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Steve from Festus on 3/8/2022 4:51:54 PM:
I rode my bike for 80-ish miles on the KATY over this past weekend, and found the overall condition to be as bad as I've ever ridden on. Disclaimer - this is probably the earliest in the year that I've been on the trail for any considerable miles. Particularly in the area west of Dutzow, the trail was almost "silted" over with mud, as opposed to the normal crushed stone.

With considerable ruts, tractor tire imprints, and a combination of human and hoof prints deeply impressed into the trail surface, it got my mind thinking about what the normally expected trail grooming practices are.

Does the State of MO use heavy rollers, or graders, or some other technology to smooth out the surface? Do they add more rock and then smooth it down?

Any information about how and when the trail is groomed would be appreciated.
 
Bill in Houston from Houston on 3/15/2022 7:59:01 AM:
We rode in April of 2019, which seems to be well before the season really kicks off. At that time of year the state seemed to still be trying to finish major maintenance items, and had not done any grooming. We encountered what you have described. 98% of the trail was perfect. Even most of the rain-soaked sections were ok. But a little bit of it was like pudding. :) We also ran across stretches of tractor and atv-tire-induced washboard. Worst, to me, was some sections that had been repaired with larger sharper rock, which I was concerned would cut a tire.

Your post and others got me to wondering what the best practice would be. Apparently the freeze and thaw every year causes the softness you found. Maybe light grading and then a roller? Or a vibrating roller, even? Followed by filling low spots?

Sorry for rambling. To answer your question, I do not know. ;)

 
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