firefighterjake
Mar 06, 2007, 12:38 PM
Last Friday's snowstorm definitely helped our trail system . . . but the warm weather on the weekend definitely did not. All in all, I'd say we gained more than we lost in terms of snow and riding conditions.
On Monday I took a spin with my brother-in-law from CT on the local trail systems (including our own trails) and surprisingly while it appears that most trails in Unity had not been freshly groomed the trails were holding up moderately well with a few holes, stutter bumps and moguls here and there . . . but overall no better and no worse than other area trails. There were a few bare spots of dirt and snirt showing up here and there and some fields were pretty rough due to drifting. Hopefully we can get out this week with our groomer and smooth things out while the temps are nice and low -- if this happens (again it all depends on our volunteer labor) it should make the trails quite nice.
ITS 85 and ITS 82 were about the same in terms of conditions -- again, some holes, stutter bumps and moguls, but overall they were in a fair condition. The trail to Troy General is still wicked rough and ungroomed. In fairness I did not ride the Loop Trail from the School St. General Store near Sandy Stream to the T-intersection with ITS 85 near Albion so I can't tell you anything about that stretch of trail.
I also have to plead guilty to not putting up the new GPSed trail maps. I intended to do so on Saturday morning . . . but a dead sled meant I had to haul it to the local shop instead.
Also, I noticed that while most intersections are pretty decently signed we still have a few of the old ITS 85 signs (and maps) up on ITS 82 which could be confusing to riders unfamiliar with the area. It also appears as though that the ITS 85 intersection heading to Pittsfield may not be as well marked as we would like. If the snow holds I will try to get out this week or weekend and get that situation remedied
And again . . . ITS 85 shown on MSA maps does not run up the east side of Lake Winnecook any longer . . . it actually runs from Albion to Chase Toys and then goes up the west side of the lake after bringing you into town (although you can take the Loop Trail for a short cut if you don't need fuel or food). ITS 82 runs from Chase Toys to Troy, Dixmont and Jackson trails and ITS 83.
On Monday I took a spin with my brother-in-law from CT on the local trail systems (including our own trails) and surprisingly while it appears that most trails in Unity had not been freshly groomed the trails were holding up moderately well with a few holes, stutter bumps and moguls here and there . . . but overall no better and no worse than other area trails. There were a few bare spots of dirt and snirt showing up here and there and some fields were pretty rough due to drifting. Hopefully we can get out this week with our groomer and smooth things out while the temps are nice and low -- if this happens (again it all depends on our volunteer labor) it should make the trails quite nice.
ITS 85 and ITS 82 were about the same in terms of conditions -- again, some holes, stutter bumps and moguls, but overall they were in a fair condition. The trail to Troy General is still wicked rough and ungroomed. In fairness I did not ride the Loop Trail from the School St. General Store near Sandy Stream to the T-intersection with ITS 85 near Albion so I can't tell you anything about that stretch of trail.
I also have to plead guilty to not putting up the new GPSed trail maps. I intended to do so on Saturday morning . . . but a dead sled meant I had to haul it to the local shop instead.
Also, I noticed that while most intersections are pretty decently signed we still have a few of the old ITS 85 signs (and maps) up on ITS 82 which could be confusing to riders unfamiliar with the area. It also appears as though that the ITS 85 intersection heading to Pittsfield may not be as well marked as we would like. If the snow holds I will try to get out this week or weekend and get that situation remedied
And again . . . ITS 85 shown on MSA maps does not run up the east side of Lake Winnecook any longer . . . it actually runs from Albion to Chase Toys and then goes up the west side of the lake after bringing you into town (although you can take the Loop Trail for a short cut if you don't need fuel or food). ITS 82 runs from Chase Toys to Troy, Dixmont and Jackson trails and ITS 83.