Bancroft - March 4th - Wow!!!!

[signfan]

Took the day off work.  Figured I better get a ride in, in case this is it.  Left Birds Creek.  Down through the maze (did some loops in there just for fun), across Weslemkoon, across the Mazinaw system (1006, E101, 1003, 1009 and E) and into Griffith for gas via E102.  Then back out the same way to the south and did the Griffith loop (113) that runs east of town.  From there took the new trail 111 and 170 into Combermere, across E109 and the Maple Leaf trails (175 and 173) to Lake St Peter.  North to Whitney, down the hydro line to Haliburton Lake, back to Lake St Peter via E and E109 and then down the heritage trail to the truck.  Awesome day.  Just over 500 kms.  Had freshly groomed trail for probably 80% of the day and other than a cpl trails near the end of the day everything was at least a 9 out of 10.  Just awesome conditions.  Best riding I've done in a long time in the area for consistency.  Pretty much every club had their crap together.  Felt like a Quebec trip.  Thank you and job well done to Old Hastings, Mazinaw, Griffith Snow Dusters, Peterson Pathfinders, Maple Leaf Snow Skimmers, HCSA and Paudash.

 

I'm on the fence with how things are going to fair.  The forecast for the next 24 hrs sucks.  But I'm thinking it will survive it.  The day started with freezing sleet.  Then a cpl inches of snow and it finished this evening riding in a light constant drizzle.  Light rain now.  Trail base was still cold and was holding up great.  Roads still have snow cover and lakes were froze solid with no major slush issues.  Time will tell I guess.  Here's hoping we get March break before it's all gone.

 

 

[RAMSOMAIR]

Looks like a big magnet

 

[signfan]

Wireless charging pad for the phone.  Was a test.  Didn't work great.  Phone still froze.  Needs heat and a hardwired connection to the phone.

[blackjack1]

1 hour ago, UsedtoSkidoo said:

is that a clock instead of a GPS?

i recognize that instrument, right away,its linked to the mother ship comm..😅

[Spiderman]

18 minutes ago, signfan said:

Wireless charging pad for the phone.  Was a test.  Didn't work great.  Phone still froze.  Needs heat and a hardwired connection to the phone.

 

I know everyone does things differently - but what I have found to work really well for keeping my phone battery life in check while out riding is this.

 

I have a small toque I keep in my pocket for throwing on at stops etc.:

I put a "hot shot" on each side of my phone - then wrap my phone up inside the toque tight enough to hold the hot shots in place - keep the heat in - keep the phone warm and battery life holds.

 

It's a little archaic and not the coolest technology - but sure keeps the phone warm and have had no battery issues doing that.

[signfan]

Yeah I was trying to use the phone for navigation.  I eventually just gave up.  It would work for an hour or two.  Then quit due to cold.  Even when it was working it was a pain.  Screen would shut off, etc.  The ofsc and fcmq apps just aren't great yet for that application imo.  Brp go was ok.

[signfan]

Keeping the phone in inner pocket of my coat or tek vest seems to work for me to keep it alive.  Also that way if I'm in a wreck the phone is on me vs where ever the sled ends up.  

[grover_yyz]

I gave up on using phone for navigation. I have Track maps on Garmin Nuvi 68 GPS with RAM handle bar mount and very happy they have maps again. For my phone i purchased a mini sleeping bag and i can add a hand warmer for the coldest days.  It has a little Canadian flag so I hope it was made here.

 

Jerry

[Puggz]

6 hours ago, UsedtoSkidoo said:

is that a clock instead of a GPS?

