Riding At The Lake, Next Generation

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
Well here we go again, I would like to remind all that there is 150 more days until GROOMING SEASON!!

Well this message goes out to all that enjoy the groomed trails at the lake, as much as I would like to have a 400K groomer out here
I know that's not going to happen so, lets go a step better than me grooming with the Rhino, it's starting to show it's age at 8k, and I would like to keep it running for a long time as a hunting rig. At 59 I'm going to need a bit better ride so after
lots of research the new groomer will be a Suzuki Sidekick. I've got the bugs figured out and with a change of sprocket on the tracks and a couple of hub adapters new track anti spin arms and of course a newer Sidekick4x4 automatic (1995) it will get done. Should cost around 4k for the rig and about 2k for the hardware and a new
groomer will be here at the Lake.
So to all that might know where there is a Sidekick as mentioned could you let me know please.

I haven't heard if we will need a new avenue to get across the lake yet but I know there will be some changes to get
through the gravel pit this year. The county didn't knock over all those trees for nothing, the best time to move that gravel will be during the winter so will assume that will cut us off the trail area. Not to worry I have a new OLD trail area that I started to groom late last winter that will take us a bit out of our way but it is a fun ride with lots of wooops to get us away from the lake. There is a little problem in that the trail has grown in over the last bunch of years because we haven't been using it.
This trail is approx. 8 km long and is the width of the groomer in some places but it needs to be twice as wide . So here we go, this fall we will need some people power
to assist in some trail work, I hope the work bees will be more fun than work, but the trail needs some pruning.

See You on the new groomed trails
Don

Have a safe summer!!

 

[roadtech]

Here's what I'm looking at building , I'll use my tracks to save on that part of the bill so all I need is the Sidekick, if you know where there is a Sidekick like this please let me know.
Thanks
Don

 

[tex78]

Call rainy creek polaris in eckville Alberta

They used to have a side kick with tracks just like that for sale

Not sure if they still do

sent while I should be drinking tea's

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
Well the Sidekick has been taken off he list and now I'm looking for a
late 1990's or early 2000 Ford Ranger regular cab, 4x4 auto 4 banger, trying to keep it light
as possible.
140 more days until grooming season

See you on the trails
Don

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks Just a short update
The groomer this year will be pulled by a 1998 Suzuki sidekick, 95 hp, 4 cylinder, 3 speed auto transmission,
high and low range, the weight is approx. 2250 lbs, well within the camoplast track rating.
This was a hard unit to find with low km and little rust. Didn't have to go far in the end, there was one out here at the Lake.
Looking forward to getting this unit rigged up.
It will be nice to have a good heater and no screaming engine right beside me.

See you on the trails
Don

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
Well it's just about time to throw out the winter weather prediction, You must all be on pins and needles
waiting for this.
See you on the trails
Don

 

[sc800]

The farmers almanac forecast for this winter does not look to promising for a lot of snow. Sure hope it wrong!

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
Well it's still summer in Alberta, or for at least another week or two, but I have to get you thinking of the up coming season, WINTER, you might as well, you know it's coming, Christmas is less than five months away! So think back to your most favorite Sled from the seventies or eighties, the one with four inches of travel, flooded the cylinders, sucked in your scarf if you didn't have it tied on, and broke down 20 minutes into the ride, yes your favorite sled Well I started with a Yamaha so there was never any problems, it was a 1982 Yamaha Enticer Excel 3, it had electric start, tall windshield and after market heated grips, this was a beauty until some AAAS-hole broke into the cabin at the lake and stole our suits, and left my axe berried in the centre of the 340's hood. O well, but my best sled was a brand new 1984 phazer, holly cow what a rig, it looked fast just sitting on the snow.
Anyway let me hear about your favorite sled, pics if you have them.

See you on the trails
Don

Oh ya, there is a guy in Vegas that will build me the Hub adapters for the Geo Tracker, to go to tracks, we are now officially in business
with a warm, quiet, and comfortable groomer power unit.

 

[roadtech]

Well I read this seasons Farmers Almanac, it is never wrong, Snow and Cold during the Winter.
I'm still not ready for my prediction, it's too wet at the Lake to get out and talk to the Beavers and the Muskrats that I normally get my info from.

