What are the trail conditions like in the KC area in February? My biggest concern would be the amount of moisture on the trail. I know what weather to expect but don't want to bring the mountain bike if the trails are muddy/snow covered. I was going to cross-post this in the Midwest forum but there's little traffic there.
What are the trail conditions like in the KC area in February? My biggest concern would be the amount of moisture on the trail. I know what weather to expect but don't want to bring the mountain bike if the trails are muddy/snow covered. I was going to cross-post this in the Midwest forum but there's little traffic there.
It's impossible to determine what the weather will be like in KC in February. It could be frozen in which case the trails would be perfect to ride. We could get snow, in which case the trails may be perfect to ride, but then again, maybe not. We could hover between 28-35 degrees with a bunch of freezing and thawing going on in which case, the trails would not be good to ride due to mud. We could have ice storms which would make it impossible to ride due to the downed trees. We could have 70 degrees and sunny which would be nice all the way around.
2-3 weeks ago our temps were in the single digits (below zero with wind chill) and last Thursday it was in the high 60's to low 70's. Right now it's 32-35 degrees and with drizzling rain that is expected to turn to ice over the next couple of days, which is a change in forecast from Saturday in which the forecast called for partly sunny skies all this week.
The nice thing about the trails in KC is that they're designed and built professionally. They dry out quickly and trail users don't tend to impact them as much as a result. If you bring your bike, there's a good chance you'll be able to ride singletrack.
Ken, you must have lived here a while! You've got that KC weather down to an unpredictable "t." To back up what Ken said, the trails I road this weekend at Shawnee Mission Park have been maintained in awesome fashion by the local club: thanks and job well done to them. There is variety. You can go lowland if things are frozen over, or, in Shawnee Park, you can stay up on top the hill mostly, if it's warm and the lowlands are wet. You can also take some of our asphalt trails if everything else is mucky and get a great workout. MTB is better on them anyway because of bridges, tight turns, steep climbs and occasional slickness due to moisture or patches of ice. Again, the trails are nothing technical, but they do take you through the woods and along streamways and can give you miles of great workout without fighting cars.
The complete listing of KC's 100+ miles of trail can be found here: www.earthriders.com and click on the trails link for a brief description and directions to the trailhead.
If you click the "Ask the Experts" link on the lefthand side of the main page, you'll be put in touch with a local group of about 300 mountain bikers. Out of that group, you'll find plenty of guides to show you around our singletrack.
Like I mentioned, I know what weather to expect but didn't know if the trails were generally snow covered that time of year. I guess I'll bring the mtn bike regardless and ride if it's clear.
Like I mentioned, I know what weather to expect but didn't know if the trails were generally snow covered that time of year. I guess I'll bring the mtn bike regardless and ride if it's clear.
Not usually snow covered, but just by making this statement I've almost gauranteed that there'll be snow. Should the trails be too wet to ride and people start getting pissed off at each other, someone will generally start scheduling urban rides. Plenty of asphalt and concrete trails to ride in downtown KC.
I'm recovering from reconstructive shoulder surgery and won't be riding until sometime in April.
Weather permitting, there will be rides going on every night of the week that you'll be able to hook up with. Weather not permitting, there'll most likely be urban rides going on in downtown KCMO with plenty of alleyway, fountain, stair, walled and bermed singletrack skill building with some urban art touring thrown in for good measure.
There's also a big ol' trail building party going on that weekend (2/19 - 2/20) at the Lake of the Ozarks (biggest Lake in Missouri) on some brand new trail. There will be plenty of riding on existing locals only (private) trails and cheap beer/food/lodging for anyone who helps on the trails. Many people in KC will be making the 3 hour drive down there for this trail project.
Ken
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