wannago Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Friday morning we headed out from Burks Falls on D123 south to the Seguin, stopped in Sprucedale for lunch, not sure I would recommend that as a lunch stop. Sequin was perfect. We then took C101 toward Ahmic Harbour, first bit on C101 was pretty rough, I can't imagine how difficult it must to groom those roller coaster twisty hills. Not too far onto the trail the groomer passed us, after that the trails were amazing. Onto C104, again freshly groomed, what a treat. We did try to find 811 to cut some time off but it wasn't signed. Thought we found it but not sure so decided to just carryon to Ahmic Harbour. Filled up the sleds and jumped onto the Lake Trail trail. Trail off the lake to Magnetwan was a little rough. Stopped in the Mag for a coffee then onto to the 711 then 706 back the D123. 711 and 706 were groomed to perfect! All in all a fantastic day, I think the mileage was around 185km. Saturday we headed out on D123 towards Sundridge, Oh I do love those big hills!! Then onto the 306 into Sundridge, C104 to Magnetewan for lunch, then 711 back to the Sequin. All trails again were groomed to perfect, absolutely amazing riding. That is until we got to the Seguin! Wow was it a mess! Was so glad to see the cut off to D123 at the highway! Again back onto groomed trails and home. 160km for the day. Have to say this was probably one of the best weekends of sledding we have had in years despite the few "weekend warriors" that didn't want to share the trails with anyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Great report. Thanks for info. And agree with the following ... Have to say this was probably one of the best weekends of sledding we have had in years despite the few "weekend warriors" that didn't want to share the trails with anyone. We were sledding out Six Mile Lake (north of Honey Harbour) - awesome 'long' weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doonut Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Had a couple of close calls Sunday with arseholes on sleds. I was leading the mrs and Killswitch along the c102d to Bass Lake and on the last long straigaway parallel to hwy169, a group of 6 were coming straight down the middle and flying. Their not so fearless leader realized that he was indeed looking at oncoming traffic and slammed on the binders about 100 feet infront of me. Flew past in a sliding out of control way and missed me by about a foot. Number 2 inline was looking down at his dash until about 50 feet away. I was by then stopped and pulled so far right that my ski was off the trail and idiot was still heading straight at me, more on my side than his and its a 10 foot wide trail. He finally looked up just as I was about to bail off into the ditch. He missed my ski by no more than 6 inches. Number 3 inline had slowed considerably and gave me the "I know, my buddies are complete morons" sort of look and wave on the way by. Number 6 was kind enough to give me the "last sled inline" wave as he went by about 50 mph. I was a little PO'd as can be imagined. And people wonder about me when I relate a tale of using the old hockey elbow to wake up a wrong side rider one afternoon a couple seasons ago. Ya it hurt for a week but I bet his melon was ringing for a while too. Now, get this. We followed a two some on shiny new yamaha ventures from Bala to the c114 / c102d intersection. The female half of that pairing is bound to become a statistic. She rode along at 25 mph or so, often just letting off the gas for no apparent reason, then slamming the throttle back on then off then on all the while riding all over the trail. Wrong side of EVERY single left hand corner. Wrong side going up hills, sliding from the right to the far left on most right hand corners and then, to top off her stupidity, ran a stop sign and shot out onto a road that happened to have traffic on it. Fortunately, the guy in the suburban must have seen her coming and stopped before the trail or she would have been a bumper smear. I can just imagine what the outcome had of been if she were still infront of me when the wannabe's came roosting by 15 minutes later. Other than that, we had a great weekend of sledding on some really nice trails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Doonut, If you enlarge your avatar, and post it on your windshield, they'll stay away from you Sorry to hear about near misses, and glad that you and family are okay. I like your elbow idea - wonder if Canuck junior will lend dad his elbow pads for the weekend Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theedge Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Unfortunately there are still a few clowns out there. Glad everyone made it ok. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doonut Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Unfortunately there are still a few clowns out there. Glad everyone made it ok. Clowns are SCARY sometimes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeD Posted February 2, 2009 Share Posted February 2, 2009 Similar comments here, we rode pretty much the same loop as Wannago did Saturday, same day too! There were two groups we met that were a little out of control, but we managed to stay way right for them, I hope it was appreciated. Almost caused one myself ... halfway thru a fairly sharp right hander, the once "level" corner abruptly became an steep "off camber." A lump on the inside of the turn almost kicked me to the centre of the trail. This was just as much of a surpirse to me as it was for the two oncoming riders ..... I barely managed to stay on my side, and a few taps of the brake light caught the attention of the two behind me. You never know ... Apparently there was an accident on the 101 Saturday ... heard a bit about it after our ride. