Attending Members: #2, #5, #7, #1776.There was unusual trepidation in the Pres voice in the days before the trip.Why was he in doubt that The County wouldnt be perfectly fine as usual?I fell victim to the wave by suggesting Lyme or the Maine 600 Mile Lakes Region. We learned again that we can trust the postings and condition reports for this area of riding.Im glad we didnt listen to us.
#5 and #1776 were 6 minutes late to the meeting point.I have worked very hard to become an on-time member so I will now put #1776 on the same rigorous time management program I use or he will need to find another neighbor with a snowmobile trailer (gay smiley face here).I gave him a new motto to live by when it comes to riding WPR events: 10 MINUTES EARLY IS ON TIME AND ON TIME IS LATE!Needless to say #7 and the Pres were waiting.
There was also the small matter of the Pres accusing me of reneging on an offer to bring coffee for everyone.Pres, go back and read the post, it is very clear who I said I was making coffee for.But now I felt bad and I will go on the record right here and I WILL BRING COFFEE FOR ALL ATTENDING MEMBERS ON THE NEXT RIDE.Just bring your favorite travel mug and I will bring the Joe.
I just want to say that I have notched up my respect for #7. He is a snowmobiling mogul. Understanding the additional effort he puts in for each and every WPR event and you too will recognize and appreciate this special member. The simplicity and subtlety of his technique is pure poetry.
I will guess that he cat napped from Exit 19 (Tilton) to Exit 32 (Lincoln) since this is when the Pres burned up the batteries on the Talkabout with #1776 and me. He didn't need a coffee stop, or a registration stop, or anything except just a quick off/on pee stop on the side of the highway. Since this was done at a scenic lookout in the heart of spectacular Franconia Notch, it was actually a nice stretch of the legs and chestful of hearty mountain air. Thanks #7s weak bladder, sometimes we drive right through and never stop to see the majesty that is all around us.We live in a special place, we do.
Even though #5 and #1776 didnt have our NH regs, we hit FB Spaulding at 8am and were still making outstanding time.They once again delivered world class service along with great recommendations for the days ride route.We were on the road again, but then #1776s large intestine and colon spoke up.All the coffee and bagels that are such a precious part of his morning routine wouldnt be denied their due time.The only teacher to learn him was that he had to use a plastic porta john so Im sure it wasnt enjoyable.Although he did say that the exhaust fan from the breakfast place was strategically positioned blowing warm waves of pancake and sausage air his way.So maybe it was kind of nice.#2 gave me the task of now installing a mobile toilet in the trailer that members will now use while rolling.
Ok, now a note of recognition on the special ability the Pres has always demonstrated.#1776 and I were once again in awe as he did it again this day.But #1776 had a plan.He started getting dressed for the ride while we were still driving.As the Pres looped about searching for the new parking location near the Groveton Club House, #1776 was frantically putting on his layers, mounting his camera, installing his communicator batteries, and anything else that was in reach.He popped out of the truck and continued his run.But who is he kidding.The Pres was unloaded, running, dressed, planning, gps fiddling, and generally yawning and waiting for the rest of us to go.Even with his great plan in place, #1776 somehow managed to be alone in the parking lot with the others waiting on the trail.I have to cut #1776 a break he is still new to the sport.It is not fair to compare him against those of us who have many years of experience to fine tune our prep routine.He is doing great as a 2nd year rookie.And hes not slow where it counts on the trail!
Well, it was great to be back out on the trail, engine wailing, wind snapping, communicators crackling.It was necessary to keep a watchful eye on the trail edges as there were many repaired washouts.But once again, the groomers of this area are real geniuses.They are miracle workers.They defy physics.There seemed to be little snow on the ground but the trails were wide, flat and consistent hard pack.There was plenty of snow dust indicating sufficient cooling and lubrication.
We went 5 > 134 up to Dixville Peak first.Here there was a lengthy stop to try to fix #1776s sled which was not running well at all.The best part was the Zippety-Doo-Dah-like scene when a fat little bird (later identified by #1776 as a Gray Jay) landed on #7s shoulder to help us look under the hood.These guys were adorable and quite friendly.The snow up here was awesome, the trees bent over under the heavy load on their branches.The sky was clear and the sun bright.#7 patiently waiting without a sound as Two Guys Garage was doing an on location special from the trail.We descended and headed north when we realized that #1776 was burning fuel twice as fast as normal consumption.It was necessary to get him to gas.He had roughly a 50 mile range so for the rest of the trip we basically rode from pump to pump.Later we calculated he burned 32 gallons of gas this day.Ouch, just like us sucking up exhaust, the planet has a headache and feels groggy today.
