life just ain't fair sometimes, boo hoo

 

That looks like fun. I don't think I've ever come across a group of riders that big before, but when there is a big group I just pull over and let them all by instead of dodging one after another. Then again, most of the trails I ride are only wide enough for one ATV or SxS. More often than not I see a small group of 3 or 4 people riding together. I haven't been to St.Helen or ridden in snow in ages. My friend's boys were still kids when we rode in the snow at St. Helen. When we stopped for a break he took one boy's boots off and was blowing exhaust in them to try to warm them up and maybe dry them out. I bought a pair of imitation Mickey Mouse boots for riding when it's really cold. They always made my feet sweat. If snow got in my boots it melted and I had warm water in them, and warm water doesn't feel too bad on the feet when it's below freezing out. Another place I used to like riding in the winter was Leota. Half of the time I had the whole trail to myself, and after the ride I would play around by the parking lot. There was a low spot that always filled with water and froze. I would get on the ice and do donuts until I couldn't see straight. When I stopped it looked like everything else was moving around. It was so bad I almost fell off my quad one time.

 

Anyone up north on atv's right now, I'm sure, are having a great time on trails, w/ no rain, dry, but just enough snow on ground to really enjoy the trip! Just cold enough to keep the sloppiness out of the trails, for the next few days, before rain arrives, just before the weekend. I would be up there right now, if the tires on my vehicle were in better shape! Just noticed, after tire dealer pointed out good tread, but tiny cracking close to the rims, so being over cautious, not taking the chance on possible blow out, while hauling this 700# 4x4 up inside the vehicle with gas tanks on board....I'll wait! I'll get new tires installed soon, in case there's a chance before snow gets too deep up there, and too cold to enjoy the ride, to buddy up with anyone ready to do a little winter trailing up in God's country! Don't feel comfortable riding alone, especially with temps dropping into the teens at night up there, in case there any problems, way out on trails, possible having to walk out, after sun go down, in the dark....scary thought! lol Been there done that before, no fun!

Have a few suggestions for places to stay/camp up there, this time of year.
There's Trails Inn, right on the trailhead, can ride from there. $60 day.
Anyone/someone with a motorhome, where I would help with expenses, naturally.
I have many times use my van to haul quads up in, then after unloading, use the van to camp in, with it being heavily insulated, bunks fold down, with propane heater, but then when temps drop below freezing at night, there's the campground with electric for heaters.... hey it's normally for just a couple of days, and w/ heated bath house, within a few feet from camp site, how great is that, and only $30 a day while splitting costs, don't get any more affordable than that!
So many options, no reason for excuses! When there's a will there's a way lol
Don't need to spend every waking minute riding/sleeping, with so many great things to do up there, with restaurants, modern grocery store, ATV dealer right there, hardware stores and shops all up and down, close to camp at very affordable prices, also West Branch and Houghton lake within a short ride away, and with gas prices below two bucks now, there's no excuse to stay away!
Long range weather forecast up there, mid twenties after next weekend, no rain/snow/winds, few days with sun.
In case I don't see any of you before then, have a very MERRY XMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR! With my early New Years resolution: Riding hard/fast/often lol with many friends, new and old acquaintances 2019!!

 

Merry Christmas everyone.

 

It snowed a little bit Christmas evening so people could finally have a white Christmas on their drive home. Better late than never? Not really. It's supposed to be in the 50s Friday. That will ruin your sledding in a hurry.

 

It's hard to believe how exciting a few snowflakes falling late in the day, had made our day! Looking on the positive side it wasn't rain or wet damp sloppy snow accumulation, or very cold and dry! The evening was really perfect, warm considering where we live in Michigan! We waved goodbye to all our guests leaving late last night, without coats on, with our xmas lights gleaming on their shiny clean, snow, rain free vehicles, as they drove off. Great day over all, with only one exception, found myself one year older lol

 

Bundy Hill is open new year's day for just that one day in Jan. We have plans on going with my son and grandson taking the KQ 750, TRX450R and grandsons 450 dirt bike. It might be pretty muddy with ice in places, since the night time temp around 20 deg. Just ordered rear tires for 450 that will grab much better under those muddier conditions for only $98 w/free shipping promised by Fri.
Had a problem with Trx not starting, replaced the plug and fired right up! Always think the worst when things foul, especially on these atv's lol The reason I didn't suspect the plug was because I rode it fine up until I put it away in Oct., so naturally I started asking on the internet and reading up on manual everything having to do with everything else, but when we grounded the plug to frame we had no spark. Fortunately I had a spare plugs.
Trying to find a 16' trailer to haul all 3 atv's, since we'll need to drive 2 trucks for hauling otherwise.
New rear tires for TRX for mud'n Bundy!

Grandson 6'2 graduating next mo. Going off to college already! They grow up way too fast! My riding buddy, going to miss em this coming season!

My son on his Quad lol
Come out and join us at Bundy!!

 

That isn't mud there that is fine gravel mixed with sand and a tiny bit of dirt. If it gets to dry it becomes concrete! Better hope the car wash in town is open or you might need a chisel when you get home. Wish I didn't have the winter enclosure already on or I would join you. Have fun and post a couple pics..

 

I've never been to Bundy Hill so I looked it up to see where it is. It's 106 miles SW of me. If I go north instead of south I could be at the Gladwin Trail parking lot 28 minutes faster, don't have to pay to get in, and don't have to buy a whip and flag to put on my ATV. That's $40 extra I'd have to spend plus the extra gas I'd burn to get to Bundy Hill so I doubt I'll ever go there. I just checked Google Maps and it would only take me one minute more to get to the Bull Gap trailhead on M-33 than Bundy Hill so I'm definitely not going there.

 

When you live smack dab in the middle of "no where to ride" you sort of take what you can. Now if I lived in the middle of "riding heaven" like you do, why would you ever want to go somewhere else? I will be making a number of trips to Michigan this coming year if health permits. last couple years has been a health nightmare for me and the wife so it has to get better. Been up there a couple times and it gets better each trip. For those that complain about trail permit fees, come to Ohio and see what you don't get for your money, michigans permit fees are cheap for all a rider gets!!