So it's been raining lately and I was just wondering if anybody here had some quick rules of thumb that they used to determine whether their favorite trail was too wet to ride? When is wet too wet?

If you are leaving a mark on the trail you shouldnt be riding.

If you can leave a foot imprint int the ground, it's likely too wet to ride.

If it gets to hard to pedal...it's to wet to ride.

Depends on where you live and how much traffic the trail gets IMO. Plus the drainage. All of the official trails need at least a week to dry out per 2 or so days of rain, but the unofficial ones need only a day. Or, because only a handful of people ride them, you can ride in the mud.

I live in Los Angeles and it's bone dry here so often I feel guilty riding when the ground feels even the slightest damp. I just thought I would get some feedback.

Where I live wet trails rock.

If my foot sinks in at all, I ride on the road or the trainer

The rule of thumb around here is you give a day of drying time for every inch of rain that falls. Of course, that varies widely depending on soil types, grade, traffic and vegetation. Some trails are still drying out from the last glacial melt, while others can be ridden anytime with virtually no evidence of your passing.

If the mud is locking up the rear tire because of the build up between the chainstays ... it's to muddy.

When it is pouring out you can ride Devil's Canyon in Chatsworth as the terrain drains quite well and stays nice and firm, just be prepared to cross the stream which may be a good 3 or 4 feet deep in some parts but it is fun. Also, head up to Cheseboro and ride up Palo Camado for a good mud boggin' time. The rangers and city workers drive up there all the time when it's raining so they will cover any tracks you make with the bike. This past Sunday it was a bytch to climb.

i love riding wet trails...but when i find puddles deep enough to get my front wheel stuck in the mud, i usually take a break from them