Riders: MB and Bill
Miles: 98
I can't believe it is Friday already. The week went by so fast. The forecast is calling for warm temps and rain this afternoon so we got out on the trails early. We had breakfast at the Grill and rode from Groton, all the way up the railroad bed, through Cabot, into Walden. It must have been really windy last night because there were lots of downed branches and debries in the trail. We even had to ride over a 40" tree that was at least 10" round that was down across the trail. We rode over the top side of it on the side of the trail.
We were almost into Danville when Bill lost the underbelly cover off his sled. He knew he was missing a bolt under there and it probably would have been ok if he didn't try to back up on the trail. Snow got pushed up under the cover and it got ripped off. Bill spent about a 1/2 hour taking it off and putting the front plastic piece back on. Good thing it was really warm on the trail so we weren't cold standing around fixing his sled. Bill rigged the plastic piece under my storage bag on my sled so it looked like I had a racing fin on it but it was the only place it would fit.
It was 34 degrees when we got on the trail with the sun trying to peak out but it stayed overcast most of the day and the trails were surprisingly firm considering the temperatures. We did hit a few water bars and a couple of mud patches around the tight corners. The coverage was a little thin in the deep woods but overall the conditions were decent.
We finally swung around to Marty's in Danville to pick up some steaks for tonight and get gas. As soon as we left Marty's it got extremely windy and started to rain heavily. The first 70 miles of the ride were like good spring conditions and the last part was the bad side of spring conditions - rain.
I only had to wear one layer and no neck gator, it was nice not to have to bundle up so much. The last 28 miles of the ride were rainy, wet and slushy. It was a little better riding back through the state park but the trails will be done if we have another couple of warm days without more snow.
We lucked with the big storm the beginning of the week but it is melting just as fast as it came down. I was hoping to get a short ride in tomorrow before we head back to the city but it may be too warm and rainy.
I wish I had another week off to ride. I can't believe it is Friday already. This week went by so fast. I don't want to go back to work .... The worst thing about a great snowmobiling vacation is you never want it to end.
I still want to ride ...
Showing posts with label rain. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rain. Show all posts
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, December 29, 2008
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.
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.
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