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!

VACATION - Day 8

Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 80

I thought it was going to be too warm to ride today but a cold front must have moved in. It was 19 degrees when we got up so we decided to go for a short ride. Bill cooked me breakfast at the camp and we got out pretty early. We stopped at All Around Power in St. Jay and ordered the screws to fix Bill's belly pan and then stopped at Northeast Ag to pick up the bracket for my mirror.

We tempted fate again by parking in the lot on Rt. 114 in Burke where the tailgate got stolen. Luckily everything was still there when we got back. We rode Rt. 5N to Rt. 114 up to Island Pond. Leaving Burke was icy and slushy but the conditions got better in the higher elevations. We hit quite a few mud patches and icy spots but it wasn't too bad.

I spun my sled around again on Island Pond. The pond was totally iced over with no snow on top for lubrication and my sled loves to spin on that ice. I thought it was going to flip if I tried going over 35-40 miles per hour so I had to take it slow.

We got gas, a quick bite to eat and a hot drink at the Mobil. It was much colder today so we didn't want to take too many breaks out on the trail. We rode behind the pond and came back down through the power line (Rt. 102S). It was hard and flat but sections were so icy in the corners with lots of "surprises" on the trail. The steep parts of the power line were mud and ice. The pipeline was in much better shape so we were able to pick up the speed coming back down into Burke.

We definitely had variable riding conditions all week. I'm glad we were able to ride every day, even in the rain. I wish I had another week to ride. We're not going to be able to come back up for two weeks so hopefully they will get more snow and the conditions will improve.

We got back to the camp early, started packing the truck and getting things straightened so we can head back to the city first thing in the morning. I don't want to leave but I need to go collect those paychecks. I'll have to start planning the next vacation so I have something to look forward to.

Thanks for coming along for the ride. I'll post some vacation pictures soon.

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.