Winter Forecast 2017/2018

[G]

Keep that back in good shape Grub, in a few years I plan on riding up north a little bit and meeting up with you on the trail somewhere and then riding all the way to the Atlantic Ocean.

On another note I also thought that the snow was deeper and the weather was colder when I was younger but if you look at the weather records it just seemed that way. The old sleds ran fine in 2" of snow and didn't have much protection so it seemed colder and that the snow was deeper. Some of our snowiest winters here were in the last 20 or so years.

Actually I have looked into an Atlantic Ocean trip. The route would be to leave from here and go to LOW. Then up to Ontario. There is a trail that kind of follows the TransCanada Highway. After that pick your way through Quebec and then maybe drop back in to Maine for the last part. There is no way to do it on the US trail system. There are gaps. Timing woud be last week in Jan for best chance at snow. Pure guess at miles 2500 one way. Allow probably 2 and 1/2 weeks. No more than four guys. Fully supported with enclosed 4 place behind full size pickup. Take one spare sled. If there are gaps in the snow a person could load and transport to good snow. Also all gear could be in pickup so you wouldn't have a bunch of saddlebags to deal with. Too long of a trip to go unsupported. I would probably use a Pol 600. Light and really good mileage and pretty much bulletproof. Plus there are parts everywhere. Any takers?

 

[Tracker]

just SAYIN'

 

[old abe]

You are quite a bit further south than me. I am just about in Canada. The effects of climate change are probably more noticable by you. However the farmers around here are growing more corn and soybeans than ever before. That would have been impossible 30 years ago. Granted there are now faster maturing seed varieties. I don't know. I ordered a new sled. If I have to I will chase snow this season. Along with 10000 others.

Agree on being more so effected by the changing weather being I'm further south. My son has friends who farm in S.D. and N.D., myself I know those who farm in N.D.. They have all told us that they could not raise the type crops corn/soybeans that they do today 20/30 years ago. Our winter season down here is definitely wetter, being more rain, less snow, and warmer then it was 30/40 years ago. I surely hope you can enjoy all the riding you want on that new sled for sure!!! Always ride safe!!!

 

[Lisbon]

Well, from where I am (NW 30 miles from Milwaukee), the conditions the last 3 years have been horrible. Trails have been open like 7 days combined over the past 3 years. 7 days out of 270 possible days they could be open! Never used to be this way. Average snowfall for Milwaukee is 48 inches. Last year, 38 inches (and record warmth). 2016 was 39 inches. 2015 was 43 inches. Not good. The last good year was 2014, where we got 63 inches. That was an amazing year! Sure hope that the forecasts are wrong - and that we'll get a ton of snow and cold this year in this area. Nothing beats jumping on your sled in the garage and riding right to the trail, without having to trailer it somewhere. And it obviously allows for much more use - since weeknights become riding nights! Not telling you guys nothing you don't already know. But the trails NW of Milwaukee - all the way up to FDL and west to Madison are really pretty good, given all the subdivisions and towns they need to go around. Feel bad for all the work that goes into setting up trails each year - and then only get 7 days or use out of them for 3 years. OK, 7 days may be a low estimate - but it certainly hasn't been any more than 10 days!

 

[800etec]

Dang,Grub.......that sounds like fun!

 

[whitedust]

Actually I have looked into an Atlantic Ocean trip. The route would be to leave from here and go to LOW. Then up to Ontario. There is a trail that kind of follows the TransCanada Highway. After that pick your way through Quebec and then maybe drop back in to Maine for the last part. There is no way to do it on the US trail system. There are gaps. Timing woud be last week in Jan for best chance at snow. Pure guess at miles 2500 one way. Allow probably 2 and 1/2 weeks. No more than four guys. Fully supported with enclosed 4 place behind full size pickup. Take one spare sled. If there are gaps in the snow a person could load and transport to good snow. Also all gear could be in pickup so you wouldn't have a bunch of saddlebags to deal with. Too long of a trip to go unsupported. I would probably use a Pol 600. Light and really good mileage and pretty much bulletproof. Plus there are parts everywhere. Any takers?

