Sylvan, Monday 2/13/12 9:00

[Vibrato]

Don- just ride, man. The trails are open, the steward asked on these forums for people to go check them out and post up conditions, you and him are good buds and talk often. I can't imagine what the problem is and I have no idea why 2012 suddenly became the year where we treat Sylvan like all the other trail systems when that was NEVER the case. Tell Russ (the STEWARD!) if he wants to borrow my fatty to ride on days like this, he's welcome to it.

Russ, Are we still having the Stampede? I guess we have to consider not having it, because the other trail systems aren't usually ridable in early April, so according to the posts on a couple of these threads lately, we should stay off the Island until the other systems dry out.

Or... we could lighten up a bit. Its 2 weeks from March, I don't think there has EVER been a trail rut from riding in wet conditions fixed by hand on the island. Yes, we do tons of cleanup and dirt throwing to help habitually problem areas, but we don't do it due to trail abuse- The dirt is an inch thick. Can we just give this a rest, peeps?

[Chief Illiniwek]

Don- just ride, man. The trails are open, the steward asked on these forums for people to go check them out and post up conditions, you and him are good buds and talk often. I can't imagine what the problem is and I have no idea why 2012 suddenly became the year where we treat Sylvan like all the other trail systems when that was NEVER the case. Tell Russ (the STEWARD!) if he wants to borrow my fatty to ride on days like this, he's welcome to it.

Russ, Are we still having the Stampede? I guess we have to consider not having it, because the other trail systems aren't usually ridable in early April, so according to the posts on a couple of these threads lately, we should stay off the Island until the other systems dry out.

Or... we could lighten up a bit. Its 2 weeks from March, I don't think there has EVER been a trail rut from riding in wet conditions fixed by hand on the island. Yes, we do tons of cleanup and dirt throwing to help habitually problem areas, but we don't do it due to trail abuse- The dirt is an inch thick. Can we just give this a rest, peeps?

[dgw2jr]

The low ground is softer than the high ground of course. The single track is not as moist as the perimeter path, which is very soft on the north side. The west end is dryer than the east end. Abundant sunshine and wind seems to be drying it out fairly quickly.

I saw about half a dozen mtbers out there today. Followed a few around in an attempt to steam roll whatever ruts they left behind if any. Here's some pics to give you an idea of the conditions...

Island entrance path


Single track on east end


Sloppy hill near the jumps on the west end