Unbelievable!!!

First Ride 2010-2011

Riders: MB, Bill and Gregg
Miles: MB and Bill - 71; Gregg - 20?

What a crazy day! We were excited to get out on the trails for the first ride of the season. We had a quick breakfast at P&H Truck Stop and then headed up to the Butterfield Parking Lot in Groton to meet up with Gregg. When we got to the lot Gregg said his sled wasn't running right and thought he needed a battery. We drove him back home so he could go get a new battery and made plans to meet back up in the lot.

Bill and I went back to Butterfield and were taking the sleds off the new trailer, the sleds slid out fast and the top of the new trailer came down and smashed the windshield and mirror right off my sled and broke Bill's windshield too. What the @#$%^&!!!! At that point I was ready to give in and call it a day. Maybe it wasn't such a good idea to go riding after all. Bill was anxious to test out his new machine so we went around the loop and rode as far as we could before the trails got really messy.

After about 40 miles we went back to the lot to meet up with Gregg. He was just finishing up getting the new battery in and we were in business. We rode around the same trails for about an hour or so and since the temperatures were rising we decided to head back before it got really bad.

Bill and I were at an intersection waiting for Gregg to catch up which was unusual because we usually ride in a tight group. After a few minutes Gregg flew by and yelled out that he couldn't stop because his sled was not running right. His sled was backfiring and popping and he was trying to ride as fast and as far as he could to get back home. We made it down the trail about 5 miles when I noticed that the exhaust on Gregg's sled was getting red, especially on the left side.

I was watching his exhaust heat up and was thinking I should try to stop him to let him know I had a tow rope so he didn't blow his motor trying to ride it all the way back. Before we got another 5 miles down the trail there were actual 6"-8" flames coming out of the exhaust and burning right up Gregg's back.

I knew I had to get him to stop somehow because he had no idea his sled was ON FIRE! I decided the only option I had was to try to run him off the trail to get him to stop. I sped up and tried to get around him but he was so intent on getting back it took him a while to even notice I was beside him.

Bill was behind me so he had no idea why I was riding like a maniac on the wrong side of the trail. I finally got up beside Gregg and forced him to stop and screamed "YOUR SLED'S ON FIRE!!!" Gregg jumped off and we both immediately started grabbing armfuls of snow and throwing it on the flames. Gregg was yelling to get back because the fire was running under his seat and getting closer and closer to the gas tank. Bill was trying to get the seat off and eventually just ripped the thing right off even though it bolted on. We finally got the fire out and then had to figure out how to get his sled back home.

Thankfully I carry a tow rope so Bill was able to tow Gregg back. It was over 10 miles back to Butterfield. It had started to warm up and the trails were barely covered so Bill had to stay on the throttle at a steady speed so they didn't get stuck going uphill. I wish I had my camera out at the time because it was hysterical watching Gregg try to hold on as Bill went over bumps and around corners. The whole ten miles back Bill's sled was throwing snow and ice rooster tails right in Gregg's face.

About 5 miles before we got back to Butterfield I slid off the trail and amazed myself by throttling it out without any help. I knew Bill wasn't going to stop 'til he got them back to the parking lot so I was on my own.

So, that was the start to the 2010-2011 season. I'm hoping the rest of the season is uneventful. Whew...we live to ride another day.

Ride on.

Welcome Back

Welcome Back to VT Riders. It's been a long time.

Here's a snapshot of the past few months.
I always have good intentions of posting about our summer (non-snowmobiling) adventures but it just doesn't seem to happen. We only got out on the ATVs a few times this season but the good news is that one of the rides was up Mt. Washington. Once again, we lucked out with good weather and had a great day. My ATV was a little temperamental at the start and I had to evict a family of mice that made a home in the seat, but it all worked out ok.

I can't wait to get out on my snowmobile. I'm happy to welcome Bill back to team Skidoo. He bought a 2009 GSX1200. We plan on getting a few miles in around the loop in Groton on Friday. I can't wait. I'm praying for lots of snow and many miles of riding this season.

See you soon. I promise.

Hope you have a healthy and very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Last Ride - Die Hards Only

Riders: MB and Bill

Miles: 34

I can't believe it is the second week in March and the trails in the Northeast are closed or are closing. Bill and I were waiting to get some good snow so we could take a snowmobiling vacation but it never happened. I'm glad we didn't book an expensive cabin and then not be able to ride.