If your are serious about this trip post it in the Ride Board and with a fixed cost & organization you will get takers. I'm out I can get my grins and giggles with demanding day trips.. lol

 

[sweeperguy]

Actually I have looked into an Atlantic Ocean trip. The route would be to leave from here and go to LOW. Then up to Ontario. There is a trail that kind of follows the TransCanada Highway. After that pick your way through Quebec and then maybe drop back in to Maine for the last part. There is no way to do it on the US trail system. There are gaps. Timing woud be last week in Jan for best chance at snow. Pure guess at miles 2500 one way. Allow probably 2 and 1/2 weeks. No more than four guys. Fully supported with enclosed 4 place behind full size pickup. Take one spare sled. If there are gaps in the snow a person could load and transport to good snow. Also all gear could be in pickup so you wouldn't have a bunch of saddlebags to deal with. Too long of a trip to go unsupported. I would probably use a Pol 600. Light and really good mileage and pretty much bulletproof. Plus there are parts everywhere. Any takers?

I could very well be interested in something like that.
If you could come up with some costs associated with a trip like this. To make sure budgeting would be no problem. I'm now in a position to make a commitment to a long trip like that.
Would be interested in a day or two riding together first to ensure compatibility.

 

[G]

If your are serious about this trip post it in the Ride Board and with a fixed cost & organization you will get takers. I'm out I can get my grins and giggles with demanding day trips.. lol

We would need a support vehicle driver..........

 

[G]

Fine. I will research this a little more. I am quite sure that trail passes for Quebec and Ontario are some pretty good ching. Also we would be in Maine for awhile. Also gas is more expensive in Canada. However their dollar is at about 70 cents US so that would help. Everybody would need a passport. Also I did a little route checking and there is a big gap in the Ontario system right above Lake Superior. This is probably the same gap that makes the snowmobile route around Lake Superior impossible at this time. Soooooo, perhaps the participants could meet somewhere in Mich - like at Pat's - and go through the border at Soo St Marie. This would also trim some time and miles off the whole trip. From there I still think it would be all of 2000 miles one way.

 

[slimcake]

Fine. I will research this a little more. I am quite sure that trail passes for Quebec and Ontario are some pretty good ching. Also we would be in Maine for awhile. Also gas is more expensive in Canada. However their dollar is at about 70 cents US so that would help. Everybody would need a passport. Also I did a little route checking and there is a big gap in the Ontario system right above Lake Superior. This is probably the same gap that makes the snowmobile route around Lake Superior impossible at this time. Soooooo, perhaps the participants could meet somewhere in Mich - like at Pat's - and go through the border at Soo St Marie. This would also trim some time and miles off the whole trip. From there I still think it would be all of 2000 miles one way.

I would be in for this! My sled is all setup for long rides. Have passport. Have a few $'s left and have 3 weeks of vaca to use up...

 

[whitedust]

I could very well be interested in something like that.
If you could come up with some costs associated with a trip like this. To make sure budgeting would be no problem. I'm now in a position to make a commitment to a long trip like that.
Would be interested in a day or two riding together first to ensure compatibility.

A xcountry trip like this is not a sprint it is an enduro they are a series of big mile day trips. I would not have any concern regarding pace the question in my mind is endurance man and machine. For myself on WI and WUPMI trails my wall is about 350 miles a day and that is using grades as connectors only. I'm surprised Grub would not ride his new SW seems perfect to me for this event. Ontario does have a 35 mph speed limit so that comes into play as well. Canadian trail permits are expensive and the USAD to Canadian dollar exchange rate is not good either. Although the Canadian plastic printed money is waterproof..lol. Passports are a must but enough time to apply if your apply now. Probably be difficult to find a support truck driver and better to alternate drivers with riders unless someones wife wants to drive the truck RT. I feel there are 4 -5 riders in the JD membership that would and could do this trip and would be serious about the event. All in all you need to know that you can ride big miles and push thru when conditions get real bad and maintain a fast pace when conditions are good. If we have good snow I can ride 3500 miles easy in a season holding back due to costs and could easily be much more but I do it for fun factor nothing else. For me this trip is expensive and I have been to Canada so many times for business it just doesn't float my boat. I can have plenty of riding fun in WI and WUPMI riding out my front door but good luck to all that commit to this adventure.

 

[G]

I will take my SW. It will do in a pinch. But day after day of 400 ish miles a heavier sled will wear on a guy more than a light sled. Good thing I cut trees all summer and now have the body of an Olympian. Also I have ridden in Ontario before. Although the speed limit supposedly is 35 nobody pays much attention. Plus the first part of the ride through Ontario would be planned for early in the week. I suspect that there will be very little law to deal with on weekdays just like in MN,Wisc,Mich. The whole thing is starting to sound like Wild Hogs on snow.

