Wyoming / Tuesday 12-8-09

Wyoming / Tuesday 12-8-09

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We have found plenty of powder in the trees and we have only seen 4 other riders in 2 days out here. The temps have been cold, at 1:30 this afternoon it was -6 degrees and -10 at 4:30 when we got back to the truck. The winds were kicking up to about 50 mph blowing the new snow around. The last 2 days we have seen snow 6" deep and snow 5 - 6 feet deep on the ground. Like snowboarding, you have to know where to look for the best powder snow. At this time the open meadows are potential trouble because of rock and boulders just below the surface, hidden by this cold powder snow. Any areas that are exposed to the infamous Wyoming winds have exposed rocks and there are creeks all over that one must be aware of. So that leaves the trees and that is the places we hunt out. On this trip Larry and I ride the trees, that is where the 5-6 feet of powder is right now. Weaving through the trees up,down and across the mountains making our own trails.

Followed this creek down through the trees and then a long climb out. No tracks down here, but ours.

Making our own trails. Larry on his 800 Ski Doo Summit 162".

GOOD TIMES!!

Wyoming / Monday

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Today, Monday.
Howdy, it's snowing out here.

The best powder snow is in the trees.

The Arctic Cat M8 is a great boonedocking sled, the 162" track is a powder eater.

Good day in the mountains going back up again tomorrow. It's supposed to snow all night, be nice to pick up another foot or more. Take care.

STORMIN' / Wyoming & Colorado / Leaving on Sunday, Riding on Mon., Tues., Wed. / Exploring New Areas

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In the Saddle

Got out on the mountain bike today. Just wanted to put some time in the saddle, see where my fitness is at. It was about 32 degrees when I started at about 3:15 PM, got home at 9:30, the temp was about 25 degrees. The last 4 hours were in the dark, I use a helmet light and a handle bar mounted light up front with 2 flashing red tail lights in the rear. Had a little bike maintenance about 2.5 hours into the ride, my crank arm started to work it's way off, that was easily fixed. The ride was a combo of pavement and off-road trails with single track mixed with some good hill climbs and hard pack gravel.

The whole idea was to be out and moving for a lengthy period of time. It gives the body a chance to shut down and have to start back up. It simulates a day in the mountains boarding or sledding, or a shift at the Ski Patrol. It's not about a race, it's about endurance. I got the hills in for the power and heart rate, but the mental and physical aspect of having to get the body warmed up after stopping is important. The hurry up, slow down, git it going again is good. During the ride I stopped and ate a quick supper and stopped to visit my parents. The last leg of the ride was about 9 miles. On the last leg I came upon 3 deer right off a gravel trail through the woods in the dark (you know how deer are attracted to me, check out the "DEAD DEER" on the labels)...

The layer system worked great, I was a little cool after the stops but warmed up without sweating too bad during the riding. I put on 1 more layer the last couple of hours as it cooled down. Brought 2 bottles of mix, I use a combination of protein and carbohydrate powder to keep my energy level up and 2 Power Bar gels. About half way through I ate a quick supper, I felt very good the last few miles. Try and get on the snowboard in the next day or two and then get out to Wyoming and Colorado and find some powder.

Sled Mods & Thanksgiving

These are the 4 modifications that I made to the M8 Arctic Cat to prepare for the mountains. The first trip to Wyoming and Colorado is coming up quickly so I was glad to finish the project. I took the pictures in the dark trailer, I'll get some better pics on the snow.

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3 " Riser block to raise the handle bars.

Ice scratchers (the black coiled spring on the rail) to kick up the snow to keep everything running cool on the track and the engine cooler under the tunnel. They release off the rail and drag in the snow

The new seat, it is shorter, taller, narrower and 4 pounds lighter.

The all important snowboard rack. It went on with only drilling 2 holes. I am able to remove the rack with 2 twist knobs and releasing 2 straps that attach to the rear bumper. There is still plenty of room for a plastic gas container on the tunnel.

SUV Powder CAT.

Thanksgiving Day

Three of my 5 grandkids at their house for Thanksgiving.

Snowing in the Mountains

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Will be out West in December. Preparing the sleds now.

The 08' M8 Cat just got a new 2010 seat. It's 4 pounds lighter, taller, more narrow and about half the length of the original seat. Better side to side and stand up transition. More like the set-up on the Polaris Dragon. Also a 3" riser block for the handle bars, for better standing position (I ride standing up about 90% of the time). Putting ice scratchers on for cooling in low or hard snow conditions, you need them with the long tracks.

Trying to decide on a snowboard mount for the Cat. The Dragon is ready to go right now.

A Good Week For Mountain Bike Rides

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We did some nice singletrack riding close to home this week. Get out on the bikes in the morning, the temps about 38 - 40 degrees. It's always great to get out in the woods in the late fall, with the leaves on the trail and surface a little damp from the frost in the morning, it can be a little slick. I always like twisty singletrack to work the reflexes and the short climbs to stretch the legs and work the upper body. I like to end the ride on the pavement to finish with a steady power pedal and spin the legs.

It's great to get out in the middle of the week, without the week-end crowd. Three bike rides in the last 4 days, I like it.