My favorite road trip got the call Saturday. I usually don’t ride weekends. But I knew this would be a sure thing for enjoyable riding.
Darrin Jr and I left for Tupper Lake in the morning and found a sparely populated Washington Street parking lot. Already had a good feeling about the upcoming ride.
OHHHHHH YEAHHHHH!!!!
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C7 from Tupper Lake to Lake Clear was BEAUTIFUL riding. Aside from a couple of odd rollers, we couldn’t ask for much better.
The plan was to meet Damion’s posse at Charlie’s Inn – as he started riding from Lake Placid. They were running late. Instead of sitting out in the cold, we decided to ride C7B toward Lake Placid to catch them. We met up in metro Saranac Lake. Can’t complain about that dogleg!
From Charlie’s Inn, it was a bit claustrophobic the first few miles with heavy snowmobile traffic kicking up clouds of snow dust under dense evergreen canopy.
Then it was on to C7 pole dancing!
Miles and miles of fun-n-easy riding! A few thin spots along the way, but we didn’t encounter any pebbly areas. The stretch through Sugarloaf exit to Mountain View was even better than sex!
Lunch
Original plan was riding to Malone for lunch. But 4*F temperature and riding into bone-chilling wind changed the destination to Trailside Bar and Restaurant. We wanted to get inside from the cold sooner!
C7 got bumpy into Owls Head. But the S78 exit ramp to Trailside was a smooth white carpet.
Trailside was busy with only one server working the crowd. But honestly, I was fine with staying inside for a while. I dress well for bitter cold. But today’s cold permeated through all my clothing layers.
While waiting for our food to arrive, I stood next to a sunny window and drank coffee to warm up from the inside and out. Our server held her own and brought our food out within reasonable time.
I opted for the smash burger with cheddar, bacon and sauteed mushrooms on a brioche bun. T’was a tasty way to stack calories for the ride back.
Back to Tupper Lake
By late Saturday afternoon, C7/Pole line was wavy in places from weekend traffic. But only a couple of sections were particularly bumpy. Didn’t feel quite as cold with the wind at our backs. Even took a break to sunbathe.
From Charlie’s Inn, Damion’s posse headed back to Lake Placid. Darrin Jr and I had a fun rip back to Tupper Lake and got back to Washington Street parking lot before dark. Spun the track for 110 easy weekend miles.
As we loaded our snowmobiles onto the ilsnow wagon, Tupper Lake Snowmobile Club was heading northward on C7 for its evening run. Should be great for those who want to hit it Sunday!
Ride map
Click here to see ride stats, larger map and 3D Flyover!
Bottom line
This ride was exactly what I wanted: FUN, EASY and laughing my tail off at Damion’s and Darrin Jr’s funny stories at lunch. Weekend riding done right!
The only thing difficult about this ride was bitter cold. But I’ll take that over the 40*F and rain we’ve had far too many days in recent winters.
RIDE! RIDE! RIDE!
For the ilsnow nation,
Darrin
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