penny!

 

[JST169]

French Creek was ridable yesterday until the ground thawed. Then it became very muddy. There are lots of trees down from this week's wind. The snow is mostly gone.

Thanks for the info Whitney. Good to know FC is an option as long as things stay frozen. I don't think the little snow we got last night will matter much...as long as it doesn't hide ice.

You'll have to come ride with the DirtBrothers again. We've not been doing the normal Thursday rides due to the weather, obviously. As soon as those trails are good to go, we'll be back at it!

Jeremy