slomo Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Up bright and early after last night's snow fall. Apologies to the good people of Barry's Bay - lost track of the trail and may have inadvertantly driven over sidewalks etc. to get through town. A short pause at the junction of the rail trail toward Whitney. And we're off - B102 to B - trails in relatively good shape, not groomed yet, but plenty of snow. We see the turnoff for Spectacle Lake Lodge and wait awhile for sledjunk to emerge. He doesn't. Must have been too early for him. Other people stop to wait for him as well. Must be a popular guy. We leave. More trail pics... There was a small section of the trail which detoured off the rail line. Trail was pretty thin here - take your time. Brought up the occasional rock. Was told later at the restaurant that the trail was detoured to preserve some kind of turtle habitat. Thought turtles burrowed into the mud in the winter? Some nice scenary along the trail where it meets the river and runs along side it. The Madawaska bridge Finally, lunch at the Mad Mushers in Whitney. This is a really sled friendly place. They allow trucks and trailers to park and launch here as long as they have room - the township across the road won't allow it in their parking lot - and the OFSC trail map is on the computer 24/7. The friendly waitress gives us a nice table with a view outside. Sitting opposite ms slomo, I remark that I can keep an eye on the one I love. Ms. slomo thinks I 'm talking about her. The burgers are good here. But you've got to try the Venison Pot Pie - red wine sauce, mushroom, rich broth and hearty chunks of meat. It is filling enough that you aren't hungry, yet not solid enough that you feel like having an afternoon snooze. On our return to Barry's Bay, the trails were a bit worn and traffic had increased. Still nothing lke the Seguin Trail in Parry Sound on a busy day. A bit of rain fell and required cleaning face shield occasionally, but overall a nice trip and one of those 'relationship builders' - which means I can get away on my own more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white dragon Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Up bright and early after last night's snow fall. Apologies to the good people of Barry's Bay - lost track of the trail and may have inadvertantly driven over sidewalks etc. to get through town. A short pause at the junction of the rail trail toward Whitney. And we're off - B102 to B - trails in relatively good shape, not groomed yet, but plenty of snow. We see the turnoff for Spectacle Lake Lodge and wait awhile for sledjunk to emerge. He doesn't. Must have been too early for him. Other people stop to wait for him as well. Must be a popular guy. We leave. More trail pics... There was a small section of the trail which detoured off the rail line. Trail was pretty thin here - take your time. Brought up the occasional rock. Was told later at the restaurant that the trail was detoured to preserve some kind of turtle habitat. Thought turtles burrowed into the mud in the winter? Some nice scenary along the trail where it meets the river and runs along side it. The Madawaska bridge Finally, lunch at the Mad Mushers in Whitney. This is a really sled friendly place. They allow trucks and trailers to park and launch here as long as they have room - the township across the road won't allow it in their parking lot - and the OFSC trail map is on the computer 24/7. The friendly waitress gives us a nice table with a view outside. Sitting opposite ms slomo, I remark that I can keep an eye on the one I love. Ms. slomo thinks I 'm talking about her. The burgers are good here. But you've got to try the Venison Pot Pie - red wine sauce, mushroom, rich broth and hearty chunks of meat. It is filling enough that you aren't hungry, yet not solid enough that you feel like having an afternoon snooze. On our return to Barry's Bay, the trails were a bit worn and traffic had increased. Still nothing lke the Seguin Trail in Parry Sound on a busy day. A bit of rain fell and required cleaning face shield occasionally, but overall a nice trip and one of those 'relationship builders' - which means I can get away on my own more often. excellent report...one i love...good one...much needed info thx Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muskoka Man Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 great pics Slomo ,we parked at the township lot across from the MM before , maybe not a good thing to be doing , lots of traffic there today ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted January 19, 2013 Author Share Posted January 19, 2013 great pics Slomo ,we parked at the township lot across from the MM before , maybe not a good thing to be doing , lots of traffic there today ? Yep, according to Mad Musher staff, there is some problem with something being blocked by people parking - so they banned it. There was mention of the public beach parking lot being okay to use, but don't know enough about this to confirm? About 10 or so trucks and trailers parked in the vicinity, more along the trail at junctions with roads. