soggy trail today?

[suddha]

I am not sure how much it rained last night... do you think Battle Creek is ride-able this evening (Tuesday)? Will it dry out sufficiently so that I don't cause trail damage?

I haven't been out there in a while and I am eager to get back.

Cheers.

[gopherhockey]

First of all, thanks for asking! My we have some educated and trail concious riders in this area. Coolness!

I think it would be ok to ride. I think there was just a trace of rain last night. The biggest issue seems to be that trails seem to be getting more damp over time vs. dry. Perhaps the humidity is actually pulling moisture out of the ground or something?

Someone just called me from Lebanon today and said it is slightly damp now around corners... it certainly didn't rain that much last night.

Can anyone out there explain this?

[suddha]

Thanks for the info/opinion... If I get out to Battle Creek tonight, I'll try to post a trail conditions report tomorrow, though with the way the weather changes around here, it could be old news.

[gopherhockey]

Thanks! Any trail update that anyone can do is appreciated... I hear a lot of bikers who check the conditions before they ride, so the more accurate we can be the better. Especially how quickly conditions can change, as you mentioned..

Much appreciated!
:D

[ostertoaster85]

I normally keep the battle creek trail conditions updated because I ride almost every day.

I cracked my frame, however,:cryin: and won't be able to ride or update conditions for a while. (It's on a weld so it's covered by warranty.)

[suddha]

I ended up doing a road ride last night so did not get out to BC. It rained a bit late in the afternoon, so I opted to wait. Tonight looks promising though, especially if the sun comes out today and dries things out!

On a related note - I have seen scattered reports of car windows being smashed at the BC lot.... any truth to that? Any safer place to park - like in the nearby neighborhoods? I was worried in the winter too. XC skiers were reporting thefts while they were out on the course.

[gopherhockey]

I have heard of this happening at the smaller lot on the west side, so I started parking over by the community center off Winthrop. Lots of shady individuals hang out at the other lot... :crazy:

[ostertoaster85]

As far as the nearby neighborhoods, I live near the rec center, on the other side of the baseball fields and nobody has ever broken into my car (or anybody else's that I know). You also get to ride down the stairs by the tennis courts. It's a lot of fun and the stairs are really shallow and work well. :cool:

[GearDaddy]

Weekend before last I was there and I parked in the rec. center lot as usual. I noticed some broken car window glass there, so I don't think that lot is immune to theft.

The lower lot does seem to see a lot more people that are just hanging out, and it is a bit more secluded, so I'm not surprised that more theft happens there. In fact while I was riding there I noticed that a St. Paul squad car decided to park down at the lower lot and monitor for awhile.

[Pandl]

I was also there weekend before last, and saw the car and people belonging to the car. I didn't get a chance to talk to them, but a cop did arrive. It happened Sunday afternoon. It was an older, smaller car. Another rider who arrived while I was getting ready, said that her friend doesn't even lock her car, to prevent the damage. Sounds like break-ins are frequent.

Glad to hear the police stay around.

[Pandl]

Oh yeah, and this was in the lot off of Winthrop, by the Center.

[suddha]

What is the road that cuts between the upper and lower parts of the trail system? Lower Afton Rd.? That seems like a nice place to park - central to both parts of the trail (you can stop in and grab a Gu pack between upper and lower trails), no loiterers... I have seen a few cars there from time to time.

[ostertoaster85]

It's called battle creek road.

Lower afton is the one that runs along the south side of the park.