Fresh Powder At Lake Gogebic
January 5, 2012
Better late than never? Well sure – any snowmobile ride is a great day spent outside, even if it happens a solid month after I had originally hoped to be riding.
. On New Year’s Day, instead of sitting at our respective homes watching football , digesting food and grumbling about the mild weather close to Minneapolis, Associate Editor Tom Kaiser and I loaded up sleds, jumped in the truck and pointed it toward Michigan’s U.P. with two brand-spanking-new snowmobiles in the trailer. We experienced some of the worst winter driving conditions I’ve experienced in several years (including one extended stretch of white-out, near zero visibility, where we could feel rumble strips beneath the tires, but couldn’t tell if we were in the center or at either edge of the road). By the time we got to the homey cabin we rented on the western shores of Lake Gogebic, we were each both wired and tir
We were living the dream on the south side of Lake Gogebic.
ed at the same time. Overnight, the wind continued to whip and snow continued to fall – I don’t know if the poorly insulated cabin ever got above 55 degrees.
. Monday morning we were greeted by still powerful winds and what most folks would consider miserable weather. There was a lot of fresh snow, however, so there was no holding back.
. We pulled our 2012 Polaris 600 Rush and Yamaha RS Vector out of the trailer and hit the trails, dropping south on weaving Trail 1, then transitioning on East 100 before catching one of my favorite trails on earth – No. 13 on the east side of Gogebic, and working our way north.
. This was true “riding in a postcard” conditions. The trails were neon white with all of the fresh snow (maybe 8 new inches?) and every single branch and every tree held some of the powder as well. It seemed like life couldn’t get any better by the time we worked our way up to the north side of the lake for a late breakfast in Bergland with about 45 miles under our drive belts.
. Soon we were proven wrong, however. Kaiser had never been to the Lake Of The Clouds lookout in the Porcupines, so I said, “Follow me, I know the way.” We quickly cleared the greater Bergland area and hooked up with Trail 102 for some of the best Upper Midwestern trail riding I’d done in awhile. The tracks indicated that just two sleds had beaten us to the fresh powder on this trail, which I’d say easily topped 10 inches. With attacked it with spirit, but rarely needed to use the brake. You see, the riders before us appeared to cut to the inside of every corner (which is scary – I’m glad we didn’t meet them!), but it left a lot of powder still on the trail on the outside of left turns. Letting the sled drift out there, snow literally came over the hood in many turns and notably slowed the sleds – it was a blast.
. The groomer beat us to the high-speed, super-wide Trail 11, and we made fast time north. Snow started getting more thin as we got close to Lake Superior, however.
Lake Superior on a blustery winter day
. When the famed lake the Native Americans called Kitchi-Gummi came into focus, it was thrilling. Huge white-capped waves rose, fell and crashed on the shoreline while near hurricane-force winds tugged at our jackets. We took it in for a few minutes, then took the climb up to the always-spectacular Lake Of The Clouds overlook. With snow falling and low clouds, we couldn’t see as far as usual, but the big rocky cliffs were still beautiful, as were
t
he lake and river far below.
. After fueling up in White Pine, we headed back toward Gogebic. Back at the truck by mid afternoon, it was time to load up and head for home. In all, we burned 133 miles on each of the sleds, about 600 miles on the
tow vehicle and made it home 28 hours after we left. To non-enthusiasts, that may seem like a lot of hours in the truck for one day of riding, but it was worth every mile.
Even on a cloudy day, Lake Of The Clouds doesn't disappoint.
. If you haven’t gotten out riding yet this year, take a serious look at a map and find the nearest snow – you’ll be happy you did.
2012 Snowmobile Sneak Peek Tour Info: See The New Iron For Yourself!
March 22, 2011
Would you like to see the exotic new Arctic Cat chassis in person? Want to grab a glance at Polaris’ trend-setting Switchback Adventure? Do you need to touch Ski-Doo’s new rMotion skid frame to fully grasp how it functions? Maybe you want proof that power steering really did make its way deeper into Yamaha’s lineup?
Or maybe, just maybe, you’re looking for a way to extend your passion after a snowy winter, and hanging out with other snowmobilers while checking out fresh iron seems like a better way than staring out the window and watching the spring rains?
Whether you choose one of these excuses or make one of your own, the spring snowmobile tours featuring the 2012 snowmobiles from the four major manufacturers are in full swing, with trucks full of new sleds and fancy displays crisscrossing the country.
