North Shore riding 3/12

[elf]

North Shore riding 3/12 - trivia question is answered.

So we ran back up to the cabin this weekend to attend the St Urho's festivities in Finland and sneak one last ride in. As we were unloading sleds on Saturday the truck thermometer was telling me it was 60 degrees out. We ran down some forest roads for about 25 miles and got back to the spot where I'd found a nice moose shed earlier this yr. Our hope was the snow was melted down enough that the other side would just be laying on top somewhere near. So we snowshoed around for about an hour but had no luck. The forest rds were great riding, probably 18"+ of snow in the woods still. Got back to the truck about 5:00 and it had cooled down all the way to 52. I could learn to like riding in temps like that.

Since nobody guessed my trivia question from last week I'll throw it out there again. Besides the fact that there were only three of us out this time (my son was being a PITA so he stayed in the cabin) do you notice anything different from earlier pictures I'd posted?

 

[elf]

OK, the answer to the trivia question"what do you see different from my previous posts?" is I got a new sled. Picked it up a couple weeks ago. Its a new 600 RMK 144 with electric start. So basically the same as my 2010 but with 6700 less miles on it. The 2010 moves down to the kids now along with Skiroules old 500XCSP and the old 440 supersport gets retired. I like the new chassis a lot but haven't had a chance to do to much with this one outside of some forest roads and swamp riding.

 

[skiroule]

Looks like a great finish. Think your son missed a nice spring ride. I'm sure that new sled will work out well for you. Maybe the Super Sport is my kind of sled. Still waiting for the final word on repair of the Assault engine explosion. Saw some photos of the engine (or what was left of it) - not pretty. The Sneak Peek is only about 3 weeks away. I'm almost afraid to go. Seems like I become financially irresponsible.

 

[Wyelde]

8-12 inches of snow predicted up there later this week.

 

[Deleted member 10829]

I thought it was a new sled in the last picture, but I couldn't get the pics larger. I like the color!

 

[groomerdriver]

8-12 inches of snow predicted up there later this week.

Hey Elf, you wanna play guide for a couple of us? Per the MN DNR website, they are done grooming the NSST for the season. I'd guess that since the DNR is done the local clubs will stop as well? While I've got a great GPS and map I don't know the good forest roads and the not so good FR's.

 

[elf]

Hey Elf, you wanna play guide for a couple of us? Per the MN DNR website, they are done grooming the NSST for the season. I'd guess that since the DNR is done the local clubs will stop as well? While I've got a great GPS and map I don't know the good forest roads and the not so good FR's.

When would you want to go? I've got a commitment Saturday night to go to the COGGS (Cyclist of Gitchee Gammi Shores) Gala. Thats our local mountian biking community that my company is sponsoring a table at. But I'm free Sunday.

- - - Updated - - -

I thought it was a new sled in the last picture, but I couldn't get the pics larger. I like the color!

I wasn't sure on the color until I actually got it. The gray is actually a nice metallic. First time I haven't been on a blue sled since 2003. Nobody's gonna know its me anymore.

 

[POLARISDAN]

Looks like a great finish. Think your son missed a nice spring ride. I'm sure that new sled will work out well for you. Maybe the Super Sport is my kind of sled. Still waiting for the final word on repair of the Assault engine explosion. Saw some photos of the engine (or what was left of it) - not pretty. The Sneak Peek is only about 3 weeks away. I'm almost afraid to go. Seems like I become financially irresponsible.

-+-+*

600 or 800 and what year assault?

 

[skiroule]

-+-+*

600 or 800 and what year assault?

2013 800 - Really like Elf's new ride. Not sure why I think I need an 800. I've ridden a 600 and it had all the power I need.

Forecast looking good for your area Elf. Don't put em' away just yet.

 

[elf]

2013 800 - Really like Elf's new ride. Not sure why I think I need an 800. I've ridden a 600 and it had all the power I need.

Forecast looking good for your area Elf. Don't put em' away just yet.

I've wrestled with myself on the 600 vs 800 over the last few yrs. While I love the idea of the extra power on tap with the 800 I just can't justify it. My riding style just doesn't require it as most of our riding is cruising down forest roads, swamps, rivers, etc... When I'm with my family its rare we exceed 50 mph and only for short bursts. When I'm with the guys its mostly off trail screwing around. Its the same internal argument I have regarding a 144" or 155". So the 600 RMK 144 really fits my style of riding. Heres a better shot of it. If I was to go out west every year and bring a sled with, I'd probably change that opinion. But I really enjoyed the trip this yr, just flying and renting.

 

[skiroule]

I've wrestled with myself on the 600 vs 800 over the last few yrs. While I love the idea of the extra power on tap with the 800 I just can't justify it. My riding style just doesn't require it as most of our riding is cruising down forest roads, swamps, rivers, etc... When I'm with my family its rare we exceed 50 mph and only for short bursts. When I'm with the guys its mostly off trail screwing around. Its the same internal argument I have regarding a 144" or 155". So the 600 RMK 144 really fits my style of riding. Heres a better shot of it.
View attachment 53685

Agree with Mark, the metallic gray is sharp! I'm more or less in the same situation with the 600/800 question if I were going to replace the Switchback at some point. Really wish I could have ridden it out west this year with the 144x2 track upgrade. Maybe next year - if I can resist the new Assault axys.

 

[GTL]

Elf, did you get up the shoreline this weekend??????????? How are the conditions? We are thinking of making a trip yet this week and have heard reports of good to terrible. We normally unload at Two Harbors and head north to either Grand Portage or the gunflint.

 

[ezra]

u are not rolling out of 2 harbors. the lot about 5 mi out of town was first stop talked with people loading back up after a very short ride they were going to head to finland. we headed up prob 20 mi on 15 and 11 . no grooming and I would bet a lot of money it wont get groomed lots of h20 and downed trees .
I would trailer to tofte and head up the hill and dump if I go next weekend
worth the trip but do not expect anything but spring riding

 

[elf]

Elf, did you get up the shoreline this weekend??????????? How are the conditions? We are thinking of making a trip yet this week and have heard reports of good to terrible. We normally unload at Two Harbors and head north to either Grand Portage or the gunflint.

Nope, didn't make it up. Plan to go up ths coming Friday and unload at a friends cabin near Isabella and just run forest roads for the day.