Mancelona, MI - Dec 12, 2009

Taking advantage of the early snowfall, a small group of us went up to Mancelona, MI this past weekend. We started at the Mancelona Motel and covered over 70 miles - hitting up the Jordan Valley, Lakes of the North and Blue Bear trails. It was a beautiful day and the trails were pretty good, except for a few rough patches (woopdees) between Larry's Seven-Ski and The Hideaway (just outside Starvation Lake). Over all a great weekend and an early treat to the snowmobile season.

Being goofy.First stop.

Waiting for the groomer. Tons of snow!!

Turning around on the Jordan Valley Trails - oops

Waiting for the groomer.




p.s. I'm back!!!!!! :)

Mancelona, MI - Dec 12, 2009 (continued)

Mounds ORV Area bursting at the seams on Thanksgiving

Driver, Mike Tobin, 37, of Rochester Hills gets ready to ride through the mud at the Mounds Off-Road Vehicle Area in Mt. Morris Thanksgiving morning.

By Liz Shaw Flint Journal
December 01, 2009, 12:43PM

Thanksgiving day is one of the biggest days for the county park.GENESEE TOWNSHIP, Michigan — Off-road enthusiasts raised $331 and 575 pounds of food for the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan on Thanksgiving at the Mounds ORV Area in Genesee Township.

The popular ORV site always draws huge crowds on Thanksgiving morning but this year more than 500 vehicles poured into the facility between 8 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Genesee County Parks officials working at the gate said off-roaders began lining up at 6 a.m., with the line stretching all the way to Irish Road a mile away.

The What Lies Beyond Jeep Club hosts a warming tent and charity drive at the Mounds each Thanksgiving. This year’s food collection was far beyond expectations, said president Cody Dean.

Silver Lake 2009

It was definitely fall this time at Silver Lake this year. Cool, windy, and rainy where the conditions for this weekends trip. The parking lot was not the familiar packed like sardines we are use too. I had an odd feeling, like something was missing when the long line to get into the parking lot was nowhere to be found. Also when driving on the dunes, it kind of felt like it was all to our selves. The sand was packed a bit and some of the hills had some surprises in store for us. One moment was when going over test hill and then building your speed on back side and hitting one of the smaller hills. This smaller hill was missing a down side, and just totally dropped off. Basically when you realized this was not going to be a good thing and that this hill was nothing more then a cliff it was too late and gravidity was in full effect. Well it was a good thing the drop off was not that big of a drop but enough to scream “OH $h!%!!!” a few times with the hope that you would not go over the handle bars during the landing. Well everyone did fine, however later that day we did see someone that did not make out as well as our group did. He was not hurt just fell off his quad during his landing. Everyone had fun and we came away once again unharmed. We all agreed that we should of rode a little more this past year and think a summer Silver Lake trip for 2010 will have to be a must.

MTR Riders: Scott, Sean, Larry, Dan, and Jenni

Hey Hey, Last Minute Day Ride, Oct. 3rd.

MTR ---  My brother in-law got a kitchen pass to go riding this weekend on Saturday.  So we are going to head up to either St. Helen or Rose City for a day of fun, and hopefully mud (haven't found any lately). 

He has a KTM bike, so it will be interesting to ride with a bike.

Let me know if anyone is interested.

Chad

Six Six One Pressure Suit $90

Six Six One Pressure Suit

$90
BackcountryOutlet.com offers Six Six One Pressure Suit in White/Black for $104.99 plus $7.44 for shipping. Coupon code "2X9-1-YEL9U" cuts it to $89.97. That's the lowest total price MTR could find by $50. It's available in sizes S to XXL. These suits feature protection for your chest, elbows, forearms, shoulders, and spine.

Riding this weekend

Chad and I are going to ride the Missaukee trail again this weekend.
We are staying at the Rustic Rafters Campground.

Anyone interested?

Riding on the weekend of the 19th?

"The CHAD" would like to ride the weekend of Sept 19th......he mentioned something about Silver Lake????????

Anyone up for some sand?

Just courious.....

I'm just sayin' could be fun......

The Mounds - Sunday, Aug 30th anyone?

Anyone up for riding this weekend? Sean wants to ride Sunday....Call him or reply to the blog...Just the Mounds.

ATV Jamboree - St. Helens

Here is a link to the St. Helen ATV Jamboree!!

August 14-16th

Anyone Interested?????

Greg--

http://www.sainthelenchamber.net/files/ATVJamboree/Jamboree_Summary-Final.pdf

5 years of MTR riding at Silver Lake, MI

Here is a video to celebrate our 5 year anniversary of riding at Silver Lake.

2004 - 2009

MTR Riders: Chad, Fred, Greg, and Larz

Time To Plan the August Ride!!!

Hey all....
Looking for suggestions for an August ride.
Back to the same riding spots? (Balwin, Leota, Missaukee, Dunes.....)
Try some new trails?
Out of state?
Hattfield McCoys?

Just thowing it out there......

Greg--

North Missaukee Trails - GREAT Ride!!

