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Snotodesrp1chul791864lu031g9ll4a5mm01i4fg1c5m71l10g37t0l6lca · Shared with Public My PSA test came back 0 again. Somehow I should be happy I guess. However I sit here some what in a daze. The emotions that this journey has brought up are impossible to describe or even speak about. How am I so lucky when others are not? Why are good friends,loved ones and loved ones of good friends not having the same luck? Why must they suffer? They did nothing wrong. They are good people. They deserve a good life. This is far too familiar a journey to me. As a kid I watched my father be destroyed and killed by cancer causing emotions that I have failed to reconcile even today and have accepted that I never will. I live with the thoughts of when or if it will ever return to savage me. I often sarcastically state that the only true way to beat cancer is to die of something else. Cancer is a stupid disease as when it kills its host it commits to its own demise. Watching those around me isinteresting to say the least. Jennifer Park is my saviour. Some of my family has remained or become closer some not. I make more time for friends and family but not enough yet. Cancer is a brutal journey for the victim,family and friends. Support those that are stricken,they need it badly. I watched in horror as my father was so hurt by his "good" friends avoiding spending time with him simply because they could not face the disease. The emotional side of this is actually larger than the disease. The emotional side can be treated. Reach out and be a friend to those in need. You WILL make thier life better. Edit . Please reach out to someone other than me. I have a world of human interaction in my carreer. It is others that I wish to support.

My 6 year old grandson just got a bravo. He just got to the cottage tonight so he’s pretty excited to ride it tomorrow

Made a trip up to the camp checking for down trees after ice storm. We are between LSP and Madawaska so higher elevation. Not much ice mostly snow, no trees down. Was out on sled Monday and It was decent for late spring conditions in bush. This morning about 8 in new snow at McKenzie Lk...more like a foot north of cross Lk towards highway 60..Was a great day. Perfect way to end the season.

Rode from my driveway. In Mount Forest having lunch. Trails are in great shape. No complaints from the wife. This is the roughest section we’ve been on. Passed 3 sleds all morning.

We launched this morning from the Dufferin Drift Busters club house in Shelburne, parking lot filled quickly this morning and was by far the the busiest I’ve ever seen it when we got back, 30-40 trucks and trailers. Lots of people out enjoying the trails today, thank you to the Dufferin Drift Busters, Klondyke Trail Groomers, and Durham Trailblazers for all the hard work that went into the trails we rode today. Trails coming out of Shelburne were definitely thinner, a few sections of gravel mixed with snow, nothing too bad and snow increased as we headed north. Markdale has much more snow, the parking lot in Markdale is not plowed but people are staging from it. The snow especially closer to the entrance is packed down. We headed into Durham for fuel and lunch, roads were snow covered so the road running sections were decent, and we saw mixed conditions on the trails into Durham, very good to thin sections. We did go through a few muddy crossings, nothing deep or very wide but enough to get some mud on the sled. We stayed north out of Durham and headed back to the B110 as we heard things weren’t as good to the south. Overall we had a very good day, 170km, 3 years since this group rode together and it was nice to see everyone again. To everyone looking to get out, the snow is light and will get beat up with the heavy traffic the trails are seeing. I can see conditions deteriorating as the days go on. Lots of trailers heading north as I was on my way home. Some pictures of the good stuff….

I wanted to give a shoot out to Dillon at Recoskie Precision Machine Shop in Cochrane. While riding up there in March, I threw a stud and it went through my heat exchanger. Mike from sledaddicz , made a couple phone calls for me and Dillon was highly recommended. I went directly to his place just south of town and he took me right in and started the repair. In no time, it was all fixed and back together and I was on my way only losing half day of riding!

We ordered a 26 renegade X 900T i was originally looking at the adrenaline package, but for the extra $600 if I remember correctly, I upgraded to the X package and got way more than $600 in value. Just the new ras rx front end is worth around $1100 I think? Im keeping my viper for now as I really do still love that sled, but eventually making a full transition to skidoo. My wife hates the vipers, and the Polaris S4 is just underpowered. Our good friend let us borrow his wife’s skidoo for a day so we could make our decision before buying, which helped a lot with her decision.

So after three failed attempts to ride Quebec with my (now 17 years old) son (Christmas and March break last year , and Christmas this year) - we finally made it! Trailered to New Liskeard - left 1:09pm, in at Amos in good time. Checked yesterday and today and Atmosphere had lots of room options , and heck it’s a Monday night. In 300 km we saw 10 sleds and a groomer total. well - arrived and it was fully booked! so headed over to Nouvelle Fronteirre (redone hotel next to the petro can). Nice place so far. Up to Chibougamau tomorrow, and yep - booked a room ahead of time! trails were 9.5 all afternoon.

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

Cutting first tracks this morning. Hard to believe I’ve been riding through this same trail for well over 50 years now.