We decided to go to the Upper Valley Grill for breakfast. We knew it wouldn't be crowded with sleds since the trail to the store has been closed for a while. We were debating whether we were going to ride the loop and the gore trails when a group of guys we know came in and said they were going for their last ride. We were just finishing our meal and decided to beat them out on the trails before it all melted.

We geared up at Gregg's camp where the sleds have been staying all week. I hate leaving them outside in the elements but it was nice to just jump on them and ride instead of having to unload and load them on the trailer.

It was below freezing overnight so the trails were really stiff. It made it hard to steer out of the tracks on the trail. After an hour or so it started loosening up and getting really wishy washy. We screamed around the heights, did the loop, the 2005 trail and 302C. We rode as far as we could towards Washington and then headed back around and did the loop again.

This season has been such a disappointment. I'm just starting to come to grips with the fact that I won't be able to ride again until December. Even if we get some snow now it won't be enough to get a base and the warm days will melt it away too quick.

I had hoped to put record miles on this year but ended the season with a mere 830 miles. The sugar is running fast and mud season is here. I'm going to have to start the countdown until next season. Only 9 months to go.

Last Ride?

Riders: MB and Bill

Miles: 48

Since I'm out of work and have the time I was hoping to put record miles on my sled this season (2000+) but it looks like I'm not even going to break 800 miles.

It was below freezing overnight so we decided to get out early and get a few more miles in while we still can. It was nice to be able to just get on the sleds and ride out of Gregg's camp instead of having to unload them off the trailer. I wish our camp had direct access to the trails. We are so close but not close enough.

Once again we were confined to riding in the state park. We stopped by Buzzy and Betty Eastman's weekend long bonfire on the way back and got to personally thank them for all their hard work. They do so much to keep the trails in great condition and we really appreciate all of their efforts. I can't believe I didn't take any pictures while we were there but we didn't stay very long since we wanted to take advantage of what was left of the snow.

It was a beautiful sunny day and the snow was quickly melting right before our eyes. I can't believe it isn't even the middle of March and the trails are almost bare. I'm hoping we get enough snow in the next couple of weeks to be able to get out a few more times before the end of the riding season but it doesn't look likely.

Limited Riding

Riders: MB, Bill and Gregg

Miles: 68

I can't remember a season where the trail to the Upper Valley Grill has been closed due to lack of snow this early in the season. What is going on with the crazy weather? Tons of snow down south but none in Canada or the Northeast Kingdom.

We did a lot of running around to get our sleds to the trail today. Our truck with the victim of a hit and run last Tuesday night so it's in the shop being fixed and we don't have a vehicle to tow the snowmobile trailer.

Last night we made arrangements to borrow my father-in-law's truck, drive it to the camp, pick up the trailer, drop the sleds at Gregg's camp, take the truck back to my FIL at the farm and then drive back to our camp.

On the way up north we realized that my FIL did not have a hitch on his truck so it wasn't going to do us any good. We ended up calling our VT neighbor, Glenn, and arranging to borrow his truck so we could get the sleds to the park. It was easier for us since we didn't have to drive so far out of our way. We had to gas up at P&H and get down the road to Gregg's without lights on the snowmobile trailer since Gregg's truck didn't have a plug for lights. Good thing we didn't run into the law and there weren't many people on the road.

The riding was limited to the high elevations in the park and the snow was melting by the minute. The snow conditions in the heights was decent but as soon as we started to get into the lower elevations it got muddy and bare. We turned around three or four times when we got to some dirt roads we would have had to skip down. We did ride down one road and went the wrong way and ended up riding about a mile in the mud. That part wasn't fun but we were able to get back on the snowy trail and wash all the mud off.

We rode out towards Washington and saw one of the groomers that lost its track stuck off the side of the trail.

On the way back we saw a group of guys there trying to get it out before it got any warmer and they would have had to leave it there until next winter. We didn't have to wait long for the crew to move out of the trail and let us pass by. They didn't need our help and we still had riding to do before all the snow melted.

It was worth all the hassle to get the sleds to Gregg's so we could ride this weekend since it looks like it may be our last.

We had to leave our sleds outside in the elements at Gregg's camp until we get our truck back so we can trailer them out of there. At least, for now, they are sitting on snow.

Short Rough Ride

Riders: MB and Bill

Miles: 42

Bill and I fueled up ourselves and the sleds at P&H early and got out on the trails. I was hoping for better conditions today since we got some flurries last night but it wasn't enough. There was lots of ski chatter from the icy conditions just under a light layer of fluffy snow. We didn't ride very far today because of the ice and thin cover. It isn't worth it when you think of the cost of new skis or the wear and tear on the track.