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannago Posted February 2, 2009 Author Share Posted February 2, 2009 Similar comments here, we rode pretty much the same loop as Wannago did Saturday, same day too! There were two groups we met that were a little out of control, but we managed to stay way right for them, I hope it was appreciated. Almost caused one myself ... halfway thru a fairly sharp right hander, the once "level" corner abruptly became an steep "off camber." A lump on the inside of the turn almost kicked me to the centre of the trail. This was just as much of a surpirse to me as it was for the two oncoming riders ..... I barely managed to stay on my side, and a few taps of the brake light caught the attention of the two behind me. You never know ... Apparently there was an accident on the 101 Saturday ... heard a bit about it after our ride. Hmm wonder where on the 101? That trail was rough enough in spots that you really had to watch the corners. I can't believe the number of places on the trails where sleds missed corners and went into the bushes, culverts or water! One group of three riders going waaaaay too fast almost took us out on the 101, wonder if it was one of them. We stopped cause our lead sled saw them coming and how fast they were going, they never even bothered to slow down. Kind of kept my eye out for you Mike, wondered if we might be riding the same trails on Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xcsldr Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Hmm wonder where on the 101? That trail was rough enough in spots that you really had to watch the corners. I can't believe the number of places on the trails where sleds missed corners and went into the bushes, culverts or water! One group of three riders going waaaaay too fast almost took us out on the 101, wonder if it was one of them. We stopped cause our lead sled saw them coming and how fast they were going, they never even bothered to slow down. That trail can be treacherous , especially with newbies unfamiliar with its sharp turns, steep grades and poor lines of site. Several years ago I was climbing one of the steep hills on my side when a sled flew right over my left shoulder and his ski narrowly missed my head. He was off his side but thankfully was at a speed where he had enough air to avoid a collision. It wasnt my number that day as I was in the only spot that avoided hitting me and there was no way we saw each other coming. I've come across many a sledder in the trees, speed is always a factor for those unfamiliar. There used to be a set of signs on that trail that read something like Speed has 5 letters so does death slow has 4 letters so does life speed kills slow down Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MXZ Mike Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Don't quote me for sure....but it seemed to be about 1km south of Nelson Lake. A trail patrol fella was waiting on the side of the road for an ambulance; and warned us of the accident ahead. Unfortunate indeed. It always leaves you with a sinking feeling inside. The trail was in good shape...I can only imagine speed was the culprit. Again, I'm just guessing...primarily on account of a few sleds that had passed us by at high rates of speed.....and of course, on the WRONG side of the trail. Sighhhhhhhhhh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Any truth to the rumour Slomo and STG almost collided? .... :poke: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UsedtoSkidoo Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Which one is which? Good one Canuck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowTouringGuy Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 STG - not sorry. ] Some cause happiness where ever they go; others, whenever they go. Bon Voyage ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Canuck Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 STG - not sorry. ] Some cause happiness where ever they go; others, whenever they go. Bon Voyage ! Hee hee. That ship has sailed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlowTouringGuy Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 STG - not sorry. ] Some cause happiness where ever they go; others, whenever they go. Bon Voyage ! Hee hee. That ship has sailed. :P :poke: :P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted February 3, 2009 Share Posted February 3, 2009 Any truth to the rumour Slomo and STG almost collided?[sorry Slomo, I read your post about a leisurely 70 mile ride that started with pancakes. Alas, that same day I was in the midst of a 300km loop with Sledjunk, and there were not pancakes or other such creature comforts. I like your way . STG - not sorry. Still getting over a lady in red image you sent me a while back ] Ha ha....good one indeed! I figure someone has to be the poster boy (sorry - person) for 'man (sorry - person) of leisure' sledding and I'm just the one to do it! It would be STG that's the snail...he's got his antennae out and has been studiously avoiding me since the lake run last year. As for comments on the C101...a tough trail to maintain..as careful as you can be sometimes things happen...certainly don't ride that trail very fast, carelessly, or on the wrong side, but one of my skiis hit a rut and a shift in balance occured before I could correct just at that split second an oncoming sled passed on a blind corner....we both adjusted in time, but could have been a bad thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giddy UP Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Great report Wannago - the Almaguin trails are in the best shape I have seen them in a few years - outstanding to ride there this year. We are heading up today for the weekend - it's the Kearney Dog Sled Races... Maybe we will see you on the trails? