Mud Moshin'

[johnnyt]

What is the best place to ride in muddy conditions? I am a fan of Bigelow Hollow where it is always muddy.

Any recomendations?

[Big Game]

Whoa whoa whoa....Admitting you like riding in the mud? What's next, admitting you built stunts on state-owned land?

Talking (and perhaps thinking) about riding in the mud on a Nemba site is like selling cigarettes to an 11-year-old.

It's like buying booze for high schoolers.

It's like not using a coaster.

[johnnyt]

So your saying you are going to stare at your bike for the next week while the trails dry out...

I don't recall that one on the SAT exam:

Buying booze for highschoolers ::
a. Selling cigarettes to 11-year-olds
b. Using a coaster
c. Mountain biking in the mud

I have no problem admitting that I am not a fair weather biker. Isn't one of the reasons we ride to get out and experience the outdoors? The outdoors are still out there when it rains, so are the trails, and so is the mud.

Regarding stunts, the last glacial epoch provided plenty of those. Lighten up and go ride through a mud puddle.

[JoeO]

It's one thing to occassionally ride in muddy conditions and get caught in unexpected weather. No one is going to deny we've all done that at times. In fact some of my most memorable rides have been slopping around in the mud.

However to purposely and intentionally seek out muddy conditions (as opposed to dry areas) in an open forum which has a creed of "treading lightly" is definitely out of line, IMO.

We're not saying never ever ride muddy conditions. We're just saying if there's a choice between riding at wet locations or dry locations in Connecticut, please pick the dry locations for now and give the wet locations a chance to dry up. If everybody practices a little bit of restraint, it will go a long way in keeping our trails looking clean and natural for the next time we ride 'em.

[Mt.A TODD]

Ah this is a dilemma! ??? Are we the trail conscious, politically correct, live by a unwritten code, ACTIVIST, mountain biker, OR do we choose to live a reckless life, in search for the ultimate ride, no matter what the consequences MIGHT BE? You have to look into ones self to determine what is right and what is wrong, but more importantly you have to look at the terrain you are riding. Use common sense. I will avoid sensitive areas during a wet season, but I would never give up a ride for bad weather. Not being able to ride your bike though a mud puddle, is like having no sex. If a individual has a morale issue about riding in mud puddles, that individual should find a alternative recreation for when it rains. One justification riding in wet or muddy conditions is trail maintenance. Water control is the number one priority when it comes to trailwork or maintenance. If you do it right you will have no standing water, just a wet trail, not much biking damage, you can ride guilt free. The Earth is tough, build strong trails! But let's talk about MUD PUDDLES! I hate'em they mess up my fancy shoes, but we all have that place close in our hearts that is prone to mud. If a property owner has no concerns about a mudholes on their trail system, and has no intentions of fixing the problem, then ride 'em! Up at Mt.A we have pits that will swallow a woolly mammoth, I have seen no change from year to year from bike use. As you know, New England has allot of rocks. These rocks can hold pools of water just under the surface of the duff & dirt. Other than being unsightly with deep tire tracks, it isn't really a big deal to ride though them. It's funny how as mountainbikers, we all have a different set of ideas on "proper conduct". The politics involved in this sport can really get out of hand. I say to you, look back to your first days on a bicycle and the reasons why you got hooked. I can guarantee you, riding in mud puddles was one of them. Lighten up, Ride responsibly! ;D

[Zog]

South Mountain, Wolcott. It's always got mud puddles.