ok to ride theo?

[compostbrain]

After this snow dump damage to the trail seems unlikely for a few days? Can we reopen the trail for the week?

[JLS]

No! No! No!!

[Kosk]

The ground at Theo (and all around the metro) had started to thaw with the warm temps we had last week (40-50s). This new snow fell after a few hours of rain had initially soaked the already saturated, thawing ground. The new blanket of snow is now insulating the ground, and it won't refreeze (and temps are not going to be cold enough either). Go shovel a little and you will see there is a layer of wet slush between the snow and the ground. (My unpaved driveway in the alley was a giant mud pit last week with the thaw, and is now covered by 18" of drift, and is still a giant mud pit underneath.)

Its not a good idea to ride. It'll make a big mess, an potentially delay opening for the summer longer than this snow storm already has. Thanks for being patient peeps.

[Pandl]

Thank you for the explanation Kosk. :) :banana:

[manual63]

Once we close a trail, it's closed. March and most of April are hard. Even though it may appear to be okay to ride, the ground is still going to be too soft. It doesn't get cold enough in these months to refreeze it well enough.

Thanks a ton for asking. We appreciate that!

[99FSRComp]

With more snow forecast for tomorrow, I was thinking about getting out for one last snowshoe trip. Would it be counter-productive at this point to snowshoe the trail? One trip won't make much difference, but if a lot of people do it, the snow will pack down and will thaw slower.

[Trevize1138]

With more snow forecast for tomorrow, I was thinking about getting out for one last snowshoe trip. Would it be counter-productive at this point to snowshoe the trail? One trip won't make much difference, but if a lot of people do it, the snow will pack down and will thaw slower.

I wouldn't recommend that, either. I briefly thought yesterday about taking my backcountry skis out on the trail but it's just best to leave it. When we closed the trail we were thinking first of cutting down the damage bikes would do and second about the damage walkers would do. So, the trail is closed to all traffic. We didn't think specifically about snowshoes or skis, but that would sort of fall under the "walkers" category. :)

[col200]

At this point, let's just let those trails dry ASAP. I'm hoping for a super warm and dry spring (hahaha...yeah, dry=).

[Wheels]

Are we there yet?

[manual63]

Are we there yet? This week we hope. Maybe not dry, but warmer.

[stoneage]

Stopped a new rider from going in today. I was on my road bike and he had a 29er. He was kinda chasing me down, and I stopped at the entrance to the N loop and told hum what we were up to. He wants to help, and he turned around and went back. Nice guy. He wants to ride Theo and the velodrome. The tape is still up at the main entrance, but there is still a lot of snow on the trail, where i could see. It's gonna be a while yet.

[col200]

I'm getting antsy!:crazy:

[ryno lite]

Collin, I haven't run into you yet around the MORC scene, but I keep running into your brother Andrew when I go audit the Duluth office for Memorial Blood Centers. Sounds like your brother is getting antsy to ride some dirt trails. If I can scam some excuse to audit Duluth in the summer, Andrew is going to show me around the Duluth singletrack. Anyway, just thought it was odd to have to audit the brother of another MORC member. Sorry to highjack the thread!

[col200]

yeah, he did mention you a few months back. small world! Hey, maybe we'll run into eachother at Theo sometime and you'll say "you're related to him?" 'cause we don't look very similar. I'm riding either a VT or a Fetish Discipline. Back on topic, Is Theo dry yet?:D

[stefan]

This week has definitely been making progress, here's hoping!

[superfastaction]

I rode by Wirth yesterday and saw the tape over the trailheads. :cryin:

Anyone at MORC have an ETA on it might be rideable? I ducked into an unofficial trail nearby and 99% of it was beautifully tacky, but there were a couple of sections that were swampy as all get-out (didn't help that some moron drove a car through there!!!). I'm guessing it's the beginning and end sections that are keeping Wirth closed for the timebeing...?

Oh well... I'm off to work on my urban moves... :eyeroll:

[col200]

It's definitely closed! I haven't been there yet this spring but it hasn't been dry out for long and it hasn't been warm enough (for long enough) to thaw anything out. Looking as it might rain tomorrow, it'll be a while yet. Stefan and I rode out to Eden Prairie on the LRT and rode along the railroad tracks for a bit. SUPER MUDDY in some areas. I'm assuming Theo is similar in spots.

[superfastaction]

I posted the same thing regarding Lebanon - any trailbuilding going on prior to opening? It would do us all good to participate in something proactive while the trails dry out...

No confusion here about the trail being closed. April showers make us ride the road for hours and hours... ;)

[Wheels]

We'll let you all know as soon as things are ready, hold tight please - it will be soon from the looks of things.

[Tetreves]

We'll let you all know as soon as things are ready, hold tight please - it will be soon from the looks of things.
I havn't been down to Theo yet, but the <hiking> trails by my house (near Theo) are delightfully tacky. I suspect Theo is still muddy on the north sides of slopes and the low spots.

Now if only this weather holds up... :D

(Of course, rain is in the forecast)

[mara]

I suspect Theo is still muddy on the north sides of slopes and the low spots.

Theo is still quite muddy in spots. There were places we couldn't walk on the trail tread without damaging it.

As shown by the multitude of ruts in certain areas, the trail still needs a little time to dry. . . I am counting the seconds until that day arrives. The first dirt ride of the year at Theo is happiness.

[soupboy]

Oooh, home today. Very, very difficult not to pedal right over to Theo. Can't....resist....riding....dirt.....

[superfastaction]

Just got word that a friend rode wirth last night and described it as "perfect"!!! :D

Who's got two thumbs and is riding Wirth tonight? This guy! :banana: