I have come to realize there is something I dislike almost as much as having a planned ride rained out. That’s the number of threads that suddenly start popping up all over the local mtb forums reminding folks not to ride during or after a rain. Now the first few times I took it as educational, several years and a crap-ton of these posts later I frackin get it already. Also if you haven’t been out to actually examine the trails don’t post full blown trail reports.
If you want to report on rain fall totals etc have at it but don’t give a full blown trail report unless you’ve actually been out to the trail. There is such a huge number of variables involved with trail conditions that it makes arm chair quarterbacking really shaky at best. Consider previous rainfall, how saturated the ground is, wind conditions, sun, soil types etc.. My point is there’s alot that goes into what makes a trail acceptable to ride or not. Unless you’re miss cleo or get out there to see it for yourself you may not know whats up.
I will say that if you do go on a borderline day part of being responsible is recognizing when things are bad turning around and going home. Educate folks and give them the tools to make these decisions don’t preach to them. Bottom line is let folks make their own choices based on all the available info, don’t beat them over the head with the don’t ride when it’s wet stick.
The vast majority of folks whom frequent the local mtb advocacy groups site are not the types to go off riding in the mud to tear up the trails. I have to wonder why does anyone feel the burning need to regulate trail usage and decide when and where someone should ride? It is an individual choice and decision. Trail conditions are often subjective and folks need to use their best judgment. Give riders a rough set of guidelines and hope they’ll use them when planning their rides. At the end of the day that’s about the best you can and really should do. Last I checked it’s not illegal to ride in questionable conditions. That being the case some polite and subtle education is likely to work far better than attempts at heavy handed enforcement.
I’ve long thought that some of the well meaning but over excited folks involved in the local club and trails unintentionally push people away from advocacy and the club in general with their zealotry. For many people telling them aggressively that they can’t do something just makes them want to do it all the more.
In general folks need to stop assuming the worst of all our local riders and trust that you’ve given them enough information to make an appropriate choice on when and when not to ride.
