River Bottom Trail Conditions

[Don Youngdahl]

Rode the trail Saturday, Nov 29. Conditions were excellent, about 95% hard packed snow, a few very short icy spots, and a very few rutted or bare spots. Trail was almost deserted. Saw only a half-dozen riders.

Don Youngdahl

[sugarspice]

Thanks for the report! I love riding in the winter with just a bit of snow. I'll have to make it out there!
Jen

[country]

I also rode the trail on the 29th and saw no other riders and two hikers. Some of the melt had frozen in a few of the corners making the trail a bit interesting at times. The snow was crunchy and rideable. I wonder how it is now that there are 4-6 more inches on top of it?

[SPR]

Was down on the trails today removing the raft. Not many bike tracks in the snow, a few ski tracks and some foot traffic. It would be a good workout to ride the trails rignt now but slow going as well.

[Don Youngdahl]

Rode the River Bottoms today (Monday, Dec 29), from Bloomington Ferry to Nine Mile. The creek was not crossable, even north of the raft a block.

Trail was rough with icy frozen footprints underneath the light snow, but not enough deep bike ruts to be a problem. Don't know how others would fare without studs, but I couldn't have ridden 50 feet without my Nokians. It's kind of fun to be out there laying down the frist track in fresh snow.

I'm thinking of a night ride tomorrow (Tuesday) on the River Bottoms. 6:45 PM at the Bloomington Ferry trailhead. Give me a shout if you're interested.

Don Youngdahl
dmy@visi.com

[Bigring_King]

I rode the trail on the 1st, and the creek is totally crossable, and the trail is in really rough shape. There was a lot of foot traffic and a lone crazy rider who rode on the trail when it was totally soft, and made some crazy ruts in the first half mile of the trail. The footprints in the same soft snow/ice make it wicked bumpy, so it's a rough ride, but rideable. The sections of the trail which have little or no snow are really nice to ride on, but there is very little of that. It was a pretty good ride for the most part, though. So if you've got FS, no problem, I was on my SS and found that standing up over the really bad parts made the ride OK.

[country]

I was wondering if anyone has ventured down to the bottoms to ride? I imagine the snow is deep unless someone has packed it down for us. I'm getting my bike back from some maitenance and it's a little warmer so if I can find out how the trail is I may go out for a ride. I am board to death with my trainer

[cheese4brains]

Originally posted by country
I was wondering if anyone has ventured down to the bottoms to ride?

I walked it part way from the Bloomington Ferry side on Saturday, and the snow was still pretty deep. There has been some foot traffic, but not nearly enough to pack it down.

[Endo Commando]

That sucks about the bottoms. I was planning on riding it tommorrow in that nice 30 degree weather. Oh well, gald I checked out this forum before I went.

Later

[cheese4brains]

I walked the riverbottoms east from the ferry bridge yesterday. I didn't go very far in, but the area I walked is packed down with foot traffic now. With the 42F weather the snow had become a perfect snowball consistency ... probably not the best for biking, although it may have been doable (assuming you don't leave ruts). It'll be interesting to see what the precipitation and cooler weather does to it tonight and tomorrow. It's suppose to be just below freezing and sunny this weekend, so I have my fingers crossed ...

[country]

I was checking to see if anyone has an update on the trail? I really want to get outside but if it's too wet or slushy I don't want to waste my time driving from Plymouth not to mention the mess it makes. :shocked:

[SuperClydesdale]

Mark

A group of us attempted to ride the RB on Sunday but conditions were pretty bad, very slow going until we had to walk the bikes. We rode from Ferry Bridge lot to railroad bridge, where we bailed up to the road.

I don't know how conditions will be today, so cross your fingers. Don't know how many riders have attempted the ride since Sunday.

Cheers
Mark


I was checking to see if anyone has an update on the trail? I really want to get outside but if it's too wet or slushy I don't want to waste my time driving from Plymouth not to mention the mess it makes. :shocked:

[TomT]

I've ridden down to the trail at the bottom of Lyndale (35w) the last few days. As of today the trail is still snow covered with very little foot traffic and no bike traffic. The road heading west is muddy and doesn't look like it would be a fun ride.

[SickBoy]

Honestly, the bottoms really shouldn't be ridden at this point because of all the snow the ground will be saturated and if temps are above freezing, all you will do is be riding through slush and/or really really soft mud.

