Good afternoon.. It is about 12:30 pm saturday. I finally made it to the trails.. 3rd time is a charm I guess. I finally picked up the sled from the shop (north end cycle).. I can say no issues today but my wallet is empty from the repairs.. Holy crapola....

I put 20 miles on the northern section of the trails today. My first time on the trails here... Trails are pretty fluffy with snow.. and in some sections some deep white powder.. Feels like your track is just a floating on ice... lol... I helped one guy fix his drive belt as it broke.. Those things are such a pain in the Azz... But with 2 people it only took us a min to get it on...

The trails seem to be pretty decent.. Though the powder snow does not make a good base.. If you kinda snaggle of the trail into the corn field stalks, watch out.. A bit bumpy... But if you stay on the main trail (and you should) it is not bad...

I might get out later this afternoon to check more of the trails out... I'm riding an Yamaha exciter II black... c-ya's on the trail..

Scott

Sure, the snow was fun if you were the first one through. It's so light it just flew out of the way. Our groomer was out yesterday. He did the south section yesterday morning and hopefully did the north last night. Just no moisture to set up good. As far as NEC goes, I try to avoid them anymore. Their prices are high on parts and sleds. I'll get my parts from Glenwood in Dowagiac. Their much more reasonable. Example: manifold gasket-$7.38 at NEC, $6.15 at Glenwood.

Thanks for the tip... How is their service dept?? I think I need to change my job to working on sleds... lol

Trail conditions sunday... Well.. I was out between 2pm and 3pm.. I ran across a group of 6... Coming in from the south end... Other then that just a couple others out on the south end....

Conditions I would say are fair... With no base before this snowfall the trails are a little ruff.. but certainly rideable... I did put about 20 miles on and I'm a little sore.. Maybe just getting to old... lol...

Who knows.. A couple of IBprofin and I might be back out again... Hopefully we get some snow.. Forecast says mid 30's all week.. and no snow....

I can second that on Glenwood in Dowagiac...bought our last two sleds from them and their service dept is first rate, they get our business and it's worth the trip up. When I snochecked my Firecat...there wasn't another dealer in the area that was within $1000 of their pricing. NEC is good in June when they make all their accessories 50% off, that's the only time I buy from them.

We were going to come into SB today and ride...but it just didn't make sense to load up all the sleds and drive in to ride exactly what I have here at home or worse. Just got back riding with the wife, she's done for the day, now it's time to go ride with the guys. We got a pretty decent(unofficial) trail laid done from McDonalds in Westville to almost New Carlisle There is quite a few groups out riding, just like a regular trail just no signs. Lots of drift busting over the rolling fields. I hear sleds, it's time to go.

I agree with ya' on their 50% sale. A couple years ago the knot came undone in the pull handle and zipped back into the machine. I took off that part and stupid me, decided to unscrew the nut. Zzzziiiiiiiiiipppp. The coil spring in there became unwound. There was no way in heck I was gonna get that wound. I took it to NEC after work. I didn't know they could do it right away. I left it with the mechanic and looked at some clothes. I was getting ready to leave about 10-15 min. later and he brought it back out to me. All done. Very little time but they charged me an outrageous amount. I'll never have them do work for me. Plus when I had to get two manifold gaskets, they had to order them. Glenwood had them in stock and $1.23 less each.

anyone been out late sunday or monday to update the trail conditions? Is there some place it is posted to read the conditions of the trail?

Like I stated in earlier posts this year...I see the trail during lunch as I work just down the road. I seen about 4 trucks at the speedway and rode up to Galien and didn't see a single sled or truck/trailer there at the Bungalo. The trails looks surprisingly good in most areas, except for the trail heads and areas where all the sleds have to go through the exact same spot(woods, road crossings etc)which you get that anywhere you go except up north. It probably won't last long without any fresh snow though and none really expected this week...so get while you can as it will probably be iffy at best by weekend.

We have a sign at the Speedway right on SR 2. It was on "OPEN" when I drove by going home from work.

Not sure how many people really pay attention to the open/closed sign??

As far as the trail being "open" or "closed," if I was making the decision I would close it. Went out on snow lover's loop after work and the trail was all mud. Still snow in the fields and i could see where a couple guys have been playing around in the fields and dug down to the dirt drag racing.

Stay home and pray for snow.

Tony

Coming home tonight the sign was still on OPEN. Don't know how that can be. I agree totally with 'ya.

Yeah i looked at the sigh before i left work, it was open, looked at the trail where it crosses pear and at crumstown highway., not bad not great, well i tried it, rode up from north liberty, hooked in just before st rd. 23, i was dodging mud puddles! needs to be closed

Believe it or not...there wasn't an trucks/trailers at the speedway today, but there was 3 nice sleds sitting in mud across from Bob's at lunch time, they must have come in from the north.

Rode last night in Laporte...the snow has definately changed it's character when riding in open fields...actually gets somewhat squirrelly as the consistency changes so quickly...more suitable for just cruising. We were getting a few light snow flakes here a while ago, but nothing that will amount to anything I'm sure. Cold weather may keep snow here rideable for a few more days...helps the wait for the good stuff a little more manageable.

They finally closed the B run. Saw a couple sleds out tonight. Mud-mobiles for sure. Good way to ruin a sled and piss off some land owners.

Ditto

I don't think many pay attention to the trails open or not. Sat I waited until the hot line said the trails were open... Which was around 9am.. I was probably at the trail (north end) by 9:45.. And in the one part I was the second sled.. But in other areas you could tell there had been a few threw if not the night before... I'm sure some where out at 3-4am for a night cap ride or something....

I woke up at 7am sat and called. THe hot line was not updated yet.. called at 8am.. nothing still.. then at 8:45.. nothing.. then finally at 9 it was updated... I would of been out at 7 if it would of been open...

I think the trails probably need another 4" or more for decent sleding. I'm not sure how they look with the warm up the past 2 days.. I'm sure some areas lost their base...

They say sunday is the next chance for rain/snow. Pray for snow... If not, probably head north in a week or 2 to ride....

I got on the trail Saturday heading east from Tamarack at the toll road. Nobody had gone that way yet. Nice and fluffy. Felt like I was floating.