mtb blues

[sundial]

My favorite trails have become overgrown with the summer foliage and lest I tempt the goddess of poison ivy, I feel I have to hang up the bike for now. Sigh. I'm singing the summer time blues.

[bounceswoosh]

That's horrible!

That's a blessing I didn't know I needed to count ... having trails that are usable throughout the summer ...

[KnottedYet]

I used to carry a pair of pruners when I walked my favorite trails. A little judicious pruning helped both me and others who walked there...

How about getting a few folks together who like to ride your trail, and having a pruning party?

[sundial]

That's a good idea, Knot. Unfortunately, it would take more than pruners to clear this path. Guess I could ask the park ranger if he wouldn't mind having grounds keepers clear it.

I noticed that in the Mark Twain forest the information about the mtb trails expressly states to watch out for poison ivy too.

[obie]

Ugh, I am completely paranoid about poison ivy - I feel your pain!

[Irulan]

That's a good idea, Knot. Unfortunately, it would take more than pruners to clear this path. Guess I could ask the park ranger if he wouldn't mind having grounds keepers clear it.

I noticed that in the Mark Twain forest the information about the mtb trails expressly states to watch out for poison ivy too.

Weedeater.
The technique is called "brushing out a trail" and it's basic maintenance, keeping agressive greenery out of the way.

[ima_bleeder]

Poison oak is a constant problem in my neighborhood too. We kind of know where it's bad, and people who are super sensitive usually quit riding those areas when it's blooming.

But a lot of the trails in our area are 'unofficial', ungroomed, and sometimes pretty tight. So between poison oak, blackberries, and other shrubbery ... pruners are a great help.