He does and I parked there today. So did 6 others. He has space but I hate posting stuff like this on a forum. Steve and his son are great guys (more on that later). He doesn't open until 9am. There were 10 truck and trailers at The Spot restaurant so we drove on past to Varney. Coming home, that parking lot was jammed full. I have parked there for close to 20 years and no one had ever mentioned it belonged to the restaurant. Years ago, it was a small picnic area that would only hold 6-8 truck/trailers. I was sure I seen the township plowing the parking lot and sometimes it wasn't plowed. I left from Snowmobiles Unlimited, rode out to the west side then north up the west side of Durham. There is a fair bit of road running on this side but it was no issue. It was cold and there was snow pack on the side of all sections. The fields were good, groomed and snow covered, odd rock click here and there. Bush sections are thin, passed the groomer heading south. He was filling in some of the holes but lack of snow to make full repairs. We turned south after crossing over #6, seemed like there was a bit more snow until we got close to Durham. The bush trails on the east side of Varney have some small water holes, some have frozen over, there is one where the creek is flowing, its about 6-8 inches deep and 15 feet across but the wife crossed it without help, easy peasy. Pebbles for lunch in Varney was great. After lunch we toured around the trails out to The Homestead and back. All pretty decent running, concidering its the first ride with few options. Its all snow covered, you aren't riding dirt. There are some good sections, and a few fair sections, nothing terrible. Worth the drive in my opinion. The sleds need a bath. Now to end the day......lol I get back to the truck and my key fob wont open the door..... and the key won't turn the lock annnnnnd I'm out of ideas. So I go in and talk to Steve, he laughs, I ask if there is a towing company near by. Nope nothing. So he takes my key fob and says maybe its the battery. But you won't have a battery? Morgan pops in to the showroom. Yes we do and he pulls one out from behind 10 other things hanging on the wall. Well the battery didn't help. I said lend me a couple screw drivers and I'll pry the door open, Then maybe we can hit the lock button with a pole. Morgan comes out from the shop with a bag and says "Here, its a door opening kit. It has the air blatter and the bars. All that crap. I've never used it though, you're on your own. " Took me about 10 minutes and I had the doors open. I thanked them up and down. So glad we had parked there instead of The Spot. I offered Morgan some dollars for the rental and he refused to take my money. I offered a donation to the coffee fund. Not a chance. Super dudes.

Great riding last night and today. Could not have asked for a better 24 hours.

Great ride today, left from Shelburne, and headed north. Parking lot in Markdale is snow filled and I wouldn’t recommend trying to stage from there now. The snow from Markdale north to Owen Sound just got deeper and deeper, tons of fresh powder, 95rxl650 wasn’t lying, it’s a winter wonderland, there is soo much snow. I’ll add a picture at the Bayshore boat launch in Owen Sound, snow mounds are as tall as the building. We got fuel and headed back to Chatsworth, then to Chesley, breaking trail most of the way. We then continued south to Neustadt, then up to Durham for fuel and a bite to eat. Freshly groomed trails across the B111 from Durham, and the B110 all the way back to Shelburne. Just over 300km, probably the most fun I’ve had on a railbed. Tons of snow everywhere, many perfect trails, really surprised none of it is green. Great mid winter conditions.

Got out for a nice rip today, chewing thru some more break in miles. Happy wanderers never disappoint. New warm up shelter is top shelf awesome! The odd rock poking thru but absolutley ridable forest access trails. Fresh snow on top made it a bit soft in the corners so the sheep love making sure they cut every single corner down to one lane. Caught a few by surprise on the wrong side. If you ride slow and cut corners, i have absolutely zero sympathy for you when someone finally creams you! Ride your side its 30 ft wide!

Awesome day, 425km, other then A trail thru Kap (along hy.11) trails were fantastic especially northern loops (L125, L159, L165, & L163). Highlight of the day was seeing two Moose on the L159 just before it meets the L165. Conditions were spectacular, snowing heavy in Hearst right now. No premium gas in Smooth Rock, first time getting fuel in Moonbeam, it may be the new fuel stop moving forward for us. Can’t wait for tomorrow's ride!

Came back from Mount Forest through Teviotdale, Conestogo Lake, Elmira and home in Bloomingdale. Not nearly as nice as the morning trails. The trail past Pike Lake was beat washboard, lots of traffic. Harriston, Teviotdale was good until we hit Conestoga Lake. More washboard, dirt showing in the corners and lots of sleds running around. Trail got a bit better once south of the lake but once you hit Elmira, the bush trails are getting thin, tops of the fields are showing through. Road crossing are soft and frost was coming out of the gravel roads. Im sure this was my last ride from home. Pics are just a couple miles from home. I’m sure by Thursday this trail will ice with no snow on the sides. We need a base like this on the first week of January, not March.

