2008-2009 Season - First Ride

Riders: MB (Skidoo), WildBill (Yamaha), Gregg (Yamaha), Jason the Dairy Farmer (Polaris)
Miles:

The first ride of the season was wet and icy. Bill and I met Gregg and Jason in the Butternut parking lot in Groton Saturday morning. It was barely drizzling when we started out but we didn't care, we were happy to be out on the trails which were in decent condition considering how much snow we got early. We stopped at our usual spot in the state park and then we headed out as the rain continued to come down heavier and heavier.

After a few hours we hit a long road skip which was totally iced over. My sled kept spinning round and round, I couldn't get any traction. I had to run down the edge so I wouldn't spin out. The guys had to pull my sled skis around a few times after I did a 180. At least after the double 360s I was facing in the right direction. I thought I was going to flip it when I tried to pick up speed and it went into wild spins. I've never had picks on my track but could have really used them on this ride.

The weather was getting worse and we were about 3/4 way around a loop after skipping down a icy road for miles when the trail ended. We could see where the trail was but it hadn't been broken in yet and there was no way we were going to be breaking trail so we had to turn around and go back down the long icy road. It wasn't fun.

On the way back, Gregg and Bill were in front when they took a right off the trail. I thought the trail went right but because Bill's tail lights were out I didn't see him take the turn. I stopped to ask Jason if he saw where they went and he said they must have gone straight or they would have stopped. Jason and I ended up down another road icy road for a mile or so. I spun out again and then Jason and I finally turned around and went back to the last intersection because I had a feeling we missed a turn. Bill and Gregg should have waited (and they know it) but Bill thought I saw him turn - he forgot his lights were out.

It was a long wet ride back to the truck. All of us were soaked to the bone by the time we made it back to the truck. I don't think I've ever been so wet in my snowmobile gear, my underwear was soaked. UGGH!

To top off a rough and wet day, Bill almost gave himself a concussion when he loaded the sleds on the trailer. He didn't duck low enough and whacked his head on the trailer. Ouch.

I was happy to have gotten out on the trails but it wasn't the best ride. I hope we'll have better rides in '09.