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bbakernbay

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Posts posted by bbakernbay

  1. 41 minutes ago, barberch said:

    do they have trouble with it in Quebec? I havent read that there were issues

    I understood from a previous post that the Quebec system shows when a particular trail was last groomed which is probably the best way to go.

    • Like 1
  2. I believe the OFSC asked the Clubs not to publish their SPOT links but I am not absolutely sure of that as I moved to Kitchener from North Bay.

     

    I started doing that many years ago when I was with NBSC and a few other clubs did as well.

     

    It has both advantages and disadvantages.

     

    I am quite sure the Clubs are not supposed to publish the OFSC Groomer Tracking links.

     

    I still think it useful to publish a screenshot of the SPOT tracks a day or two afterwards to show sledders what the Club's groomers have been doing but if all Clubs don't do it that can create issue to.

    • Like 1
  3. 23 minutes ago, 02Sled said:

    My take on it is that it was the OFSC, primarily one person in particular that drove the Trail Patrol system to where it is today... toothless. The phrase I heard over and over was Trail Ambassador. All the Trail Patrol I have known have included ambassador as part of it going way back. I and others have stopped when they have found people on the side of the trail just to make sure every one was okay and they weren't either lost or experiencing a break down, handed out countless trail maps, loaned tools / booster cables and / or helped with a breakdown or a boost, provided directions to the nearest gas, lunch or a destination. On a number of occasions I have told those I have been riding with to continue on and I would see them later to lead others to the closest gas as it was questionable if they would make it. If I found someone without a trail permit I would issue a notice of trespass and give them an email address. If they could provide proof of getting a trail permit in the next 10 days the notice was torn up. Never had one that didn't get torn up.

     

    We have been talking about it for a long time now and things continue to move in the wrong direction.

    Absolutely the wrong direction and unfortunately the pandemic crisis will negate any government action for the for-seeable future as MSVA amendments are likely near the bottom of a big pile of legislative amendments.

     

    As an aside some pandemic emergency rules have fast tracked things not previously done so quickly. Condo rule changes allowed video AGMs.  Our condo passed a significant No Smoking in the building or property with a simple majority vote effective in 30 days. 

     

    I thought the OFSC had some lobbying power but it certainly appears not as virtually nothing has changed in last 10 years to assist this recreational and tourism sport/business.

     

    I sound negative but when the problems are staring you in the face for year after year and nothing is done then that is hugely disappointing failure on both parties involved.

     

    Oh I forgot we did get rid of the Family Day Free Ride which came from the voting membership at the AGM. Small win but only a blip of the real problem

     

    Some great examples above from Quebec as I pointed out an example of how Temiscaming QC Club operates in scheduling Trail Patrol enforcement.

     

    A crackdown is needed for a year or two to get freeloaders off the OFSC trails.

     

    I just cannot get over some people with $15-20,000 sleds, trailers, etc. refusing to buy a $300 permit.

  4. 16 hours ago, Turbo Doo said:

    I am sure Quebec has their issues also. To what extent,  :wtf:.....

    Interesting question, look forward to seeing some informed replies.

    My background is lengthy conversation with Temiscaming QC Voyageurs President.

     

    They have a very strong Trail Patrol system with a schedule of day and night patrols.

    They have full authority to prepare info for ticket, including mechanical issues, etc. and they deliver the paperwork to QPP for processing.

    They can sell Permits in field at a substantial markup but fine is waived.

    Their fines are significant to deter freeloaders.

    QPP are very active on trail enforcement including no Permit.

     

    QC beats ON on all counts.  Do they have a problem with Freeloaders compared to Ontario, hopefully someone with experience chimes in.

     

    Ontario needs to stop babying everyone!

     

     

    • Like 3
    • Thanks 1
  5. 18 hours ago, thetorches said:

    In Quebec a trail pass is $650 if stopped and bought on trail. Should do that here. 

    Absolutely, this is what is needed.  

