Post by emtp579 (Dan) on Feb 4, 2011 19:02:22 GMT -5
FF1EMTD and I rode 140 miles today starting at Dorchester Park. Since we actually had decent snow we decided to do a southerly loop into areas that have not had great snow during the last few Years.
We left Dorchester and went down into town, past the high school and headed on C-5. The trails were all groomed an in perfect condition with good snow cover and a solid base. It was -1 at the time. We headed on C5 towards Glen Aubry and Maine and it was perfect - passed a groomer enroute. Continued down to Maine and got gas. Even the woods by the sportsman club were good and that is usually a tough area. All the way through the Whitney Point Ridge Riders club trails they were groomed, covered, and great.
We continued on to the Tioga Ridge Runners trails and they were also well covered and perfectly groomed. Wow, this ride was shaping up great. We moved over to C5B toward owego and things were great until we got to the junction with C2E.
We decided to take C2E to Candor - big mistake. Despite there being plenty of snow, almost all the trails that we hit seemed to have not been groomed or at least not groomed recently. We recommend avoiding these trails. Once we got back onto DC Drifter trails everything was fine, but this section was not good. Add to the fact that the Candor signage was sparse, this was a tough area to get through.
From there we continued through Caroline up to the Dryden VFW. Dryden trails were in great condition and, as always, Hammond Hill was a hoot. Be warned, the Dryden VFW no longer has a full lunch menu. The choices were hot dog, overcooked cheesburger on a stale roll or Chili. Next time I'll go into town, but it was a good stopping point so no big deal.
We gassed up and headed out 2C to 5A to 5B - these trails were great. We the took 2 into Lisle, back up past the school and took 2 all the way around Whitney Point Lake. Ended up back at Dorchester with 140 miles on. There was a Forest Ranger in the park checking registrations and they have sleds to patrol all weekend.
I have to give a round of applause to the clubs who have done a great job grooming. The trails were best all year and for some of the lower snow area trails best I have seen in several years. We hit Whitney Point, Tioga Ridge Runner, DC Drifters, Marathon SnowDutsers, and a small section of Seven Valley trails. They were all great. As I said above, I'd consider routing around Candor unless they are grooming tonight or you have no other option.
A great day! Weekend should be busy as there are a few Poker Runs scheduled in the area.
We left Dorchester and went down into town, past the high school and headed on C-5. The trails were all groomed an in perfect condition with good snow cover and a solid base. It was -1 at the time. We headed on C5 towards Glen Aubry and Maine and it was perfect - passed a groomer enroute. Continued down to Maine and got gas. Even the woods by the sportsman club were good and that is usually a tough area. All the way through the Whitney Point Ridge Riders club trails they were groomed, covered, and great.
We continued on to the Tioga Ridge Runners trails and they were also well covered and perfectly groomed. Wow, this ride was shaping up great. We moved over to C5B toward owego and things were great until we got to the junction with C2E.
We decided to take C2E to Candor - big mistake. Despite there being plenty of snow, almost all the trails that we hit seemed to have not been groomed or at least not groomed recently. We recommend avoiding these trails. Once we got back onto DC Drifter trails everything was fine, but this section was not good. Add to the fact that the Candor signage was sparse, this was a tough area to get through.
From there we continued through Caroline up to the Dryden VFW. Dryden trails were in great condition and, as always, Hammond Hill was a hoot. Be warned, the Dryden VFW no longer has a full lunch menu. The choices were hot dog, overcooked cheesburger on a stale roll or Chili. Next time I'll go into town, but it was a good stopping point so no big deal.
We gassed up and headed out 2C to 5A to 5B - these trails were great. We the took 2 into Lisle, back up past the school and took 2 all the way around Whitney Point Lake. Ended up back at Dorchester with 140 miles on. There was a Forest Ranger in the park checking registrations and they have sleds to patrol all weekend.
I have to give a round of applause to the clubs who have done a great job grooming. The trails were best all year and for some of the lower snow area trails best I have seen in several years. We hit Whitney Point, Tioga Ridge Runner, DC Drifters, Marathon SnowDutsers, and a small section of Seven Valley trails. They were all great. As I said above, I'd consider routing around Candor unless they are grooming tonight or you have no other option.
A great day! Weekend should be busy as there are a few Poker Runs scheduled in the area.