Sweet -20c bliss!

Got sled picked up from Rockland Polaris yesterday. Great guys all serviced ready for next season.

Been spending all week getting in Tall Pine and a few other clubs trails. Conditions have pretty good to excellent.

Great afternoon. Not alot of traffic either. The base held up well with the warm spell. Watched a guy roll it coming into a corner about 10-15kms east of the asc shelter on d101. I was well over on my side but he breaked on a nasty icy spot and it grabbed and rolled hard. Sled seemed fine and so did he but i hope all is well. Dinner at Boiler room in dwight then headed home. HGR groomer is out on the east side, hopefully going to Baysville.

Great few days riding out of the cottage, lots of seat time for my son on his sled and mine. Crazy drifts yesterday, I’ll add a pic of a concession road with the plow in the distance, drifts are as tall as the plow. Trails this morning were some of the best so far this season, with the fresh snow yesterday conditions today were excellent!

Picking up a leftover 850 xc 137 on Sat. First poo in 18 years. Cheap price lured me in. Seeing the days of 6000km plus anyear are behind me a 2 strole makes sense now. Any issues on these I should watch for?

Haliburton forest area got some pretty good snow, my daughter is riding in there today.

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

"That time again" came and went. Picked up the trailer last night and left it at the shop. Took my boat to storage today and went to peak at the Polaris. Took the trailer with me. After an hour of small talk, I said I have 8k in my pocket and a trailer in your driveway. I didnt expect them to come down $1500, but....

Still some awesome riding up North. Should be a least another 1-2 weeks in and around Cochrane.

Made the deal on Saturday to get a 2020 Sidewinder LTX LE with low K. pick it up this Saturday.

Left from Alma today. Up to Palmerston and back. Just a short run with the wife to finish the season off. Base is still good mostly but the traffic and the warm sun are taking its toll on the bush trails. Took the Cat out to burn last year fuel out of it and forgot it’s not a fan of warm weather. Had to stop once and peel the panels to get her cooled off before crossing a bridge. Other than that she still runs great. Cleaning them up tomorrow and putting them away. I’m done.

Last ride in the South for the season for me and the first time trailering to ride since January when I brought the trailer and sleds up to the cottage. Shelburne to Owen Sound and surrounding areas. Lunch at the Kettles Back Home Cookin’ in Chatsworth was very good, first time there and will be definitely going back again next season. It’s been a fantastic season so far, been out a ton, my son also, on his sled and some rides with me. Headed to Cochrane / Hearst on Sunday for a few days of riding to finish the season off.

My back yard in Sault Ste. Marie. It hit the news!

Left port sydney around 9:30 heading to dwight. Up to 54 was mint, LOB to Dwight was bumpy, 101b was good in the good spots and thin and rocky in usual areas, stopped at the ASC shelter, what a mess of cans, up 67 minty to wolf lake loop all minty, 65 south a bit scratchy in spots but good overall. Gas at MTH. I see 64 above kawagama is now open. Woulda done that if i knew. 64 south to 11 all in good shape. 11 down to the always neglected section of B trail. B trail Into happy wanderers to cast iron for dinner was simply awesome. Back to HGR all good, seen the groomer heading toward deerhurst. Was fighting freezing drizzle off and on today. 260kms.

We left from Temiskaming on Monday am. Stayed at the Tem Rose. Great place! Highly recommended. Rode to Val Dor (340kms) stayed the night at the Forestel. Nice place. Expensive for everything. We rode to Lebel Sur Quévillon last night and are just getting ready to head out and go north to Mattagami and loop down to Amos for the night. Trails are excellent with zero traffic. I would rate them from 8 to 11 out of 10 right now.

Canuck, Sled Junk, me, and Bob Me, Bob, and SJ at the Moonbeam clubhouse. Bob running to help SJ. Bob, SJ, and Kris in the background.

Started in Shelburne and rode up to Stayner, Collingwood , Thornbury. If ur looking for snow , lots up that way .

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

Every new season comes around and I cant help thinking about all the great times from the past. The 80's werent good for much, but sledding was a blast. We had a group of seasonal contractors that spent 6-7 nights a week banging around the trails. Every clubhouse had the wood stove stoked with plenty of folks rolling through and some friendly banter. The ol' 440"s would kill me now but we had wayyyy more fun back then. Go out for hours but never really get to far. More cocktails at clubhouses and trailside than riding as I recall. A 60 mile night was a good ride on the old sleds and always full of mishaps. They were like riding a pogo stick. A 2lb sledge and a block of wood were the tools we used the most I think. Straighten them out, top up the tank for about 8 bucks and do it all again. Alot of fond memories.

