What an incredible year! March is normally the time when we’re thinking about squeezing in a few more rides and enjoying some spring conditions. Usually it’s pretty good – you don’t have to dress like you’re spending some time on the moon and the higher sun feels great, even though the trails can get a bit squishy and brown in some spots.

Not this year of course. Thanks to the polar vortex, or whatever it is that we’ve been blessed with this winter, spring riding is here with a big difference. The trails are what you would normally expect to see in early February – hard, flat and fully covered! As I’ve told you before, the clubs have done a remarkable job this year, and unless we have a run of 80 degree temps, I just don’t see it ending any time soon.

I had a great ride last Friday in The Forks Area. My four riding companions had varying degrees of experience, including one person who had never been on a sled before. We got a late start, never set a killer pace, and even with a rental sled breakdown, we were able to enjoy a hundred-mile day without breaking a sweat. Life is good. We hit the highlight of the area, Grand Falls on the Dead River and the summit of Coburn Mountain. The sky was blue and the riding was outstanding. Standing on the summit of Coburn, we could look down a thousand feet and watch a moose browsing in a clearcut below. It just doesn’t get any better!

Here’s a few pics from our trip:

Grand Falls on the Dead River.

ITS-89 near Parlin Pond.

The view north from the summit of Coburn Mountain.

Happy riders, of course!

Trail conditions are still being updated, and there’s still plenty of riding and beautiful weather to enjoy. Just don’t forget to bring along an extra set of longjohns just in case…!

See you on the trails.