slomo Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Have always wanted to try out this area for a weekend winter vacation, but in the past, trails have melted before we could mount an expedition. Finally we get to go - Bewdley is well placed for some varied trails with the Ganaraska Forest (the Ganny) to the west and the Northumberland Forest trails to the east as well as plenty of lake running along the shore of Rice Lake.... We are staying at the Bewdley Cottage Resort - nicely appointed cabin right on the lake which allows access to the trails, as well as a place for ms. slomo to cross country ski which is pretty safe "as long as she doesn't have deer antlers attached to her head"....(?) Report on lodgings later....but here's the web site: http://bewdleycottageresort.com/ Got here early enough on Friday to get in a short familiarization ride - Nice lighting this time of year - off the shore of Bewdley... Forested area south west of town... A new one for me - traffic directional signs on the trail - Should have checked a map before leaving - have no idea where 'one way' trail ends and the trail returning begins.... On farmers' fields... Trail conditions are generally good with a few short bumby sections through woods which can't be groomed. And the famous Rhino Restaurant in Bewdley a sledder's mecca judging by the number of sleds parked there in the afternoon. Hope to get 'Zorro' - ms. slomo in her black sleep mask - up and attem so we can get over to one of the forests today - temps going up and snow cover is slight. More later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irv Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Have always wanted to try out this area for a weekend winter vacation, but in the past, trails have melted before we could mount an expedition. Finally we get to go - Bewdley is well placed for some varied trails with the Ganaraska Forest (the Ganny) to the west and the Northumberland Forest trails to the east as well as plenty of lake running along the shore of Rice Lake.... bewdley.JPG We are staying at the Bewdley Cottage Resort - nicely appointed cabin right on the lake which allows access to the trails, as well as a place for ms. slomo to cross country ski which is pretty safe "as long as she doesn't have deer antlers attached to her head"....(?) Report on lodgings later....but here's the web site: http://bewdleycottageresort.com/ Got here early enough on Friday to get in a short familiarization ride - Nice lighting this time of year - off the shore of Bewdley... pic01.jpg Forested area south west of town... pic02.jpg pic03.jpg A new one for me - traffic directional signs on the trail - pic04.jpg Should have checked a map before leaving - have no idea where 'one way' trail ends and the trail returning begins.... pic05.jpg On farmers' fields... pic06.jpg pic07.jpg Trail conditions are generally good with a few short bumby sections through woods which can't be groomed. And the famous Rhino Restaurant in Bewdley a sledder's mecca judging by the number of sleds parked there in the afternoon. pic08.jpg Hope to get 'Zorro' - ms. slomo in her black sleep mask - up and attem so we can get over to one of the forests today - temps going up and snow cover is slight. More later. I ride those areas often, Slomo, mostly Port Perry to the Ganny, or to Bewdley, and thoroughly enjoy them, even after all these years. Hoping to head out tomorrow but undecided to head east to Bewdley or go north and ride the island trails? Love the area and the fact I can go practically anywhere, and only 20 minutes from home! Glad you're enjoying the area as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimrr Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 This is my home base riding area. Tomorrow we plan to ride from Northumberland forest across rice lake to Cambleford then back along railway bed through Hastings . It is a nice little loop just under 100 miles total. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 I ride those areas often, Slomo, mostly Port Perry to the Ganny, or to Bewdley, and thoroughly enjoy them, even after all these years. Hoping to head out tomorrow but undecided to head east to Bewdley or go north and ride the island trails? Love the area and the fact I can go practically anywhere, and only 20 minutes from home! Glad you're enjoying the area as well. This is my home base riding area. Tomorrow we plan to ride from Northumberland forest across rice lake to Cambleford then back along railway bed through Hastings . It is a nice little loop just under 100 miles total. If you guys are reading this before you head out today, (Sunday) there is some kind of motorcycle ice racing in Bewdley today. Might be interesting to take in - which also means the Rhino Restaurant will be very busy. You are lucky to have this area so close by! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted March 1, 2015 Author Share Posted March 1, 2015 Day 2 Saturday - could not ask for a better day for touring this area. High of -6, face shield up weather. We do a quick run on the lake before starting out - Sled had burped a couple of ounces of coolant while on the trailer, so wanted to see if this was going to present a problem. No loss of pressure, temp constant, stored a quart of pre-mix under the hood just in case, and away we go... Head out toward the Ganny....second sled on freshly groomed trail. Didn't take my usual amount of pictures this tour - too much fun to stop. Largely followed the E108 west (a lot of one way traffic which was an interesting experience) at times joining the "Fugarwee Tribe" riding on the varied interlaced small trails An iconic site close to the PetroCan and Tim Hortons on highway 115 - We return to Rice Lake where I drop ms. slomo off for some her pursuits - cross country skiing with a pair of skate in her backpack in case she comes across some clear ice, which she did. Some folks were clearing an oval for racing on the lake and let her have a few skates around. Meantime, your humble narrator heads for the other park area - the Northumberland Forest. Once again, sticking mainly to E108 with the occasional foray into the local trails. Occasional 'divided trail' one way each side was kind of interesting. Varied geography included woods, fields and hydro lines. My favourite picture of the day - looking out over Rice Lake heading inland... Ended the day with a Chicken Wings/Ribs dinner special at the Rhino Roadhouse in Bewdley. Have a look at their menu. Place was very busy. http://www.rhinosroadhouse.com/ Signage and trail conditions were excellent in this area and would recommend it for any type of rider - lots of families and groups out, as well as those approaching some speed on the lake. My sincere thanks to the varied clubs maintaining the trails in this area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Re:Leaf Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Another great report Slomo. Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimrr Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 I'm glad you like our area to ride in . It's nice when Mother Nature blesses us with enough snow. We have had problems with low snow amount in the past but this year and last has been pretty good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41C Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Irv - I did the Island trails Friday afternoon - excellent riding. slomo - The forest can be a bit of a maze. I often will hit it late afternoon during the week and the forest feels like it is my own. Don't just stay on the 108, hit the a-f cross trails Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dingo Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Watch the "one way" trails. Not uncommon to find sleds coming at you the wrong way in the Ganny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetorches Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 I find it's hard to know when you are on a one way trail, if you are new to the area. Should have one way signs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share Posted March 2, 2015 A few pictures from our last day.. Winter picture of the lake looks somewhat like summer... Farmers...suppliers of food and good trails... And until the next time we return... ....as mentioned above, it is always wise to assume that someone new to the area might be coming the wrong way on a one way trail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mjack7 Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Love that small piece of trail that goes through the pine bush that you have the pic of. Awesome Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo Doo Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Looks good. Thanks for the report and sharing the pics slomo.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thetorches Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 Glad you enjoyed the area. Come back again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nunz Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 As always great report.. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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