Season 2010-11 TY Mileage - rxrider - USA and Norway

[rxrider]

Hello to all

Season 2010/2011 is hereby started, we have snow on the ground all the way down to the ocean.

Weather is below freeze at night and around freezing in daytime. We still have a few hours of sunlight; at November 17th we enter the polar night.

I'll be back with pics [/b]

 

[SamueLJackson]

Nice to see you started topic fos this season too. Last year your pics were awesome

 

[rxrider]

Thanks Samuel

I will try to keep up the quality of my pics and writing. I have a ride in Maine planned for, will travel to visit hondo aka Bob Davis in February 2011 for a Maine ride. Will work hard to get my rides documented in words and pics as the season goes by.

 

[rxrider]

Ride: 1 - First ride of the season.

Date: December 27.
Sled: '08 Apex RTX
Distance: 0 kms
Start odo: 2895 kms
End odo: 2898 kms

Statistics:

'09 RS Venture GT
Start odo: kms
End odo: kms
Mileage so far: kms

'08 Apex RTX
Start odo: 2895 kms
End odo: 2898 kms
Mileage so far: 3 kms

'03 RX-1 Turbo
Start odo: 14924 kms
End odo: kms
Mileage so far: kms

Total mileage 2010-2011: 3 kms


Had to ride a few miles in the outskirts of town to resque my cousin's sled, TORS kicked in and left him sitting on the side of the trail. He had just left my garage where we did some work on his sled. Unluckily we had forgotten to check the throttle wire after moving it around when installing his MCX Display unit. Now his throttle wire got stuck at half throttle forcing his sled into TORS mode. He called me and I got my first few miles this season. I knew it was the TORS, a little pulling on the wire up at the handlebars made the wire jump into position down at the throttle bodies, problem solved.


Start odo.

End odo.

Looking forward to go out on a real ride.

 

[rxrider]

Here's a few pics shot October 30th. The cold weather have started late October and have continued to this day.

Here's the pics


Driving down my street, to the north

Outside town center, to the east

On the highway E6, to the east

On the highway E6, to the south, sun is low barely over the horizon. The polar night are 3 weeks away.

Gotta work on my sled next week, hope to have my first ride before November 15th.

 

[Pratas]

We have a little snow, subzero temperatures. We are waiting for the big snowfall to open season

ps. Yesterday's photo

 

[rxrider]

Great pic, is it the Murmansk Fjord in the background?

Let it snow

 

[Pratas]

Great pic, is it the Murmansk Fjord in the background?
Let it snow

Yes is it the Murmansk Fjord in the background
I live in the city of Kandalaksha - this is the southern shore of the Kola Peninsula. Today we have-10C ... it's snowing!

 

[rxrider]

Thanks it's nice to know where people live and ride Hope you get enough snow to ride.
My ancestors on my mothers side were from Petsamo/Petchenga/Petsjenga close to Nikel, they immigrated to Norway in the early 1800s.

 

[rxrider]

First ride is done, December 27.

Got the Apex ready to ride, nice, let it snow way more.

 

[rxrider]

Ride: 2 - The first real ride of the season.

Date: February 5.
Sled: '08 Apex RTX
Distance: 83 kms
Start odo: 2898 kms
End odo: 2981 kms

Statistics:

'09 RS Venture GT
Start odo: kms
End odo: kms
Mileage so far: kms

'08 Apex RTX
Start odo: 2895 kms
End odo: 2981 kms
Mileage so far: 86 kms

'03 RX-1 Turbo
Start odo: 14924 kms
End odo: kms
Mileage so far: kms

Total mileage 2010-2011: 86 kms



Today I had my first real ride of the season, don't ask me why....
Weather was cold -15C to -18C with gail force winds. I had a mission today, towing our Nila sleigh up to our cabin on Lake Gagga.


Start odo.

Got the sled started and warmed up inside http://Turbogarasjen.com
where it was serviced some time ago

At the end of my driveway, time is 12AM noon, sun is up but covered by clouds.

A view of Mount Gagga, strong winds are blowing loads of snow off the mountain. Today the mountains sure are not the place to be, it's dangerouns up there in these conditions.

