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Wasn’t planning on riding yesterday, but ended up getting a phone call from a buddy and his wife last second. We rode the rail line from Dundalk up to Owen sound for lunch. We rode that small loop that was open yesterday. There were a few water holes/slushy spots on that loop, but no big deal. I’ve ridden on way worse. Rail line was near mint, and for the most part there was quite a bit of snow all over. Very happy with the first ride of the season. I’ve never ridden this early before, ever. A little further and I could’ve burned up all the fuel from last year lol

Well Snow gage is buried. After digging out all day finally got out with grand kids.

We were out too!!!..lol... We've got snow but not enough for our area.(Canadian Shield) Getting there tho! Some more cold nights would help.👍

Crashed my 06 crossfire on the first ride after purchasing it used. Broke my wrist the windshield and kill switch. Also crashed my 17 zr6000 on the first ride. Little tweak in the A arm. $hit happens, at least you aint hurt and buggered up the whole season. Personally i woulda kept it to myself for a bit lol!

Scenic caves Nordic, great shot from my ol bud.

There was a story with that sled. I asked the guy if it had any previous damage and if he would send me the vin. Kept giving me bullsh-t excuses why he wouldnt/couldnt send me the vin.

Well.......that shakedown ended badly. The B trail loop shouldnt even be yellow in my opinion. I went at it from both ends and turned around on both. Stopped to take a pic and realized in my rush to get out I left paperwork, registration sticker and trail pass on the coffee table. Pissed off, I hit the rail bed to head home and as I came over a riser I grabbed the whole handful of the fun flipper. Fun ended abruptly as the ski's came up and peeled a hand off the grip. I went off the trail, down a 6' bank and into a pile of downed tree's. I was curled up in a ball thinking I was about to get messed up but I seem ok. Sled is a little bent up in the front end but I think the plastics are alright. A couple fella's came along with a strap and we were all shocked the sled came out. It was wedged in pretty tight. I couldnt move it at all. Rode it home. Big shout out to a couple fella's from Shallow Lake. It was while taking the pic I noticed my trail pass and took off with maybe just a tad to much aggression. New gloves dont have the grip I'm used to. 1/4 mile down the trail I came up on a cruiser at a road crossing with tree limbs and hay hanging off my sled and of course no stickers. I threw my arms in the air, he laughed and waved me by.

Okay, so when was the last time there were Yellow trails this early in Dec? Kudos to the clubs that were able to do that, even if it is a railbed.

I'm sneaking out before anyone makes plans for my day. I see they opened up a small loop outside of town. Beats the mind numbing railbed I suppose. Wonder if my carbides are still straight when I get back. lol

maybe we need to go back to the old ways and just let everyone ride where ever they want. Police can't catch us all. The mass chaos should wake up municipalities that riders will still ride whether there is a managed trail or not. A managed trail system will keep most (almost all) on the proper trails. I can't blame municipalities for all our issues, it more likely the lawyers and insurance companies. As for LUP getting signed, the municipalities are the most difficult. For example, one town will sign if they are added to the insurance policy. OFSC won't add them to the policy until they sign the LUP. I had another township sign with no issues at all. Don't get me started on the larger "numbered" companies ... Its not as simple as presenting a piece of paper and say just sign it. They want to know every road crossing, every ditch and road we ride on and how long it is. They want it presented in a nice document with a map. This all takes time. Once you have it it all needs to be entered into the database. It appears I may be ranting and I apologize, I just hope its worth it and we get enough snow. Jerry

Mostly why we went up and did what we could when we could. got there at 1:00 am last night, rode all day, back home now.

I did. lol Yes, it could have been alot worse. I was doing about 30mph when I mashed the throttle so I estimate 50-60mph when I left the trail. I truely believe it was my proverbial "shot across the bow" . My whole body aches currently but considering I came to an abrupt stop in a log pile I feel pretty fortunate. I even booked service calls for tomorrow. I need parts. lol Figure if I stop moving I'll seize up.. I'll check the sled tomorrow to see what it needs. I seen one on facebook being parted. Other than that, it's all good. No need for insurance to be involved. My dumb ass is solely responsible. Stay safe folks.

Heading up/out today as well.

frig the EPA. Sleds do not register on the global pollution scale. A tiny incalculable blip. They killed OMC too back in the day. frig those guys literally they can eat a giant bag of dicks. Hope Trump fires em all

I mowed yard yesterday afternoon. .

And here you were posting about ruining carbides on early season rides. If only you could have been so lucky to just ruin a set of carbides!

What brand are your axles? Are your grease fittings on a spring loaded cap? or solid mounted on the center of axle with space around between wheel hub and axle where you can see the hub lock nut? My Dexter axles have a grease fitting mounted on center of axle with a passage through the center of axle to behind the inner bearing. When you pump the grease it pushes through the inner bearing and then through the outer bearing. The idea is to regularly replace the grease by pumping the new grease through bearings. The spring loaded caps only push grease through the outer bearing and do not ensure grease gets through inner bearing. These caps can provide a false sense of good maintenance if you think your bearings are being greased and are not actually getting the grease.

