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Booked for 4 day trip leaving Timmins the morning after Family Day. NCDN counter clockwise this year. Timmins to Hearst to Dubs to Chapleau back to Timmins.

I really hope this season isn't a wash for everyone. Most importantly the small business that may depend on some extra money coming in from sledders. I'm hoping we can ride from up north and not travel too much. If we do have to travel I think we will be staying in one spot not moving around too much.

The moisture getting inside freezes the moving armature that tilts the contacts. Buy new relays from Mouser but get the -S- instead of more crappy -C- relays. This should fix the problem. Polaris has these sealed relays for their sleds for a very high price.

Hello everyone, this year being touch and go with what is allowed under Covid rules I am going to post what is available now in Kearney and what we have been told will be available this sledding season. As we are under the lowest numbers right now, under 11 in the whole area from Parry Sound down to Huntsville and up to North Bay, things look pretty good for winter activities in the private sector. However all municipal activities everywhere are cancelled, no Santa parades, no dog sled races in Kearney etc. There has been a huge increase in airbnb accomodation online due to the huge numbers of people in the city who bought up here last summer, too many to list here but you should be able to find what you want on google. Edgewater is still running successfully under covid rules, open in the kitchen and gas available as always. Suds on Main that Edgewater owns has been closed tight since last March but I am sure they will pop it open the day the sledders show up. Fetterley's gas station is still surviving as well with a nice little convenience store addition and lottery, if you need any lures or snacks etc. Finally, after many many years of being empty, almost abandoned at one point, the old Poplar Point, then Painters Landing, and now Scarlett Point is open for full time, all units tourist accomodation. Much needed in the town and there is tons of extra parking up at the Community Centre which is almost across the street. https://www.scarlettpoint.ca/. Kearney Oneill's is no more, the building has been sold and we have been told that the new owners who are from Guelph will be doing a hot/cold meal take out service in the original Kearney Oneill's restaurant with sit down eating in the new addition, however its been 2 months since they took over and the place is pretty quiet, so will update if and when something opens then. Right now consider it unavailable for dining. Silversands has 2 lovely women renting the restaurant from the owner and it is now called DJ's Bar and Grill, just opened last night, hours are 9 to 9, breakfast all day on the menu which is a lovely option as well as a huge gluten free menu and they are licensed under llbo. They are trying 7 days a week. Donna and Jade - (519) 820-3875, I believe the owner of silversands is again doing gas and motel rentals but not sure. The Legion kitchen is still being rented and run by the wonderful April and her team but is down to 3 afternoon/nights a week, thursday to saturday, she is limited to being opened when the senior Legion members want to staff the bar, hopefully by sledding season they will add more hours and days. As always extremely low prices on food, wings on thursday nights, fish and chips friday nights as well as full pub menu always available. And as last winter, the lovely ladies have to keep the bathrooms and main room clean and stocked at all time, if all you do is go in for a beer and bathroom stop please throw a toonie in the tip jar at the food window, that will keep their costs reasonable. Rickwards Polaris dealership also has a variety store onsite with quite a nice selection of fresh and frozen food, as well as souvenirs, lottery, some clothing and camping items as well.The LCBO in town is now closed every Monday, their is an lcbo outlet at the Emsdale variety store and at the Novar grocery store as well. And another new business opened here this summer, Molbella's Creative Cafe, still a virtual business as they are only half way thru building their licenced kitchen. Run by Shawn Armstrong, a retired nurse, she does the most amazing ready to eat meals and baked goods, currently made at a certified kitchen in Burks Falls and available for pick up in Kearney. So if you are staying at a cottage in Kearney and want a delicious pie or sausage rolls or anything sweet or savory check out her facebook page and order a week in advance, cash only at this point, covid compliant pick up, you wont be disappointed. She is also available for gluten free etc. Check out her facebook page to contact her, I dont have any other way to get in touch with her. This being the year that it is, I will post additional info under this thread by end of year if anything changes and during the sledding season if anything changes. Stay safe out there and have a great ride!

Seen there is a new restaurant that took over from the Ice Hut in Cochrane. Just wanted to share for the guys that frequent the area... Looks like it will have dine inn and takeout options. Looks to be opening Dec 7. We will for sure be trying them out when we are hopefully up there..

Looks like there is more snow on the backside of the blue mountains than there is in the NDCN

https://weatherstreet.com/weather-forecast/ontario-canada-snow-cover.htm

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For the Ned Nickerson fans

I put my sled for sale at a high price due to the strong resale market but if it doesn't sell I'll be doing day trips only. Usual sled partners have been leary of making plans. Usually we have a boys weekend but the host has some health issues so doesn't want to commit due to covid. Going to be an unpredictable winter I guess, not that we all aren't used to that by now!

Air bnb is going to be our accommodations up north....wife and I and another couple are doing a ten day tour. Nothing firm yet because of the covid.

Lots of riding from the cottage. Still debating Cote Nord, Gaspe, Abitibi or Algoma for trips (would like to get a couple in). Maybe the RAN tour as well. If it were today I'd avoid Gaspe due to Covid, but it looks like things there are slowly improving. The others I'd be good to go today based on their active covid case counts. We usually just make our trips extended weekends. Think it may be straight week days this year to avoid any crowds and can ride from the cottage on weekends. Hopefully our case count stays down at home as well so I don't feel that I need to stay home to be responsible and respectful to the areas we'd like to visit.

We have our usual trips planned in the NCDN. Rooms are already looked after. Although much like PLCs statement, i am quickly thinking that covid is going to ruin this season. I do not expect to be in the NCDN this season. Just look at todays cases. We are not doing our Quebec tour this year. I am not liking the thought of no NCDN sledding, for it is what we love. If thats the case this season, i can't see myself staying interested for too long......

I am all Loaded up too. Waiting to hit my secret destination for my first ride. Tractor out and sled in.

It doesn't waste time if you are saddlebagging and have your days route planned. I will say that it is nice to get inside somewhere mid day if for no other reason than to have a warm break.