Here in Colorado, erosion is a thing (and I assume everywhere else). If not properly cared for. And let's just agree that it's not that properly cared for. So many miles, so many trails. Way too much to be active on. I get that. Sometimes up here, you didn't even know there was some type of rain storm, and the trail is totally different. Erosion.
I don't care if it's on a lift service resort thing, or a public park thing. It happens.
What does happen, as a rider, when encountering trail erosion, and you want to rail the line, what line do you choose?
For example:
*Do you default into the erosion rut, knowing at least you have a catch? But it might be sketchy.
*Do you go "high" assuming if stuff hits the fan, you can catch into the erosion rut? When things go sketchy.
*Go "low"? Avoiding all the sketch? But it can still get sketchy.
*What else? Thoughts?
I know this is subjective. Curious to know your strategies. What's your jam? There is no wrong answer. Just knowledge. Perhaps wisdom? Hmmmm
Interesting question. I think it really just depends on how bad the erosion is and how far ahead you’re looking. If you have good sight lines and can tell it’s a mini rut to track you thru a section, sure hit it. If it starts small and turns into a blown out mess of trail avoid it, go high, low, whatever looks best. This is the kind of thing that I think just improves with time on the bike and making split second line choice decisions.
I vote high line. It’s always cool to swoop up early.
Generally avoid the holes and rail the ruts. At least if I’m riding blind and don’t have any better info. Then it’s just an always depends type of thing.
When in doubt, "main line with confidence." Until that doesn't work...
I would do anything I could to avoid helping the erosion get worse.
It really is conditional. Speaking of Colorado, especially alpine riding, like Crested Butte, where soils deflate AND they get a ton of moto traffic (on mixed-use trails), it's pretty common to get a foot+ tunnel for "trail". And then you're just trying to keep your pedals from catching.
Outside of that situation, I generally look for less "errosive" lines, but frequently can't get them. Now that I live in the east again, I don't care as much, because you can leave an erroded trail fallow for a year or so, and then it's pretty good.
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