RB Update

[soupboy]

Hit the river bottoms today. Pretty icy. Met a guy with studded tires which would be nice to have down there.

Really needs consistent sub-freezing temps and some fresh snow to lay/pack down on top of the ice.

The river crossing was OK - stray from the logs layed down north of the raft crossing and watch that ice crack beneath your feet...yikes. You can cross at the frozen log crossing just fine.

Other than that, a beautiful day.

[SickBoy]

Yeah, I rode down there on Saturday morning sans-studs. First mile or two east from the Ferry Bridge is NOT recommended. Someone had a brilliant idea to ride on the warm days last week and the end result is rutty glare ice. Everything else is either snowpack or even ice (no ruts) and can be done w/o studs.

I would recommend entering at the turn bridge and riding east from there.

[jjrsds]

I rode at the bottoms today, I just couldn't resist. Some of the trail was still snow pack. Some of the trail was mud. Some of the trial was ice. Some of the trail was under water. I had a blast ridding today but would advise staying clear of the river bottoms until it drys out after spring thaw. With some of the trail already under water it will only further the damage being done to the trail. I also thought it would be a good idea to carry the bike down at the float crossing while walking beside the wood pallets. Big mistake, I was about half way down when the feet slid out from under me. I slid holding my bike in the air right out onto the ice. Needless to say I was extremly muddy on my backside, my gloves and camelback.

[gopherhockey]

Wish someone could have gotten a pic of that hehe...

Glad you didn't get hurt though!

[SickBoy]

Yeah, I think the winter River Bottoms riding season is effectively over. After all this warm weather, even if it does cool back down below freezing, it isn't going to be much fun.

The roads are clearing out nicely, though. I spent an hour and a half zipping across the roads of Hennepin and Carver counties with my road teammates today and it was rather nice in most spots. Very pleasant, especially with temps about 40 degrees.