Any update on additional group rides at The Farm? I was out there a couple days ago and it is in bad shape. Could barely see the trail in many places. I want to try to get out and do some trimming but agree that it really needs tires to pack in the dirt and kill off some of the grass and weeds growing on the trail.

The weeds are getting pretty bad out there; if you know what to do, this is a reminder to get out there and do it.  If you don't, or need a refresher on technique, read on. 

Almost all of our trail maintenance is done by volunteers, and that could be you!  Trimming is relatively easy, can be done with one or two people, and can be done whenever you have time.  We have the equipment, you just need to hook up with a trail steward for a brief training (10 minutes or so), and then you are off. 

One thing to remember is that weed trimming is not a detail operation; you need to cut back much more than it seems like you might at first glance;  if you leave the trails looking nice and well-groomed, between the fast growth and what falls back over the trail, in a couple days it will seem like you were never there.   

When trimming grass, prairie plants, and any non-woody growth, you need to trim as far back from the trail as the growth is high.  In other words, if the weeds are 3' tall, you will be cutting a swath about 7' wide (3' on each side plus 1' of trail).  Otherwise, the uncut growth will grow and fall into your corridor and quickly crowd the trail again.  You can do this by cutting low for the full width, or by tapering up at 45 degree angle, so that the plants  that tip over toward the trail still don't reach it.  This will seem like a lot, and will look  butchered when you are done, but come back in a week and it will look great instead of needing to be trimmed again.  If you can talk a friend into following you with a blower, that's great, but traffic will clear most of the trimmings off the tread in short order.  And don't forget to look up; there are many grassy/prairie sections that have a few trees around, and you want to get the face-scratchers while you are there.  Usually you can whack these off with the string trimmer, but it doesn't hurt to carry a small pruning shear for the occasional woody branch.


If you are trimming woody growth, again, trim much further back than you feel like you need to.  You don't want to leave the cut ends of small branches anywhere near eye-level on the trail.  Mostly what we are cutting around here is buckthorn and honeysuckle; you're not going to do them any harm by trimming deeply.

If done right, trimming only needs to happen 2 or 3 times a year, and shouldn't take up too much time, especially if we can spread the work around.  So instead of complaining about the weeds, grab a string-trimmer and make them pay for slowing you down on your last ride!

To find out more about lending a hand, email your local trail steward.

Not trying to be pedantic, but there's nothing in Act 34 that excludes class 2 ebikes from trails. Act 34 gives ebikes (classes 1-3) all the access as standard bikes and leaves it up to the land manager to make it clear was isn't allowed. I know some of the local trails have rules about ebikes, but it's not very easy to find that information online.

That all being said, electric dirt bikes are not class 2 ebikes. The dirt bikes that have been seen lately at Quarry Ridge are fully throttle powered and do not have pedals or a 20mph governor.

Most all area municipalities have adopted WI state law known as act 34 in their local ordinances. No pedals likely means a class 2 and not the with pedals and allowed on trails class 1 and 3 e-assist bicycles.

As a trail steward I don't want to be in any sort of law enforcement or do anything other than suggest we all behave. I also have a lot of experience underscoring that we also don't want area law enforcement agencies spending much time where we enjoy riding. When I see a class 2 or motorcycle where they don't belong I give a polite reminder to follow the law so someone else doesn't call the police about their presence.

This problem is not as new as some think. There have been some years for decades when motorcycles have been on bike trails. A lot of times someone just needs some polite education. When the sheriff's dept and one local police department were spending time at near west trails it was not fun for anyone involved so keep that in mind.

 I am so happy to see the one way trail problems being addressed. Thanks to everyone involved.