Topic: Alafia rideable?

[peterhsd1]

With all the rain this late in the summer can anything in Alafia be ridden? Any of the other parks any better? Thanks.

[Jeff White]

There is no place better at draining rain off the trails for immediate riding.  Only the steep, high clay Moonscape and Gatorback trails require 24hrs after a heavy rain.  Enjoy our volunteer efforts to keep you riding and smiling.  Jeff White (trail boss)

[Jason Peres]

Rode there yesterday afternoon from 5:30 till 7:30. And the trails were actually drier then normal. They can actually take a pretty hard rain, and most of them be ride able not to long after. 

[peterhsd1]

Good to know and that is impressive considering all of this rain. Caloosahatchee Regional Park down here is under 2 feet of water, don't know when it will be rideable. Sounds like it is time for a road trip!

[Ben Drawbaugh]

The elevation combined with good trail drainage design are to thank. That being said, there are a few trails at Alafia (River loop and Rock Garden) that are flatter and don't drain as well. In fact there is one section of River Loop that has had a "Closed for Monsoon Season" sign on it for a long time.

If you drive up for a weekend, you should also stop by Balm Boyette. It is only about 3 miles from Alafia (as the crow flies) and most of it drains really well too. My favorite at Balm, Ridgeline, does not and is closed most of every Summer. The 2 mile ride from the parking lot to the trail head can also get really muddy, but there is still about 16 miles of single track that drains really well there.