Status Report

Work has begun on replacing the Reynolds Park Road bridge where it crossesSalemm Creek and the Greeenway. You can still ride through the area but that may change at anytime. When the greenway closes at the bridge, you will have to take the detour, which is short but includes the short but very steep hill that leads from the greenway to the Reynolds Park picnic shelter #1 lower parking lot.

I'm a warm weather bicycle rider. During the cold months, I attend Les Mills fitness classes at the Clemmons YMCA to stay fit. So until March, there will not be many trail status reports.

I rode 1405 miles this year, which included 108 rides on the Salem Creek Greenway and Salem Lake Trail, with only one accident.

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Status Report

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday was my first ride in weeks and I did the Marketplace Mall, to the dam, around the lake, and back loop in 1:29:07. Today the loop ride was 1:14:33.

Lots of swarms of gnats in areas around the lake. You have to cover your mouth and nose so as not to inhale one, which I have done before. After the rides, my shirt is covered in gnat bodies.

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Status Report

Yea! I did a 16-mile greenway and trail ride today. It felt good to be back in the saddle but my butt did not feel the same way. I've got to toughen it up again. Trail is in good shape except for leaves. Some places have only a path through the leaves so hazards are hidden.

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Blog Author Staus

It looks is if my riding season may be over for the year but at least I met my 1300 mile distance goal for the year. The original diagnosis for the excruciating headaches I had for 3 weeks was trigeminal nerve neurosis and migraines and many of the medications used to treat this are ones primarily used to treat bipolar and seizures so I have to wean off them slowly so as to have had side effects. Once the jaw infection was diagnosed and treatment was begun, I have not had any more excruciating headaches but I am still weak and fighting the infection. I missed some prime bike riding weather and now winter is setting in. As I get stronger, I will shift into winter mode and start attending fitness classes at the YMCA with occasional rides on warm days.

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Blog Author Status

After a month of treatment for severe left side facial pain and 4 emergency department visits in the middle of the night, I woke up the morning after the last emergency department visit with no facial pain but a swollen left jaw. X-rays showed a massive infection in my left lower jaw (initial x-rays had not indicated an infection). I had a tooth extracted and I am on antibiotics but NO MORE EXCRUCIATING FACIAL PAIN. Once the infection clears and my body is clear of all the medications I've been taking for weeks, I should be back on the trails again before winter comes.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good condition. Fallen leaves cover the trail in some places leaving two narrow worn down paths. Use caution in these areas because you cannot see where the edge of the trail is located and the leaves cover hazards.

For three weeks, I have been plagued with nightly migraine headaches causing some emergency room visits and a loss of sleep. I've still managed to get in two rides per week but I'm riding much slower.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good condition. Fallen leaves hide hazards and broken light on the trail camouflages hazards. I broke my chain near the end of day's ride. I carry a chain repair kit but since I only had a mile to go, I just walked back.

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Blog Author Status

Although the weather has been fantastic and I'm sure the greenway and trail are in good shape, I've not been able to ride for about a week due to excruciating facial pain. Specialists are treating it so I hope to be riding again soon.

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Status Report

My first ride since last Thursday. I missed the first few days because of flooding on the greenway and then I had a medical problem. Good to be back on the trail again.

Greenway is clear with no new problems. There is no overflow on the greenway but there is evidence of water having been several feet deep in the sidewalk flood area. 

Big dirt hill on the south side of the lake has deep ruts on both sides. Until the city fixes the drainage problem in this area, ruts on the hill will continue to be a problem. Trail has several down limbs dragged to side of it. 

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Status Report

My first ride since last Thursday. I missed the first few days because of flooding on the greenway and then I had a medical problem. Good to be back on the trail again.

Greenway is clear with no new problems. There is no overflow on the greenway but there is evidence of water having been several feet deep in the sidewalk flood area. 

Big dirt hill on the south side of the lake has deep ruts on both sides. Until the city fixes the drainage problem in this area, ruts on the hill will continue to be a problem. Trail has several down limbs dragged to side of it. 

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Status Report

I haven't been to the Salem Creek Greenway or Salem Lake Trail today, but I am sure the greenway will be impassable at the sidewalk and ford area below the dam due to flooding. Experience has shown that the area will have deep, rushing water. Even without down trees, the trail will have standing water and new ruts on the hills. Bikes will carve more ruts into the soggy trail and damage it even more, it is best to stay off the trail for a few days to let it dry.

