jd from gkc on 12/07/2009 06:46 PM
As mentioned, the trail is highly variable during the winter months..but it is not impossible to do then. I’ve seen cross-country-ski, hiker-boot, and bicycle tracks in the shallow snows there, then. You will need about three days of fairly good non-stormy weather to do it from end to end. The only thing that could make it really difficult to do would be a deep wet snow that clogs up the bike’s gears and brakes, and wears out the riders fairly fast. Also, an unusually long thaw could make the trail soft. But it is usually frozen hard. Outside of those things, the winter trail riders must be self-sufficient to a large degree because the trailhead water fountains and restrooms are turned-off and locked-up from Nov to Apr, not to mention some of the nearby businesses close-up for the season. Yet, the trail is easy to follow with signs and milage posts that coordinate closely with the maps found at the trailheads and this site. Most of the locals are friendly as well.
You can do three things to make this ride successful.
1. Check the trail conditions and weather forecast before coming.
2. Bring your own vehicle support, which gives safety and nighttime freedoms.
3. Ride with a partner.
Additionally, some of the adjacent small towns have year-around gas stations, convenience stores, markets, cafes, motels, and b&b’s where one can stock up on supplies, and lodge at nights unannounced, except possibly for the b&b’s tied in with the Fri-Sat winery visitors from the larger towns, which is NOT all of them. So with planning, prudence, and commonsense care (and with the emergency phone numbers found at this and the park sites carried on your person), the trail can be ridden then, which is/will be an adventure for sure. For one thing, with less foliage, the riders can see things deeper into the woods than during the warmer months. Also, the winter views along the rivers and creeks can be spectacular. Good luck.