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannago Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Thanks Giddy Up! The trails certainly are amazing right now. We are not heading up this weekend. Home this weekend and then I head up on the 13th for a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OntRider Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Had a couple of close calls Sunday with arseholes on sleds. I had a few close calls on Saturday... riding down 37 near Bracebridge, a guy on a Mach Z (it's ALWAYS a Mach Z) flying around a tight corner and puts it sideways in front of me after realizing that perhaps the trail does have two way traffic. A little while later, a STOP officer pretty much out of control on another corner comes up the middle of the trail towards me. The third was on the Seguin earlier in the day when apparently my "others following" hand signal was misunderstood to mean drive directly towards me while I was already on the extreme right of a 15' wide trail. Was there a full moon on Saturday? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sledjunk Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Last weekend, Canuck, LMV, and I planned to head up to Canuck's cottage on Six Mile Lake to do some sledding. Canuck and I headed up Thursday night and met near Coldwater so that he could lead me in. He warned me that the road in was twisty but said that he was able to get in with his long trailer. As it turned out, twisty wasn't a problem. However, I think I widened the road on the way in as both the rear tires and the edges of the trailer barely cleared the banks! The cottage is quite elaborate and very comfortable. After chatting and planning for the weekend, we finally packed it in about 3AM and decided to set our alarms for 7. Day 1 In the morning, Canuck prepared a great breakfast for us (sorry, no pictures, irREVerent) and we got dressed and headed off towards WB's. The plan was to drop in on him for a bit and then head off toward the French River Bridges area. We crossed Six Mile Lake along C. The lake trail was very slushy and also had a lot of fresh powder as it had snowed about 5-6 inches the night before. The trails were freshly groomed with the night's powder untouched. Hey Look an OC Sticker! I wonder how that got there? Partway to WB's, Canuck started to feel ill and said that he would need to rest a bit when we arrived. When we got there, Canuck went to rest on the couch in the basement and I headed off to Timmy's for a bit of lunch. When I returned, Cunuck was feeling better so we headed off, but not before a little payback. :poke: :poke: However, it was too late for our original plans so we decided to head over towards Sprucedale and then south to close a loop. We went along C103D (Seguin) to D and then south through Port Sydney (tried to stop at Sydney's Bistro for dinner but the kitchen was closed (Winter Carnival)) so we continued to Bracebridge for dinner at the Purple Pig. After dinner, we continued south on D through Gravenhurst to C101B back to C and the cottage. Allof the trails were spectacular! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maple Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Sounds like you guys had a great ride! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sledjunk Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Day 2 Saturday morning we received word from LMV that he was not going to make it. Some lame excuse :poke: :poke: We decided to do a loop toward Port Sydney and maybe head toward Kearney, time permitting. We headed out C to C101B to D and through Gravenhurst. As we entered one of the road sections, there were a few sleds parked and one of the riders walked towards me. When I stopped, I recognized 14Snow and we had a bit of a chat. Great to meet OC members on the trails. We then continued up toward Port Sydney. Stopped at Sydney's Bistro and had a great lunch. We chatted with Scott and he decided to set up an "OC.Com We were here" board and Canuck & I signed in. Scott adds some artwork. We left there and headed down towards Baysville and looped back through Gravenhurst abd back to the cottage. As we stopped at the junction of C and B105C, another couple came by and asked about directions to Midland. Canuck realized that the route that they had planned would take them a while and would probably miss any possibility for fuel at that hour. He decided to give me directions to the cottage and escort them across the lakes to Port Severn to save them a couple of hours. Another great ride with great trails. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sledjunk Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Day 3 Sunday morning we decided to head south to Port Severn and orillia area and back up via Midland and Georgian Bay. We started out on C to B105C to B near Orillia. Near Orillia, some of the base seemed thin but the trails were in excellent shape. From here we continues along B to B205 to C and then along C to Midland. Here we crossed along the stake line to Honey Harbour and then to Penetanguishene. A great lunch at Dock Lunch and then back across the bay to Honey Harbour and back to the cottage. Three fantastic days of riding! I packed up and loaded the sled to head home. Remember how narrow I said the cottage road is? Well, it also turns out that to leave Canuck's cottage is up hill as well. I made it partway up the hill and then lost traction. I tried to back down the hill but there was no clearance on either side so I ended up with the trailer just into the bank but I could not move forward or back. Time for CAA! About 45 minutes later, th tow truck showed up and pulled me to the top of the first hill. After that, I was good to go! It was a great weekend and I have to thank Canuck for his hospitality and all of the clubs whose trails we rode through for their efforts and great trails. LMV, you missed a great one!! Canuck checks to make sure water flows downhill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slomo Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Another epic ....very enjoyable to read! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UsedtoSkidoo Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 But did the water flow downhill? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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