Wyman Pond Racing

WPR Maine Trip Day 2 Ride Report

My apologies to the WPR loyal for my (re)tardiness.  Attendee #'s: 2, 5, 7, 10

Man, I can't remember last week let alone last month.  Whew, let's see, I believe we ate breakfast in the cabin this day.  #7 brought the supplies, and I'm not sure if he was fired off the job or this was planned but #2 quickly took over Head Chef.  Ah, bangers, eggs, oh yes! and cinnamon french toast.  Yummy!  I am not a big breakfast person as you all know, but that was too good to pass up.

So bellies filled up, and as #7 has mentioned gas on premises, tanks soon filled up.  One notable... to be continued.

I love my avatar picture!  Thank you to whoever posted it for me!

Sorry, the abrupt ending was rude, but consider it like a great novel (except this story is not a work of fiction), that keeps you wanting more, a real page-turner.

Ok, so where were we?  Ah yes, breakfast and gas done.  As we constructed the ride plans for each day, they were based on several input factors such as snow/trail reports from recon conversations with other snowmobilers over Sled Head Reds at the main lodge each prior evening.  There was an overall strategy to head out in different directions each day.  As we all are aware, or at least the ones that attended any of the planning meetings, the Pez was keen on spending a day in Baxter State Park.  From our Trip HQ a trek of this of this magnitude was calculated to be quite a lot of miles, as in, over 250.  Nobody had the stomach for it quite frankly, and we were skeptical of the conditions heading east, no first hand reports could be confirmed.

So this day was planned to be one of the sightseeing sort.  But since #5 was given permission to be part of the final planning, education (and with luck fruit-eating would be blended in some way if possible.  Hence the B52 crash site destination.  It was east of us and there was another factor which fit into place.  With #10's vast Maine riding experience, he forewarned that an area called Kokadjo located on the eastern side of Moosehead Lake typically loses snow first.  With our plan to hit Pittston (3 t's) Farm and ride the northern most trail over the top to North East Carry and an open trail which crossed the lake about halfway back sured up the plan for the day.  (Now I can't wait to read Day 3!)

It was a beautiful sunny crisp day perfect for riding a snow machine in the Great State of Maine, or anywhere else.  We started jumping straight out onto ITS 87 southbound, it should be noted for future reference that this place has a great location with easy well groomed access to the ITS.  We rode to Moxie Mtn Overlook, this was interesting riding as we turned off the perfectly groomed ITS trail onto the connecting trail it had not been groomed since the Monday night snowfall.  So there was a single track ridden many times.  Of course #5 playing caboose in typical fashion, even though he and his machine are advancing in age, which facts he readily dismisses, had to play.  With 8-10" of new snowfall and a steadily climbing open switchback trail I could no longer resist.

Just simple, nothing too extreme, an attempt at some low grade side hilling in the puff.  Well, because the snow had turned to frozen rain at the very end, there was a decent crust on the top.  Which I did not anticipate the strength of.  It grabbed my skis and with my body correction had to put a foot down to keep it upright.  My leg was ripped back and the reactive pull back to stay on board slammed my knee into my cowling.  ouch.  I sat down on my seat and kept in between the lines for the rest of the ascent.

We reached a nice elevation and stopped for the obligatory photos of #7 standing at a destination.  I think his consistency of this tradition is wonderful.  He will always have these photos to show his grandkids and tell stories.  I need to buy a camera one of these days.  From this vantage we could see Sugarloaf USA as clear as day with its above tree line summit.  But even more interesting were 2 very distinct peaks, looking very much like twin mtns to the east of the famous ski area and much closer.  They looked huge and quite majestic.

Saddled up and back down the access trail.  Back on ITS 87 we continued south where we grabbed a club trail called Bald Mtn Trail in the north and east direction.  At one point during this stint, with #7 leading, there was a fork in the road, so following the sound advice of Mr. Yogi Berra, we took it.  #2 was not convinced.  He had spotted a small arrow in the other direction and took it as the continuing trail.  Both seemed equally (un)travelled, neither groomed.  With a quick call on the radio, #'s 5, 7 and 10 began the turnaround process.  Note that there was so much snow here that a single step off the previously travelled trail meant a foot went straight down into snowpack more than 4 feet deep at least.  I know this b/c it was proved out several times.  #7 gave a valiant effort to keep the 800 powered through the off trail maneuver but she went down, and not in the way we like it.

The 4 dug deep but there was just no bottom.  Machine was now resting on the gunnels with nothing but air around the part that makes it go forward, the track.  A simple tilt and some packing and WPR experience prevailed.  May I report that #5 did not get stuck on his turnaround in the puff.  This is the benefit of being the author of the report.  I highlight this so it is noted that I am not on Powder Riding Probation all summer!!

