rumrunn6

tried to get back to this trail, from the North. but the raging 'norEaster kinda cut my ride short. but the trail was just gorgeous

2metalhips

Great pics. Snow riding can be fun. I was at the Airline in West Thompson at 7 am, I got 15 mi in before the snow set in. I used my 29er, there was about an inch of snow from the previous day.


More great pics/info from the Airline here.


Along the Air Line... - Stan Malcolm Photos

rumrunn6

cool! that's what I was hoping for but I got there about an hour after it started getting heavy & then just got worse. hey love your photography. especially the closeups!

2metalhips

I don't mind riding in the snow but I didn't want to drive home in it.

Not my pics, I wish! That guys a pro!

rumrunn6

oh OK sorry

about the, yeah that was dicy. bike wasn't to happy about it either

rumrunn6

any idea how the wooded trails look? did the recent weather wash away all snow & ice I wonder? cpl weeks ago there was some decent snow pack building up. wondering if I ride there Saturday if I should use the studded bike or the one with wider knarly tires

rumrunn6

any idea how the trails look? did the recent weather wash away all snow & ice I wonder?

rumrunn6

wonder what the trail looks like this week. thinking about going back Saturday. bare dirt/gravel, etc? still covered in ice or snow? muddy? warm temps during the day + rain but sub freezing at night makes me wonder. the grassy areas up here are bare now

2metalhips

I rode from Pomfret Center to Willimantic and back early Monday morning. Hard surface, no snow at all, a couple of icy spots but no problem, really good conditions, used the Vaya, 42 mm tires w/fenders. It was getting soft as the sun hit the surface, it is supposed to be a bit warmer till Sunday at least. I would recommend big soft tires as it might be soft and muddy in spots, no studs, fenders are good also.

rumrunn6

awesome, thanks!

rumrunn6

since Douglas State Forest, MA is a convenient start point for me, I jumped on the SNETT south to the Airline & just kept going until I reached the Riverside lot in East Thompson CT. the ground was indeed quite soft in spots, softer than on other rides. must be the moisture content from the melted snow. the brooks on the edges were loudly bubbling with runoff. riding the 40mm tires (measure 1.5") w some air let out worked ok but wider tires or tires w less deep tread would have worked better. that new bridge is quite nice. don't miss the walk around. a nearby bridge had a tempting catwalk. which I walked straddling the bike. too freaky over the highway to do again. got in about 20 miles

rumrunn6

dried up some so wasn't sloppy yesterday at 55 degrees but a lot of it had a weirdly sticky consistency, almost like fly paper. was using some really low gears heading North from E Thompson. must have been the still remaining high water content. freezing it solid would be nice or drying it out completely would be nice too

2metalhips

At this time of year it's either muddy/soft or frozen, not much in between. That's if there is no snow or ice of course.

rumrunn6

must be a nasty mess right about now, huh? gonna warm up some too

2metalhips

I went snowshoeing in George Washington management area today in West Glocester RI which is just south of DSF. There is about 20" snow there. The snowmobile trails are packed down and rideable with a fatbike or mtb.

Airline/SNETT will not be rideable now.

rumrunn6

thanks for the update

2metalhips

Good conditions on Airline Trail from Pomfret Station south. Fenders recommended, a bit moist in spots. Totally rideable.

rumrunn6

thanks, was wondering. sticky? clog up the voids on the tires? slow rolling? I want one more day of hard frozen dirt

2metalhips

It was fine, just a bit surface wetness in spots. It will really be hard and frozen from now till Monday morn.

2metalhips

Airline in CT in good shape today, just a bit wet in a few spots, totally rideable, 42mm tires.

rumrunn6

in before the storm?

2metalhips

Oh yeah. Needed some solar power. Get lost March, we won't miss you.

rumrunn6

anyone know which direction (North or South) would be better from James L Goodwin State Forest, 23 Potter Road, Hampton, CT?

better, as in, more gravel less pavement

2metalhips

It is 12 miles north to Pomfret Station, all dirt, a bit rough at first but then it gets smoother. After PS it is a bit unimproved but plans are in place to finish it to Putnam.

6 miles south to Willimantic before it turns to pavement.

Fenders recommended for now.

rumrunn6

cool thanks. started looking at the section to the north using google satellite & street views at some rd crossings. looks promising for one day this weekend if I can justify the 74 mile 1.5 hr drive