We did run into the law at the parking lot off of 232 but we had already gotten our safety check the week before so we were able to quickly get back to our ride.

The forecast is promising some snow for the coming week but Bill has to work next weekend so we won't be able to ride again until the following week. I hope the snow sticks around until we can get back up north.

Mother Nature, more snow PLEASE!

Thin Cover

Riders: MB, Bill and Gregg

Miles: 117

We ate a quick breakfast at the camp, topped off the gas tanks at P&H, stopped at Absolute Power for oil and headed up to the Butterfield lot to meet Gregg.

We knew our riding would be limited since we hadn't really gotten any more snow since last week. The trails were decent in the park and in the higher elevations but everything in between was pretty bad.

It's unbelievable how quickly the conditions can go from good to terrible in just a few miles. The photo above was taken as we were leaving the Ledges area but then we were quickly back to bare spots, ice and thinly covered trails.

Still praying for snow.

OUCH!

This post has nothing to do with riding unless you consider my slide on the ice a ride. Is there a support group out there for klutzes 'cause I could really use one.

It's pretty comical that my mother worries about me when I'm out snowmobiling, ATVing, hiking, bungee jumping or playing other potentially dangerous sports because I generally only get injured doing every day things, you know, like braking my foot walking down my driveway or this klutzy move I made.

Bill and I were carrying a marble counter top into the camp when I slipped on the ice and snow and smashed my head on the marble. OWWWW! OMG! Pain! Blood! OOOOOUCH!!! It was awful. My sunglasses broke and there was blood everywhere. I have a cut above my eyebrow and my eyelid is swollen and looks like I have dark purple eye shadow on. I guess I'm lucky I didn't make contact with the marble an inch one way (eyeball) or the other (temple) because I expect that could have been much worse.

I called my primary doctor's office and the eye doctor to ask if they think it's necessary for me to have it checked out. I didn't black out, I'm not having any problems with my vision or any headaches so my doctor didn't think I needed to come in unless it gets worse. I spoke to the eye doctor too and she said I could come in the office if I wanted but she thinks it will be fine.

UGHHH! It seems like these things only happen to me. It's a miracle I can get through the day without injuring myself. It's a good thing I signed up for COBRA coverage so I still have health insurance. A person like me should never be without it.

I look like I went a few rounds in the boxing ring with Rocky and lost.

Please ignore the fact that I am long overdue to have my brows waxed. It doesn't look like I'll be getting them waxed anytime soon.

If anyone asks me what happened I'm just going to say "oh, this is nothing, you should see the other guy."

This is my all natural impression of Mimi from the Drew Carey Show:

Valentine's Day Ride

Riders: MB and Bill

Miles: 72

My favorite Valentine and I took a short ride from Groton to Joe's Pond today. The trails were actually in slightly better condition than they were yesterday. It even started snowing pretty heavily in the mountains while we were out. Where's the snow?

Happy Valentine's Day!

Mixed Signals

Riders: MB, Bill, Gregg
Miles: 109

I didn't have high expectations of getting good riding conditions during our drive up to Vermont. There was hardly any snow on the side of the road and the fields were bare. It didn't look good.

Bill and I ate breakfast at P&H truck stop and then headed up to the Butterfield lot to meet up with Gregg. We rode out of the state park which was in surprisingly good shape. We hit some bare spots and one cornfield in Peacham where the trail was totally gone and we had to ride through hay and frozen dirt for about a mile or so but that was the worst of it.

We made it past Marty's and up to the Ledges where we hung out by the bonfire for a while and took a break. We rode back the same way we went because we knew the conditions weren't that bad and we didn't know if we would have any long road skips or bare trails going a different route.

It's really important to signal other riders when you are snowmobiling so when there are three of us riding the lead person will hold up 2 fingers to oncoming traffic indicating there are 2 more riders coming, the second person will hold up 1 finger indicating there is one rider behind and then last person will hold up a fist indicating that they are the last rider.

I like to ride in the middle of the group because I can ride faster when I can see the sled in front of me going over bumps or turns in the trail. I had been riding really fast to catch up to Gregg who was in the lead and I was signaling 1 to all the groups we passed until I noticed another sled behind Bill. I thought another rider had come up on us and was looking for a place to pull to the side so they could pass us even though I thought Gregg was still in front. It was so funny when I finally pulled off the trail and realized Gregg was behind Bill. He pulled off the trail and hid behind a tree line so I rode right past him without even noticing. He did the same thing on the way back too. I felt bad for giving other riders the wrong signals but it was really funny that I didn't even notice him pulling off the trail.