We've got about 50 cm of snow the last few week, strong winds have made the lakes look like the ocean on a windy day.... waves all over the place, no way it's possible to go WOT for more than a few secounds at the time.

Up at the cabin, we have got a lot of snow already and we have the snow month of March yet to come.... this is just great

On my way back the wind had increased and the snow was blowing around like crazy at Lake Gagga. I could barely see from one marker to the next one, I aimed in the direction of the next marker and adjusted my direction accordingly when I could spot it.

On my way back home I stopped on a lake and caught the sundown, nice with the blurr caused by the snow blowing around in the air.

Here's an example of how the lakes are due to lots of snow and strong winds, waves forming and with the cold weather we have now they will turn into concrete in a few days time.

Close to home I cought the skies on photo, mountains close by home looks amazing, don't you think?

A kilometer from home I rode into a herd of reindeers, they're everywhere and they are by law not supposed to by in this part of Finnmark at this time of the year.

End trip.

End odo.

 

[rxrider]

Ride: 3 - First testride on the turbo.

Date: February 6.
Sled: '03 RX-1 Turbo
Distance: 23 kms
Start odo: 14924 kms
End odo: 14947 kms

Statistics:

'09 RS Venture GT
Start odo: kms
End odo: kms
Mileage so far: kms

'08 Apex RTX
Start odo: 2895 kms
End odo: 2981 kms
Mileage so far: 86 kms

'03 RX-1 Turbo
Start odo: 14924 kms
End odo: 14947 kms
Mileage so far: 23 kms

Total mileage 2010-2011: 109 kms


Start odo.

I have finally woke my turbo sled from the big sleed. First ride is a test ride to check turbo pressure, AFRs, and other stuff. I have a new track (Camoplast Crossover 144x15x1.5 inches) in and the skid is extended from 136 to 144 since last season. The new track and the added lenght have given me superb grip on anything but ice. I gave her full throttle on hardpack trail from 60 mph and the skis went up until I got scared and had to let off, woooow that was some hookup. My old RipSaw would have been spinning, not so with the Crossover. It was a cold day around 0F or -18C, my AFRs was a bit on the lean side 12.5-13 on WOT, I didn't hold it for more than a few seconds seeing the lean AFRs. I probably will have to jet up from 127.5 to 130 on the mains. The sled ran flawlessly and strong, man I love that machine.


End trip.

End odo.

Looking forward to next weekend, finally I've got some time to take the old girl out for a ride.

 

[rxrider]

Ride: 4 - Maine Ride 2011, day one.

Date: February 14.
Sled: '09 RS Venture GT
Distance: 180 miles, 288 kms
Start odo: 6758 miles, 10875 kms
End odo: 6938 miles, 11163 kms

Statistics:

'09 RS Venture GT
Start odo: 6758 miles, 10875 kms
End odo: 6938 miles, 11163 kms
Mileage so far: 180 miles, 288 kms

'08 Apex RTX
Start odo: 2895 kms
End odo: 2981 kms
Mileage so far: 86 kms

'03 RX-1 Turbo
Start odo: 14924 kms
End odo: 14947 kms
Mileage so far: 23 kms

Total mileage 2010-2011: 246 miles, 397 kms


We left Lakselv, Norway, on Saturday February 12.

My Friend Odd-Steffen onboard the Lufthansa Airbus A330-300 flying out of Munich arriving at Montreal Airport Saturday afternoon.

We flew from Montreal to Quebec City the same evening. Bob Davis aka Hondo picked us up at Quebec Airport and drove the 200 miles back cross the border to Eagle Lake south of Forth Kent on the US/Canadian border.


On Sunday February 13th we went to watch the IBU Biathlon World Cup held in Fort Kent. It's my first time at any ski world cup event, nice experience.

In the beer tent during the intermission between races.

At the Biathlon arena.

Mens persuit just started.

Coming in for the first lay down shooting.

First shooting done.

Me and Bob upon a small hill overlooking the arena.

After the race, at Bob's house, one of Hondo's specialities in the making, Squared Eggs, Ham, Venison and more Damn good food, I'm looking forward to next years visit already.