Thank you to Chad for finding the cabin, and thank you to Larry for posting the pictures.
I will send Larry my pics as soon as I can.
If anyone else has any pictures, please send them to Larry.

Oh yeah, took the beast to the shop and they said that I need to run 93 octane gas......But they are going to check the carb anyway.....yeah, I think they are covering the fact that it was not jetted right. But what do I know.

Thanks,
Greg--

North Missaukee Trails Lake City MI

What can I really say about this trip? We came, we saw, we rode, we conquered!

MTR logged a record breaking 106miles of trail riding bliss. Rehab is in store for the rest of the week but it was well worth it.

Chad did well when he found a log cabin for us at Rustic Rafters. These cabins are very well maintained, clean, and accommodating.

Our record breaking ride was just awesome and we are already geeked about riding these great trails again. The trails had a good mix of wide flat fast riding, windy and tight, and a few hills. No dust in the morning however the dust started to get bad and the end of our ride. The woops, and puddles where at a minimum.

MTR riders included: Chad, Fred, Greg, Larry, Sean, and Scott.

The Scott Chronicles - North Missaukee Trail

Great Scott!!!

Even more pictures.

North Missaukee Trail June 19th Weekend

North Missaukee Trail - Missaukee County

Greg and Chad will be heading up probably around noonish on Friday. Fred and Larry will be leaving later in the afternoon.

There are at least 70 miles of trails, so bring gas cans, ibuprofen, and muscle relaxers.

We are staying at http://www.rusticrafters.com/ campground, in a cabin that is next to the overflow parking lot so that we will have room to park our assorted vehicles.

Cabin check out is normally noon, but this is the slow time, if we want to stay until 4 or so, that shouldn't be a problem. The cost is 70.00 a night.

The trailhead is less than 2 miles away, and we can ride on the county roads there and back, and also to get gas once we are out on the trail.

June 5th Ride - St. Helen

Finally, an update.

Greg and I had a good ride in St. Helen June 5th. Guessing we did close to 50 miles, including riding all the way into Roscommon for a bite to eat.

We actually met a Sheriff at the gas station, and we apparently where following all the rules because she was very polite and wished us a good weekend.

Greg's new quad is a beast, but it has problems at stop signs.

In pure Greg fashion, it has a slight fear of mud, choosing to go around instead of the noble route.

We found a really nice scramble area that has turned into a lake.

Friday June 5th

All,
Chad and I are going riding on Friday.
Let us know if you are interested.
We are going to either Huron or the Geels.

Greg--

Mackinac Bridge

Hey this isn't necessarily related to the blog, but thought it was a cool pic. I have some more from under the bridge.

Edited to Add (ETA): I took this picture 30MAY09 from the Light House Tour Cruise in Mackinaw. This is from the top of the Shepler's Ferry. That is the UP side in the background.

June Riding????

Who has plans to ride in June? Jana and I were discussing weekends and she has a shower the 7th so I am free to ride that weekend. The following weekend we are going to the cottage (June 13 - 14). Then 21st - 22nd is fathers day weekend so I am available again as Jana is going over to her Dads. Then I standing up in a wedding on the 27th but would be available on the the 28th because we will likely be home by 10 because I need my beauty sleep...

We discussed trying the Baldwin system last year and I just read they groomed all there trails this spring - so no woops... Maybe try that or wherever. I think Silver Lake will end up after Labor Day.

So lets here whos available for what weekends and maybe hammer out at least one days worth of riding.

Sean

When is the next ride?

I can not make Silver Lake June 5th-8th due to family coming into town.
But "Heather" and I are good to go for any other time.
The St. Helens ride was alot of fun!!
It was nice to see everyone and the best part of the whole day was that Larry's quad was fully functional!!
One thing that I love about that place is that no matter how many times I go it seems like I ride someplace different!

Greg--

On the trail of a unknown beast.

There’s something in the Woods of St. Helens, as this beast is unknown but familiar to all who have ridden in the deep darkness of the woods. Some people say the stories are just all fork lore. However, the evidence is overwhelming and the tales and rumors are all too real.

Many locals have speculated that this monster is a giant cat or bigfoot-like man beast. Most say this unknown creature smells of garlic and mysteriously plugs drains with hair or sweater wool like fabric. ATV riders of all likes have entered the trails never to be seen again.


Perhaps the riders had gotten lost, ran out of gas and food. Maybe swallowed by a big mud whole with no one to help, or even stuck on the bottom of a sand hill with not enough power to make it to the top. Well that would be the easy answer to these disappearances.

The locals would say the beast knows no limits and runs outside the laws of physics. It has no weaknesses to sand, mud, hills, tight and twisty trails. A long straight away will not even be an easy escape. The ATV riders who never returned where all easy prey say the St. Helen locals.

So beware this Sunday, for you never know what will be hiding or lurking at St. Helens off exit #222.

St, Helens day trip 25th or 26th?

Hey!

