Seeing all those fresh groomer tracks around town on Monday compelled me to do a night ride after work Tuesday. The fresh inch of snow we got Tuesday afternoon into the evening was the frosting on the cake that made it look like mid-winter.
As soon as I got out on the trails, I was happy I did. The heavily traveled Indian Lake village trails were good to occasionally excellent riding: stretches of near board flat-riding interspersed with nothing worse than some very low bumps and a few dimples. A few corners were a bit icy, but nothing on par with the blown corners of last weekend. Sabael Trail was in good to occasionally excellent shape as well.
Ski Hut trail, 42nd and Broadway and S86A/Little Canada from Sawmill Road over to Lone Birch Motel were all sensational. I was sure to hit those trails several times each in the course of my ride this evening. Lake Adirondack was rough near Route 28, but not bad for the rest of it.
S84 out to Blue Mountain was a nice ride. Aside from some small hard studders just after the Cedar River Bridge, it was a high quality ride all the way out to Rock Lake, ranging from near board flat to a few small bumps. There were a bit more in the way of small studders after Rock Lake to the junction with 538/Newcomb trail, but certainly not bad enough to ruin the ride. Watch out for a few minor slushy/water spots along the way.
The remainder of S84 out to Lake Durant was freshly groomed and I got to make the first tracks. Doesn’t get much sweeter than that! Old Stage Trail could use grooming to iron out the small rollers and the ski ruts.
Knowing that the remainder of the Old Stage trail from near Lake Durant Road to Blue Mountain Rest was likely to be rough, I jumped over to Lake Durant. There were no fresh tracks on the lake or even a sign of a drag strip. The darkness and light snow fall was enough to disorient me to the point I couldn’t find my way back to the Lake Durant campsites. So, I backtracked to the Old Stage trail and headed for home.
Upon my return to Indian Lake village, I hit all of the sweet spots and refueled for my next ride. Rolled back to the compound with 50 miles and smiling from ear to ear as I’m living the dream!
Midweek Outlook:
Groomers have done a tremendous job in putting the trails back together after the weekend carnage and it’s only Tuesday! I heard that C8 out to Headquarters and Moose River Plains were a good ride. There is some great riding in Speculator as well. Bottom line: All good around Indian Lake and any direction you want to head in. Cold temperatures will keep the trails in good to excellent shape as the groomers continue to make their rounds. Don’t let their great work go to waste. Find a way to call off work, sick or dead, and come up here! I promise you won’t be sorry. 🙂
Got some pictures if you’re still not convinced:
Darrin @ ilsnow.com