Odd-Steffen vaiting to be served

I'm doing my best to help out Bob... hope I will not burn anything hahaha

Hmmmmmm wonder what coming next.... perhaps I should ask kindly for the resepy of this most tasteful dish... mmmmmmm I want food now.

What's taking so long.... mmmmm smells good too .... I think I have a beer while I'm waiting.

On the final... the wait is over, time to serve Squared Eggs.

Monday, February 14th. We went to pick up the rental sled for Odd-Steffen in the morning. At the time we were ready to leave it had started to snow, nice. Getting ready to ride.

Bob's sleds, to the left his 09 RS Venture GT, to the right his 05 RS Venture.

Odd-Steffen on his rental, a Polaris IQ 600 LT 144"

Start odo.

Our first stop in the snow.... great trails. We're going somewhere, where I don't know, it's snowing too much to get the picture, Bob know where we're going, luckily Odd-Steffen and his Polaris.

OK - we're riding up ITS-83, now I have a clue of where we're going LOL still snowing a lot.

Hahahaha know I know where we're heading. Entering the northernmost city in the lower 48, Madawaska on ITS-83

Time for lunch. Parked our sled in a parking lot in the town of Van Buren on the Maine (US) and New Brunswick (Canada) border.
Odd-Steffen to the right and Bob aka Hondo to the left.

The post office in Van Buren.

We had lunch at Robin's Restaurant.

Inside Robin's - Bob and Odd-Steffen

It's Valentines day, the restaurant is nicely decorated for the occation.

Back home in Bob's garage, sled are parked for the night.

End trip.

End odo.

Great riding.




BTW - Bob's ole Venture just rounded 42000 miles, when back in the garage it had 42001 miles on it, that equals 67580 kilometers.

Back home Bob cooked us another great dish for dinner, Venison, fried potatoes, mushroom, onion and scrambled eggs.

A few beers on the couch and the lights went out. Caused by jet lag, riding and beer.

 

[rxrider]

Ride: 5 - Maine Ride 2011, day two.

Date: February 15.
Sled: '09 RS Venture GT
Distance: 101 miles, 162 kms
Start odo: 6938 miles, 11163 kms
End odo: 7039 miles, 11325 kms

Statistics:

'09 RS Venture GT
Start odo: 6758 miles, 10875 kms
End odo: 7039 miles, 11325 kms
Mileage so far: 281 miles, 450 kms

'08 Apex RTX
Start odo: 2895 kms
End odo: 2981 kms
Mileage so far: 53 miles, 86 kms

'03 RX-1 Turbo
Start odo: 14924 kms
End odo: 14947 kms
Mileage so far: 14 miles, 23 kms

Total mileage 2010-2011: 348 miles, 560 kms


Tueday morning we had bringht sunlight and fresh snow on the ground

Odd-Steffen went out early to clean up Bob's veranda with a small snow blower.

With the breakfast and snowblowing done we dressed up and headed out for a days ride on the Northern Maine trail system. What a day for riding....


Start odo.

Outside Bob's house.

Bob's garage.

Ready to go.

We rode north to Fort Kent to visit Roger's Motorsport Centre. We wanted to have a look at Bob Darrah's race sled built and driven by Danny Landry. Here's a few pics of the sled.

Odd-Steffen is have a view from the drivers seat.

I got really carried away dreaming I was waiting for the lights to go, hahahaha.

Pretty cool air intake scoop.

Time to hit the trails, nice to talk to all the nice people at Roger's Yamaha.f

Outside Fort Kent, on the railbed heading up the Saint John valley.

The rear view.

We stopped at Bob Darrah's and Kristin Dube's winter home in Saint Francis for a cup of coffee and pizza. What a nice sledders home.
Kristin, Bob, Bob and Jan-O (me)

One of two Ski-Doo's in the house, a 1967 and a 1968.

Something to drink if you feel the need for power.

Pizza-time.

After the visiting Kristin and Bob we headed further up the Saint John valley before we crossed over towards Eagle Lake.

A small creek in the Allagash forest.

A short break somewhere in the Allagash.

Odd-Steffen and Bob.

Me and Odd-Steffen.