We rode a nice leisurely pace up to the southernmost tip of the great lake.  In Greenville we helped a get a machine back on the trail (a younger rider had a little off), and hit a dealership.  I'll spare much of the mechanical jargon b/c I know it upsets and creates stress for #4.  Short version: we replaced and bled #10's brake fluid and replaced a tail light bulb (twice).

There was a very funny moment; in fact the Pez says it's one of the funniest things he had ever seen.  As #7 was wrapping up a telephone conversation with his better half, I attempted to help get #10's machine to more level ground to do the brake work by pulling #7's sled forward a touch to get it out of the way.  Evidently, #7 was using his machine to stabilize himself and when his perch mysteriously scooted forward he went tumbling.  This was good physical humor for #2 in and of itself but what made the cake for #2 was how #7 didn't seem even the slightest bit perturbed this just happened never missing a beat in the conversation.  He just got up and finished his business as if this sort of thing just simply happens to him now and again.  For the record #7, Im sorry.

We enjoyed a very delicious and relaxing lunch at Kellys Landing.  The pickled beets (under #2s strong suggestion) were simply fabulous.  #5 ate had to be 8+ pounds of salad with 2 trips to the salad bar.  Now full bellies and tanks (always a happy state for WPR riders) we got a little turned around as to the location of the ITS 85/86 northbound trailhead.  We crossed a small bay of the lake and found our quarry.  This is some of my favorite time of riding, after lunch, sunny, relaxed pace.  I just love it and really take in the sport and let it soak into the memory banks.  Spirits were high for all Riders.

Grabbed ITS 110 East and came onto a snowmobile clubhouse (cant remember club but #2 has a photo in his movie) where we saw an engine from the B52 on display.  We knew we were getting closer.  #10 told us to be on watch b/c the entrance to crash site is difficult to find.

As we rode on I couldnt help but be reminded of this warning with every giant yellow direction sign with a picture of a bomber and an arrow pointing the way!  Ok, so theyre trying to lull us, eyes are peeled now.  We pass several groups out enjoying the day of riding.  Then we come upon another big yellow sign pointing the way.  Oh, theyre really working it!  Next a billboard sign welcoming you to the hallowed site.  What is #10 talking about??  Hahahaha!  Sorry #10, couldnt resist.  They obviously have added these probably with feedback just like #10s.

Although the deep snow covered most of the debris, there was enough to see, along with the commemorative plaques to create a somber mood.  We talked about what it must have been like, and quietly thanked these souls for their service to our beloved country.

It was an uneventful ride home save one episode as we made our way.  We were following a very local trail to hit the lake a slightly different way we came when we happened upon a quintessential Maine scene which blocked our path to continue, so we had front row seats to watch in wonderment.  An old pickup truck with a plow was being hoisted onto a flatbed truck.  Seems simple enough right?  With the enormous snow banks and the angle the flatbed made with its disabled (drive line was hanging down) would-be cargo, the tow cable needed to be rerouted due the proximity of the plow and the rear wheel simply could not make the angle onto the bed.  So were these local get-r-dun workmen deterred?  Stumped?  Even slowed?  Not at all!  Just pull the mot#$er fuc&#er up as far as shell go and throw it in drive.  No one was killed.  The 2^nd lake crossing was some distance and the big 700 and 800 showed their stuff. 

We came to the cabin with daylight to spare.  It would be a nice long evening of Sled Head Red and a team billiards playoff for which #7 still owes #5 some props for if not a straight out apology.  Ill just have to show him again it was not a fluke sometime in the future.  He should know this b/c weve played in the past.  Not sure why the false image of my pool stick skills?  I will stay on #7 at this point that I am also crushed that my sheppards pie for dinner that evening did not make his Pros list.  Admittedly, it was no #10 lasagna which was absolutely delicious (it had pepperoni in it!!!!), but I thought decent grub.  It was the pepperoni wasnt it #7?!  I will put pepperoni in the sheppards pie next time!  I want your approval.

There is a lot to tell on Day 3 and on the evening of Day 4 with a very special party occasion with our server for the week, what was his name?  I only remember the girls names.

So who is up for Days 3+4??  #10??  We know #2 doesnt write ride reports.  Of course all ride stats were posted before we left the place.

It was a very good trip and Maine was not a disappointment at all for this Rider.  I have no intention to take an anti-Canada position in the future.  This was just the right trip at the right time this year.  It should be included that 4 of our veteran Annual Trip compatriots #s 3, 13, 99 and 388 we definitely missed and we hope they will rejoin when next years trip rolls around.  I will certainly be at the meetings in the fall!

#5 out.

ps> I will list my Pros and Cons in a separate post.  Those are fun and helpful.