Maki Becomes World Champ, Times Two
July 21, 2010
2010 World Champions
When I think of the Grantsburg World Championship Watercross Race, I think of my most favorite weekend of the year, blazing hot sun, delicious lemonade and the street dances that I love so much. After this years 34th Annual World Championship Race I’ve added one more thing, or should I say person, to that list. Chad Maki.
McCurdy, Jr. Ends Bad Luck Streak in Ely, Minnesota Watercross
July 2, 2010
The International Watercross Associations race in Ely, Minnesota over the weekend of June 26, 2010 marked the end of a bad luck streak for one driver and may have started the beginning of a good one for many more.
IWA Kicks-Off 2010 Season
June 9, 2010
The International Watercross Association kicked off their 2010 race season June 6-7 in Moose Lake, MN. The Moose Lake Grand Prix debuted two new sponsors, new drivers and some of the fastest racing you’ll see on water.
New Yamaha Sled: Power Steering?
January 13, 2010
I spent yesterday riding a new, presumably 2011 Yamaha snowmobile. I don’t know its name, I don’t know what engine it features, and I’m not exactly sure what makes the steering so light. In fact, here’s everything I know about this exciting new sled….um….uh…..well, it has a track….
OK, that might be an exaggeration — it comes in a version of the Deltabox chassis, it has a four-stroke powerplant, and it features the Mono Shock rear suspension. Beyond that, Yamaha officials are being unbelievably coy about this new machine — opting for this approach with the media: “Ride it, and give your impressions, but you can’t open any panels or the hood.” The Snow Goer team will learn the real answers soon, but I can tell you that it has the lightest steering of any snowmobile I’ve ever ridden, and it has the best handling of any four-stroke snowmobile I’ve ridden.
My guess? Electronic Power Steering has made its first entry into the snowmobile market. Yamaha is the same manufacturer who first introduced power-assisted steering to the ATV market, and with that has completely changed the market in the past three years.
On the snowmobile I rode, the light steering had a dual effect — first, made it easy to ride in any conditions I encountered. Beyond that, the lighter steering seems to have allowed Yamaha to better dial in its suspension setup — the front end stayed much more planted than other recent Yamahas, carving corners with ease, and with most ski lift eliminated. My guess on that one? Because the heavy-steering penalty of dialing in more front end is removed by the addition of power steering, Yamaha set up the sled with more transfer to the skis.
Now, the powerplant: I don’t know what that is either!! But, it felt like a three-cylinder engine on steroids. It ran with the Apex we had with us, leading me to think it has 140-plus horsepower, and it spins up to just over 10,000 rpm if you stay on the gas long enough. That said, it’s a different powerband than the Apex and the Vector. Could it have a slight turbo assist? Possibly, but it’s so unbelievably smooth there’s no turbo feel to it.
We’re leaving the hotel in 9 minutes for another day of riding. I’ll update this post tonight with more feedback after more time in the saddle.
–John Prusak
Hibbert Completes Pro Sweep In Duluth
December 13, 2009
The T-Train kept rolling Sunday at Spirit Mountain in Duluth, Minnesota, as Tucker Hibbert rolled over the competition in the Pro Open final.
Hibbert, 25, was unbeaten last year in ISOC racing action, and he started this season with the same dominating style, winning every time his Arctic Cat sleds took to the track. He now has 48 wins as a Pro on the national circuit.
Originally slated for the traditional Thanksgiving weekend but postponed due to unseasonably warm weather, weather today on the shores of Lake Superior was cold, making the racetrack hard and fast with thick snowdust that challenged the racers.
The early lead in the 22-lap Pro Open final was claimed by Robbie Malinoski, riding his first weekend as part of the Amsoil Schuering Speed Sports team in the Amsoil sponsored Pro Open class at the Amsoil Duluth National on the Amsoil Championship Snocross Series across the harbor from Amsoil’s headquarters in Superior, Wisconsin.
Pressure? Maybe, but the real pressure was being mounted by Hibbert. Within a couple of laps Hibbert moved into the lead and never looked back. He ended up winning the final by eight seconds, but it was never close, as he built a full straight-away lead within the first eight laps and then held it through lapped traffic.
Pro Preview: Snocross Racing Kicks Off In Duluth
December 10, 2009
Will Tucker Hibbert continue his unbeaten string?