See you on the trails
Don

 

[neilsleder]

Well if it's to wet lets hope that moister carries over into the winter!

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
I have been out talking to the local anumals and I'm just about ready to make my winter weather predictions.
Oh I will let you know now that we will be getting snow in September this year!! OMG

See you on the trails
Don

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
Well the Geo went off to get painted on Sunday should look great, white top and a red bottom,
Since the Geo is gone it's time to strip the tracks down this weekend and go through all the bearings and track frame. I will be changing all the
hub bearings this year, can't take a chance with the extra weight of the Geo.
Might get some frost tonight
See you on the trails
Don

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
Well the Geo is painted and will pick it up tomorrow,
Larry did a great job.
All I need now is the roof rack on to hold the LED light bars for the
front and back, and the wheel spacers which should be shipped next week.
This plan is coming together.
See you on the trails
Don

 

[Murminator]

Looks good Don

 

[mudboy]

If you need a co pilot let me know

 

[roadtech]

So the Geo is ready for the next season, but I thought I should replace the main Hub bearings
on the tracks, no big deal right!!!, well when I got into the job every bearing in the frame needed to be pulled, cleaned, re greased.
So you thought you wanted to be a Groomer Guy EH!!
This is a big job but if you own a set of these tracks do the maintenance.

See you on the trail, after I do the tracks
Don
.

 

[SHREK1]

So the Geo is ready for the next season, but I thought I should replace the main Hub bearings
on the tracks, no big deal right!!!, well when I got into the job every bearing in the frame needed to be pulled, cleaned, re greased.
So you thought you wanted to be a Groomer Guy EH!!
This is a big job but if you own a set of these tracks do the maintenance.

See you on the trail, after I do the tracks
Don
.

you probably didn't have anything better to do anyways,haha

 

[roadtech]

Well Folks Here we Go


SOOOOOO You thought I was nuts when I indicated we would get snow in September

Well Sorry about that but we hadn't had snow in September for some time so it was going to happen, didn't think it was going to be that
much but oh well, it will get us in the mood for Christmas.
Now here we go, No more snow until after Thanksgiving, I promise Indian Summer time.
November will chilly this year, normally we get a warming towards the 15th but not this year, steady cold temps, a good year for road and muskeg freeze down.
UH now December is a month that is the hardest to predict, I'm going with a heavier than normal snow fall about 12 inches by the middle and 2 feet by January.
There will be good snow at Christmas this year and those that mountain ride will be very pleased.
January is always too cold to ride so with the new Geo Groomer I will be comfortable this year. And yes there will be snow through out January, mostly the light
crystal type.
Go on your winter holiday the first week in February, it will be great in the mountains and even better in Vegas, I will be in Vegas!
February and March are always good snow and riding months at the Lake, it looks like it will be that way again this year.

Well that's all the B.S. wrapped up in one thread, remember to ride SAFE and SOBER, Don't leave your family at home, bring a friend if you have a spare sled, and go for a ride in the Beautiful Province of Alberta.


See you on Groomed trails

Don

 

[gander]

The roof rack is ready and will bring it to you on the weekend.

 

[roadtech]

Hi Folks
Well the second week of September and the leaves are changing to gold and orange, it will be so nice out here in another week.
The Tatou track rebuild is going along nicely, I have only found one seized bearing but every bearing needed to be cleaned and greased.
The groomer will be cleaned up and painted this year and we will and a brush pruner to the side of it to clean up
the willows that smack your helmet when riding on the trail edge.
See you on the trail
Oh YA
For those that enjoy riding on groomed trails out here there will be trail cleaning weekends planned after the Thanksgiving weekend, nothing to taxing just a few fun days out here on your quad clearing up the Dead Fall, Will probably have a wiener roast along the way as well.
Planning a new groomed trail this year, it goes from the top of the hill on the new road and winds it's way to a high spot that looks south over the whole Lake, we will build some Flintstone benches and put a fire pit up there, will be a great spot to star gaze on a night ride.
Don



Well Short update
The track bearings are all greased, wow, what a pile of work, like I said, if you own tracks service yearly not worth waiting for a big issue on the trail. Every bearing except for the large main hub bearing was moisture contaminated.