Today is the day the trails were supposed to close. Unfortunately, we had too many warm days and not enough snowfall. We probably could have gotten out for one more ride in the higher elevations but we would have been confined to a very small area and the conditions would have been really bad. I don't like abusing my sled riding down muddy roads and over rocky trails to find what little snow is out there. The season is short enough so when the snow melts early and the trails have to close down it is very disappointing.
Practically everyone I know is excited about the warmer weather and looking forward to summer. I'm counting the days until I can ride again. It is such a long wait (December 15th).
We are deep into mud season in the Northeast Kingdom so it's pretty drab and dreary looking. It wasn't even a very good sugaring season either as they didn't have many warm days and cool nights which are the best conditions for a good sugar run. Not that we use much of it but maple sugar prices will be up this year.
We had some great riding this season but I didn't get nearly enough. I really wanted to get over 2,000 miles. I was close but didn't quite make it. I want more snow and a longer riding season. Maybe we need to think about moving to Canada or Alaska. I hear they have better snowmobiling conditions there.
I'll be posting about our ATV riding soon but I don't love it as much as I love snowmobiling. Riding the ATV is muddy and buggy and just not as much fun but you're welcome to come along for the rides.
Spring has sprung. I'm counting the days until I can ride again.
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spring. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Last Ride ?
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.
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.
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.
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