Snow delays opening of CAMBA mountain bike trails

The mountain bike trails in the Cable and Hayward area will remain closed for at least an extra week because of the snow that fell in the area over the past few days.

Ron Bergin, the executive director of the Chequamegon Area Mountain Bike Association, sent an email this morning to announce that the trails wouldn't open as scheduled this weekend.

"Cyclists should not ride the trails until they have thoroughly dried out," he said. "This is the most vulnerable time of the year for the trails. The frost is only just out of the ground and there have not been sufficient or extended dry periods to allow the spring moisture to dry up."

A quick change in the weather would be a big help for the Cable Area Off-Road Classic, scheduled for May 14 on segments of the Rock Lake and Ojibwa trails, part of the CAMBA system. Riders this year will compete for the new Dominator Trophy.

Despite the slow Spring in the state, the Wisconsin Off Road Series will open its season on Sunday, with the Iola Bump & Jump on the trails in the Iola Winter Sports Area. (Check back later for a preview of the race in the 20th year of the WORS series).

Also of note: At last word the trails in the Southern Unit of the Kettle Moraine State Forest and at Blue Mound State Park were closed to mountain biking because of the wet conditions.