ecarnell

Son and I slept in then went for a ride - cut it short due to weather and trails. left kincardine timmies at 9am, down to wingham around to Lucknow and home. 154km. Home for lunch at 12:30. some trails very wind blown. Some fields almost to a crawl as couldn’t see the next set of stakes/markers , and other spots perfect trails! didn’t see anyone else for first 50km. tomorrow heading north to chesly area I think - give a chance for wind to die down and groomers to maybe get out. Eric

I haven’t been out since Saturday - so not 100% sure - but I would think north of Lucknow will be fine as didn’t see anywhere near the traffic was south of blyth from the weekend. Inland 5-10km from the shore is much better - so I’d stay away from coming into kincardine (or Port for that matter). Eric

So finally able to make a days ride from our own backyard! my 13 year old son and I left 8am - ditch banged into Kincardine and Timmies to start the day. rode first 60 km and didn’t see a single sled! filled up in Blyth (80km) then the traffic coming north on the trails was huge - never seen so many sleds on the trail in D9 - felt like muskoka ! rode down to listowell then north with a bypass to Belmore for a 45 minute driveway chat. Back through teaswater and into kincardine for gas. 190km on that tank - 850 29l, 900 Ace 25l. back home in our yard 3:30pm for 280 km round trip. Trails were a 9.5 in the am - but 7-9 on the way home north of listowel. not too many pictures as was dull lighting for most of the day. great day on the trails none the less!

It was great last weekend - and with fresh snow should be even better. only some very small water /dampness coming through in low parts in the fields - but after this snowfall all should be great. I would not be discouraged from running any “yellow” trails north of Hanover .

Wondering how many businesses(resultants, hotels, services, ect) up north aren’t going to make it through this season with no sleds travelling due to Covid/restrictions. tough times that’s for sure.

Ya, trail into Hanover red on ofsc map yesterday. parked at chesley arena (freshly plowed in the am) - about 10 other trucks/trailers there too.

My son and I trailered out to Chesley this am for a little ride. we got a fair bit of snow last night here in SW Ontario. Ran chesley - to paisley area - backtracked to Tara then over to chatsworth and did a loop up through Walters fall up to B and looped to Owen sound for gas (160km). East side of rail trail was thin and bumpy.... I’ll avoid that area until I see a Green trail. the ofsc map had then opened up so more “yellow” trails south since 9am when we left - so we decide to run down to markdale via rail trail then do a loop back to chesley via Durham and hanover. Some of these trails that just opened up that am were definitely “yellow”. If I was riding an old sled my back would have given out I think! Lots of wet spots. Filled up with tap at pump in owen sound - but had to run into the Durham gas station to pick up some More snacks and drinks (Bv2s helmets on) as we were going to be later than expected back at the truck. Ran 330 km or so for the day - left 9am back at truck 6:30pm. Need to pack more stuff/snacks just in case next time. snow conditions and trails around chesley were 9.5-10/10. East of chatsworth - 4-5/10, Rail trail - 8-9/10 (OS to markdale) durham area 4-6/10, Hanover north 7-8/10. well over 2,000 km for the season thus far - May need to start looking at some 2022’s/left over 2021’s - though maybe have to wait till Covid pricing drops! E

So no sledding as hazardous to our health, but people are still out and about shooting our younger generation in the GTA ..... crazy.

Most of them are on a strict testing cycle of once per day. One of the ladies who is doing testing at my work now mentioned she was testing all the maple leaf players in the previous nhl bubble everyday. test is apparently 98% accurate - so “risk” of any transmittal is “low” - though I agree doesn’t look good for others to look at/emulate.

I skied two days at Blue over Christmas (24/25) and sledded up north in Cochrane for four days after that over this past Christmas holidays. I could honestly say skiing and village was crazy, even though masks, etc. just a lot of people. Up north, for 4 days of 1300 km sledding I interacted with almost no one except check in at motel (masks and plexiglass) and Tim’s drive thru (plexiglass) and Guys at Abitibi canyon had masks on (and I helmet) and purchased gas out of gas cans there (meter was down) last Saturday I trailered our sleds to Durham to sled 300km for the day and again interacted with no one (except son) and getting a coffee from Tim’s in the am (went in store with mask and them masks/plexiglass - to pick up , as had trailer) so I can totally see the difference in skiing and sledding.

Yes , but the province has made a conscious decision to include snowmobiling as acceptable , unlike downhill skiing for example. they must have used some sense in thinking that the number of sledders and large groups together is minimal with restaurants indoor seating closed, minimal contact at gas stations/tap n go, etc. will help keep economy going somewhat and mental health of some , with minimal risk..... ps the 50 trucks is nothing compared to Blue mountain parking lot every weekend - and 50% their aren’t skiing it seems these days! fingers crossed.

So if skating rinks (and I suspect Zamboni’s will be running?) are open and limited to 25 people - would groomers not also be operating to maintain trails as snowmobiling is approved activity? asking for a friend.