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Status Report

I got in one more ride before the rain. You can still ride the entire greenway starting from Marketplace Mall. Greenway and trail are in good shape. Fallen leaves are not much of a problem yet.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good shape. no trees are limbs down. Some overflow at greenway ford and sidewalk below the dam but easily passable. Though not officially open, the closed section of the greenway is passable at times when there is no work being done.

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Status Report

Today, I rode from Marketplace Mall to the dam, around the lake, and back in 1:13:48. Greenway is still not officially open but it  has lots of riders on it during the weekend; however, construction still in progress on weekdays. Salem lake trail is still in good shape. The runners helped pack down the new dirt. Be careful of sand puddles in turns.

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Status Report

Rode 16 miles on the A&Y Trail today. I started at the Summerfield end, rode to the other end at Golden Corral on Markland Drive, and then returned with a trip through County Park and the Guilford Battle Grounds. Lots of wet leaves on the trail means you must be careful. The Summerfield end has a lot of pressure ridges on the asphalt that makes a rough ride. Dropped the bike off at Performace Bicycle for its annual tuneup.

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Status Report

Rode the entire Salem Creek Greenway today from Marketplace Mall to the dam. You can ride from the mall until you cross the under the new Salem Connector and then the greenway detours up onto the connector sidewalk and connects to the standard detour at Ram Drive. They are still working on the trail from the connector to the  HWY 52 underpass.

HOWEVER, THEY ARE NOT WORKING ON WEEKENDS so you are able to ride through the work zone; just don't try it on weekdays.

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Status Report

Linville Road parking lot is open this weekend. Will probably close again next week.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good shape.

Dry leaves are starting to fall on the trail.

Linville Road parking lot is closed due to renovations.

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Status Report

A large limb is on the trail on north side of the lake, It covers 3/4 of the trail but it is easy to get by.

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Trail has been groomed

For the first time in two years, the trail has been groomed.

The city has dumped dirt, graded, and harrowed the trail. The hill at the Linville Road parking lot and both sides of the big hill on the south side of the lake are now level and smooth. This makes riding much safer but you must still use care until the surface becomes more compressed; it is still soft and can be a little squirrelly to ride on. There are still exposed rocks and roots around the trail, some quite large, that must be avoided. The bridge on the south side of the lake still has high, sharp leading edges that can cause wheel damage. Some spots on the trail have been graded completely smooth but the loose scrapped material is along the sides of the trail and has filled in low areas causing very slippery areas in new, unexpected places.

Riding will be safer and more enjoyable for awhile, until the next heavy rain. Until the rain runoff is controlled, the ruts will be coming back. Until new surface material is added, the rocks and roots will keep becoming more of a problem.

We need more running events at the lake. The city seems to care for the safety of visitors running around the lake once a year during an event, but for local runners and bikers who use the trail every day—not so much.

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Status Report

Normal conditions greenway and trail.

As stated before, with a foot race event happening in a few weeks I expected the city to do some trail grooming (they never do it at any other time),  Today a front loader and a tractor towing a harrow were working on the trail. I rode over some of the areas they had groomed and saw no noticeable difference. Still the same exposed rocks, boulders, and roots, deep sand, and deep ruts. Maybe I'll see some improvement tomorrow.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are good except the ruts are deeper and more rocks and roots are exposed.

Salem Lake construction will continue into 2018.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good condition except for previously listed hazards. Bike traffic this week has been normal except for today; I saw about 15 cyclists.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail in good shape. Some overflow at sidewalk and ford. A foot race is scheduled for the end of September; maybe the city will groom the trail for them.

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Personal Milestone

I reached another milestone today. I’ve ridden my bicycle 5,000 miles in the last 3.4 years. That’s 357 rides at an average 14 miles per ride at an average speed of 12.5 mph. Of those miles, 80% were ridden on the Salem Creek Greenway and the Salem Lake Trail. 

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good shape other than the previously mentioned hazards.

The main parking lot is open again.

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Status Report

The main parking lot at Salem Lake is open this weekend; it will be closed again next week.

The greenway free parking area behind Anderson Center at WSSU has moved around the corner to the back edge of the adjacent parking lot across from the east end of the center

Salem Creek overflow on the greenway sidewalk and ford is gone

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Status Report

Greenway sidewalk and ford still flooded, down some. Almost no traffic on the trail again today.

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Status Report

Greenway sidewalk and ford overflow has gotten higher; if you try to ride through your feet WILL get soaked. Ford overflow is fast enough to sweep you off your feet if you are wading. Very little trail traffic for last 2 mornings.