If the temps drop again, go for it, otherwise it's probably best to avoid... as are most trails during the thaw cycle....

[TomT]

I am in total agreement, the trail is in no condition to ride. I've been trying to get some miles in over lunch and would welcome the opportunity to hit the single track. However, right now it would not be "sensitive to the dirt beneath you".

[country]

I am in total agreement, the trail is in no condition to ride. I've been trying to get some miles in over lunch and would welcome the opportunity to hit the single track. However, right now it would not be "sensitive to the dirt beneath you".
Thanks for the info, I will keep spinning the trainer instead of messing up the trail.:cryin: I can't wait for things to melt and dry out. I got to ride in Germany last week and I can't tell you how much fun it was to be outside on real trails. I have a feeling that with the amount of snow things are going to be wet and off limits for a while.

[manual63]

Thanks for the info, I will keep spinning the trainer instead of messing up the trail.:cryin: I can't wait for things to melt and dry out. I got to ride in Germany last week and I can't tell you how much fun it was to be outside on real trails. I have a feeling that with the amount of snow things are going to be wet and off limits for a while.
This is one reason why I bought a Road Bike. I can ride and get in shape while I am waiting for the trails. Yeah, I will admit it's not as fun, but it is riding and I love to ride.

Please stay off the trails until they are ready to ride!!!!

[country]

This is one reason why I bought a Road Bike. I can ride and get in shape while I am waiting for the trails. Yeah, I will admit it's not as fun, but it is riding and I love to ride.

Please stay off the trails until they are ready to ride!!!!
Careful, you are verging on shouting electronically. I am a responsible rider and that's why I posted to see how the trails were. I am committed to keeping them open and in good shape. I would not ride them until they are ready. That's why I said it would be a while before anyone will be able to ride them even into spring. I am on your side dude. Thanks for caring enough to say something.

My wife would kill me if I bought another bike but I would love to give the roadie thing a try. I have been thinking about trading my HT for a road bike. :hit:

[manual63]

Careful, you are verging on shouting electronically. I am a responsible rider and that's why I posted to see how the trails were. I am committed to keeping them open and in good shape. I would not ride them until they are ready. That's why I said it would be a while before anyone will be able to ride them even into spring. I am on your side dude. Thanks for caring enough to say something.

My wife would kill me if I bought another bike but I would love to give the roadie thing a try. I have been thinking about trading my HT for a road bike. :hit:THIS IS SHOUTING!!!!!!

I was just making a bold blanket statement for everyone reading. Most of us on here know better....and yes, we have had this discusion on here before....maybe even a couple of times. It was not directed at you, but since I had your quote there, I can see how you took it that way.

GOT IT!!!!!

:)

[country]

THIS IS SHOUTING!!!!!!

I was just making a bold blanket statement for everyone reading. Most of us on here know better....and yes, we have had this discusion on here before....maybe even a couple of times. It was not directed at you, but since I had your quote there, I can see how you took it that way.

GOT IT!!!!!

:)
RIDE ON DUDE! See you on the trail.

[J2]

From past experience, which trails in central MN are usually first to dry up and be ridable? I'd imagine a trail system with fewer trees and hills would dry quicker, also a trail away from a river or lake would have drier ground to begin with... Just would like to know where I can plan my first XC ride this spring.

[manual63]

From past experience, which trails in central MN are usually first to dry up and be ridable? I'd imagine a trail system with fewer trees and hills would dry quicker, also a trail away from a river or lake would have drier ground to begin with... Just would like to know where I can plan my first XC ride this spring.
I am not entirely sure, but I think it's this one here. Most trails, like Leb and Terrace Oaks, are regulated and have a sign. Don't ride them until the signs are gone.

Spring is tough! Using the trail conditions section on this site and just checking here will keep you well informed.

[dennis porter]

Signs are up at trail heads along the River Trail asking people to stay off until the ground is ready. Every year there are some people that ride anyway. Usually it's because they either don't know how much damage they do or they don't care. Please, if you happen to talk or see anyone that want to ride before the grounds ready ask them nicely to stay off for all the reasons you can think of. If your a bike shop employee reading this message, you can let people know that come into your shop. The trails will thank you when they are ready. Thanks for spreading the word!!

Dennis.