The trail has some mud in the usual spots but is clear with no new hazards. The surface is hard, which seems unusual considering all the rain. Very little traffic today considering it was sunny and warm.
Salem Creek Greenway Status
Greenway clear but has some slick mud in the usual places. The sidewalk ford and the concrete ford are flooded with fast moving water but are passable if you have some weight and don't mind getting wet. I took off my shoes and socks and waded. When walking across the concrete ford take small steps and keep your bike on the upstream side to keep it from washing away.
Author's Note
Nice, warm, sunny, December day so I went for a ride on the Salem Creek/Lake trail. I rode about 2 miles, heard a cluck, and the chain broke. I stopped, took out the tool kit, started to work, and the chain tool push pin broke off. I gave up repairs and started walking back to the car. The trail was crowded so I was constantly being passed by happy riders. One rider stopped to help. He had a chain tool, but it was the wrong size. Once I got home, it took five minutes to repair the chain.
Salem Lake Trail Status
Trail is clear of leaves. Most of the ruts have filled it due to trail traffic, not because of any city maintenance. With no leaves on trees, you can see traffic on the other side of curves making it a little safer to ride. No leaves mean better views of the lake and, it some places, even views of the city skyline.
Salem Creek Greenway Status
Greenway has a wide path through crushed leaves down the center. Since the leaves are off the trees, the greenway needs a leaf blowing. There is a slight overflow at the concrete ford.
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
The trail is most dry. It is covered in leaves in some spots, has single or dual paths through the leaves in some spots, and is clear of leaves in some spots. Be careful since the leaves hide obstacles. Be extra careful on the large dirt hill on the south side of the lake since the leaves are hiding deep ruts. The good thing about fall is that, with no leaves on the trees, you can see further down the trail and, in sharp curves, you can see traffic on the other end of the curve.
Salem Creek Greenway Status Report
On my ride to toward Salem Lake, the greenway was covered in leaves and looked similar to a single track through the woods. On my ride back from the lake, a leaf blower was clearing the greenway of leaves so it should be clear of leaves for good since most of the leaves have fallen from the trees. There are muddy areas in the usual places. Water over the sidewalk ford has back off enough for a clear passage. The concrete ford has overflow, but, if you pedal slowly you may get through it with dry feet. Just remember to shift into a low gear before crossing; if you do not, you will be unable to climb up the hill out of the water and will have cold wet feet.
Local ride
I took the bike to Performance Bikes in Greensboro, NC for a 1500 mile tuneup and drive train cleaning. I keep the bike and drivetrain clean but when I go the bike back the drivetrain was so shiny it sparkled. I don't know what they did to clean things but the bike looked better than new. Since I'm sure trails are still wet and soggy so I did a 10-mile local ride today. The gear shifts were smooth as silk. I'll try to ride the trails later this week
Author's Note
My riding season is coming to an end early this year. I reached my 1400 mile goal for a total of 4000 miles over the last 3 years. Normally, I cut back on rides after Thanksgiving but slow recovery from my last accident has caused me to stop early this year and start my winter schedule of attending more Les Mills fitness classes at the YMCA.
Therefore, my trail status updates will be sporadic until next spring. For those of you who ride during the winter months, please post trail status updates for other all season trail users.
Therefore, my trail status updates will be sporadic until next spring. For those of you who ride during the winter months, please post trail status updates for other all season trail users.
Salem Lake Trail Status
Trail is in good condition except for the dead leaves that cover the surface.
Salem Creek Greenway Status
The trail is covered with dead leaves, which, along with broken sunlight coming through the trees, makes the trail difficult to decern from the grass sides of the trail. This makes it tricky when meeting or passing trail traffic.
Hobby Park Single Track Trail Staus
Trail is is not muddy, just covered in dead leaves. When riding on multi-purpose trails, I normally ride 18 miles easily. But after 5 miles of Hobby Park, I was wasted. I ride a hybrid cross-country bike so it is not the ideal bike for riding a tough single track trail, and the numerous steep hills are tough on old muscles.
Author's Note
I reached my goal of 1295 miles for this year. That makes a three year total of 4000 miles.
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
Back on the trail again after my accident on Oct 6. Trail ruts continue to improve due to trail traffic wearing down the sides and filling the bottoms. Lots of fallen leaves that hide the trail and obstacles and makes passing a problem since the edges of the trail may not be visible. Broken sunlight through the trees and dead leaves on trees and ground make it difficult to see other trail users; its best not to use sunglasses while on the trail.
Helped a couple who were visiting from New Jersey who had a support bracket break on the rear fender of one of their bikes. I carry string, wire, and tie wraps for emergencies so we were able secure the fender so they could continue their ride
Helped a couple who were visiting from New Jersey who had a support bracket break on the rear fender of one of their bikes. I carry string, wire, and tie wraps for emergencies so we were able secure the fender so they could continue their ride
Admore, Pope, and West Clemmonsville Roads
Rode 11 miles through connecting neighborhoods. Everything on the body still works so I will hit the trails again next week. Still not healed enough yet to go to fitness classes at the Y.