We topped our bellies up at Happy Corners (obligatory French Onion soup consumed by the bros.) and started the afternoon trek.138 > 20 > 143 > 112 > 18 > 110 > 115 > 19 > 28 > 5.That is the technical route but let me tell you what really happened.Somewhere out on 143 I was leading when the Pres and I were both called by a beautifully enticing ungroomed and unmarked trail like the Sirens rising up to our left.One look and we doubled back into the bumpy puff.Climbing, climbing, climbing, then it got even better.Could it be?Another ungroomed single track rising up to our right.I didnt even ask this time, just stand up and hit the throttle.Climbing and twisting, twisting and climbing, up and up and up.The trees were about 10 feet tall at this point if there were even trees under those mounds of tree shaped snow.I thought we might be on Magalloway Trail (and now when I look at where we were on a map I wasnt far off in fact real close, nothing like the Castle in the Clouds incident.)
We finally broke out of the woods onto a small pond.We crossed the open space and the trail continued up the hill on the other side.I started up but was quickly stopped by a nasty climb I didnt risk.I went ahead on foot but it just went on and on.#2 found some others and learned we were on Stub Hill.We were told we could spend an entire day on these hidden trails.In fact, the people #2 was talking with were actually cooking hot dogs and beans on an open fire on the shore of the pond. This place was paradise.At least 6 feet of snow on the ground and pristine white as far as the eye could see.#2 and I made a plan to come directly to this spot on our next ride up here and just get lost riding around.#2 captured our location on the gps.Remembering #1776s fuel situation we needed to head back down.What an incredible off the beaten path experience.Well be back.
The Pres mysteriously lost his brake at one point.But it came back on its own?It didnt really slow us down at all since we were basically pulled over all day working on 1776s sled every 3.2 miles or so.#3 would have been miserable.But he wasnt since he doesnt really make day rides with us anymore (#3, that was a shot to get you to come with us as soon as possible, you can throw out the next date that works for you.)
Another notable point was when we dumped back out to cross back over Rt.26.#2, was downright giddy dancing about like the sugar plum fairies (at least thats how I would imagine sugar plum fairies would dance about) saying something about he couldnt believe what we just rode.I didnt get it.He said we had just ridden a trail weve never been on before and rejoined the old trail.After he mentioned it, looking back it was a pretty sweet section of trail.Why does he use a gps, his brain is like a gps unit.He has an amazing sense of direction and trail memory.It makes me jealous.
This whole ride #7 has said maybe 10 words the entire trip.And just when I thought he was questioning the amount of time it takes to do this sport, and all the trouble, and all the waiting around while we troubleshoot problems and so forth.He looks at me, opens his face mask, a big smile widens across his face, and he says: what an awesome day of riding huh?Incredible.#7, you reignited my love affair with this sport, and you gave me inspiration when I didnt even know I needed it.Well done and thank you.
During the last push for the trucks, I got to witness one of the best views of riding Ive ever seen.It was just like something out of a James Bond movie.By this time darkness has fallen, #2 and #1776 communicator batteries were burned out.#7 was riding caboose and called out that he was letting a pair of faster riders through.I got the broadcast and since I was riding 2nd, I slowed and motioned for #1776 to push over and let them pass.#2 was leading and had a pretty good clip going.Of course how could he have any idea that the headlight behind him wasnt mine any more.The mystery rider dove to the left but the Pres took the angle away, the rider cut back to the right but the Pres slammed the door.At this point I was howling out loud in my helmet.What a treat!Front row seats to a 15 round heavyweight battle.The mystery rider must have thought it was Little Al or Patrick Carpantier on this Ski-Doo Rev.Finally the rider went for broke on the outside of a long sweeping right hander when the trail opened up just a little bit.They accelerated to high speed in flat out drag race on the exit of the turn.Who would pull up first?I only wish I could have seen his face when the Pres saw that the sled that was passing him was RED!!What?!!??!Only 50 more yards down the trail and the two mystery riders went straight into a cabin area as we followed the trail on.That was great fun.
Back to the trucks at 6pm with 174 miles behind us.What a great season opener for me.I am looking forward to a February ride in preparation for the Trip. Over and Out.