Radar??  😎

[Pota]

I have a USB plug-in in glove box that I use to charge my iPhone mounted on handlebars. I use just a simple rubber handlebar mount that I use on my motorcycle . I bought a waterproof Otter box to keep phone out of elements . Been running this since  beginning of season, and even on the coldest day ( -20 ) I lost about 60% battery life after 4 hr ride to lunch stop. I bring my plug and recharge at lunch stop. Also I’m using my old iPhone . I carry my new one as well and I hot spot the new one to the old one. You can do this even if you’ve taken old phone off account . It’s nice to have back up just in case though and I keep it tucked away in a warm place. . Trust me I’m not that smart, but my kids set me up. It’s the greatest thing! The OFSC trail map works incredibly well for me  .  You can “ create new route”. Once route is created , beside the A /B there’s an arrow up ^ , top left. If u hit that arrow on the map there will now be a button that says 3D . Press that and now you will see your precise location on map. You follow your route just like gps in car. The map moves as you do. It has helped me so much riding new areas this year! If you don’t create route you can simply hit 3D button  and again it will show precise location on map. Hope this helps some , it really has been a game changer for me. 

[Baylaker]

7 hours ago, signfan said:

Wireless charging pad for the phone.  Was a test.  Didn't work great.  Phone still froze.  Needs heat and a hardwired connection to the phone.

Here you go, I’ve been testing with my setup and I can confidently say, it works perfect. Just be sure to use an old phone if you have one. It keeps my phone nice and warm, with no issues at all. Even has room for a power bank if you want to add one for additional battery life. All the items needed for this setup are in the description. Let me know if you have any questions about it. You can skip through to about the 3:50min mark if you like.

I think it was around a $97 setup for all the accessories needed.

 

OFSC Go Snowmobiling App I Iphone handlebar set-up I Yamaha Viper
https://youtu.be/PToUfTE7Fu0

[Blackstar]

If anyone near me wants one of the Skidoo cell phone holder pouches with the built in warmer, I have one I won’t be using.

 

 

[Toyman]

On 3/4/2025 at 10:53 PM, signfan said:

Took the day off work.  Figured I better get a ride in, in case this is it.  Left Birds Creek.  Down through the maze (did some loops in there just for fun), across Weslemkoon, across the Mazinaw system (1006, E101, 1003, 1009 and E) and into Griffith for gas via E102.  Then back out the same way to the south and did the Griffith loop (113) that runs east of town.  From there took the new trail 111 and 170 into Combermere, across E109 and the Maple Leaf trails (175 and 173) to Lake St Peter.  North to Whitney, down the hydro line to Haliburton Lake, back to Lake St Peter via E and E109 and then down the heritage trail to the truck.  Awesome day.  Just over 500 kms.  Had freshly groomed trail for probably 80% of the day and other than a cpl trails near the end of the day everything was at least a 9 out of 10.  Just awesome conditions.  Best riding I've done in a long time in the area for consistency.  Pretty much every club had their crap together.  Felt like a Quebec trip.  Thank you and job well done to Old Hastings, Mazinaw, Griffith Snow Dusters, Peterson Pathfinders, Maple Leaf Snow Skimmers, HCSA and Paudash.

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.

[Toyman]

On 3/5/2025 at 4:44 PM, Baylaker said:

Here you go, I’ve been testing with my setup and I can confidently say, it works perfect. Just be sure to use an old phone if you have one. It keeps my phone nice and warm, with no issues at all. Even has room for a power bank if you want to add one for additional battery life. All the items needed for this setup are in the description. Let me know if you have any questions about it. You can skip through to about the 3:50min mark if you like.

I think it was around a $97 setup for all the accessories needed.

 

OFSC Go Snowmobiling App I Iphone handlebar set-up I Yamaha Viper
https://youtu.be/PToUfTE7Fu0

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!

[Baylaker]

4 hours ago, Toyman said:

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!

My phone will stay warm in my goggle holder no problem. I’ve put chocolate bars and granola bars in there and it’s been a mistake lol. So no problem with heat. 
 

I just wanted a way to see the OFSC trail map while I ride. I love skidoo’s accessory for the heated phone holder, unfortunately YamaCat doesn’t offer anything, so I had to find my own setup. 

 

I’ve used it for about 4300kms so far this season with no issues at all. Works great! 

[signfan]

Trails look like they survived.  Saw the groomer out on E101 north of Cloyne when we drove into the cottage tonight.  Pack your ice scratchers, maybe avoid the lakes and you should be good to go.  Snow levels did take a kicking.