Author's Status
Still recovering from my 6 OCT 15 accident. I hope to try riding some tomorrow. My left side ribs and hip have recovered, but deep skin abrasions at the primary impact points on my left shoulder, knee, and ankle are still painful and slow healing. The injuries are not as bad as they could have been considering that I flew head first over the fallen tree and hit the pavement at about 10 mph.
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
Trail is surprisingly dry with some mud holes in the usual places. Trail is covered with dead leaves that hide obstacles. The ruts have starting filling with sand so they are less of a problem.
Salem Creek Greenway Status Report
ALERT: Dead tree down across greenway between MLK underpass and Reynolds Park Road underpass. Tree is light gray and has no limbs or leaves so it is difficult to see in the shade; I know this because I hit the tree. See Author's Accident Log for details of the accident.
The sidewalk ford is dry but there is slick mud and piles of sand left from it being flooded. The concrete ford has only a couple of inches of water flowing over it. Dead leaves, small twigs, and small pieces of broken limbs cover the greenway. Under the Reynolds Park Road underpass, slick mud covers about 25 feet of the greenway left from it being flooded.
Salem Creek Greenway Status Report
Have ridden since thursday due to rain. The weather is supposed to clear tomorrow or wednesday. I expect the fords will be unpassable for a few days
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
Have ridden since thursday due to rain. The weather is supposed to clear tomorrow or wednesday..I expect the trail to be mushy with standing water some spots.
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
Trail is wet, but that makes it less slippery overall. Old ruts have been worn down even more. Some down trees from the last few days have been removed. Watch out for some patches of red clay mud. In turns, they may cause the front wheel to side out. In straights, the back wheel may slide if you are pedalling.
Salem Creek Greenway Status Report
Fords are flooded. The sidewalk ford has about 25 yards of 6" rushing water. Going against the flow of water, either walking or riding, will cause a lot of splash. The concrete dip ford has about 6" of very fast rushing water. I took off my shoes and socks and walked the bike through both fords. When walking through the concrete ford with my bike on the upstream side of me, I had no problem, but when crossing it with the bike on the downstream side of me, the bike was almost washed out of my hands. The rest of the greenway was partially covered with small twigs and dead leaves and had some puddles of water.
Salem Creek Greenway Status Report
NORMAL trail conditions. The greenway looks good and is safer after the city cut back the brush and weeds in the turns.
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
NORMAL trail conditions. Trail is improving. Trail traffic keeps smoothing the side of ruts but the ruts are still there. Loose sand and gravel, and exposed rocks and roots are still a problem.
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
NORMAL trail conditions. As I predicted, as the September 26th running event at Salem Lake nears, the city is grooming the trail for the first time this year. They have cut vegetation on the sides of the trail an extra few feet where possible, and have cut back vegetation on the inside of blind curves. Next week they will probably groom the trail itself to ensure no runner trips and falls.
Salem Creek Greenway Status Report
NORMAL trail conditions. As I predicted, as the September 26th running event at Salem Lake nears, the city is grooming the greenway for the first time this year. They have mowed vegetation on the sides of the greenway for an extra 4 feet, and have cut back vegetation that turned every curve into a blind curve. The greenway is a pleasure to ride again.
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
NORMAL trail conditions. It's a sunday so there is a lot of trail traffic.
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
NORMAL trail conditions. Trail is clear and dry. Some puddles in usual spots. Watch out for deeper ruts and new ruts due to recent heavy rain.
Salem Creek Greenway Status Report
Trail conditions are getting back to normal. Sidewalk ford is just a puddle today. Concrete ford is shallow and slow moving.
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
Trail conditions are getting back to normal. Down tree has been removed. Trail is dry with usual mud holes.
Salem Lake Trail Status Report
Problems. Large tree is down across the trail on north side of lake. It's on a straightaway so it is easily seen. Top of trunk is over 3 feet off ground so it is difficult to lift bike up and over the three feet in diameter trunk. Many riders just turn around. Due to recent heavy rains, trail has many exposed rocks and roots, and many ruts. On the south side of lake, on west side of the big hill, trail is crisscrossed with deep ruts, so be careful. On west end of lake, at Linville Road parking lot, there is a deep, wide rut across the trail near the water fountain. It's a thumper that may damage a wheel if hit while going too fast. Lots of debris and loose sand, so be careful in curves.
Salem Creek Greenway Status Report
Problems. Concrete ford has fast flowing overflow; even when pedaling slowly, water hitting tires will splash and soak shoes. Sidewalk ford has fast moving overflow but no problems if pedaling slowly.
