Its been raining in that part of the world for months. The wettest year in memory.
They had 158mm of rain in January, which is twice the wettest recording since 1995. Its also on top of 100mm from the previous 2 months which follow a drenching all winter.
Its muddy.
This is from the Farkin forum with Jess Douglass (a local and champion Mtbr) giving some advice.
1. Local perspective on weather forecast and conditions
Hey all...with rain on and off all week and Friday scheduled for "drizzle" which I am thinking means the kind of rain that is all day but light??? Anyways...my thoughts on how this will effect the terrain.
First section KOM: no issue, infact a nice fast climb will be in order if its a southerly and a bit cooler!
KOM to Top of Red Carpet Section 2: Private property if used (if its not crazy wet) will be slippery in the ups and downs. Some parts may not be as rideable due to heavy rains last year and early this year, depends if roads have been graded? How fast can you run up hill with your bike?
The double track to the mt sabine firetower was pretty wet and the puddles a bit bigger than last year. If you dont know which puddles are good and which arent, give it a go! My line in the last 4 years (and 1 week ago) was all rideable and rock base. Make sure you smile for the photographer and ride the bloody trail!
West Barwon Tk is perfect. Its rock based double track with water on it, be sure to have glasses on so that the spray doesnt get in your eyes.
Noonday - Descents are interesting, rutted as normal but the other day when I rode it, the trails were still wet from the rain and there was this fine slick wet clay layer that had you fishtailing the whole way down, on & off the brakes, rear end as far back as you can, point and shoot! What I call Mrs Noonday and her 3&1/2 daughters were in pretty good nick, the first and toughest climb was damn slippery mid way up, choose your line carefully or just get lucky!
Now the rest is fine til Red Carpet!
Part 3: Red Carpet is in the best condition it has been in all year. So go for it and have fun. WAtch out for the rut in the final 3rd of the course, its a left hand turn and drops with a big fat rut to china.
Part 4: Southern Forrest trails to Yaugher Rec Reserve - the trails here will be just fine, hard packed..maybe a tad slick if the rain has been consistent, but these only get really bad in the middle to end of winter when it rains non stop for months.
Part 5 - Yaugher Loop
TOO good! Nothing to worry about here, take the B lines in J2, the bog holes are unrideable, the rest is sweet as.
Part 4 - thompsons loop. Only issue here is the motorbike track is a bit slower than last year, lots of b lines due to trees down. then the only other issue is the sledgehammer. I have never had such trouble ascending it as now. 4wd ruts and squished bits of dry mud either side of the wheel track make it for a very grunty effort. good luck - its a toughie this year.
My pick is if its looking wet or even "slick" do not ride cross marks or ralphs, something with a bit of open knobbie factor is going to give you more traction.
I am going to try Rocket ron on front and nobby nic on rear...will give it a go this week.
Could be a long day...
wish i was down there. Have a great day.
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