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreezerBurnt Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Great pics Slomo!!! And write up Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2fast4u Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 is there any snow in Bancroft or do I have head futher? Nice pics i'm jealous Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Circuit Posted January 19, 2013 Share Posted January 19, 2013 Thanks for the report! My wife and I are headed to BB tomorrow (Sunday) and this is good news indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo Doo Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Good report and pics. Thanks.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revrnd Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 There was a small section of the trail which detoured off the rail line. Trail was pretty thin here - take your time. Brought up the occasional rock. Was told later at the restaurant that the trail was detoured to preserve some kind of turtle habitat. Thought turtles burrowed into the mud in the winter? That's what I thought too. Apparently since the railbed is used by ATVs in the off season they wanted to prevent any turtle/ORV interaction during that part of the year. Conditions look better up there than around here in Apsley. Pretty thin snow cover in the bush. We got 3 inches of snow Fri', very short period of rain in late afternoon, then turned to snow. Great pics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viperules700 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks for the report! My wife and I are headed to BB tomorrow (Sunday) and this is good news indeed. Where are you staying? Riding to mattawa and back too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Wonderful report. Glad that there's snow 'not too far' away. Careful in the snow squalls tomorrow, if they make it that far east. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ontariof7 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Thanks slowmo. Releaf and I are staying at speckle lake this Monday through Wednesday, looks like we are in for a great time.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 You guys are like mining prospectors or fishermen. Hear about a good spot, and descend upon it. We used to be spread so far and wide in Ontario. Now, in early season (Jan 20th!) and late season, we'll be fighting for rooms. Couldn't believe all the sleds heading east on Hwy. 401 today as well. Ottawa? Quebec? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ontariof7 Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 You guys are like mining prospectors or fishermen. Hear about a good spot, and descend upon it. We used to be spread so far and wide in Ontario. Now, in early season (Jan 20th!) and late season, we'll be fighting for rooms. Couldn't believe all the sleds heading east on Hwy. 401 today as well. Ottawa? Quebec? There's white gold in them there parts son. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Re:Leaf Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Great report slomo. Thank you. I'm looking forward to riding in that area this week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred Quimby Posted January 20, 2013 Share Posted January 20, 2013 Great riding destination for sure! Excellent report...does Mrs. Slomo know there is ranking above her in the "loved ones" list? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted January 20, 2013 Author Share Posted January 20, 2013 is there any snow in Bancroft or do I have head futher? Nice pics i'm jealous Sent you a PM - but mainly answer is thin snow in Bancroft. Lady at gas station there reports only about 2 inches since the rain. Likely in the same area as revrnd - Apsley - so will share similar precipitation levels. Keep an eye on that OFSC conditions map, but driving through there today, looked thin. Head further. Barry's Bay is only another 72 kilometers. There were a few trailers parked at Bird's Creek, probably taking advantage of some small amount of snow on the rail line, but it is listed as closed. Great riding destination for sure! Excellent report...does Mrs. Slomo know there is ranking above her in the "loved ones" list? No. (nor does she know that I took wild bill's advice and installed 'stiffer' springs) Got a quick ride in this morning before packing up and took the B102 opposite direction toward Killaloo. Trail was great up to Wilno, but then became very thin. Is marked as limited on the OFSC map, but has suffered from traffic. Just wanted to thank the Opeongo Snowbirds for excellent work in the area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sledjunk Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Great report Slomo. I did finally get up there and rode Sunday. Long story. Will post a report and pictures soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white dragon Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 drove up to barry bay sunday morning at 5:30 in the worst snow storm...took 4 hrs...hooked up with sledjunk & son...trails were nice,sled works great...nice to be riding again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 The suspension on the Polaris looks great. In fact, the whole sled looks awesome. Ya painted the gas can black, didn't you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
white dragon Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 The suspension on the Polaris looks great. In fact, the whole sled looks awesome. Ya painted the gas can black, didn't you? thx canuck...had to try it...paint just rubs off...back to the drawing board....nice to meet teener & her hubby too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.