Sneaks Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Well today I had a fantastic solo ride of 355km in 8.5h. I parked in Arthur and ran up to Markdale to start. A little thin right at Arthur for first couple KM, but then a ton of snow from the weekend storm, major drifts and powder Luther marsh all the way up to Markdale. Incredible riding, just floating through the fields (yes ALWAYS on trail!,) and even in some of the bush I was first tracks through a foot+ of powder. There was a bit of chop on the rail trail and then up through Walters falls, and watch the washouts from after Walters falls to the 170. Stopped at the top of a hill where there were some major drifts on the trail to snap a quick photo, and then before starting up noticed the windshield of a buried sled to my left. The whole thing was buried at like a 50 degree angle in a 6' drift. Saw a guy walking the field ahead, so raced up and picked him up. He had apparently been stuck for an hour before I showed up, and was pretty beat. It was a good thing I had packed my brand new collapsible shovel (first time!) as 3 other sledders showed up and we dug him out of there. We rode together for next little bit, until he headed home to Thornbury, and I carried on through Pretty River PP. Proceeded through Little Germany management Tract, and Beaver Valley, and back up to Markdale to top up for ride home, and a quick snack. Upon heading out I guess I got some good karma from digging a fellow sledder out, as I was rewarded with fresh groomed trail for 75km! Took rail trail down to just before Dundalk and then cut off back to Arthur. Passed the groomer on their way back north on the rail trail, and then one arthur, heading south that way. If you can get out tomorrow I highly recommend it. Conditions were fabulous for 90% of it and with the fresh groom tomorrow should be great too. Looking like some nasty warmth down south here coming for weekend so get out while you can! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo Doo Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Looking good.. good on you for helping out a fellow sledder.. thanks for sharing.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Very nice post. I did notice on the past weekend that there were more solo riders out than there were in previous years. Not sure why - maybe riding friends have dropped out or people simply like to dictate their own pace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sledder12 Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 Nice report, hope to do something similar tomorrow and Fri. Where did you park in Arthur if you don't mind me asking? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneaks Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 at the old big lots (now closed) lot which is trailside. check the staging link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneaks Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 2 hours ago, IQ TURBO said: Looking good.. good on you for helping out a fellow sledder.. thanks for sharing.. Always! Glad I could help out. He was sure glad to see me. As I often solo myself, it's nice to help out someone when when they needed it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sneaks Posted February 14, 2017 Author Share Posted February 14, 2017 1 hour ago, slomo said: Very nice post. I did notice on the past weekend that there were more solo riders out than there were in previous years. Not sure why - maybe riding friends have dropped out or people simply like to dictate their own pace. Yeah I do a fair amount of solo. I also like riding with my friends as well as sharing stories is always fun, and obviously it is safer for sure. I do like the freedom of just getting on and going wherever I feel though. Plus there's a bit of that conquering winter adventure in it. Main reason for me though is with 4 kids, and the unpredictability of the weather these days, scheduling time with my other buddies and their family schedule can be a challenge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nooch_77 Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 5 minutes ago, Sneaks said: Yeah I do a fair amount of solo. I also like riding with my friends as well as sharing stories is always fun, and obviously it is safer for sure. I do like the freedom of just getting on and going wherever I feel though. Plus there's a bit of that conquering winter adventure in it. Main reason for me though is with 4 kids, and the unpredictability of the weather these days, scheduling time with my other buddies and their family schedule can be a challenge. Im looking to ride Friday- was thinking about staging in Barrie but this is closer to me ( Arthur ) Im in Buffalo Ny- Riding solo also. Any suggestions would be great- Ive got web site for staging and will try to find that big lots you mentioned. Think it will still be good Friday to do the loop similar to yours? Im looking to be there early Friday morning and back on road by 4 PM or so. Any recommendations would be great- anyone looking to ride Friday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sledguy74 Posted February 14, 2017 Share Posted February 14, 2017 great photos, thanks for sharing can hardly wait to get out tomorrow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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