Grooming February 10, 2020
Today’s report is brought to you by Downwind Sports: The folks at Downwind Sports sponsor this section of the North Trails. Without the support of folks like Downwind we would not have the excellent trails we have come to expect. If you see them, say thanks.
Trail Builder sections and Snow Bike trail sections are available. Please visit www.noquetrails.org and follow the links. You too can be feted in an up coming grooming report.
| Forestville: Andy is Bully grooming everything from the Ponds to 14k. Doug is running the Ginzu to the Tourist Park and then to NMU at Meyland Hall.
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Yesterday Dead River from the South side Pines Trail.
Way too Long Grooming Report:
As I shimmied my bars between the many pairs of trees on the North Trails I couldn’t help but think of the role engineering standards have played in the events of man/woman. If either of you are in your sixth decade or more you will remember lining your car up on an abandon set of railroad tracks for an enjoyable self steering ride to Big Bay or some other equally romantic destination. If you are under sixty (or didn’t have a misspent youth) you may have missed this rite of passage. The best spot to get on the tracks was a diagonal crossing where it was easy to line up. Then, drop the air pressure to about 20 and climb on the hood. A good sized 60s something sedan would fit six; two on the hood, two on the roof and two on the trunk. Once you eased out the clutch and were at idle the driver had to climb out the window and onto the hood. Some poorly tuned cars needed just the right weight brick on the gas. The standard axle length fit the railroad standard perfectly; 4’ 8.5”. Once in a while, if your gas pedal rock was too heavy, a curve would take you off the rails; bump… bump… bump for miles until the next crossing; the “pop” tended to get shaken up on those nights. I like to believe this apparently random measurement is traced directly back to a Roman standard for chariot axles because the English used the same fixtures when building carriages and the carriages were designed to fit the old Roman road ruts. Never mind the fact there was actually no Roman standard. I just thought “tracking” was great, regardless the set of circumstances that made it possible.
The reality is more like the size made sense at one time and people kept using it even when it didn’t make sense. Then, finally, someone gets it right and the world is better for it. The antebellum south had a different standard and that fact likely shortened the civil war. More recently I remember hearing naysayers when Boing designed the first wide body jet airplane: “God didn’t mean for us to fly more than five across.”. Or, does anyone know what the “C” stands for in 700C bike wheels (it is dumber than you think). Then, some smart guy/gal said, “hay, maybe we should try bigger wheels? Now it is only the poor relations that have 26” wheels on their mountain bike.
So, now I ponder, will future generations see these tight single track spaces between trees and tell their grand children it was due the standard handle bar width?
Saux Head: Saux Head was groomed and track set yesterday. Trails should be in excellent shape.
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Big Bay Pathway: Trails will be in good shape two days after the Honey Bear Classic. Enjoy.
Fit Strip: Neil groomed and tracked the classic loop and the lit loop Sunday.
Snow Bike South Trails:
One note, that section from under 553 up to the snowmobile trail is NOT OPEN. It will be open for the Polar Roll Race. It is not good for riding yet and it is dangerous as it crosses the snowmobile trail. Please do not ride this section.
Trails very firm, some icy spots may be under thick pines and hemlocks.
REPORTED 2/6/2020
Both groomers are out of town this weekend, but trails should stay very good despite minor snow. Drift zones may get drifty.
Mt Mqt (East) – firm
Har-Lang (BG Connector) – firm
East Greywalls – firm
Main (Benson/Freak) – firm
West Greywalls – firm
Enchantment – firm
Oak Hill – firm
Old Camp Ridge – closed (trees)
PPP – packed, technical
Seppi – packed, technical
Bob’s Sled – closed (trees)
Eh Line – closed (trees)
Shirley’s – closed (high water)
IOHT to South Beach – firm, plow chunks
Snow Bike North Trails: As of last Wednesday night all North Trails in the system are rideable and firm. The section from the Tourist Park to NMU is groomed regularly and very nice. Jump on the corduroy on the north side of Wright Street across from Meyland Hall. I rode yesterday (Sunday) and it was great. I would add, there were a few slick spots under the evergreen trees west of the TP.
THE FORESTVILLE TRAIL HEAD CHALET IS OPEN! Chalet hours are 7 AM to 10 PM and rental equipment is available between 10 and 4. Come in and enjoy the fire and company.
To learn more about the NTN, to join, volunteer, become a sponsor or make a comment, please visit www.noquetrails.org .
Sondo