At sunset in the forest, in the beautiful wilderness of Northern Maine, in the Aroostook County (the county).

Closing in on civilization.

Heading towards Eagle Lake, MAN the trails are great in Maine this year.

Bob and Odd-Steffen on the trail.

Public reserved land up in Deboullie.

Guys are leaving... gotta get my camera away, get the gloves on and hit it to keep up with my riding buddies.

Again I gotta stop to shoot pics of the beautiful Maine wilderness, I love to be out far away from the civilization, reminds me of nature back home in Northern Norway, even tho the nature is completely different from what you have here in Maine

Closing in on Eagle Lake.

A view over Eagle Lake just before twilight.

A few miles from Eagle Lake.

End trip.

End odo.

A great day finally came to an end, too bad, I could have kept going for hours.....

 

[rxrider]

Ride: 6 - Maine Ride 2011, day three.

Date: February 16.
Sled: '09 RS Venture GT
Distance: 276 miles, 444 kms
Start odo: 7039 miles, 11325 kms
End odo: 7315 miles, 11769 kms

Statistics:

'09 RS Venture GT
Start odo: 6758 miles, 10875 kms
End odo: 7315 miles, 11769 kms
Mileage so far: 557 miles, 896 kms

'08 Apex RTX
Start odo: 2895 kms
End odo: 2981 kms
Mileage so far: 53 miles, 86 kms

'03 RX-1 Turbo
Start odo: 14924 kms
End odo: 14947 kms
Mileage so far: 14 miles, 23 kms

Total mileage 2010-2011: 624 miles, 1004 kms


Wednesday we joined up with Boost Bob and Kristin for a ride down south to Linneus and further on to Grammy's famous restaurant. Famous of what... keep reading


Start odo.

Warming up getting ready to go.

Boost Bob's ready.

Kristin's ready.

Bob's getting ready any minute.

Odd-Steffen's nearly ready, gotta clear off the smoke first and he's ready as well.

My ride is ready, and so am I, let's go riding the superb trails of Maine.

On our way towards Saint Agatha.

Nice to have a piss on the side of the trail LOL - if you've gotta go you gotta go.

Boost Bob and Kristin. Boost Bob is leading todays ride with Kristin right on his tail.

Time go get going again.

The railbed is smooth as silk and straight as .... a railbed LOL

We stopped for coffee in a small town called Washburn.

This nice lady served us coffee

This is the true rural countryside of Maine, old western style houses and Churches.

Time to saddle up and get going.

I love all the bridges cross rivers and narrow valleys.

Me and Hondo on the bridge.

Across the bridge.

Entering Meduxnekeag Ramblers Trail System.

What's up with all the pissing going on LOL hahahahahaha

We rode thru the town of Linneus and continued south until we reached Grammy's Restaurant at 1 PM.

We parked our sled and went inside for coffee and lunch.

Lunch have been served.

I had some sort of Snitzel... hard to tell where it is with all the extras on top

Odd-Steffen had Spagetthi and Snitzel.

Hondo had Onion rings and who knows what meat underneat it.

Hondo's dessert.

Kristin's dessert.

On our way back home we stopped to fuel up at Linneus Convenience Store in Linneus.

A short stop somewhere on the trail. Boost Bob's shooting pics.

Of Kristin

Hondo's cooling off besides the old girl from '05

Odd-Steffen checking out the snow depth down south as we got more snow the further south we rode.

Mars Hill alpine ski slopes.

We're having a short break in Mars Hill.

From the left. Hondo Bob, Boost Bob and Kristin.

At an interesection somewhere between 105 and ITS-85... I think.

Huh... I were right LOL

We stopped for fuel and soft drinks in Ashland at Dean's Motor Lodge.

Inside. Odd-Steffen, Boost Bob, Kristin, Jan-Ove (Me) and Hondo Bob.

Last pic taken in Ashland before starting on the final leg back home to Eagle Lake.

End Trip.

End odo.

Boost Bob and Kristin stayed for a while before they headed back home to Saint Francis. A cold one tasted really good after a long days ride.

Hondo and Odd-Steffen joined in on a cold one

We had a few games of pool, a few more beers before we all fell asleep watching TV.