After a lazy start I finally headed out with a mission. I had made a route using the Polaris ride command to make a loop up towards Lyme the night before. After syncing it with the new sleds display, I was off. Typical chatter on the connector trail from the homestead to main system. Once into the Ashoulet area I see the groomed trail and get that inner happy dance going. Continuing into Pillsbury the trails are also semi groomed and better than yesterday's conditions. But I'm not here to play in the park...I'm out for distance today. Headed towards Sunapee which is all groomed and fresh, I'm tempted to just stay close to ho,e and enjoy what has become the normal the last 4 yrs....well groomed, fresh trails, no traffic Tuesday thru Thursday.
Tempting, but I'm off like a prom dress headed through the sweet trails towards the Mt Kearsarge loop. Traditionally this is the quickest way to get under rt89 but with questionable conditions and low signage...actually my least favorite club locally....but to my surprise...its actually groomed. Still lacking the signage, I make only a few wrong turns/loops. Laughing to myself, I figure I'll take good trails vs the proper signs. I ran into Miss Mossy on my way and give her some photo time. Continuing on and wishing I was sharing this experience with others, I suddenly see movement on the trail ahead. As I come over a knoll, I see the ragged, mangy Coyote starring me down. Usually I carry on my solo trips but not today...go figure. As I revved my sled, he started trotting off down the trail...he wouldn't move off the trail so I finally took a video of him and he decided to leave me a couple of presents.
After my little wildlife delay, I made the viewing area at Kearsarge via the Wilmot side. The access road never disappoints for a solid speed run up and the views were gorgeous.
Heading north and onto the main rail trail, they were flat and fast. I stopped for some fuel and only saw 3 other sleds by this point. Moving along and cranking out some rpms I now pass my trail junction where I usually bow out and take the left and start to head back on the loop. Not today! I'm headed further into the Cannan trails and beyond! As I continue down the rail trail, I'm just in awe how well this ride is going...smooth trails, 20° temps, clear skies, no traffic...everything a good day of riding would entail. Once in Cannan, the in town trail is still decent but typical boney. I make my way through town noticing food stops and fuel opportunities...nope, I'm gassed up, have trail mix and cold water...onward we go.
At this time I'm at the beginning of my top loop into Dorchester and Lyme and it's 2:15...the loop utilizing rt5 is a solid 10...f'in g amazing! As usual, I'm deceived by the loop time and I'm not back to this starting point for another 1 hour plus. I'm now running into a few sleds and chat with the locals...everyone is pleased and happy campers. I stopped at a scenic overlook and thanked the man upstairs. Pictures don't do any of the scenery justice...snow flurries off in the distance, sun busting through the clouds...its majestic.
Heading back, I'm still on phenomenal trails but I suddenly come upon a ski area? Skiway? Never heard or have seen it but I'm right at the base of the trails looking over at the lodge...another sureal feeling. At this point I realize I'm definitely losing daylight and want to put down some miles. I make my way back to the Masocoma trail junction for my loop south back towards Sunapee, Newport and Goshen...the trail never disappoints and once again...its groomed! I'm all in with no plans to stop 7ntil I see a gorgeous sun setting and saying goodnight...I have to take some pics! It's dusk and my windshield decides it doesn't like being on the sled. It tries to fly off but I catch it, slow down and push it back into its proper position. I then come up to a small lake crossing...the trail map gives me no other options but I'm seeing typical hardened slush ruts. As I'm headed across closing in on the shoreline, I start to see heated docks, open water and a boat ramp...I'm smacking the throttle and headed for the ramp. My rear end is spitting slush and I'm like WTF. On the ramp there is no trail. I reassess the trail marking on the GPS and see its off to my left. I head back out, veer to the left and boom...there's the trail head.
Moving along, I'm now in the Newport /Sunapee area I'm familiar with. Due to trail closures I'm close but yet so far. What could take me about 20 min will still take me another hour to get back to the homestead. The last connector trails are bumpy and after an all day ride I'm doing the slow rolling one handed side saddle. After the last leg, I see my familiar lights beaming through the trees and I'm one road crossing from home. Total mileage 177 solo miles of a solid 8 plus of riding once again from the homestead. I accomplished my mission and made my way up to Lyme and beyond...it will be one of my more favorite loops. Sarge 388
-- Edited by Sarge 388 on Thursday 27th of January 2022 08:19:23 AM