    Firstly, substantial deterrent like Quebec requiring MSVA amendment.

    Secondly, another amendment to provide that the fine is enforced against the sled owner, just like ETR 407, thereby eliminating need to identify operator in court.

    Thirdly, empower properly trained Trail Patrol to be able to fill in the Infraction Notice and deliver to nearest OPP for verification and further processing just like they do in Quebec.

    • Like 5
  6. On 2/2/2017 at 9:14 PM, revrnd said:

    The latest update for the database is now online. Click on the link in my signature to access it.

    Cedar Gables Lodge in Bonfield is not operating.  Joanne & Darcy sold and new owners are not continuing business.

    • Confused 1
  7. 1 hour ago, Strong Farmer said:

    I sure hope grca issue can be resolved for next winter. Conestoga lake is one of my favourite riding area’s. Always fun to ride thru lake and end up at tivetdale truck stop for lunch. 
    Should buy a used sled and come out and join some of us for a ride, now that you are in Kitchener area. 

    I had 3 SkiDoos blow up on me even though I had The Toy Doctor in Redbridge looking after them, although the Touring probably had 25,000 kms, the only thing that didn’t work was the odometer! I towed all 3 next door to Bent Toys on Highway 63 for some cash.  Just sold my Collett Communicators yesterday on kijiji.  I always get the bug when I head out to my son’s house in New Dundee and see the trail stakes.

     

    It must be very discouraging to be a Club Executive or Volunteer in this area with minimal snowfall and hundreds of Landowners to deal with let alone being a sledder with $20,000 tied up and nowhere to go.

  8. Excellent news for sure and great to see the cooperative spirit of those involved.

     

    Surely this can be used by others as a template for their area including the Grand River Conservation Association.  Always helps having assistance on the inside of the approving authorities such as the 2 Councillors for the Region of Ottawa.

    • Like 1
  9. 1 hour ago, Strong Farmer said:

    There’s been complaints for awhile now. Use to be go to place for food and accomdations. Crows nest in restoule went thru a few transformations too and is finally back up to where it was in 1990’s when Hal and Suszie ran place.  

    Been to both places.  Wouldn’t want to be in hospitality business these days, especially older places that are in long term decline.  Fortunately TripAdvisor, Google and similar sites give the potential customer a much better insight as what to expect and govern themselves accordingly.

     

    Surely not a great first day on a RAP Tour, especially when the wife is with you.  I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall that night!

  10. Why the OFSC considers information such as this is a liability is beyond me.  Golden Corridor Snowdrifters should be an example to other clubs IMHO and they even have a daily sponsor so that is a 10++ in my books.

     

    In my experience, most sledders don’t bitch when you tell them what is going on, what the issues the club is having with breakdowns, etc. and the fact that you are trying to inform them of the Club’s activities, etc. On a regular basis.

    9DBB277C-BBF6-41EC-87A5-29D5EEE91467.png

    • Like 1
  11. 2 hours ago, skidooboy said:

    the OFSC took that away due to liability. only updates allowed are the official itg. thats it! welcome to political correctness. we allowed this to happen. Ski

    There are many Clubs still using Facebook to let people know what is going on, e.g. Golden Corridor Snowdrifters, HCSA, Bonfield SC, Luc The Groomer Guy

    EBFCD912-6D06-4CE1-8323-FF771828CFC9.png

  12. Why some Clubs don’t use Facebook to quickly update riders as to what is happening on the trails is surprising given that some Clubs are so effectively using FB to communicate.  My old Club now gets almost 4,000 views on most of their posts.

     

    I do realize that some users don’t like Facebook but you don’t need an account to view.  In this day and age there is no excuse to not informing your paying customers of what is going on.

    • Like 4
  13. Glad to read that you followed up directly with the Club in question.  well done and hopefully help others.

     

    The signing needs to be completely understandable for riders that are new to an area.

     

    My pet beef is not adding the correct numerals of the distance to the point in question.

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