As temperatures climb, so does our urge to go play outside. Trail conditions, however, vary according to the time of day, the temperature on previous days and so on. It’s not always easy to get it right, but if you plan well, springtime can be one of the best times of year to ride a fatbike.

 

The golden rule

When the temperature rises to above zero, you don’t ride. This is an important rule to follow as otherwise, you can cause damage to the trail that’s hard to repair. Your next experience and that of others depends on your following this golden rule. Note, too, that if the temperature doesn’t fall back below -3 degrees Celsius the night following a thaw, the surface will not harden enough, forcing riders to wait a little longer.

 

Keep your calendar open for a few days to be ready to change the date of your outing, particularly if you plan to rent your fatbike. Remember that the colder it is, the better.

 

Where to ride

Planning your rides for the morning will help ensure that you ride on a hard surface. If the surface softens, avoid riding steep slopes like the Cachée, Écureuil and the section of Chouette beside the Quatre-Sommets road. Keep away from trails that get more sunshine, such as the Lynx, Chouette and Écureuil, and head instead for the Diable, Les Pins, Gorge and Sciotte. Consider lowering your tire pressure, as well. Start your ride with a maximum pressure of 6 PSI and lower the pressure if your tires are biting into the trail too much.

 

As you may be aware, when the snow melts, water accumulates on the trails and they can freeze. Be doubly careful, as you can run into more ice than in the middle of winter. Cyclists with studded tires will be at an advantage here.

 

Lastly, if you answer “yes” to one of the following questions, please get off the trails.

Is the depth of the tracks made by my tires an inch or more deep?

Am I having trouble going in a straight line?

Do I have to get off the bike to make it up a gentle hill?

 

Enjoy your rides!

As seen in Tremblant Express journal, March 2018.

We all want our trails to remain in top riding condition… at least, that’s what we hope for… but in the Fall, it’s hard to know when and where to ride to minimize our impact. There aren’t any clear guidelines, but here are a few pointers that should help you choose the right trail and ensure a pleasant ride.

 

For starters, check out our Conditions page.

 

Since we don’t close and re-open trails every time it rains, we trust that you will use your good old common sense! Because of the colder temperatures in the Fall, the trails take much longer to dry out. As such, they are softer and can be damaged more easily. That’s why we ask that you don’t ride when it’s raining.

 

Freezing and thawing of the riding surfaces makes the trails very vulnerable and it’s much harder to correct damages caused during this period. If the temperature falls below zero during the night and then back up during the day, the trails will take a long time to dry out. Ideally, don’t ride after a night of frost, or wait at least half a day to ensure the sun has been able to work its magic to dry out the trail.

 

If the ground remains frozen during the day, then it’s all good, you can go ride!

 

Ride trails that drain easily, like Deer Mountain, Jazz, Diable et Les Pins.

 

Don’t ride trails that are closed because they are more at risk of being damaged.

 

To recap, if you’re leaving tire treads all over the trails, go home! By respecting these few tips you’ll be helping us ensure that we all get to ride trails that are in great condition next spring.

 

Finally, even with all our efforts, we can’t always avoid mud puddles. Contrary to popular belief, it’s often preferable to ride through it than around it. Contouring a mud puddle can lead to soil erosion and widens the trail uselessly.

 

Follow us to know the trail conditions and plan your outings.

Thank you for thinking of your fellow riders!