Toyman

I have been doing the tear down maintenance on my sled, and now I’m thinking I’ve been missing out on more riding opportunities. With all the southern and central trails closed I had ended my season. I really need to look into this as I too would have thought they were closed! Lucky and smart of you stonehaven!

I would like to go, but my wife is not interested and she knows it’s dangerous for me to see any new toys that I’d endlessly obsess over. I’m told I’m at my toy limit already. I don’t need to upgrade anything yet, so best I don’t see what’s out there!

Did mine at 28,000 kms and was when the idle changed and cold starting got difficult. Had to hold a bit of throttle to keep running up to operating temperature.

If you commit to continuing to ride that sled for more years, then the additional maintenance of track, valves, shock and clutch rebuild will be worth it. I’d still be riding my Viper that had 33k+ kms but just love the extra power of the Winder.

Thanks Baylaker, I will have to get set up like this as phone plugged in and placed in the goggle warmer doesn’t work. Only warm when stopped, and I don’t do that much!

Well signfan, that was quite the ride day! I started in the area on Sunday putting 300 kms on, then all those same trails on Monday and agree, was the best they’ve been this season. That was a 400km day. Thankful for all the fresh grooming as well. I took the long way home on Tuesday and after riding 30-45 minutes on E109, 177, 178 and 178a around Lake St Peter in freezing rain, the sled finally overheated as the ice build up had covered the intakes. Should have taken photos but just wanted to get more riding in! Once I removed the thick layer on me and the sled I could continue on home via Barrys Bay E109 and B which weren’t so good. Still great 1100 km trip. There wasn’t too many out, but great riding despite all the mixed precipitation that day. Hope the trails have held up enough as well.

Definitely avoid E109 from rail bed B106E to 175, and south end of 175 and 173 were trashed Saturday night. They have two groomers down. Your plan through Whitney is best as those groomers are still operating.

A little late but I came back home from a four day trip yesterday, leaving Lake St Peter via E109 then B102 through Barrys Bay. That end of rail trail B102 to B was rough as expected from weekend traffic. Took the 155 instead of B for the first time this season and was soft from limited grooming. The B was pretty good still and had recent grooming starting at intersection at north end of B102 to Pembroke which was greatly appreciated at the end of 1150 km trip.

I didn’t want to be the first to say “too much snow”, but now that it’s said, our local trails have been terrible this past week. Too soft and moguls instead of rocks on the trail. Have been waiting for some grooming action first so I can head back out for another four days starting tomorrow. I already have a sore neck, shoulders and back from shovelling and last week’s sled trip, so now hope for smooth trails ahead so I can recover and enjoy simultaneously. I’m definitely packing my shovel now though, hope I don’t need to use it!

Sold on Valentine’s Day to someone who appreciates the care this sled has received. Only thing they will need to do is replace the original 10 yr old battery!

I would like to get a RAP run in this year! Have been looking at the route for last few weeks, it’s close. Have not been able to do it in several years due to trail status or wife’s medical condition, glad that’s behind us now. Have been all over the east side of the park, but not much snow here either. Hope you get it in Laborer, it’s a classic.

Same here, always enjoyed his posts. My condolences and I’m sure he’s now finally enjoying perfect conditions always.

Now $5,500 Took it for a short ride today, hit 33,333 on the odometer as well. Man, I love this sled!

I checked my records, and I have usually got 12,000 kms on my sets before changing. The first 1/3 always wear down quick then they harden up. Tighten the track and the other 2/3 wear down much more slowly. I don’t run many lakes with low snow. If I tighten down the limiter strap or increase the front shock pressure then they will wear more up front at the bend, which is always where I find the most wear. Only put 10,000 kms on Duponts before I sold that sled, so don’t know how much I could have got on them. Should have kept them at the current price they are! I think you should be able to get 6,000 kms at least. Just check the wear line and run it right up to that line in the highest wear area of your particular sled.

Sled is still ready to go. Price is now $5,800

Time to part with my well outfitted trail sled that is thoroughly maintained and has been completely dependable. Retired, original owner, sled stored in heated garage. Injectors have been cleaned, valves adjusted, shocks rebuilt, new drive axle, top gear. Skid frame pulled every season and bearings and bushings replaced, nothing left unchecked. Starts great any temperature. Don’t be worried about the mileage (33,000kms), this engine is bulletproof, and you will see all the suspension is completely restored to like new condition. Includes the following: Ice Attack Pre-Studded 137" Track Sport Mirrors HID Headlights Med and Tall Windshields Knee Pads Tunnel Stiffeners Engine Oil Block Heater Hand Muffs Heavy Duty Rear Bumper Trailer Hitch Rear Rack Rear Rack Bag Saddle Bags Tunnel Flares Visor Plugin BOP High Heat Thumb Lever Sled can be stored free near Pembroke until next season $6,700 obo.

There is a parking lot on the South side of O’Conner Drive which is the first street on the right as you arrive in Temagami. I had used it many times a few years ago and it was plowed and big enough. Could check with the expensive Petro Canada to see what they know. Used to deal with Northland Paradise Lodge as well, but don’t know their status now.

Drove through Bancroft and Barrys Bay last night and the trails and snow cover are good in the good areas and bad in the usual corners and spring melt ones. If you can tolerate the dirt and snirt sections, dance around the rocks, you can enjoy some great sections. Just wish we weren’t getting more mild weather and rain today! We won’t be out!

Have been surprised to see the groomer back out in the last few days again, midday (maybe training daytime temps low enough?) as the local A and B trails were great already at the start of the week! Got a chance to ride the new last minute trail agreement to run the loop around Pembroke yesterday. Can potential access downtown businesses once I figure the parking. My favourite restaurant has a sign and direct trail access to their oversized lot, so I’m set. Time to get out again before the weekend as I expect more trail to go yellow here.

He must have been watching all those SUV TV commercials. Next he’ll have his ski rack on and heading up the ski mountain instead of taking the chair lift!

This makes more sense Ski, I have tons of trail experience but little to no off trail. I’ll look in to this for myself and my neighbour instead, as well as a VK540, Expedition or Tundra sled instead of my Winder.

I never would have imagined this. Was on the L159 earlier in the season when L153 was still closed so never saw where that path would have been. I’m not sure of the distance but assume you need to bring gas for the Sidewinder? My extra fuel for the same sled is 10 ltrs which may make it. I like a challenge, but my wife wants to know how much are we looking at to do this?

A little late to ask infernobuster, but how are you getting from Hearst to Moosenee? It’s a ways up north from Abitibi Canyon.

I missed this one today. Meant to take it, but was the first down A112A out of Mattawa this morning and looped back around via the A. The afternoon loop was supposed to include this MA170 but at a glance thought I saw a trail closed sign. Stayed on A112A and took NB308, which I would skip next time, as the west end of this road is plowed down to ice. Surprised to see the groomer out so early (16:00) as there was lots of traffic out still, and all it took was a half dozen sleds to have it completely chewed and piled up. Great 400k day after yesterday’s 450k day. Sadly heading back to Pembroke tomorrow, but all good things!

Only done the RAP twice, have been trying to do it again over the last four seasons. Weather has limited the short (seemed like there was only a week at most) window of reasonably good options on the west side. Being nearly right one the B trail means I don’t even have to plan the first and last night, still hoping for this year again.