TOPIC: Ellicottville Conditions

Just don't go riding on any trails that are groomed for XC skiing.

One of the justifications for why DEC Region 7 has, and still continues to push for (and for some forests has already implemented) the 6-month (Nov. 1 to April 1) ban on bikes is the claim that bikes were ruining ski conditions. But that apparently was just for some groomed trails at Hammond Hill. We all agreed that bikes should stay off of trails groomed for XC skiing (such as Sprague Brook).

That is a much better solution than just banning bikes for 6 months a year!

Typically, if there is enough snow to allow skiing in ungroomed snow, then conditions aren't really bikable. The best bet for winter riding is on snowmobile trails. They are packed down well. Of course, I just head out on those trails with my skating skis, which would be faster than biking in those conditions anyway.

Good, it should be bike ride ready soon!

Tips to winter biking here (I swear I dont work for EMS):

http://www.ems.com/content/tentips.jsp? ... 5422021333

And for those newer WNYMBAians, we become the WNY cross-country, snow-shoeing, and downhill ski association in the winter months. Find something to do to keep off the pounds during the holiday months.

You havent had fun yet if you haven't tried to keep up with Jon and Ben at the Brook on XC skiis!

6" of new snow, and it's still coming down.

Rode Saturday (11/25) afternoon. Started at training center, rode up to Rain, Sidewinder, DeadDog, Big Merlin, and back thru holiday to finish the race loop. HV trails are pretty messy, the downhill part of the race loop on the open ski run is really wet due to construction, so I would probably not do those again. The rest of the trails are in great shape, only a few wet spots but nothing major, leaves aren't too bad as it seems enough traffic has worn them in to make the trail visible. Saw three hunters, but they were all just walking near the road, not camped out anywhere. Still, definitely recommend bright colors and be wary.

pretty good conditions, lots of leaves make it hard to follow big merlin, i got lost at marker 11 and had to retrace back to the road. no hunters that i saw, i did hear some gunshots but they were probably a few miles away from me.

I got some e-mails about a Friday ride, probably meeting at the tower. Wear Orange if you go.

we're gonna be hitting some sunny DRY days this week, any report of the trails as of this weekend. i'm hoping that the dry weather will give way to some pre-turkey riding.

The race course loop is in very good condition, but heading into the forest was not so nice. ALOT of downfall, not as bad as Buffalo after the storm but you are gunna need a saw to get through some of it. For the most part, very ridable. It's like the fall leaf cover keeps the trails dry and serves as a water shed for the moisture. Ride it!

They got an isolated stint of rain but nothing like here. And the trails were dry pretty soon afterwards. They drain pretty well. 72 and sunny there today (sunday) per the inlaws......

They have a very good club there, (just like here) and they have lots of differnet places to ride within 45 minutes of the city. There are 4 places within 30 minutes of my in laws. Nothing like HV mind you, but a lot of nice single track. I get my winter fix whenever I go down after the season ends here.

Sounds like they are in the same boat (no pun intended)

http://www.tarheeltrailblazers.com/cgi- ... 1161203891

I agree. One of the worst falls ever. I am glad I got out last weekend in E-ville even though there was a little bit of snow fell on the (hard) trails just before I got there.

Hey Scotto -

Whats going on?

I use that site all the time to see whats going on down there. You gave me that link originally! I am going to ride at Catawba, I hear its open and I want to check out the Whitewater park there. I hear thats neat.

I see they also made anew 7 mile trail about halfway between Beatty and Poplar Tent.Its looks to be maybe 20 minutes from Matthews. Its supposedly really nice. I am going to rdie that as well. Hell, I'll be there 9 days, I figure I'll ride Beatty, Renni, Poplar, Catawba, and the new place.......gonna make up for not riding......

You heading down there at all?

Hey Joker
Checkout the trailblazers website;
http://www.tarheeltrailblazers.com/index.cfm
They defintely got it goin' on with no attitude. If ya hadn't already, be sure to checkout Catawba. I haven't been there since they started work on the Olympic Whitewater training park. I'm pretty sure there is alot of good riding there.