Not trying to be difficult but in fact Cat did not cut their racing department. What they cut was contingency and support money to racers. The race department provides sleds and parts and it is still operating - on a shoestring budget no doubt. Cat's top XC racer posted on FB last night stating the above. He is still going to race Cat. I believe on Wed. Cat made a bunch more layoffs including sales reps. Nobody knows how long Textron will keep Cat alive but for today they are. Tomorrow may be a different story. There is going to be a lot more blood spilled before the industry comes out of this.

In conversation with my dealer last night, he is saying that the snow on the ground hasnt done much to pick up sales. We both agree that this mess will not be sorted out until MY27 at the earliest.

It's getting better.

My gas cans which fuel all the 2 & 4 stroke engines sit in an unheated garage with the caps always loose.

Need actual trails to even have a base lol

I think the used/new non-current market will stabilize until the spring and spring pricing will depend on what kind of season we end up with. The early snow has kept interest in the sport, and therefore, interest in purchasing a new (to you) sled. The market that really needs a reset is the new market. $25k, or more, out the door for a nice 850 is bonkers.

I've never had a bearing fail because it had too much grease. Just my opinion

Was out staking this morning. Some of the stakes went in ahead of the groomer making a pass, the groomer caught up, and then the rest of the stakes went in after the groomer made a pass. ( which was good, as I already got my ATV stuck twice in the snow by time he caught up to me.)

What are you looking at ?

Lots of snow in Durham just south of Owen Sound. beautiful up here

There was an internal memo sent throughout Yamaha on Wed acknowledging Cats issues. It basically said that Textron will be putting Cat up for sale and they are hoping to work with the new owner in supporting Cat based Yamaha sleds.

I'm debating about going this weekend, I can hit their trails right from my cottage. Wish the passes were half price right now but might take the ATV instead.

Sault Ste. Marie - Accommodations & Food The FairField Inn is popular and the trail goes right to the door. Both you and Mrs. will enjoy because Chuck's Roadhouse is right next door and the LCBO is right across the street and Walmart is around the corner. Giovanni's and Fratelli's are right there as well. Chucks is a local favourite by many, for apps and burgers and so forth. You may want to skip the higher end stuff unless you hit one of the other Italian restaurants close by. The only setback might be if the trails have yet to open by then, you will need to trailer. With all the snow we have, hopefully they will be open before then.

Isn't Wolf on the 400 extension on a reservation? Which is likely the reason they can carry E free fuel and not charge HST.

I just keeps getting better, snow is adding up. 17 from the Soo to Wawa, has been closed more than open, the last 14 days. River is fully frozen, people are fishing some smaller local lakes, via ice. Luc has been out packing town trails. Way better start to the year. Heading up in 2 weeks, for an extended stay. We really need to get there, to get the walks, decks, doors all shoveled and cleaned out. Ski

Centrifuge were used in core drilling Exploration for mines. Uranium, gold, copper. All over Canada USA and Mexico.

If ya have a doo, they have an awesome glove box extension with cell phone holder, heater and charger….allows you see your maps, etc… Just will cost you your second child…

Just under 2' currently. I'll get a couple pics shortly

On pg 57 of Dexter Manual they show lubrication for the EZ lube hubs I was talking about. Very easy process. Not sure what size axles it’s available on but both my ATV and sled trailer have 3,500 Lbs axles with ez lube. I will never buy another trailer without these EZ lube axles.

That is the theory I was told. And what is in Dexter sales literature. Sales pitch?? if there is good grease under the spring loaded caps will the grease push through inner bearing as it heats up? Good question that I do not know the answer to. I do know that with high speed bearings we had on centrifuge if you pumped in too much grease they would generate a fair bit more heat for awhile. Also be careful with battery powered grease guns They can blow seals very easy on trailer hubs.

Or at least add a little white lie like an animal jumped out in front of me! lol Good that it’s nothing serious and you are alright.

Got your moneys worth I’d say!

That's what we like to hear. Looks like you guys have done a good job with the MOU's.

Still very early into the mess and possible recovery.......and Cat is not the only one cutting, just under a bigger microscope and maybe more drastic based on their market share. I always assumed anyone could race what they wanted, just depends on what support you get & from who, just like any other racing programs. The bigger impact is the testing the manufacture does on the track that makes it way to the market for the day to day users. But all that could return if things turn around.......IF being the big word. Cat under the Textron umbrella is likely the worst thing for them from a large corporate policy standpoint, might have been better for them to be where there were before the purchase......the bigger the corp, the bigger the year to year return in shares are expected by the share holders, cannot do that with a division dealing with a massive lump in the market..... Anyways, wishing the best for all manufactures and people relying on them!

I am going to say its a strategic move ahead of exiting the industry - i.e. if it and other measures do not stop the bleeding - then the towel will get tossed. The industry is not strong - it's passion based at this point

I believe it was town staff but in my opinion their names should be made public if there making suggestions that have cosequences for the local economy. Excellent point! I thought the same thing.

Will be great when it settles and those cold temps move in. More snow already then all of last season!

I just completed a 2 hour night run tonight north of Sault Ste. Marie and am reporting good snow depth. Snowmobiling season has started for the 2024/25 season in this region. Dan Kachur - SSM

It's been a lonnnng process getting to open. I know someone has already or will be arranging to have it on the ITG for this winter.