Protruding spikes, Atherton, California. This is not uncommon, so I’m presuming that it doesn’t mean the track is falling apart.

Shot with the Nikon D70s and the 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom at 70mm, ISO 400, f/7.1, shutter 1/125 sec. White balance, exposure, contrast, saturation, levels, highlights, and shadows adjustments in Aperture.