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Status Report

Sidewalk and ford on the greenway have overflow but are passable without getting your feet wet. Trail is clear of fallen trees and limbs but ruts are getting deeper after each rain. Gravel parking lot at park entrance is closed this week due to construction.

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Status Report

First ride since my accident last Friday.

Greenway sidewalk and greenway ford are flooded but are passable. No evidence of trees down from storms  but there are lots of down limbs that have been dragged off the trail. Previous ruts on the trail are bigger with there are lots of new ones. Lots of new exposed rocks and roots on the trail. Even if you are familiar with trail hazards, be careful, there many new ones.

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Still In Recovery

I'm still recovering from the 31 July bike accident. See accident log for details .The injuries were all road rash but some of it was deep; plus healing is slower when you are 70 years old. Every day I wake up planning to ride but once I start moving around, I change my plans. Maybe tomorrow!

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good condition; me not so much. I had my 6th accident this morning. Nothing serious just more road rash. See accident log for details.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in  good shape. At 11:00 am today,  it was 85⁰ in the shady areas but 91⁰ in the sunny areas. Saw all the regular trail users; they don't let a little heat bother them.

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HOT!!

If you are riding in this heat, good luck!

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HOT!!

If you are riding in this heat, good luck!

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good shape. In the last couple of days, on some sections of the greenway pressure ridges have popped up causing some unexpected bumps. The areas are in the shaded areas of the greenway so heat must not be the primary cause of the ridges.

It is HOT on the trails, even in the mornings and in the shade, so bring lots of water and drink it regularly, not just when you are thirsty.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good shape; no new problems. Just finish your ride before noon—its HOT!

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Construction Status

Salem Lake. Other than parking, the construction does not affect bikers.
Greenway Detour. New end date for the highway construction is next spring, but don't get too happy; next year they start the replacement of the Reynolds Park Road bridge that crosses over the greenway. That means a new detour that will add a steep hill climb.

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Construction Status

Salem Lake. Other than parking, the construction does not affect bikers.
Greenway Detour. New end date for the highway construction is next spring, but don't get too happy; next year they start the replacement of the Reynolds Park Road bridge that crosses over the greenway. That means a new detour that will add a steep hill climb.

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Status Report

Greenway is in good shape; all the fords are dry. Trail is in good shape; the downed tree has been removed. Watch out for ruts on the trail; they keep getting bigger.

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Status Report

Overflow at the fords on the greenway is low enough that you can ride through without getting your feet wet. Although the tree that fell over the trail thursday night is still there, the city showed great concern for you safety by placing yellow caution tape on the limbs; just in case you weren't able to see the giant wall of green blocking the trail.

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Status Report

Some overflow at the fords on the greenway but you can easily ride through them. On the north side of the lake between the bridge and the big hill beside the dam, a tree has fallen over the trail but it is easy to ride under it.  On the south side of the lake, the east side of the big hill has washed out even more. It has deep ruts and in some places, the cinders have washed away exposing the rock base layer. You have to be VERY careful going down it unless you are on a mountain bike and can handle this type of terrain.

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Status Report

Unexpectedly, there was no water overflow on the greenway. Trail is in good shape. Trail traffic was normal but the parking lots were full with lots of cars parked on the side of the entrance road.

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Trail News

Within the next year, the one-mile gap between the 3-mile High Point Greenway and the 8-mile Jamestown Bicentennial Greenway will be completed. When the one-mile gap in the Greensboro section of the Bicentennial Greenway is completed, it will complete the connection to the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway and you will be able to ride trails from High Point to the Guildford Battle Ground Park (about 20 miles).

Plans are to connect the Greensboro end of the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway to downtown greenways, connect the Summerfield end of the Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway to Triad Park in Kernersville, connect Triad Park to the Salem Lake Trail, and to extend the Market Place Mall end of the Salem Creek Greenway to Forsyth Technical College.

So, at some point in the future, you will be able to ride trails from Downtown Winston-Salem to downtown Greensboro or to downtown High point.

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Status Report

The section of the Salem Lake Trail in front of the main gravel parking lot is open again. They have put a culvert under the trail at the area near the trail head where large ruts always washed out during rains. Maybe this is a sign of things to come and they will do the same at other trouble spots on the trail.

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Status Report

The gate into the parking lots, boat launching area, bait house, and pier area is now locked and the area will be closed for the next few months for renovations. The gravel parking area outside the gate and the Linville Road parking lot will be crowded for many months. Lake riders probably should avoid the lots and park near access points onto the Salem Crr=eek Greenway and use it to ride to the lake.

