I arrived first at #6s place first of our group to find the driveway was blocked with frozen snow from the plow.I shoveled this icy mess until I was sweat welded to my base layer.#2 and #1 showed up and helped finish the job.Ive been meaning to stretch out before rides, but this overdid it.
#6 and E showed up after the shoveling (wait til they get my bill) and had a few things to tend to before we could ride.They were there for the week and we were just there for the day. #6 mentioned meeting Lippy, who was staying at the Indian Head motel, for lunch somewhere so we were off to our meeting place in Plymouth.
We took the powerlines to the quickest route towards route 25, the main road in Groton.We had some nice elevation changes and near perfect conditions.We took the long straight away right out of town with #2 leading us for what would be the whole day.We took corridor 11 and 8 most of the way out of town.There is so much snow out there its hard not to go riding as much a possible.
#2 and E were once again up to the task and never slowing us down.The trails arent that wide and there were quite a few sleds out there on this day.Most stayed on their side of the trail, but there are always going to be those clowns who ride with no regard for others. We were fortunate enough to ride these rural trails without incident.
We found our way to Plymouth by way of corridor 11.One long stretch had us riding on the railroad tracks. With rails surfacing in some spots, it was a strange feeling.My track flung out from time to time and my front end was tracking with the rail.It was unsettling to say the least.
We showed up at the Commonmans Restaurant at 12:35 about 25 minutes prior to our meeting time. We called Lippy and he was at some tiny pizza place. He did not want to eat at a nice restaurant for some reason.We had Pizzas and Subs instead of Prime Rib, oh well.It was good to see Lippy for the first time since the summer. He and his friend Adam were riding Artic Cats.
We headed out of downtown Plymouth and away from those rail tracks at first chance. Adam and Lippy were good riders and our group of 5 became 7.It was comfortable as we headed toward Stinson Mountain.We rode at a good pace with this larger group. #2 knows this area well enough so the speeds were pretty good.Strangely, we saw about 15 people having a barbeque and campfire out on the trail.Some dude had a skandic with a trailer sled for all the stuff.Pine wood burning is a terrific smell. We dont have a fireplace at my house so it stuck out to me.
The trails were groomed throughout the day.We found a pretty big clearing and stopped to talk and take some pictures.Some young girl shows up and asks us to pull her little brother out who was off the trail.We had numbers and how bad could it be? Disasterous Bad.This kid rode his GSX550 off the trail and into a deep ditch up against a stump. His sled was up to the windshield in snow.It took 10 minute of hell to dig, lift, clear a path, pull like crazy and get this kids sled out.The mom thanked us and we were off.
We needed to turn around and #6 got stuck, OMG, not again.We pulled him out with the last bit of energy I had.It was too much exertion for one day for me.
We headed up the ungroomed bumps of Stinson Mountain. There is a clearing and tremendous views at the top.We talked, took pictures and took in the sights at the peak. We could see Squam Lake to the west, Tenney Mountain to the south and #6s power lines to the southeast.
It was getting late and we decided to part ways with our old friend. We headed back to the drop site by way of to some freshly groomed trails.I love seeing those grooming machines late in the day.We saw a dead deer on the way home. Something attacked it. It was gross.
We arrived back at #6s place at about 5pm. We loaded up as the sun went down.
It was an easy 88 miles with good friends.The hard parts were off the sled. Great time in all.
