Sevey

Anyone ridden out of Amos or heard why the 83 is still red in that area? I have stayed there many times and cant see why that trail could be red, even if the river crossing in Amos is unstable. Also - how are the 'yellow' trails around Rouyn? Thanks MS

We cottage near singhampton. Our base (like in the pics) is about 8-12" of concrete. If we could just get a solid 12" of new snow we would be 'off to the races'. Seems like a big ask this year......... MS

How were the trails holding up? I have ridden there many times. I Have been invited with some guys to ride from ROuyn, Lasarre to Valdor leaving on the 6th. Worth it? or should I take a pass and wait for snow? This is turning into an exceptional winter - for all the wrong reasons. MS

That could have been real bad. That sledder owes his life to that truck driver. You could see the driver start to back off the gas as he approached the group - that probably is why he got the rig under control - as fast as he did- as sled wandered across the road. Scary MS

Thanks for taking the time to profile your trip enjoyed following your route. Looks like a great time. Curious- where did you park at new liskeard? ms

Black creek had food. They dont have a full menu but had enough choices to make it a worthwhile stop (not to mention there nothing else around). Definitely enjoyed being there, having never been in that area before. MS

We didnt make it to Spanish. We ended up going in other directions. Things improved as Saturday brought 6" of new snow. With Dunlop Lake as our base camp: Thursday afternoon - Rode south of town, took the F trail towards Spanish but didnt make it as we didnt get going until late afternoon and ran out of daylight.- out and back. Friday - Took the D trail to Blind River. Came home on the BR4. I would not take this trail again, granted it is yellow, but very tight running. That day was freezing cold so it was a shorter day. Saturday - F trail northwest to Blackcreek Outfitters. Tons of fun, half way out - that trail gets into logging roads where you can really increase your speeds easy cruise to 100kph. Sunday - EL3 to the west - out and back - powerline running. Lots of fun. This was a father daughter trip so we were not crushing huge km's. Friday was -31C, so that slowed us down. Regardless, we clocked 700km so I was happy and so was she. Loved the terrain up there. Beautiful countryside. MS

Just got back from Elliot Lake - rode Thursday to Sunday. Stayed at Dunlop Lake Lodge. There really are not a lot of options for accommodation. There is the Hampton Inn in town and Dunlop Lake which is great - ask for Tricia. They get booked fairly quick so you better look into it sooner or later. Lots of great loops to do from there. Heads up - the trails up there - for the most part are not 100kmph trails. You work for most of your km's. So be wary of setting too lofty of a an agenda. MS

Thanks for your help Its appreciated - the Redtop is closed for the winter fyi MS

Search both those spots you mentioned but could not find the communities they are in? Dont forget, I dont know the area very well MS

Heading up to Dunlop Lake Lodge on Thursday. Reviewing the OFSC map, there are very few places for lunch in that area during days trips from Eilliot Lake - east or west of where we are staying. -Bobbers in Bruce Mines -Black Creek in Searchmount. Can anyone advise of restaurants in that area i have not covered. Thanks MS

Thanks for the input. Frustrating year. MS

Was hoping someone from the area could comment why a short 16km section of the D134 between Bruce Mines and Elliot Lake is coming up red on the trail map? This really bisects the ability to do any loops in that area. I gave something booked for the end of next week and may alter plans if all the trails aren't up and open. Any input would be helpful Thanks MS

Its a bit over the top but I coat my torsion axle with grease. Buy a cheap tub of grease from crappy tire, put on the mechanics gloves and wipe it all over. My axle is 9 yrs old and all the original paint is intact, and is in relatively good shape. I redo this every 3-5 yrs. Its a messy job but our trailers are exposed to horrible conditions being used in the winter. MS

I found one at princess auto - it was cheap and packed really tight. Like half the size of a football. Serves the purpose as it only gets used a few times a year. MS

I drive the skis up to the edge of the floor - slide the dollies under each ski - then drove onto a 'stall mat' that i got from TSC (Peavey). Purchased a 4' x 8' mat and cut it into 3 - 16" strips. Just drive the sled right in. and throw a dolly under the track to spin it around. MS

