Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 82
It was only 11 degrees when we left the camp this morning so the dirt roads were frozen solid instead of muddy. We stopped at Lyndonville Diner for a quick breakfast and then drove up to Island Pond to get what was left of the trails. We were only the 4th truck to park in the back lot behind the lake but it filled up to capacity before we unloaded and got on the trail.
The trail was pretty bad and scratchy when we first headed out. We met up with the State Troopers at the first intersection. The same troopers we saw last week that hassled us about our insurance card being expired. They said the groomers were out last night and the conditions were pretty decent considering the warm temps the past week.
We rode in circles around trails 114, 102, 96, 97, 98, the Skidoo trail and finally the 2000 trail where we met up with the State Troopers again. The trails in the higher elevations were pretty flat and in decent condition, probably better than last week. We had to turn around a few times when we started heading down into the valleys where there was more and more dirt, grass and mud patches. The icy corners weren't as bad as last week but there were definitely more bare spots to dodge.
We tried to convince Gregg to come with us but he just wanted to ride local. He said the conditions were poor in Groton, his sled overheated a couple of times. It was definitely worth the trailer ride to get up to Island Pond for the better conditions. I'm still hoping it's not the last one. Think snow.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Fixed It
We had to leave early today so we didn't make it out on the trails. Bill put the new mirror on my GSX and also put the carburetor sockets on my Legend after we dug it out of the snow. The Legend is now ready to ride again. Bill and I both took it for a spin around the yard and then Bill took it for a test ride around the neighborhood. I'd love to be able to sell the Legend soon. It's sad to see it sitting unused all season. I'm thinking of registering it next year and letting friends ride it but it's a big expense and risky if they crash it up.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Spring Conditions
Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 55
The trail conditions didn't look too good in our area so we decided to head up to Island Pond. We got to the backside of the pond parking area and it was packed. We went to back the trailer in the last space and some guy pulled up on his sled and said it was taken so we had to turn around and park down the road at the fish and game boat launch.
The pond was complete covered with smooth ice with not a speck of snow for traction so it was a slippery ride onto the trail. Good thing we didn't have to go the whole length across, we just cut around the back corner and got on the trail. My sled kept wanting to spin out and if I slowed down or sped up too much I just spun my track.
The snow was a little thin until we got a few miles up in the higher elevations. We didn't want to do any long road skips so we just circled around the Skidoo trail, the 2000 trail, 114 and 102. I could almost forget it was spring once we go up in the hills but I couldn't stop thinking this could be my last ride.
We didn't stay out very long, only 55 miles, but I'm hoping we'll get another couple of rides in before it turns to mud. We still have snow at the camp but the driveway will be mud by the next time we get up there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some heavy spring snowstorms to keep the trails going 'til the end of the riding season. The forecast doesn't look promising. Think snow.
Miles: 55
The trail conditions didn't look too good in our area so we decided to head up to Island Pond. We got to the backside of the pond parking area and it was packed. We went to back the trailer in the last space and some guy pulled up on his sled and said it was taken so we had to turn around and park down the road at the fish and game boat launch.
The pond was complete covered with smooth ice with not a speck of snow for traction so it was a slippery ride onto the trail. Good thing we didn't have to go the whole length across, we just cut around the back corner and got on the trail. My sled kept wanting to spin out and if I slowed down or sped up too much I just spun my track.
The snow was a little thin until we got a few miles up in the higher elevations. We didn't want to do any long road skips so we just circled around the Skidoo trail, the 2000 trail, 114 and 102. I could almost forget it was spring once we go up in the hills but I couldn't stop thinking this could be my last ride.
We didn't stay out very long, only 55 miles, but I'm hoping we'll get another couple of rides in before it turns to mud. We still have snow at the camp but the driveway will be mud by the next time we get up there. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for some heavy spring snowstorms to keep the trails going 'til the end of the riding season. The forecast doesn't look promising. Think snow.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Vacation Recap
We rode more than 760 miles all over the Northeast Kingdom in all sorts of conditions. There was tons of snow, groomed and ungroomed trails, full coverage, bare coverage, slush, ice and a combination of it all. We had frigid cold temperatures and warmer spring-like temperatures.
Thankfully there were minimal damages/injuries. I had to buy a new bracket for my mirror that got broken when the guys took my sled off the bed of the pick-up but the bracket was only $10. The actual mirror was $60 but I don't need it - I just need the bracket.
Bill has a bruise on the side and back of his knee from a spin maneuver gone wrong but it is already turning shades of yellow and doesn't seem to be hurting too much. We both have sore hands from riding so many miles with a series case of "throttle thumb" but it was well worth it.
The cabin we stayed at on Lake Willoughby inspired us to finally put that addition on the Love Shack. We're hoping to get that done in the spring.
I hope the snow holds out until we can get back up north on the 13th. I need to start planning the next vacation so I have something to look forward to and get me through the work weeks.
Thankfully there were minimal damages/injuries. I had to buy a new bracket for my mirror that got broken when the guys took my sled off the bed of the pick-up but the bracket was only $10. The actual mirror was $60 but I don't need it - I just need the bracket.
Bill has a bruise on the side and back of his knee from a spin maneuver gone wrong but it is already turning shades of yellow and doesn't seem to be hurting too much. We both have sore hands from riding so many miles with a series case of "throttle thumb" but it was well worth it.
The cabin we stayed at on Lake Willoughby inspired us to finally put that addition on the Love Shack. We're hoping to get that done in the spring.
I hope the snow holds out until we can get back up north on the 13th. I need to start planning the next vacation so I have something to look forward to and get me through the work weeks.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Crash Site - Before and After
The photo on the left is the ditch Bill hit last year and the photo on the right is what it looks like now. I wonder how many other people broke their back there last year.
I was surprised how far the store was that Bill rode back to with a broken back. Ouch. I thought it was only a couple of miles but it was over 8. It was a much better ride this year.
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