De Fietser

As of last night, the 7 inches of ice was removed from the non-city section of the Capital City Trail in Madison. Not sure if they had to use dynamite to get through.

jbmadtown

Nice, maybe I'll take my mtb out for a spin this weekend.

testtube

Just found this thread...

My update:

Trail was plowed yesterday (12/16/2007) ~2p. Before I passed the plow I found a few icy spots (soft snow on top of slick ice) between Lake Farm and Southtown crossings.

Also, unless something has changed they are not plowing the short access trails. If you want to hop on the trail do it where it crosses or abuts a road. Though I did notice the access trail from the Dunn's Marsh parking lot (Seminole Hwy) was plowed this morning...

De Fietser

The Capital City Trail is plowed by D R S Ltd of Fitchburg. They donate all of their time and equipment in order to keep the trail clear. Their number is in the Madison Yellow Pages if anyone would like to call to thank them for their service to the bicycling community. Please don't call and demand that they plow the trail, as they have paying clients that require their attention as well.

Also, I just spoke to Dave at D R S to say thanks from the Bike Fed, and he indicated that there are times that he could use some help in the task of trail maintence. Typically, he needs someone to follow him around in the pickup if he's plowing with the Bobcat, and also could use a few shovellers as well. If anyone is interested in being part of the "Capital City Trail Volunteer Crew", please let me know.

By the way...8 wild turkeys on the trail last week. (the birds, not the whiskey!) Summer or winter, it's still a great way to get to work in the morning.

testtube

I called to give thanks. I left a message for Dave to see what kind of help they will need. I was hoping to refer some friends for residential plowing but they only plow commercial properties. I was told that they do residential asphalt in the summer. Please keep D R S in mind if you need work on your driveway!

jbmadtown

Good info ^, thanks!

I just sent them an email thanking them for their efforts.

testtube

Update, 12/19/2007:

Been riding trail all week. Trail is still compact snow/ice with some bare pavement. It's in a condition where pedestrian traffic is not fouling trail. Some spots w/ small snow piles (4" deep by ~2' wide across trail), not much of a problem. ride-on.

testtube

Update, 01/03/2008:

(back from vacation!)

Rode this morning from Madison SW trail to Edenberry crossing. The trail is in good shape, light snow dusting on top of plowed/compacted snow, some bare pavement and ice.

Rode this evening eastbound from Glacial Valley Rd. Trail, again, is in good shape, light snow dusting on top of plowed/compacted snow, some bare pavement and ice. *BUT* one exception. The section that parallels E. Clayton Rd. from Cty MM to Larson Rd. is covered in 6+" of drifted/compacted snow and is impassible by bike. If you are riding the trail hop onto E. Clayton Rd between MM and Larson Rd.

Let me know if these updates help anyone, otherwise I can let this thread die...

Wiswell

tt,
This is great information, especially with the warmer weekend coming up that may knock down some of those piles and allow those without winter bikes like me to ride on them.

testtube

Cool, if this information helps others I will update trail conditions as I observe them change. I ride the trail almost every weekday with the exception of the Edenberry to Glacial Valley Rd. segment(I *detour* to the office) but I usually do the complete trail on weekends. I do have a winter setup with studded 700x35 Nokian W106 so understand this is my reference point.

Update, 01/04/2007:
Looks like the a short segment 0.25 miles before (eastbound) Edenberry has some drifted snow from yesterday afternoon's wind, expect a short walk or detour (eastbound) from Seminole Hwy to Dawley Dr to Edenberry. (again note that I don't ride Edenberry to Glacial Valley Rd on weekdays).

testtube

Update, 01/14/2007:

Trail was plowed. Currently covered with a dusting of snow on top of pavement or ICE. If you're going to ride the trail do it with care. I rode it this evening and even with studs it was very slick.

JPradun

So who wants to have trainer parties?

testtube

Update, 01/16/2008:

Much better than 2 days ago. I don't know what cleared the ice, maybe sublimation...

From SW trail to Edenberry crossing: mostly compacted snow and some ice , a little pavement showing but not much

From Glacial Valley Rd. to Waunona Way: Much better than 2 days ago. I don't know what cleared the ice, maybe sublimation... Exposed sections are mix of clear pavement and ice. Covered sections are compacted snow and some ice.

testtube

Update, 01/18/2008:

D R S is still quick to clear the trail. After yesterday's snow the trail was clear this morning.

From SW trail to Edenberry crossing: Mostly compacted snow and some ice, little pavement showing. There's a 200 ft section of ~6" deep drifted snow between Seminole and Edenberry, soft, fluffy and rideable...

From Glacial Valley Rd. to Waunona Way: Mix of clear pavement and compacted snow/ice. No major snow drifting...

testtube

Update, 01/22/2008:

Trail is plowed. Rode this evening from Glacial Valley Rd. to Waunona Way, mostly compacted snow, some ice, some bare pavement. Minor drifting but nothing impassible.

testtube

Update, 01/26/2008:

Trail is plowed. Mostly compacted snow and ice, some bare pavement.

testtube

Teaser update, 1/29/2008:

Trail is (mostly) clear pavement, you have 3 hours to enjoy it!

De Fietser

2:03 PM 1/29/08 Update:

Bring your hockey skates.

testtube

Update, 01/30/2008:

Rode this evening from Glacial Valley Rd. to Waunona Way: Trail is covered with compact layer of wind blown snow. Not as icy as expected. No significant drifting with the exception of two 20 ft segments west of the E. Clayton and Larson Rd intersection.

tt.

testtube

Trail is not plowed.

Rode trail this afternoon at 4p. It's hasn't been plowed and there's ~2" of snow on the trail. Lots of foot prints (and bike tire tracks). I checked again at 11p and still not plowed. If you're in the mood the trail is mostly ridable with some drifting at the usual spot (just west of E. Clayton and Larson Rd.). It's significant enough that one may want to detour onto E. Clayton from between Cty MM and Larson.

testtube

Update, 2/3/2008:

The trail was plowed this morning. Compact snow and ice will greet you if you choose to ride it.

testtube

Update, 2/10/2008:

Trail is pretty much drifted over.

recursive

How could you possibly know that? I highly doubt anyone would go out and ride in these types of conditions.

Wiswell

https://www.madison.com/wsj/topstories/272133

Should we be thanking testtube for this?

testtube

Ha, maybe thank De Fietser. I didn't even know about the bridge until he mentioned it on our first weekend winter ride. This will be nice as they don't even clear the snow on the east side of Fish Hatch where the trail crosses. They plow the trail to a dead end with a nice 4' high snow bank along the road. They were even nice enough to dig out the walk button (which you can see if you're willing to climb the snow bank)