Post by tim on Jan 30, 2011 9:22:26 GMT -5
Left Berkshire at 10:30 yesterday, and did about a 90 mile loop of the towns above. Surprisingly we only saw 2 other sleds in the first 60 miles we rode.
The C2 trail to Slaterville was in decent shape - a bit thin in some places in the woods but overall pretty good. We took S23 north from Slaterville. The first half mile or so across open fields is a bit confusing, as previous riders have picked their own paths to get to the woods. The guy who owns the cabin at the foot of the hill was plowing his road with a skid steer, so the road is pretty bare and rough. Rest of the way to Hammond Hill was OK. Once we crossed the Harford-Slaterville road the truck trails were in great shape.
C2B from the Cornell barns to Virgil was in bad shape. The first part is usually rough until the top of the hill - but yesterday even the truck trails on top were rough. It looks like it has not been groomed yet this year. The trail was re-routed from previous years in a couple of spots, most noticeably the last few miles before it meets C5. We saw one of the Dryden groomers hauled out of the woods last weekend on a flat bed, so that may be why the trail was not groomed. I would avoid this trail until we get more snow.
Tried to have lunch at Gatherings in Virgil - but surprise! They don't open until 2. The prep staff did open up so my wife could use the facilities.
C5 back to Lisle was in the best condition I have ever seen it. Even in the heavily wooded areas the trail was smooth. It has been widened it seems, and a couple of new bridges near Rockefeller Rd installed. Great ride!
From Lisle to Whitney Point there was considerably less snow. the trail was thin most of the way, but still not too bad as it had been groomed recently.
After lunch at Aiello's, we headed back to Berkshire. S20 from Lisle to Berkshire was in fairly decent shape, although in places it looked like flooding had eroded the road and the dips were deeper than I remember. Probably close to 18" of snow in the field on top of East Berkshire hill.
All in all it was a great ride, with the exception of the Harford-Virgil trail (C2B). Hats off to the brushers and groomers from Dryden, Marathon, and Whitney Point clubs.
Tim
The C2 trail to Slaterville was in decent shape - a bit thin in some places in the woods but overall pretty good. We took S23 north from Slaterville. The first half mile or so across open fields is a bit confusing, as previous riders have picked their own paths to get to the woods. The guy who owns the cabin at the foot of the hill was plowing his road with a skid steer, so the road is pretty bare and rough. Rest of the way to Hammond Hill was OK. Once we crossed the Harford-Slaterville road the truck trails were in great shape.
C2B from the Cornell barns to Virgil was in bad shape. The first part is usually rough until the top of the hill - but yesterday even the truck trails on top were rough. It looks like it has not been groomed yet this year. The trail was re-routed from previous years in a couple of spots, most noticeably the last few miles before it meets C5. We saw one of the Dryden groomers hauled out of the woods last weekend on a flat bed, so that may be why the trail was not groomed. I would avoid this trail until we get more snow.
Tried to have lunch at Gatherings in Virgil - but surprise! They don't open until 2. The prep staff did open up so my wife could use the facilities.
C5 back to Lisle was in the best condition I have ever seen it. Even in the heavily wooded areas the trail was smooth. It has been widened it seems, and a couple of new bridges near Rockefeller Rd installed. Great ride!
From Lisle to Whitney Point there was considerably less snow. the trail was thin most of the way, but still not too bad as it had been groomed recently.
After lunch at Aiello's, we headed back to Berkshire. S20 from Lisle to Berkshire was in fairly decent shape, although in places it looked like flooding had eroded the road and the dips were deeper than I remember. Probably close to 18" of snow in the field on top of East Berkshire hill.
All in all it was a great ride, with the exception of the Harford-Virgil trail (C2B). Hats off to the brushers and groomers from Dryden, Marathon, and Whitney Point clubs.
Tim