My Fit bit app said I did 42,437 steps on Saturday when I was out riding (trails were really bumpy for the 297 Km’s!) :)

Unfortunately I agree with you Scotty, but honestly do you think sledding the last couple of weeks and the trailering in southern Ontario actually increased / or spread any significant Covid cases?

This sucks.

Wow. I’m sooooo glad I didn’t stay home today. Think I’m over 1600km this season so far! My 13 year old son and I trailered out to Durham - on trail 8:00am Freshly groomed and first tracks for 15 km. Made it to markdale B111, then rail line to gas in owen sound (90km). Headed back down to Dundalk - trail bumpy South of markdale. Quick gas stop in Dundalk then headed east to terra nova - fields open and fast! Turned around and back to Dundalk - then north of markdale to take a different loop (north side) into Durham . Rail trail had been beaten up pretty good . The new Trail back into Durham had just opened up I think - and lots of road running - would be avoiding it until we get lots of more snow. Some trails were 9.5/10 Some were 1/10 We avoided / around any major mud holes - and sleds still “clean enough” Water, Trail side beef jerky and granola bars throughout the day. Back at truck 3:30pm with 297 km. Another great day riding with mot son !!!!!! The clubs appear to be doing their best grooming with what Mother Nature has given us thus far - thanks !!!

On a side note - how is the handling of the Poo 850 compared to the XRS?

Thanks . Will let you know tomorrow !!!! Eric

Black star - did you happen to run b111? Durham to markdale - if so how was it? thanks Eric

I figured that much - but reading people “may” have ridden from orangeville/shelburne to owen sound (which can only be done via this section of trails I think) if so , how, any detours / signage/ etc. Asking for a friend.

What , if any, is protocol for the red section in Dundalk? Signed trail closed? Reroute , or mums the word? Think this section is just the continuous rail bed correct ? asking for a friend.

So home safe and sound 3:30 pm (left at 5:30am) - 830 km in the truck. Average 20l/100km - running 95-105km/hr. So onto our review of the Chimo.... as all other hotels booked up for the original 3 night we were looking at -( we extended it a extra night a week or so ago) booked into the Chimo for my son and I - $125 a night for a two bedroom with kitchenette. My 13 year old sons review : Old and dirty. I would have to agree , and no way would I’d stay with my dad sledding or my wife/daughter. the massive propane heater, painted concrete block walls, dated everything. Wasn’t cleanest either (probably 30 years old and never updated????) that being said - my son and I are very easy going , we brought all our own cooking (pot , cookie sheet, 2 sets of plates, bowls, cutlery and enough food for 4 days). Being Covid and all - have a home base for breakfast and dinner was great. The Fridge stove , microwave, toaster was handy. With us able to cook everything, the only interaction with Cochrane personnel was at check in , coffee order at Tim’s one morning and when the cleaning lady knocked on the door one morning asking if we needed anything. Gas was tap n go at Petro two doors down. The beds were old - but both of us actually had a wonderful sleep each night. The center common area was great for us to sit and chat, eat, watch TV, play chess in the evening. Given no “dinning in “at resultants that we’d normally visit - this was a great alternative. And much better than sitting on beds all evening in a normal hotel room. another benefit is that it wasn’t packed - unlike West way across the street. Never had any partiers near us. Easy to park truck and trailer in front of room every night. For the price you really got what you paid for. if I was heading up again for a couple of days , with current Covid restriction on food/dinning and needed a home base - I probably go back again (with my son). Any other time , I’d search for other alternatives. Eric

Well day 4 of 4 in the books. best day thus far for weather and trails and stories! (Son agreed it was the best day). had a big breakfast of cereal and bagels once again then headed west. Trailered to moonbeam again - on trail 10:30am back at truck 5:12pm. 313km for the day. i think we did 85% of the trails open around Moombeam/Kap. spent a fair bit of time playing in the powered on the power lines - both Ryerson’s and I got the 900 stuck once each. Got to use the new small shovel - worked really well (compared to hands!) Had a trail side lunch of juice boxes , beef jerky and granola bars. think son rode the 850 more than I did today!!!!!!!! The bad: L125 took a belt from me this afternoon.... 4700 on original belt so not complaining! I caught it just in time before she fully exploded. The good: the new OFSC app worked well - when we mistakenly got onto Remi Lake - pulled it up and knew exactly where we were - and chose to run it it’s length. Lots of ice fishing going on!!! Previously I’d be looking on my GPS and comparing to a paper map to figure out where we were WRT trail. Overall a wonderful start of the riding season. talked to two groups of sleders on the trail today (from a distance) and that was are only interaction we people today! heading back home early in the am

Wow - what a difference 45 hrs makes and riding in daylight the entire time! slept in again.... had a good breakfast and then son and I headed out to the canyon loop 9:24am , home 3:12 pm 297 km. trails were super smooth ! saw 2 hares and a BLACK WOLF! Picture doesn’t do justice , but we got really close on the sleds. canyon damp not opened up much today compared to 2 days ago. had pepperettes and granola bars on the trail - had a good snack when we got back to the Chimo. May head out this evening for another loop (trail south of cochrane opened up for a couple km I think).

I’ll post review when we get home sat/sun.