TO RIDE OR NOT TO RIDE, THAT IS THE QUESTIONS????????????????
Well here we go again, the discussion of weather to ride or not given that the trails are in their proverbial cycle of heaving the frost and collecting it again. The trails do this every year and every year the discussion of the trails getting all rutted out and that people should get off and walk around sections comes up. Well, here is my take on the whole situation. For years the trails have been doing this. The spring thaw has been a part of this areas cycle for centuries. It is nothing new. What is new? We have now built trails for people to enjoy the beauty of nature. Here is the problem. Many people offer up suggestions that we should not ride or walk on the trails in such a condition. My arguement is that for years now that the trails have been in existence, we have had this discussion, people ride anyway, and somehow the trails are fine in the summer (besides the weed build up which is another story)! I feel that riding the trails in spring time conditions is fine. How have the trails held up? Well I would say it is because of the excellent ways in which they were built. The trails around here are built to withstand the punishment of riding in all conditions. If a trail does get messed up riding in the spring then I would have to say it was probably a place that needed a little attention in the first place. Yes there are some ways to help the trails survive the spring though.
1. Try and ride or walk on the high side of the trail. By riding or walking on the low side of the trail you are helping the trail to erode away on the already precarious side that has either had to be shored up or is in jeopardy of eroding away. This again though probably would point out parts of the trail that we messed up in building in the first place!
2. If you are going to walk, don't walk around the trail. The worst thing I think that this does is it is going to form another trial and thus destroy more of the valuable land around it. Besides many time shoring is destroyed doing this and they more earth is eroded away on the uphill side leaving this massive scar that won't be healed at all.
3. Use common sense! I won't say that not riding is common sense. Again the trails are there to be enjoyed. Buffing of the trails I feel is done in the spring because we work them in more to make them that much better in the summer. If you don't ride or walk them, then what are they there for.
I know that there are some out there that would argue with my logic, go ahead. I guarantee that the trails will still be there in the summer and fall and you know what the spring will show us where they need to be fixed of improved upon. I personally have ridden everyday since last week and you know what, the trails have been ride able and I am enjoying the great outdoors now that it is nice out. My suggestion, get out and ride, the trails will survive. That is all for my rant! OUT!
