In an attempt to improve my cross terrain style skills I headed out on a warm(ish) wet day when the snow-melt was largely in or on the ground. I knew these conditions would be a little testing for me as long as I stood up to them. I figured on doing a part cross ride and then trying to use roads to link over toward the Minuteman trail and loop back with that. I went out through the local park and discovered just how slick and sticky the mud could be. It was hard to 'read' how bad any given patch might be. Having gotten a taste of it and feeling like I was managing ok (shift down, spin, don't unclip, commit) I headed out along the river choosing the dirt/gravel more often than not. I then took my usual way out west along the Charles and when I encountered a fallen metal fence I took a quick look to ensure the wheel wouldn't stick on the railing and rode over that whole thing. There were plenty of mud and gravelly sections and even a few patches of the last of the snow but I did it all with hardly a dab. Once I got out through Auburndale Park (including a slippy/sticky uphill) I transitioned onto the road to go over the hill to Conant Rd. As I passed the trail leading to the Weston Reservoir and u-turned to take it. The first part was a bit sketchy as I traversed a very bumpy but still soggy elevated railbed like grass to get to the gravel/cinder path that runs around the res. I stuck with it though and then headed off to circumnavigate the reservoir. I keep thinking that this area will be ride-able (on a cx bike) if only I find the right path. Well today wasn't that day (and I'm beginning to think it's a fools errand). I encountered many rooted sections that also had many jutting exposed rocks. I just about managed this stuff by carefully picking a path but was worried about pinch-flatting. Then I came across flooded ice patches. Quite long and molded into "mini-moguls" by dog walkers etc. I very carefully bailed and just about found a way to cross the section and then stick to the edges. Back on the bike and then very shortly another one. I waited for more people to pass (quite a few out) and then decided I might try and ride on the left gutter - a few yards along and I had to switch sides and get across 4 or 5 feet of flooded ice. I chickened a bit and never got on the saddle. With too much weight on the front wheel I was basically doomed to fall from the start. I got about halfway and then the wheel shifted out from under me, my right leg went out to catch me, that slipped immediately, I weighted the front out the other side, reacted and ended up slipping back out to the left with the bike coming down seemingly both under me and on top of me. Luckily it was so slow as speed as to be completely damage free although I'm sure I provided some comedic value to the dog walkers. After brushing myself down I carefully got over the icy section (on foot) and then did an off-piste bike carry up to the next trail over (higher up), this was barely any better but the ice sections were a bit smaller. More slow negotiations and then finally I was out into a rough soggy field. It felt so much better than I could have possibly imagined to ride on sucking, mussy wet and lumpy grass. This led me to the road where I was frankly rather glad to put all that behind me. I rode over to Conant and then, still holding to the plan, onto Old Conant Rd. which was more paved than I remember, but did have a couple hundred yard of uphill soggy grass and leaves. The speeds came down but I'm pleased that I hung on in and rode it out without a dab. After this I headed over to Trapelo and decided I couldn't really make it to the Minutemen easily and I'd taken a lot of extra time getting past the Weston Res. and so headed back on the road until Watertown where I switched back to getting a last section of mucky riding along the river. A quick, slick blast through the Park and I was home and done, fairly exhausted but happy with the fact that I'd achieved dealing with the conditions very well (for me anyway) and that I'm beginning to think the Weston Reservoir is a mountain bike only kind of place.