Trail Conditions

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TRAIL WORKDAYS

What to Expect

What We Provide

• All tools and equipment
• Safety gear and training
• Snacks and refreshments
• Expert guidance from trail crew leaders

What to Bring

Here's what you'll need:

• Insect repellent
• Sturdy leather work gloves
• Hard-soled boots
• Long shirts and pants for bug & sun protection
• A hat for shielding against branch tips and thorns
• PPE, Protective eyewear
• Hydration pack (water bottles are prone to being misplaced)

And remember, every volunteer must sign an annual waiver. You can print a copy from the link below and bring it with you if you'd like, we will always them available for you to sign at the workday.

Our Workdays

Why Join Us?

Workdays form the core of CAMBr's essence. This is when we come together to construct and maintain the thrilling single-track trails we all enjoy riding. Trail work blends artistry with scientific precision, and no prior experience is required, as our friendly team is eager to guide you through the process. Typically scheduled on weekend mornings times vary by trail system, with occasional evening sessions in the summer, these workdays offer a wonderful chance to connect with fellow CAMBr volunteers.

Plus, we'll provide a hearty meal afterward to refuel your spirits! Join us for regular trail maintenance and building sessions. No experience necessary - we'll teach you everything you need to know!

What to Expect?

When joining us for a trail workday, it's essential to be ready for the elements and some good hiking. Many volunteers opt for a change of clothes, particularly in the heat of summer. For cooler days, dressing in layers helps regulate body temperature effectively. Typically, after completing the trail work, we enjoy lunch provided by CAMBr. CAMBr can provide necessary tools, but remember to handle them safely and stick to tools you're comfortable with, especially in hot weather. Poison ivy can be a concern, but basic precautions usually suffice for protection.

Why Volunteer?

Meet Fellow Riders

Connect with the local mountain biking community and make lasting friendships

Give Back

Make a lasting impact on the trails you love to ride

Learn New Skills

Gain trail building knowledge and sustainable construction techniques

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CAMBr Current
Trail Conditions

Natural surface trails and bike parks can be easily damaged when they’re soft, wet and/or muddy.  All trail users should stay off the singletrack trails and jump lines unless they’re dry, or frozen solid.  CAMBr volunteers put in many thousands of hours each year maintaining and constructing trails, and we closely monitor their condition.  

CAMBr uses the Trailbot smartphone app to publish trail conditions updates.  Trailbot is a completely free, ad-free, easy-to-use trail conditions app for iOS and Android  – so you’ll know what to expect before you go, and can make informed decisions when conditions aren’t favorable for hitting the singletrack.  

Visit Trailbot.com to download the app, or find it in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Within the app you’ll find not only current trail conditions updates for all your favorite CAMBr trails, but also weather information, trail descriptions, maps, and other useful links. Trailbot updates are also pushed to our website for easy access.

Please respect the trails, and all the work that goes into them, by staying off when they’re soft.

ABOVE ALL – IF YOU’RE LEAVING AN IMPRINT, IT’S TIME TO LEAVE

WHAT ARE FREEZE/THAW RULES?

There’s a season in the Chicago area, typically between mid-November and the end of March, when temperatures will drop below freezing at night and then warm up above freezing during the day. What this means for the trails is when actually frozen they are hard and good to ride. But when the temps go up and the moisture in the ground thaws, the dirt becomes very soft and muddy. This is because the water in the soil expands when frozen and it looses the tightly packed soil. The result is the trails can become very soft and muddy even if there hasn’t been much rain or snow fall.

So, to protect the trails from damage, only ride when the ground is frozen hard, and get off once the ground begins to warm up. South facing trails will usually soften up first, and if the sun it out and the temps get into the 30’s, you’ll probably need to be done by 10AM.

Remember, if you’re tires are leaving an imprint, it’s too soft to ride. 

Fat Bike Tire Pressure