I’ve been the ultimate binge rider this winter. In one stretch, the XP sat in the garage for 3 weeks in mid January whilst waiting for snow. Then in mid-February I did 500 miles in a week. Feast or famine, but always a fun time when I get out there. Since the SnoCade 2014 Ride to Newcomb (and beyond), the XP had been stuck in the corral for over a week waiting for a bit of fresh snow to spring her loose.
In another unusual twist to this winter, I’ve ridden in a group or at least one other person the vast majority of the time this winter. I’m used to riding alone about 90 percent of the time. Don’t get me wrong, riding with people is FUN! But sometimes I need to just do a solo ride and do things at my own pace. Even though it was Saturday afternoon and the trails wouldn’t be at their best, I had to take the opportunity to get out there by myself. I decided to take a stroll up to Newcomb.
S84/Blue Mountain trail was loaded with small studders early Saturday afternoon, but it was tolerable. Many of the corners were blown down to ice and scuffed down to dirt in a few places. There were a few slushy/watery spots along the way.
538/Newcomb trail was not board-flat by any means, but it was good enough to make enduring the previous 8 miles of studderclap worth it. Some of the sharp turns were blown down to ice, but overall, I had a decent ride through there. Newcomb trail was somewhat more smooth after I crossed the county line. Joseph Mountain was scuffed down to dirt in some of the usual places, but wasn’t terrible.
C8B over to Newcomb was holding up pretty well, although some of the usual places were scuffed down to dirt and grass. I didn’t clank carbide all that much. The half mile or so to Ord Road was snirty and thin, but was pretty flat since it had been recently groomed. There were a couple of nasty water spots after I had crossed onto Ord Road from where brooks were running under the trail, but the vast majority of that was pretty good riding with some nice views of the distant High Peaks.
On the way back to Indian Lake, I decided to take a run over to Blue Mountain since I was out that way. S84 to Lake Durant was in pretty good shape, save for some “throttle piles” that become the seeds for studderbumps. Old Stage Trail to near Lake Durant Road was half-way decent with deep ski ruts. I actually just let the ruts guide the XP through that single sled-width goat path and that worked out pretty well. 🙂
Old Stage trail from near Lake Durant Road to Blue Mountain Rest was fairly rough. The new trail from Blue Mountain Rest to the Ole Station needs more snow, but it’s safe enough to make it for gas. On the return trip I cut over to Lake Durant and had a nice blast across that lake.
S84/Blue Mountain trail back to Indian Lake was starting to get pretty brutal by late afternoon, approaching washboard junk for large stretches. When I got back to town, I was happy to make a straight run back to the compound and call it a ride after 73 miles.
Bottom line:
It was a decidedly mediocre ride, one that will fade from my memory like hundreds of rides in the past. But Saturday’s ride served its purpose and scratched the itch. If the groomers hit the trails by Sunday morning, you can have a decent ride. But if they don’t…well, that’s your problem…not mine! 🙂
The fresh 2-3 inches of snow we got this week freshened things up nicely. I had absolutely no overheating issues. The foundation is still there, but we simply need a 6-12 inch snowstorm to make things great again. Nothing big on the horizon for this week, but it will stay cold enough for what we’ve got to stick around.
Keep up with ride reports on the ilsnow.com bulletin board.
Darrin @ ilsnow.com
