When can I ride?

[Yeti_Ken]

As a newcomer to Maine, can someone tell me when I'll be able to ride the trails without snowcover? I've been out on the SS in the snow a few times, but am really looking forward to hitting Bradbury Mountain SP when the trails are clear and dry. Calvin?

Ken Keister

[GandALF2]

Ken,

Welcome to New England. But, you might want to know that Maine generally has two seasons: "11 months of winter and one month of mighty tough sleddin' "

Spring is only a few short weeks away........astronomically.

GandALF

[Yeti_Ken]

Yeah, I know. But I moved from where it is worse. Some of the best trails in Colorado only had a little more than a 2 month ride period due to the snow cover at elevation. No joke. Waiting until mid July to ride trails like Monarch Crest (http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1119370881)or Two Elk was tough sometimes, but there were always other great rides to get me by.

I really want to know when people hit the trails here in the spring. I understand there will be a "mud season", most northern states have one. I just want to know when it will end. Approximate dates? I just need to know if I should head south to get my fix.

Ken

[AA]

Seasons in ME:
Winter
Mud season
Black Fly season
Summer (2 weeks)
Early winter
Winter again

Actually it depends on where you are in the great state of Maine. Southern areas(especially near the coast) will be ready to roll MUCH earlier than interior northern sections. Perhaps some locals will chime in.

[fishbum]

I looked at my calender from last year and all trails were dry enough and the park fully opened for riding on May 4. We had a trail day planned on May 6 and had an excellent turnout!

As we improve the trails they can open earlier and earlier, and re-open sooner after a rain. The Rangers found that if they closed the trails for 1-2 days after a rain it made a huge difference. I expect they will continue that.

From last years first trail day - notice it looks a little chilly still! The 4x4 posts were dropped off at intersections for the start of great signage throughout the trail network.
http://bradburymountain.com/merchant/1269/images/site/trailday.jpg

[dabedob]

Yeah, I know. But I moved from where it is worse. Some of the best trails in Colorado only had a little more than a 2 month ride period due to the snow cover at elevation. No joke. Waiting until mid July to ride trails like Monarch Crest (http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1119370881)or Two Elk was tough sometimes, but there were always other great rides to get me by.

I really want to know when people hit the trails here in the spring. I understand there will be a "mud season", most northern states have one. I just want to know when it will end. Approximate dates? I just need to know if I should head south to get my fix.

Ken

I loved the video

[Yeti_Ken]

Thanks Fishbum. I hope to be able to help at any workdays this year (both Bradbury and others). I'm living in Freeport right now (renting) and hope to purchase nearby when I find a job (and the CO house sells).

Dabedob, I wish I could take credit for the video, but I believe it belongs to someone from Absolute Bikes (http://www.absolutebikes.com/) in Salida, CO (on their website). I try to keep a good "bank" of video links and Pics to my favorite trails to watch before riding them. Unfortunately, riding in Colorado will only happen once a year, now. I've already started watching video from here in New England, but most I've found are from MA. Looks like I need to get a helmet cam. I would love THIS ONE (http://www.vio-pov.com/). Any one want to buy it for me? ;)

Ken

[Tim]

As a newcomer to Maine, can someone tell me when I'll be able to ride the trails without snowcover? I've been out on the SS in the snow a few times, but am really looking forward to hitting Bradbury Mountain SP when the trails are clear and dry. Calvin?

Ken Keister

Very much dependent on what kind of spring we have. Bradbury has a lot of fairly firm trails, but some wet stuff too. I'd guess May 1 would be the earliest you should be out there, possibly later if it's been a rainy spring.

Tim

[ride in maine]

You can ride anytime. Bradbury is one of the many places that are being ridden this time of year.May Ist is a fair guess for being on the dirt but as far as the trails being dry who knows. Having record snowfall this year (upwards of ten feet) it is anybodies guess.

[Mt.A TODD]

ayuh, it is a tricky thing predicting the weather here. The snow levels this year are up there near historic records. It seems like we have consistent wet raining springs, hope we don't get the bad "flood" scenario again, just never know. Could be warm and sunny in April... could be a blizzard. The worst time to ride is when dirt thaws, that in between mudcrust time before the first good sun bake. When "mud season" begins, rain is falling all spring, most of all of summer and ...actually we had a really nice dry fall last year, but usually fall is mud season too in Maine. Get some good water resistant shorts or a fender isn't so bad, gore tex socks. It could be wet and damp many days riding, that's just the way it is, can feel like a temperate rain forest, lush green soaking wet air, the woods come alive before your eyes. Learn what trails drain well and can handle rider travel when soggy, avoid the steep or mucky ones. trailwork always helps. All I'm saying is don't let the notion that "mud season" means no riding because you wouldn't get much riding in. Could also be a hot dry summer that burns out our lawns and has us eating dust. Just never know. weather is tricky here.

My first real dirt ride every season is when I drive south a little bit, that I know.

[Yeti_Ken]

My first real dirt ride every season is when I drive south a little bit, that I know.

I understand. I'm actually thinking about taking a trip down to Cape Cod to hit Otis and Barnstable (been seeing a lot of posts about how well it dries).

Thanks for the info.

[skunkty14]

Not a Maine resident, but in Mass. we end up heading south and to particular trails to avoid mud season and trail damage. Usually you'd be able to ride a greater variety of spots in MA and southern NH before stuff in ME clears up.

Post up for riding down in Otis and/or Trail of Tears; both are great spots to ride and really do drain amazingly well. Like you said there are many people riding down there all the time so post up. I'll be down there this Sunday for sure.