Will defending points champions TJ Gulla (Pro Open) and Levi Lavallee (Pro Stock) show some early season muscle? Maybe Brett Bender’s start will continue to rise, or Garth Kaufman will fight his way to the front.
Tucker Hibbert will look to repeat at Duluth
And what about Robbie Malinoski, running his first race on the black Amsoil sleds in front of the Amsoil brass at the Amsoil Duluth National on the Amsoil Championship Snocross Circuit? You want to talk about pressure!
The track is built, the pits are filling and the racing is about to begin on the national snocross scene. It’s time to line up the sleds and separate the tough talk from the BS. Let’s take a look at the leading competitors, then go to our Message Boards to make your predictions:
No. 68 – Tucker Hibbert: The sport’s most talented driver competed in four race weekends last year and won all eight finals. He then claimed X Games gold on his Arctic Cat before leaving the sport for motocross.
No. 44 – TJ Gulla: Claimed his third class championship last year, though he won only two races on his Polaris. Strong, consistent veteran driver from Vermont.
No. 108 – Levi Lavallee Accomplished and personable snocross and freestyle star who earned the Pro Stock points title last year and finished third in Pro Open. Minnesota driver has a new Polaris team this year.
No. 48 – Garth Kaufman Had 11 top 5 finishes last year en route to second in points in Pro Stock and fourth in Pro Open on his Arctic Cats. This former acclaimed freestyle video star has proved tough to beat on the track as well.
No. 19 – Brett Bender Second-generation racer finished second in Pro Open points last year and is considered a rising star for Polaris. The Boston, New York, native won three Pro finals last year en route to the ISOC Rookie Of The Year award.
No. 57 – Ryan Simons Alberta native qualified for every Pro final last year and had two podiums at this Duluth track last year. Finished fifth in Pro Open points and fourth in Pro Stock on his Cats.
No. 2 – Steve Taylor Veteran racer returns to Ski-Doo this year after competing the past two years on Yamahas. Strong showing at last year’s X Games shows this BC native still has a ton of talent.
No. 4 – Robbie Malinoski Former two-time Pro points champion switches to the Schuering Speed Sports team this year, and most expect this Saskatchewan racer to do very well on the black sleds.
2007-08 points champ Ross Martin returns from injury this year.
No. 837 – Ross Martin
Don’t forget about this Polaris racer – he’s a two-time Pro Open points champion who is coming off an injury. Wisconsin racer is hungry to get back in the action.
No. 93 – Iain Hayden Talented Canadian is flying the Yamaha flag again this year, meaning he’ll only be in the Pro Open class. Definitely worth watching. Update Hayden will not be at Duluth this weekend — he’ll be attending a CSRA race instead.
Other Notables: Hometown boy Bobby LePage (No. 244 Pol) moves up to a full-time pro this year, as does Paul Bauerly (No. 24 Cat), Cory Davis (No. 160 Cat), Christian Salemark (No. 8 Doo), Dan Ebert (No. 60 Cat), Wes Selby (No. 15 Cat) and Tim Tremblay (No. 11 Doo). European champ Emil Ohman (No. 27 Doo) makes his North American debut at Duluth, while speedy up-and-comers Zach Pattyn (No. 99 Cat) and Andrew Johnstad (No. 255 Pol) shouldn’t be overlooked, not should Matt Piche (No. 51), who moves from Cat to Polaris this year. Parker Brown (No. 119 Pol) is aiming to be the next big thing from the mountain west, while Matt Judnick (No. 58 Pol) looks for more consistent finishes.
Ready to make your picks? We’ll have a little selection pool on our Trash Talkers Message Board for Sunday’s Pro Open final. Make your picks by late Saturday to enter — you could win a prize but, more importantly, bragging rights.
Monster Energy signs on as primary snocross team sponsor
August 31, 2009
Andre Laurin, founder/president of Vaughan, Ontario-based OTSFF Sports Marketing Group, and his staff will continue to run Yamaha Factory Racing’s four-stroke pro snocross program for another season, according to a release today. [Read more]
Eagle River Snowmobiling Gets TV Coverage
June 23, 2009
The history of snowmobiling in the Midwestern hub of Eagle River was documented on the morning show of a Wausau, Wisconsin, television station on Wednesday, including footage of the Eagle River World Championship Snowmobile Derby and the World Snowmobile Headquarters.
Hosts Susan Ramsett and Mikel Lauber were live from Eagle River on Wednesday, June 17, as a part of the station’s “Your Town” gimmick.