Rich and Zach Lupia of UpstateSnow.com were planning a guest appearance on the ilsnow show last week. But those plans fell through and I embarked on my solo mega-miler instead.
This week, we would NOT be denied. Darrin Jr was able to blow off work Tuesday. So, we loaded up the ilsnow mobile command center and made the trip to meet Rich and Zach for a Father & Son (times two) Tug Hill ride.
We embarked on the trip in West Leyden from a friend’s house on Southern Tug Hill Sno-Riders trail system and ran C7B and C4A up to Highmarket. The riding was good-to-great right away and we encountered a decent snow squall.
Once we got past Barrow’s Performance, snow ended and the clouds parted to reveal a cobalt blue sky that we spent the rest of the day riding under.
We pressed through C4F past Highmarket Inn enroute to Tabolts Corners. That was more good-to-great riding through the seasonal roads. Did the stopover at Whetstone Gulf on C4H.
From there, we hit C5H and C5A to Flat Rock Inn. Then Rich guided us through C5B and C5K to Copenhagen. The only bumpy area we encountered up to this point in the ride was passing through Maples. Most of this stretch was amazing farm field and seasonal road riding!
And here’s a shot of some straight arrow riding…
Going through downtown Copenhagen required some bare pavement riding, but we slithered through unscathed. Then we arched C5 through Barnes Corners and over to Tug Hill Hook and Ladder for lunch.
By this time, it was early afternoon and I was more than ready to get out of the cold and eat! The place was nearly packed with dozens of sleds in the parking lot. Lunch didn’t disappoint…
After lunch, we completed our loop back to Tabolts Corners by running Flat Rock Road over to C5H via Carey Road and French Road. The first couple miles of Flat Rock Road was the bumpiest and roughest ride of the day.
But overall, there were lots of thumbs up today!
The way back
The run from Barrows Performance back to West Leyden was a bit worn in spots from the day’s traffic. But the last several miles to home base were in good enough shape to provide an excellent end to an amazing ride that added up to 120 miles.
Snow pack on “the Hill” was around 2 feet deep and a fresh 1-3 inches of pow-pow covered the plowed road sections nicely to keep the ride moving along.
It was simply an awesome day to ride with Rich, Zach and Darrin Jr. I’m so glad we were able to get this in! In my years of snowmobiling, I’ve never met anyone with a greater heart than Rich Lupia. It’s truly an honor to count him as one of my best friends.
Go out there and get it! We don’t have many tomorrows promised to us as we approach the Back 9 of Winter.
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
This report is brought to you by Progressive Motorsports, celebrating their 29th year. They live, eat and breathe snowmobiling. Stop in today and see for yourself! Be sure to tell Karen that Darrin @ ilsnow.com sent ya.