I was born in 1980 so I only heard of the good old days of the 1970's. I got my first sled in 98 a 340 Fan Formula S which I traded the next year for a MXZ 440 Fan which I loved. From what I have read and experienced the late 90's was a decent time. We had a cottage in Haliburton so we had good access to decent snow, I remember a winter where it was waist high on our lake. I remember going up the hydro corridor to Whitney, lot's of lake running and Jan and Feb pretty much being a guarantee with sometimes a bit of March. I remember being able to drop my sled in Port Perry a couple of winters and ride all the way to Haliburton. I remember my uncle in northern Quebec taking me out in 92 for my first ride in Saguenay and being instantly hooked. The sheer number of people on the trails, the comradery, the trailside bars and burger joints full of people, deep snow fun and fast lake running. We sold our family cottage 25 years ago and I kept up sledding but it was a pain driving 2.5 hours from the city and having to go when the weather was right so back in 2013 I sold my last sled a 2 up touring after my kids were born, I needed the money and I certainly didn't have the time or money to truck it back and forth from the city. Now 11 years later I have moved to Fenelon Falls and will likely be able to ride from my yard at best or at worst be nearer to the snow. I have an ATV and it's a blast but I have been dreaming about sledding for 11 years, it never let go of me, I still have my mint condition SKI DOO riding gear which I never gave up because I knew there would come a day again when I would get a sled again. Last spring I bought a used sled for the first time ever, after the lousy winter there seemed to be a ton of mint condition used sleds being dumped on the market. I ended up buying a 2017 MXZ Sport (Carbed) with only 1,200 Km's on it and including a 1 up aluminum Triton trailer for $7.5K which seemed like a steal to me after I had looked at buying new. I couldn't justify 20K or more for something that can have such a limited season with winters being so unpredictable. So here I am super pumped about the prospect of the upcoming season, knowing I am going to be living near the trails and can just go when the weather hits. Hoping for a good winter but even if it's garbage I can still take advantage of whatever comes.

Bought our two Ontario and Quebec permits a week ago, gonna pile the miles on somewhere this year for sure

In the truck on the way home, great trip to end a really great season. We were fortunate to have awesome conditions this trip and all season long. Here’s hoping we have another good one next season!!

Nice 120km loop around Cochrane after driving up earlier today. Lots of snow and not too much traffic. Off to Hearst in the morning, forecast is looking good, excited for the ride!

Rolled over 25,000 km this week on my 2016 900 ace blizzard. Have done the following to it. Voltage regulator Throttle (most likely related to the above voltage regulator) Front shock in rear skid Bearings in the skid, carbides and sliders Oil changes That's it. I'm probably due for a belt, a replacement track, a clutch service, fuel filters and maybe some front end bushings just cause I'm paranoid. Not news to many, but I do believe these 900 ace sleds are Yamaha reliable.

Left Sunday 5am with truck to gravenhurst and then loaded up with my buddy and his father to head to Quebec. Trailered to new Liskeard and did a nice 158km run to Rouyn noranda that afternoon. - stayed at quality inn and had dinner and Super Bowl at La Cage. Today headed out 8:40 and made it up to Lebel - sur - Quelvillon. 380km or so. honestly I think last 180 km from seneterre I can count on both hands every time I hit at stop sign or had to drop speeds under 50km/hr due to a corner. Trail 93 is insane, heading to Chibougamau tomorrow and some local trails when we get in.

Well after a US Customs debacle the parts finally arrived Friday. Midwest Mini were good enough to keep me informed and had no idea what the heck was going on. Apparently they had a half dozen shipment's returned, rebranded the label and changed carriers. Anyways, here's my take. Ended up ordering the deluxe kit which included a rear shock assembly, clutch, chain, gear's and improved tensioner. Also came with an adjustable main jet for carb. I installed everything except the cable operated adjustable main jet. Clutch cured the original bogginess off the line and the sled accelerates and runs amazing, excellent upgrade. I see no need for messing with carb so leaving it alone. In retrospect I would skip the most expensive part, the shock upgrade, really feel there is little benefit unless he was to be doing some sort of 'kiddy snowcross races'. The permanent smile yesterday mad it all worth while

When l am leading and ask are we lost . My go to line , NO, l am just not sure where we are .

Just got her home. Wish we had our local trails ready. Any recomendations for oil. Is VES extreme best suited? Thanks.

sorry pics didn't load.. hate these machines!!

Almost more kms already than all of last year. Lol

Just ordered mine. Good winter or bad winter, the bills have to be paid. I had to take a season off for medical a couple years ago but still bought my pass. I see people all over the internet complain about it, but I cant think of anything else that has given me this kind of bang for the buck over the years. Seems like every time I leave the house it cost a couple hundred bucks. Whether its a wonder through you favorite stores, family dinner, groceries, or a day on the water. People spend more on starbucks every month. Thankyou to the OFSC and the volunteers who make it happen for a couple hundred bucks a year.

Materials are ordered plans are in place