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CONSTRUCTION

Due to park renovation work, the section of the trail runs around the front of the gravel main parking lot at the park entrance is closed, you have to ride through the parking lot. Once the main construction begins, this area will have bank fishing and canoe launching so it will be a problem area until the fall, is not later.

Plans are for restrooms to be built at the Linville Road parking lot and other places. Hopefully, the plans will also include some maintenance work to the trail itself.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good shape.

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Status Report

Fourth ride this week.  Lots of bikes out today. Greenway is great. Watch for fallen limb protruding into lake side of the trail on the south side of the lake.

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Status Report

Greenway and trail are in good condition. It will be hot for the next few days but the Salem Lake Trail and half the greenway are in the trees with lots of shade so get out and ride.

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Status Report

GREENWAY is clear. some overflow at sidewalk and ford but easily passable.
TRAIL is clear no problems except for usual ones. Due to greenery, visibility through curves is zero so always assume there is an idiot around the corner.
MTB PARK is open.

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Status Report

Status is great. Some overflow at concrete ford from the rain last night but it is easily passable.

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Status Report

Greenway is in great shape. Concrete ford is dry. Trail is in good shape. Watch out for deep ruts and exposed rocks.

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Water level is down

Greenway is passable again at the concrete sidewalk and ford. Overflowing water is shallow and slow moving so, if you go slow in the lowest gear, you can get through without getting wet. Lots of mud on greenway under the Reynolds Park Road Bridge so be careful there. Trail is in good shape.

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Status Report

Greenway is flooded at the ford; the water is high and fast. Trail is in good shape; there is evidence in places that trees had fallen in groups.

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Storm damage

Greenway is flooded and has trees down across the trail.

Trail on north side of lake is CLOSED due to numerous trees down.
Trail on south side of lake is open between the two parking lots and is in good shape but it's crowded.

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Hash marks

With the heavy rain last night, I'm sure the Salem Creek Greenway will be flooded at the concrete ford. The Salem Lake Trail will probably be soggy and shouldn't be ridden to prevent ruts from forming.

I'm a retired Navy guy. On the Navy enlisted blue dress uniform on the lower portion of the left sleeve, you may see a patch with diagonal slash marks on it. For every 4 years served with good conduct, a sailor earns a good conduct medal and ribbon. For each subsequent good conduct award, a silver star is added to the medal and ribbon. In addition, the sailor earns one red slash mark for every good conduct award. For as long as the sailor maintains at least 3 consecutive good conduct awards, the stripes are changed from red to gold. Sailors have traditionally referred to these slash marks as "hash marks." They also use the term "hash marks" when referring to slash type markings on anything, including underwear.

On yesterday's bicycle ride on the Salem Lake Trail, I started seeing "hash marks" on the surface of the trail. These are the short black slash marks caused by a bicycle tire skidding due to its wheel being locked down by the brakes. You usually see the marks on downhill sections of the trail, in curves, and especially in downhill curves. Sometimes there are accompanying marks indicating a crash. I have had my share of making unintentional "hash marks," both on the trail on my underwear. It pays to slow down in curves, especially when on a dry hard-packed cinder trail because once you began sliding on it, it's similar to being on black ice.

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Flooding gone

Flooding in the valley is gone. Still some overflow at the concrete ford but it's no problem.

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Flooding on Salem Creek Greenway

Greenway is flooded and impassable at the concrete ford. The ford and the sidewalk beside the creek are flooded with rushing water. It will be a few days before the area becomes passsable again.

I started riding on the greenway at the WSSU lower parking lot and got turned back by the flooding so I rode back to MLK Dr., up to Bus. 40, turned right onto Lowery St. and got on the Bushy Creek Greenway. I rode up to Waterworks Rd. and onto Winston Lake Rd., circled the lake, and rode up the long hill to Old Greensboro Rd. where I turned right and rode down to Waterworks Rd. I turn right, rode down the hill to the Busky Creek Greenway , turned left and then backtracked to the WSSU parking lot. Total ride was about 12 miles.

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Nice ride!

I rode the Atlantic & Yadkin Trail from the Summerfield end to the Greensboro end and back today, 17 miles. The trail is in good shape, just the usual small debris from trees. It was a nice day and a nice ride. Lots of ducklings near the lakes.

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Rain!!

Enough is good but enough is enough!

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Transporting a bike inside a SUV

I recently purchased a new Mazda CX-5 and was looking for an easy way to transport my bicycle with it. Here is what I came up with.

