Iwant to get this straight. Does riding in the snow hurt the trail? Or should one be careful when it snows and the temperature starts to warm. I apperciate everyone input on this. I have just been hearing conflicting things.

Im not sure about the snow, Id probably stay off it here as its usually not cold enough when it snows for the ground to be frozen hard for long. I think Id look at the air temp as well as sunshine. snow can melt well below freezing if its in direct sun. I ride snowy trails only if its in the 20s and cloudy


I like the signature ,very true for us all

I agree with iamthetas, as long as the ground is frozen i don't see how it could hurt anything. If your tires are getting muddy during your ride you may be doing some damage, if not I think you would be fine.

I was contemplating a snow / ice ride today myself until I realized the temps would be to warm. Don't want to be rutting up the trail if we can avoid it. Sucks tho because right now with hunting season going on here, Sunday is the only safe day to ride in some parts here. Oh well the ground will freeze soon enough, plus I can always play a little on the farm. Just got watch out for the horses.

If there is enough snow, then you'll be fine. Your tires will simply ride on top of it, never touching the trail. Once it gets cold enough, the ground freezes, and then it doesn't matter, the trail won't be damaged.

When the ground is frozen, there is no damage. However, when it is above freezing and everythjing is melting, more damage will be done than just riding when it is muddy. As the snow melts, the water will carve through the rut left by your tires and eat away at the trail.

T.J.

Thanks for everyone's comments. I will make sure that the ground is frozen before I do anything. I guess I can uses a local park as test ground, and then decide on my day by that's park's ground. Anyway, thanks again.

I'll reiterate what others have said. If the trail is frozen your fine. If there is 2-3 inches of snow, it won't hurt the trail (as the snow would melt immediately if the mud was soft enough to rut).

From here on out the water does not drain into the ground. The ground just soaks it up. The biggest problem is in the spring when everything is melting and all that snow and frost melts and butts up againt deeper layers that are still frozen.

At that time, you should not ride at all.

If you can ride your trail ride now without getting mud all over your shoes, you're probably all-right.


Finally, you can do no damage to lakes regardless. But you may want to wait till they freeze before you ride. ;-)

Sure most of you have heard of the Iditabike race, if not info on this thread.
https://www.justridingalong.com/racing/iditabike2004.php