Bikeway conditions from Rod Holland. 1/18/16

I rode the Minuteman this afternoon from Water Street, Arlington, to Depot Park, Bedford, and back. The trail had been plowed by all three towns, and was generally in good shape, meaning bare pavement, a more-or-less thin layer of packed snow, or smooth ice. Commuter bikes with studded tires will do fine, as will fat bikes. Those with skinny tires and no studs are in for a test of skill, and would probably do better on Mass. Ave. There are a few spots to watch out for: snowplow slop at the trail crossing at Mill Street, Arlington; bumpy ice near the Maple Street overpass, Lexington; a patch of deeper snow at Depot Square, Lexington, picking up ruts now that will harden into hazards soon enough. Interestingly, Bedford has cleared the last 100 yards of the trail at Depot Park, so there isn't any current need to enter and exit the trail via the parking lot.