Spring is here!

Pretty great weekend, watched some snowboard Superpipe action at the US Open in Stratton on Saturday, got to "shred" with the Scott, Hannah and friends.
Then today, loaded up the bike and went to the Richmond track to get my moto on with Rees, Cameron and Seamus.
The track has been re-shaped quite a bit and we were just riding an early spring section that drains well. The current layout is almost exactly a mile, but once all the frost is out it will be expanded quite a bit.

As I was loading the bike it started to snow.



I'm getting ready for first laps. Looks chilly out there, but once we got going it was not bad at all.



We ran a bunch of laps, then went on a little trail exploration in the woods. By the time we got back (about an hour later) almost all the snow had melted, but here's what it looked like when we started.

March ON...

I think today was the last of the ice riding. Actually I know it was, 'cause I took the ice tires off the KTM and now I'm getting it ready for the dirt season. So one last look at the "winter mode".
Seamus and Rees and I rode for a bit at Shelburne Pond. We got a late(ish) start and the ice and snow got pretty soft because of the absolutely beautiful clear sunny day, so once again I couldn't get a good feel for the new rear tire.




When Seamus and I got back, we decided to fire up my '86 XL600 Street-tracker. It hasn't run in about 2 years, took about 4 kicks. I may be selling it. Here's some cell phone video of it.

It Ain't Over Yet!

The ice riding season that is. I just picked up this AMA rear tire for the KTM today. Mounted it up and took it out to Shelburne Pond for a quick test run. There was too much snow on the ice to get a good feel for the tire, but I think on clear ice it will do pretty well.

It's a Kenda 400x18 with AMA legal screws. (Kold Kutter, I think)

Montreal Motorcycle Show

I took a break from ice riding this weekend, and went up to Montreal with Seamus for the annual bike show. We were mainly interested in looking at some of the new off-road models. There isn't a Husqvarna or Husaberg dealer in Vermont, and they both have some nice "woods" bikes.

This is the Husqvarna 450 TE. A very sanitary engine layout, fuel injected, great access to filters, very nice finish.


Here's the Husaberg 450 with the new horizontal cylinder. Also a very well presented engine. There have been good reviews on this bike and it was cool to see it. Note the plastic subframe.


This is a 2010 KTM 450 EXC special edition commemorating the most recent International Six Days Enduro held in Portugal. Nice.


This is a bike that you can't buy in the US, a Honda CBR125R, liquid cooled 4 stroke single. Nice components, although I'd like to see it with an upside down fork from the CRF. Seamus is checking it out, dreaming of another trophy...