Grays On Trays

Around here, we’ve had what seems to be an insufferably long mud season this year. The last day of snowboarding locally was April 9. Even though the snow lingered for weeks after that (and may in fact still remain in spots), the lifts stopped turning when ski area managers decided that the costs of being in business were higher than the revenues they would collect.

Hiking isn’t that great of an option, either. First, we’re not talking about epic terrain anyway, so it’s hardly worth the effort. Second, the places that still have snow are private property, not public lands, so they are no doubt closed for snow sports. That leaves cold-weather golf, cold-weather road biking, and waiting.

Since the end of the lift-served season, we’ve been teased (or is it tormented?) by tiny dribbles and drabs of snow. On three different days we had snowfall that stuck, at least overnight, and even two days ago we had tiny snowflakes in the air. And this being spring, we’ve had lots of rain, too. The rain and snow have kept the ground suitable for cross-country mountain-bike riding, my new summer sport of choice. Watching and waiting has been a frustrating experience, a bit like pre-season conditions at ski areas, when we know that there’s snow on the ground but not enough for snowboarding.

Whether its snowboarding or mountain biking, sporting enthusiasts must endure a transitional time. What do you do when you’ve put the snowboard (or skis) up for the season?

Today marks the end of that awful in-between time, by the way: My favorite mountain-bike trail has opened, two or three weeks later than usual.