Two WPR riders headed north through the Notch to find temps drop to -7F. Not again, yep cold riding ahead. We unloaded and found that the temps would not be an issue all day. Worrying is generally a waste time and energy. With full tanks and lots of snow we headed east down 117 toward Dummer.
For a change, I took the lead. We buzzed in and out of the skinny trails on fresh firm grooming from the night before. I was having trouble steering and the Pez was feeling a little discomfort in his hands. Once we got warmed up and got loose we really started hitting it hard for what may possibly be the last ride of the year, at least for this guy.
Before we knew it we were beyond Dummer and in the town of Milan. The trails went from awesome to bumpy as we took some loops around this area. We passed a couple of young kids on an old ski doo. Nothing out of the ordinary until we went down a hill/corner and saw a Polaris upright. Normally they are laying down on all fours. It was wedged in between some thick saplings and halfway down a steep hill.
Turns out some young girl bailed on a corner. We ended up taking 40 minutes helping cut down trees, getting the sled back onto its skis and pulling the thing out. I never sweat so much in my life. We made fast friends with these grateful young kids.
Before long we found our way onto Umabogog lake. We decided late season lake riding was not a good idea. We backtracked a couple times and found our way to Errol for gas, drinks and some lunch. We ate at Northern Exposure pub for some lunch and interesting conversations.
We jumped back on the sleds and headed toward Diamond Pond. We got stuck behind a large group of 8 or so and had some easy riding for awhile. When we finally lost this group we were in the hills near the clubhouse and buzzing in an out of those awesome hills and valleys. Best part of the day by far. We found our way to the Balsams. It looks more like Chernoble than a luxury resort.
The most bumps of the day were on the steep hills up Dixville Peak. It was still awesome riding up those crazy hills getting some air, fishtailing around corners and wearing the arms and legs right out. We got to the top and spoke with a bunch nice riders and had a little rest.
We took 28 back to 5. 5 was perfectly smooth, fast and 100% ideal for riding. #2 decided we needed a little extra riding so we switched over to route 7. It was smooth, then bumpy, then smooth and then way too bumpy for the end of the day.
#2 lead us back to the parking lot at 143 miles for the day. A tough but very enjoyable 143. I had not ridden since the Cote Nord trip. I needed it. #2 drove all the way to his place in Leominster. We quickly unloaded, maybe too quickly.
I drove home solo as always for that last hour before quick unload and then bed. I made it to the intersection of 495 and 109 when a big truck started high beaming me and beeping the horn at me. I quickly got off the road and pulled into a gas station to see what was up. Everything felt fine. I went behind the trailer and found that my 2 straps that I had going across the back of the trailer were only hooked up to one side. Therefore I dragged it all the way for 40 miles. The hook was gone and probably sparked/dragged the whole way. Best part of it all? I didn't notice a tailgater the whole way home.
#7
-- Edited by Caboose on Monday 19th of March 2018 08:08:22 PM
