Round Valley Conditions
- Thread starter Carson
- Start date
Off The Road Again
Well-Known Member
I'm planning to ride RV around 9 tomorrow, so I will provide a full report for the Sunday armchair group - haha. Been commuting to and from PA last few days (a little south of RV - Rt 202) and haven't seen a lot of snow, Bridgewater/ Somerville has little to no snow but CR, 6 Mile, and Sour will be a mess. RV is notorious for draining well, so I'll give it a shot.
Off The Road Again
Well-Known Member
Round Valley re-cap: Started from South parking, fire road climb wasn't too bad - soft in areas but didn't create ruts. A few areas of snow and ice but rideable. Some standing water. Switchback down to earthen dam was completely clear and dry (one snow spot a top rocky descent by power lines - rest was good). Puke hill was mostly rideable, some soft deep snow just before bench killed any momentum. Little bit of snow to the top but doable. Beyond that point it was heavy snow cover for a ways - unrideable. We turned around here but still got 7 miles in - better than sittin' home! The first section I commented on the way out was a total mess coming back - tried as best we could to avoid rutting it up, but the freakin' prickers on the side forced you to ride on the trail. I left a fair amount of blood today...
I'd give RV another week of dry, warm temps to clear the snow and let the trails dry out. Trails might be better more towards Cushatunk but we didn't venture that far.
I'd give RV another week of dry, warm temps to clear the snow and let the trails dry out. Trails might be better more towards Cushatunk but we didn't venture that far.
I did the out and back from the main lot to the Eagle trail. Like OTRA said, some soft and wet rutted sections in the first mile or two, and then all good. The rutted out sections are on heavily trafficked fireroads, so they should take care of themselves, although I did get off and walk twice anyway. Near the top of puke hill the snow started, but it didn't really last long. There were two 1/4-1/2 mile sections with 2-4 inches of snow off and on. I had to get off and walk a little in each part, but rode a good portion of it. Once you start descending on the backside it was perfect conditions all the way out to the Eagle trail. I would suggest parking in the back lot like ktmrider to avoid the really wet spots close to the main lot, but it's probably not necessary. Especially tomorrow when it'll be firmer.
I went over the bars on a short downhill today. Just a little scraped up, no big deal. I got back to the car and noticed that my road ID was mysteriously missing from my wrist, replaced with a nice long scrape. Not really sure how it came off, but if anyone sees it out there please let me know. It was on the back side heading back toward the main lot, a little before the climb back up top.. Thanks. Conditions are great and getting better.
Sorry about the header.
How is the trail? Still wet? If I head out there I'll certainly keep an eye out for the road ID.
If you see a guy in an MTBNJ kit yelling for you to stop it will be me. I need to check out your Czar, my dream bike.
Robin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!
A few wet spots between the main lot and puke hill, a little snow up top, otherwise perfect. Everything was rideable. There are still some hills though.
Probably should have mentioned that my road ID is blue and likely to be buried under some leaves. You'll know you're in the right spot when you see a person sized skid mark down the trail. My knee is nice and cut up, random arm and leg scrapes, and I also came to a stop by whacking my chin on a log (phrasing). I'm self medicating, so I'll be good to go in a few days.
D'Oh
Member
Conditions were good. A few wet spots here and there, but I love those. There are two trees down that are blocking the trail.
The ranger told us we could not keep going up red were red and the camp road cross, he said that there are nesting Eagles and that part of the trail as well as the county side of the trails or closed cause of it so we had to turn around. No big deal. Place was a lot of fun.
I am also enjoying my new found popularity on this forum.
The ranger told us we could not keep going up red were red and the camp road cross, he said that there are nesting Eagles and that part of the trail as well as the county side of the trails or closed cause of it so we had to turn around. No big deal. Place was a lot of fun.
I am also enjoying my new found popularity on this forum.
