Hi. So, wondering how you handle these scenarios.
- LKSP is open. You hit the trail and a mile in, you hit a couple of squishy spots. Do you turn back or keep going hoping/thinking that's the worst of it.
- Signal Hill seems to have more rutted squishy spots than LKSP. Is there a different level of "sloppy" riding allowed at Signal Hill vs LKSP?
- when 95% of the trail is fine, do you turn around, ride around muddy spots, walk around muddy spots or ride through muddy spots? 

Honest questions; I want to be part of the solution; not the problem. The wet weather is pushing my standards of acceptable riding. Trying to be a good trail citizen.
BTW, somebody apparently hacked the IMBA link on the front page of Tarheel Trailblazers. It takes you to some UK AV site now.

from IMBA
Ride Open Trails: Respect trail and road closures — ask a land manager for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail. Do not trespass on private land. Obtain permits or other authorization as required. Be aware that bicycles are not permitted in areas protected as state or federal Wilderness.
Leave No Trace: Be sensitive to the dirt beneath you. Wet and muddy trails are more vulnerable to damage than dry ones. When the trail is soft, consider other riding options. This also means staying on existing trails and not creating new ones. Don't cut switchbacks. Be sure to pack out at least as much as you pack in.

I hear all this talk now for a year or so about ride through the trail don't create new trail or widen the trail...

HELLO... why not encourage that? Embrace the guys that are riding where the trail is being widened and then make that the new trail...   

Just sayin...

Gravitythief76 wrote on 08/21/13 at 12:49am:


love you man but I don't get it... why not use the trail where people ride when they shouldn't be as the new trail?

shut down the bad sections and embrace the new... seems pretty simple...

CLTtrailDude01 wrote on 08/21/13 at 12:21am:



In many cases trail is planned and built to be as sustainable as possible. This is done to limit maintenance as much as possible so trail builders have time to ride their bikes instead of constantly fixing stuff. We build trail to be fun and challenging. Often, the trail gets widened due to folks avoiding these difficult sections whether it be roots, climbs, or whatever. Altering the trail by riding around hard parts, making it easier for you is a selfish way to ride. It's pretty lame so dont do it. Not saying you personally Clttraildude, just riders who do this in general. Where really hard parts are present, there is almost always a dedicated go around to give less skilled riders a choice

As for riding around mud holes... That &^&^ is just lame. Your bike wont fall apart if a little mud gets on it. Just ride through the muck. It will be ok 


CLTtrailDude01 wrote on 08/21/13 at 1:12am:


Because not everyone rides the same line when giving choice.  We construct trail to focus use through the most sustainable channels. One 24" wide trail is easier to maintain than a dozen 24" wide trails.

CLTtrailDude01 wrote on 08/21/13 at 1:31am:


That section is going to be getting a major overhaul with ladder bridge to elevate the trail over the muck. Only reason we've been letting it go for so long is that we were waiting on board approval for funds to buy the lumber. All the major mud holes out there will be bridged over and go arounds blocked off. Although i might keep the mush pit at the skinny . Come out and help us this Saturday.

Banjopickin wrote on 08/21/13 at 1:38am:


thus my struggle... I want to help but yet I can't even keep up on a group ride so I feel like I need to keep riding..

CLTtrailDude01 wrote on 08/21/13 at 2:12am:



lets see if I got this right,  you have suggestions about how you think your local trail should be... be your not willing to help????

Weak,,,,,,,,

slayemf wrote on 08/21/13 at 2:05pm:

....sauce....

KitJ BBQman wrote on 08/21/13 at 3:50pm:

Looks like the horse trails now...