'Dem leaves 'dey are a-changin'! copyright ©
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Trailman's Overall Conditions:
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Overview
(Straight to detailed report menu)November is here, and not only are riding conditions in Southern Maine next to ideal, but it looks awesome in the woods, too! The leaf display hanging on in the trees - and on the ground - is downright dizzying, kind of like riding a roller coaster through a kaleidoscope! Lots of bright yellows and oranges and reds and spots of brown and green all around, spattered with random sunlight, swirling all together with spokes and bumps and speed... It's an intense rush added to the thrill of singletrack!
The majority of fallen leaves this late in the season do a great job covering the roots, rocks and such below them. But guess what...? They're still under there! It's a pretty sight but pretty dangerous if you don't pay super-close attention and adjust your riding accordingly! Things all blend with that coating of spackly color camouflage so rocks and roots don't show their faces...
I always like to keep the front end extra-light this time of year, being sure to lean back most of the time so an unseen rock doesn't punch you in the gut with your handlebars. Stay back a bit... and be ready to instantly lower and lean back more, lock your elbows and tighten your grip - simultaneously. Think about this ahead of time, practice the reaction - live or in your head - and it may save you a trip over your front end and to the hospital if you hit an unexpected obstacle...
Lots of rain has caught up with us finally and there are puddles to be found at all the regular spots. Most of the wetness is on the surface with slick-mud, layer-cake-icing sort-of stuff more than deep, soft earth. The harder ground due to cold temperatures is keeping things more solid - in most places. And colder weather means less of the puddle water evaporates overnight.
Temperatures certainly are getting cool to cold with daytime highs averaging around the high-40's to low-50's. Combined with the coastal wind, you're talking chilly. A cloud covers the sun... the temperature drops fifteen degrees... It's the classic under-dressing season, so always take the extra layer, and something to pack it into! Be especially careful of the dangerous combination of cold and wet and don't let it happen. If you go out in the cold, stay dry!
Breathe deep, stay warm, feel the color...
-Trailman
"Trailman" John Clark is a Portland, Maine, native & mountain bike trail guide who's been riding the area woods for over 18 years.
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