My friend called me yesterday for some night riding in Pittsburg last night, then I stayed over and we did a short ride this morning as well. Last night we started from Back Lake and headed up 141 to 147, all the way to the end of 147, onto 141 to 5. We followed 5 down to 138 then back to Back Lake. 147, 141, and some of 5 were freshly groomed last night and in decent shape. Corners were icy, and there was a lot of debris in the trail- rocks, sticks/logs, etc. but there was enough snow. 5 had enough snow but hadn't been groomed yet so it was kind of rough. We did about 60 miles last night.
This morning we headed across 138 which had been groomed since last night, onto 5 north, then 112 South for a ride up Magalloway Mt. 5 had been groomed and was pretty decent and 112 was great (the best trail we had seen this weekend). After a run up the mtn. we hit 143 north which was pretty decent, over to 5, and back to 138 to the lake. Another 65 miles this morning before 11am.
For anyone trailering up, thanks to the snow over the past couple days, the trails are at least ridable and most of the ice is covered over. Stay north of Back Lake, and/or east of First Ct. Lake and things will be decent. As a warning though, be careful with these conditions. If you have studs be cautious...if you don't, be EXTREMELY cautious. Many corners are icy and slippery and it will be very easy to slide around enough to lose it. Also watch for debris in the trails. We just managed to dodge a rock the size of 2 basketballs that was in the trail last night, which would have really screwed up the night.
Anyone planning to head up, if you might want someone to ride with let me know. I only used about 1/2 qt. of oil, so its not burning as bad as I thought, and I need to put a new battery in before I can ride but other than that I should be all set. I'm scoping out batteries I have kicking around left from bikes as a temporary solution until I order the right one.
Jim
Be careful if you come up...been a bunch of broken sleds going home on trailers. Riders have been hitting rocks and things under the ice. Its not thick enough to cover trail dangers yet. Also watch out for washouts.