Thanks for getting back i will Google earth and circle back with any questions ms

Hi All, Back at it again - planning possible outings for 2023. Who can give some clarity on a good spot to park a trailer for a few days riding starting in Espanola. Obviously have looked at the OFSC map, but when zooming in on google earth, does not look like a suitable spot to drop. Anyone live in the area that can help? Thanks MS

Thanks for taking the time to post your trip with mileage etc. That’s a lot of riding for a teenager. Great job to pull off that kind of mileage. Just returned last Tuesday from New Liskeard after 3 days running with my 15 yr old daughter. We base camped at the Waterfront Inn and did a number of day trips. First time in the north. She really enjoyed it. mS

Closing the Loop - My Debrief. Left Sunday am (March 13th) - checked into the Waterfront Inn and did an afternoon ride to Temagami and back. Was expecting rough conditions but trails were fantastic. Fun trail through the forests - 200km. Monday - breakfast at Gillis, took the A out of town to Elk Lake, went on the A107 to visit Canyon Lake - nice. Came back had lunch at the Elk Lake Eco Centre. Then went back on the A and took the L161 north, and A108 to Englehart. Trails were rough around Engelhart but 5 km out of town trails were good. Took the A108q down to the river and rode out to Lake Temiskaming. Did a brief visit to the belle province. Back to the hotel with lots of daylight to spare - did a quick evening lap back up the Wabi on the A south to Hailybury and out the L182 to the Lake. Turned south and visited Devils Rock - very cool - then ran the lake back to the hotel. What a day. - 300km Tuesday - since the A was in good shape we stayed away from the tertiary trails and went back out to Elk Lake. Freshly groomed trails made for a fast run. Did the full loop on the A107 this time - that did not disappoint. The south side of that loop is like a roller coaster. Then had lunch at the Elke Lake Wilderness Lodge - Thanks Mary Jo. Great people. They we headed for the hotel to load up for home - 250km. This was my daughters first real Northern Ontario trip and it did not disappoint. Great trails up there. Hats off to the clubs. Great job! A ton of fun to ride. Looking forward to next year. MS

Thanks for the comments - sounds like there have been some good days. Past the point of no return - Sled is loaded and i am leaving first thing MS

Planning to pop up on Sunday and ride until Tuesday with my daughter for March Break. Staying at the Waterfront Inn. Want to know what the people that live there think - how the trails holding up with the traffic. I have read hot and cold comments - FB pages show good things from the clubs but i hear every southerner is up that way. Are the trails usually just raked around after a weekend or are they full of 2’ whoops? Sunday Afternoon - A trail south down to Temagami MOnday - ride out to Elk Lake on the A. Tuesday - ride a loop out to Earlton, head east to pic up the canal, cross lake back to hotel. I know riding right after a weekend is a cardinal sin - but weather is eroding at the end of the week and want to catch some final rides. Thanks all MS

I am more towards south collingwood - we lost too much snow last Sunday. We would need 24” of snow to get going again. Fields below the escarpment are totally bare. Such a shame. At times our riding was great but between a few thaws with rain and high winds that exported the snow into the bush, it turned into a tough season MS

Had one for my daughter. Ran it for 3500km. No problems. Great sled and well thought out. I wish we had bought it when the kids were 9/10'ish because we would have got more use out of it. As it was, my daughter was 13 and out grew it within 2 yrs. Pro's Great stepping stone sled allowing them to ride the trails and learn how to handle the sled. Con Fuel tank is dinky small - limited range. The 80kph limiter is ok until you ride on ice. There were times we wish we had more power. Very limited on ability to adjust suspension for better handling. We put a 6" shaper under the ski so it wouldnt push as bad in the corner.

Thanks - My biggest question was snow - but i gather its at least white. I can handle bumps, but if its scraped bald due to logging or utility workers - that's another story. Appreciate the comments. MS