Looking to do a day trip on either Sat 25th or Sun the 26th of this month.
Need to get the cob webs off the quads and get some new gas in the carbs. Not to mention need shiny new ORV stickers.

Let me know what works best. And weather is always a factor.

Dan (Raptor) bought his girlfriend Jenni a Z400 limited edition all black quad. She will be learning how to use the clutch this trip.

Let me know your thoughts or ideas
Larry

Chad:
“Can't go that weekend. Taking Connie up north for our anniversary.”

Greg:
“and it begins..........”

Chad:
“I can go anytime in May.

How about June 5th-7th for silver lake?”

Larry:
“June 5th-7th for silver lake looks good on my calendar. Per I do not have an anniversary going on that weekend.

Chad, you and all of us will be doing the same thing at the end of the month. It is just when we get done with our ride we will have bugs in our teeth.

Well...lets hope that will be the only difference. :o”

Chad:
“If I end up with bugs in my mouth, it might be the last anniversary I have. LOL.”

Greg:
“That is sooo gross........”

Chad:
“Like you have never wound up with bugs in your teeth.”

Ronnie's Online Parts MicroFiche

MTR Gents,
I thought I would share the knowledge. Being that we all own a variety of power sports, it can be a headache trying to find OEM parts. Need that stock Allen bolt with fitted spring, washer and metric fine treaded nylon nut? Fear not, the parts are just a simple order away.

Here is the website, it is awesome and cannot believe I forgot about it.

Microfiche Parts Site
http://www.ronniesmailorder.com/fiche_select.asp

Ronnie's Main Site
http://www.ronnies.com/

You can even look up Ski-Doo parts. Most dealers will tell you to bring in the part so that they can order the replacement part for your sled. Now you can skip that bull and order the correct part your self and stick it to the man! -Not that I'm into that kind of thing.

Also keep in mind as of today your Michigan ORV stickers are expired. Renew it unless you really want to find out what it is like to get stuck by the man!

Order ORV Sticker below.
http://www.mdnr-elicense.com/welcome.asp
ORV / SNOW / PARK ORV Permit will be mailed to you and will arrive within 7 business days of your purchase. $16.25 3/1/2009 to 2/28/2010

Newberry, MI - Feb 20-22

Hey Dan, Jenni and I left Thursday night and stopped at the Gaylord Holiday Inn Express. Got up mid morning and drove another few hours to our base in Newberry on Friday.

We stayed at the Comfort-Inn in Newberry with about 8 million other snowmobilers. The place was packed!! We rode out to Curtis and ate at the Whitefish Inn. We also checked out the Fish & Hunt shop (where we keep renting the sleds thru). We drive around thru Germfask and back over to Newberry. Since the way back wasn't on marked trails we got a little lost, but got back to Newberry just in time to meet Sean and Evans. We drove back to Curtis for dinner since there wasn't much in Newberry.

Saturday we rode north to Grand Marais. Trails 8 and 9. We saw a couple of the Sled Dogs (Sled Dog 200). Pretty neat. Also saw Lake Superior. Rode home on 8 to 888 to 8 thru Seney and around to Curtis again. This time we stopped at Kim's Bar. We stayed on the 45 and 43 trails on the way back to Newberry.

We put on about 300 miles total per se.

http://mitrailrunners.blogspot.com/

I changed the blog title to fit our activities more appropriately!!

http://mitrailrunners.blogspot.com/

Hulbert, MI (UP) - Jan 29-Feb 1, 2009 Day 1

The majority of us drove up Thursday morning. We decided on a Thursday evening ride.Here we are trying to decide on the best route to Strongs, MI.Evans ready to ride!Nina ready for her first ride: Here's where we ate (the best fried Mac and Cheese)

Deer we saw in the woods on the way to Strongs, MI:

Hulbert, MI (UP) - Jan 29-Feb 1, 2009 Day 2

Today's pics are courtesy of the Jana Helmut Cam. We went out for a brief 2 hour trip.

The lodge:

The boys pulling Nina's machine out of the ditch.

Dan & Jen looking out at Lake Superior:

Sean and Brandon :

Evans and Jessica:

And here is Sean and I at Taquamenon Falls State Park and Brewery & Pub.

I still say the walk in all our snowmobile clothes was NOT worth it....but we got a good pic.. :)

ETA:

This picture was taken before climbing down 8 million stairs. I believe this was a better view...

Lastly, we met up at the this Tavern in Trout Lake. The boys want to go back for the upcoming festivities:

Our brief 2 hour trip turned into a 12 hour trip once we made it from Hulbert to Paradise to the Falls to Newberry to Trout Lake and then back to Hulbert... Yikes Tomorrow we are taking just a 1 hour trip!!!

Hulbert, MI (UP) - Jan 29-Feb 1, 2009 Day 3 and home

Pancakes for breakfast!! Evans:

Sean playing around off the trail:

Rockbottom Tavern in Moran, MI

Another bar in Trout Lake, we had to stop to dethaw our helmets....

And ourselves:

And here's the Mackinaw Bridge on the way home....High Wind Advisory!!