Lysterfield - How does it hold up to rain?

[hitch]

I'm hoping to head out to Lysterfield either tomorrow or the next day and have never been there before. I'm just wondering how it's likely to be, given the massive amount of rain over the weekend? Does it normally drain well? Is it mostly gravel, clay or sandy?

Took a quick run along the Yarra near Studley Park this afternoon, and there was a fair bit of thick mud...

[clackers]

Not as good as the You Yangs, where some rain actually helps bed down surface dust.

The Lysterfield tree roots and rocky ground sections can get slippy.

[trailgumby]

The general consensus is that we stay off wet trails unless it is either a management track/fire road, or it is designated wet-weather hardened.

Reason is that for the most part our soils are relatively fragile compared to say UK or Canada, and wet weather riding here causes thousands of times more impact than riding when dry. A land manager looking at that photo would be shaking their head.

Management trails are different as they are designated roads, and the NPWS or RFS are known to drive their 4WDs in wet conditions anyway, so unless they are specifically signed "no bikes" you are good to go.

However, for exactly the same reasons that riding wet trails is a bad idea (coarse grained or clay-based soils) due to erosion, it also is a bad idea for your bike to ride wet tracks. One wet ride does more damage to your drive train and brakes than months of dry conditions riding. I hate listening to my drive train self destruct, so I've given it up.

A little bit of dampness from a few spits of rain on a previously dusty trail would be an exception, but not for long.

Some interesting op ed pieces from singletracks.com:
Wet weather racing and trail protection policies part 1: http://singletracks.us1.list-manage.com ... 3809dca0a3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Wet weather racing and trail protection policies part 2: http://singletracks.us1.list-manage.com ... 3809dca0a3" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[alf]

Buckle and Middle are currently very water logged and should not be ridden.

Hug is marginal but rideable,

Blair witch is ok

Comm Games is all weather and is fine to ride.

Have not seen Follow Me and Aneurism since Saturday so I have no idea.

[hitch]

Thanks for the info guys. Time has got the better of me anyway, so won't be getting out there this week. Am determined to make it there one day...

[alf]

Hitch,

If you are close to Lysterfield you should have a look here -->http://lysterfieldmtb.com/forum/index.php

Plenty of rides being organised all the time.

There are very regular trail building days as well which is a great opportunity to meet and greet local riders--> http://lysterfieldmtb.com/forum/index.p ... 108.0.html

And finally if you happen to ned a current map of the park --> http://lysterfieldmtb.com/map/

[danny the boy]

Went this morning, Lower Buckle should be closed where it continues on and Upper begins there is a section that is still water-logged. Most of the rest is ok, reckon Hug and Blair Witch might of smoothed out a bit from it. The tree roots on Middle seem rougher but it could be my imagination. State Track just dodge the kangaroos, didnt go down Aneurysm.

[gabrielle260]

Any update on the state of the trails?
Have they dried out now?
Thanks,
Andrew

[alf]

Andrew,

As of this morning there are a couple of small muddy patches on Middle and Red Gum, the rest is great. Follow Me and Aneurysm are in a fantastic state.

[gabrielle260]

Many thanks Alf!

[alf]

For anyone planning to ride Lysterfield this weekend please note that all trails are closed until Sunday evening.

http://lysterfieldmtb.com/forum/index.p ... l#msg12532

Please respect the land managers trail closure and stick to fire trails if you must ride at Lysterfield.

[clackers]

You Yangs were shut at the weekend, too ...