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Bond funds

The city is starting work on upgrading the facilities at Salem Lake using 4 million dollars of bond funds. I do not see any plans to use ANY of the funds to upgrade the trail that is used EVERY DAY by a hundred or more walkers, runners, and cyclists. However, MUCH of the funds will be used to build a community center to hold occasional events for a few people.

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New signs

The greenway and trail are in good shape. If it storms tomorrow, wonder which tree will fall? New signs at Salem Lake Trail entry points give guidance to new users, and maybe some regular users. The trail itself  could use some care, such as leveling of ruts and removal of protruding rocks. Remove of the remains of fallen trees would improve trail appearance.

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Tree down

There is a tree (more like a log) down across the trail about midway on the north side of the lake, The trail is relatively straight and flat at this point so you be able to see it in time to stop. It is easy to carry your bike over the log. It will probably be removed on Monday.

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Nice day for a ride

Greenway and trail are dry and they are clear of debris, a rarity, probably due to the River Run Festival. No water flowing over the concrete ford for the fist time in months. Leaves are all out making spotty light on the trail and low visibility through curves so be safe.

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Caught a cold!

The wind is abating, the rain moving out, and it is starting to warm up, so what happens, I catch a cold! Maybe by next week I will be on the bike again.

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Windy

Greenway and trail are in good shape. Water is still flowing over the concrete ford on the greenway; it is wider and deeper than it has been for the last few weeks but it is still passable. Very windy today. One of those days when it seems as if you have a headwind no matter which direction you ride.

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Everything is in good shape.

It was a windy ride today. Greenway and the trail are both in good shape. Some water puddles from the rain. Water flow over the greenway concrete ford has increased but is still not a problem if you go slow and enter in the lowest gear so you can climb the hill to get out. Ruts by the Linville Road parking lot are wearing down and filling in due to increased trail traffic,

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Greenway and Trail are normal

Concrete ford on greenway has increased overflow, but there is no problem in crossing it. Trail is in good shape except for deep ruts on the hill beside the Linville Road parking lot. Lots of traffic on the trail due to spring break, which also means more children on the trail.

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Getting greener

Greenway and trail are getting greener. Looks nice, but it means visibility in turns will soon be limited. Still a little water flowing over the concrete ford on the greenway. Starting to get more traffic on greenway and trail so be careful.

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Greenway still has detour - Trail is in good shape

The greenway still has the detour in effect with no end in site; it looks as if it may be next year before the construction ends. Concrete ford still has some overflow so be prepared to ford in a low gear.

The trail is in good shape. No recent rain means no new ruts and the long-standing muddy curve edge on the north side of the lake has dried up, Since the trail is dry and hard-packed, loose material on the surface make it slippery in some areas, especially curves.

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More traffic

Nice 18 miles ride today from WSSU lower parking lot, to the dam, CW around lake to the main parking lot, and then CWW around the lake and back to WSSU. Trail is still in good shape except for deep ruts beside the Linville Rd. water fountain. More trail traffic today, Spring has sprung.

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Trails are looking good

Some water is still overflowing the concrete ford on the greenway. Since there has not been any recent rain it must be because the culverts under it are clogged. On the trail, watch for ruts on the big dirt hill and on the hill beside the water fountain.

Since there are no leaves on trees, you get high visibility through turns and great views of the lake and the city skyline.

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First trail ride of the year

I did a 10 mile local street ride Sunday, first ride of the new year, and everything still works, on me and the bike.

Today, I did an 18 mile Salem Creek Greenway and Salem Like Trail Ride. The greenway is clear. There is mud under the Reynolds Park Road Bridge underpasses as usual. The concrete ford had some overflow but it is not a problem. The trail is in good shape. Most of the ruts on the eastern side of the big hill on the southern side of the lake have filled in (from trail traffic, certainly not because of any park maintenance). There are remains of several large fallen trees on the northern side of the lake. Also, there is the usual mud on the side of two curves.

Nice day for a ride. A little windy, but still nice. There was not much trail traffic but the wrong side of the trail walkers were still out in full force.

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Still too cold!

It's still too cold for me to ride but there should be some warm days toward the end of next month. I'll be ready to ride when they come!

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Still Winter!

It's still winter and I'm still not a winter rider, so I haven't been riding since my last update. I'm on my winter fitness schedule that consists of four or more hours per week of fitness training classes (Body Combat, BodyFlow, and CXWorx), weight lifting, and rowing and stair machines.

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