All and all it was a good ride but we desperately need more snow.

Long Day of Riding to Beat the Rain

Riders: MB, Bill, Gregg and Jason

Miles: 195

WOW! We had a great ride today but I am sore. I have a big blister on the palm of my left hand and a serious case of throttle thumb aside from the usual muscle aches. I think I'm going to have to give up my favorite pair of gloves because I have worn a hole through them and now have a big blister. Ouch.

They are forecasting warm temperatures and lots of rain in the coming week so we were anxious to get out and put some miles on the sleds before what little snow there is melts or gets washed away.

Bill and I decided to save some time and money and eat breakfast at the camp before heading out to meet Gregg and Jason at the Butterfield parking area in Groton at 9:00 a.m. We got up early, ate and were making great time until we tried to hook up the trailer. The trailer lock was frozen so Bill put the torch to it to warm it up only to then break the key off inside the lock. UGGHH! Bill worked his usual McGyver magic and got the lock cut off and we were on our way.

We made it to the crowded Butterfield lot right on time and met up with Gregg and Jason. We set out through the state park and stopped at one of our favorite spots to take a quick break off the groomed trail. I had the guys ride in front of me to break the trail going in but I got sucked off the trail heading back out and can't believe I didn't get stuck. I was trying to maneuver my sled back uphill to the trail in 2'+ of powder when I realized I wasn't going to make it without hitting a big mound of snow which I assumed was a rock so I headed back down hill around the rock only to come up to a big tree with lots of hanging limbs. I ended up riding through the hanging tree branches, avoiding a pole and using all the strength I had to pull the sled to the right and up an incline to get back on the broken in trail before hitting a wooden sign pole.

Bill and Gregg were riding in front so they didn't see any of it and Jason thought I was just having fun blazing my own trail. It was so crazy and my heart was pounding but I was very happy I didn't have to have the guys come back and dig me out of the powder.

We rode hard and fast up into Danville, stopped at Marty's to gas up and then headed up through Burke into Island Pond. We stopped again in Island Pond for gas, a quick snack and hot drink before heading back out on the trail. The conditions were variable depending on whether we were in higher elevations or high traffic areas.

I only got to take a few pictures early in the day before losing all battery power. Of course I had back-up batteries but all EIGHT batteries were either too cold to work or not charged. I was disappointed because I missed out on some great photo opportunities. Oh well, next time, right?

We left Groton at 9:00 a.m. and didn't get back to the parking lot until 8:30 p.m. As usual, we were the last ones out of the parking area after a spectacular day of riding.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it doesn't get too warm and the rain doesn't wash all the snow away. I hope we get to ride next weekend.

Think snow.

First Ride in 2010

Riders: MB, Bill and Gregg

Miles: 145

Saturday was the best day of 2010 so far. We finally got on the snowmobile trails for our first ride of the 2010 season. We didn't get as much snow as they got in Burlington, VT (30"+) or as much as we have in the city but there was enough to ride so I was happy.

I was even more happy about being able to ride the Peacham trails which have been closed for about 3 seasons now. There has been some dispute that has kept the trails closed and cut us off from the trails northeast of us. I'm so excited they are open now and we can easily get to Danville and points north.

Bill and I had a quick breakfast at P&H and then drove to the Butterfield parking lot where we planned to meet Gregg. We got there a few minutes early so we took the trail to Gregg's house to pick him up. We rode out of Groton, through the old/new Peacham trail, up into Danville and over into East Burke where we had lunch at Cole's Filling Station.

It was really cold with the temps only in the single digits but that didn't stop us from riding 145 miles. We stopped at Marty's Pit Stop on the way home and got some steaks to grill.

The trail conditions were decent but we definitely need more snow. There were a few water bars and some holes to maneuver around but no major obstacles. The few roads we had to scrape down where covered with a bit of snow so it wasn't bad at all. Bill and I both have new Bergstrom carbides on our sleds so I wasn't worried about damaging my skiis and had really good steering control.

I was pretty sore the next day which usually happens after the first day of riding. I could barely lift my arms but it was a good sore feeling. I would have gone riding again on Sunday but Bill is still recovering from being sick so we decided to take it easy and just hang around the camp.

I can't wait to ride again. Pray for snow!