My ride today can be divided into 2 trail reports. First is for the St. Germain, Eagle River, Sayner and Lake Tomahawk trails I rode. None of these trails I rode have been groomed since the warm up. I’d rate them as poor to fair with a few good stretches. The main reason why they aren’t ranked higher is without a grooming they are getting bumpy to mogul upon mogul and are rutted from sled tracks that froze solid after the warm weather and rain. Most of these trails still have plenty of snow but just haven’t been groomed – what a shame…
My fortunes turned for the better as soon as I crossed into Cross Country Cruisers trails (they groom in the Wooodruff/Arbor Vitae area). I was greeted with freshly groomed trails. They were amazing – I just kept going and going with a huge smile on my face. Not a bump to be found, almost all white with only a few snirty areas and packed in tight. These were some of the best trails I rode this season.
In the 100 miles I rode there was maybe 100ft of areas with bare ground. Note: I did stay out of the towns which typically melt faster. I rode 2 stretches of plowed road trails. Both of which still had a pretty good ice base. There was about a 150 stretch of bare pavement and some small spots (which one could go around). I saw some puddles but nothing major.
The forecast this coming week doesn’t look good for the season to go on much longer. If your trying to get in one last ride or two, try to find trails that have been groomed since the warm up as there’s a huge difference. Not sure if either of us will be out again this season as we have to ride ungroomed trails to get to the good ones.
Sorry- no pics today – I just wanted to ride…