 

[old abe]

I will take my SW. It will do in a pinch. But day after day of 400 ish miles a heavier sled will wear on a guy more than a light sled. Good thing I cut trees all summer and now have the body of an Olympian. Also I have ridden in Ontario before. Although the speed limit supposedly is 35 nobody pays much attention. Plus the first part of the ride through Ontario would be planned for early in the week. I suspect that there will be very little law to deal with on weekdays just like in MN,Wisc,Mich. The whole thing is starting to sound like Wild Hogs on snow.

I rode several days in Canada last March with a guy on a SW. And you are right on wearing on you. He was always ready for a break when we in the forested trails. Nice sled, awesome power and speed in the open running. Not great fuel mileage though for a 4 stroke. We enjoyed a great exchange on the money. Really made the trip costs very good. Keep your speed reasonable at intersections, and towns, you be fine.

 

[G]

I rode several days in Canada last March with a guy on a SW. And you are right on wearing on you. He was always ready for a break when we in the forested trails. Nice sled, awesome power and speed in the open running. Not great fuel mileage though for a 4 stroke. We enjoyed a great exchange on the money. Really made the trip costs very good. Keep your speed reasonable at intersections, and towns, you be fine.

From all reports the Sidewinder likes its gas. Plus the fuel tank is not the biggest. So range becomes a factor. However the current route I am looking at doesn't take us too far away from civilization. Did you notice the track length on the SW you rode with? If the poor guy was running anything longer than a shorty with the stock Tuners on the front I am sure it was a handful in the trees. I already bought a set of AC Thundercat stock skis for my SW. AC made the chassis. They know what should be on it for skis. Many reports of guys ditching the Tuners on the Sidewinders last year.

 

[whitedust]

From all reports the Sidewinder likes its gas. Plus the fuel tank is not the biggest. So range becomes a factor. However the current route I am looking at doesn't take us too far away from civilization. Did you notice the track length on the SW you rode with? If the poor guy was running anything longer than a shorty with the stock Tuners on the front I am sure it was a handful in the trees. I already bought a set of AC Thundercat stock skis for my SW. AC made the chassis. They know what should be on it for skis. Many reports of guys ditching the Tuners on the Sidewinders last year.

Yep tuners suck imo all my buds dumped theirs on Jap built Yamahas for aggressive snow trackers on stock single keel skis. Agree Cat skis best for the SW.

 

[old abe]

From all reports the Sidewinder likes its gas. Plus the fuel tank is not the biggest. So range becomes a factor. However the current route I am looking at doesn't take us too far away from civilization. Did you notice the track length on the SW you rode with? If the poor guy was running anything longer than a shorty with the stock Tuners on the front I am sure it was a handful in the trees. I already bought a set of AC Thundercat stock skis for my SW. AC made the chassis. They know what should be on it for skis. Many reports of guys ditching the Tuners on the Sidewinders last year.

It was a short track grub. The "trackspin" on it was terrible as to be able handle the sled. Not sure on skis, assuming they were the originals. Really sucked to follow him in the twisty/brush/forested trails. Don't know how he kept it out of the trees/brush. I asked why a short track, and the reply was he wanted max speed. I have questions as to that being the best choice??? That would not have been my pick of track length with that kind of power on tap. Unreal acceleration out in the open. But I would leave him behind fast in those close type trails, as it was more than a handful for him handling it. At days end, he was beat. I absolutely love riding in Canada. It's the best!!! Exchange rate is still good, hope it stays through the winter.

 

[Hoosier]

Fine. I will research this a little more. I am quite sure that trail passes for Quebec and Ontario are some pretty good ching. Also we would be in Maine for awhile. Also gas is more expensive in Canada. However their dollar is at about 70 cents US so that would help. Everybody would need a passport. Also I did a little route checking and there is a big gap in the Ontario system right above Lake Superior. This is probably the same gap that makes the snowmobile route around Lake Superior impossible at this time. Soooooo, perhaps the participants could meet somewhere in Mich - like at Pat's - and go through the border at Soo St Marie. This would also trim some time and miles off the whole trip. From there I still think it would be all of 2000 miles one way.

A good chunk of that gap is supposedly going to re-open this winter. But my guess is it will take couple years at best and that assumes everything goes well up there. They lost quite a bit of their trail system in the late 2000's after the recession - lumber mills shutting down, high gas prices, change in exchange rate all brought the snow tourism to a halt, but it's been getting better the past few years. Hope the momentum continues since riding up there is unreal.

 

[POLARISDAN]

That would make 3 in a row.... Was really hoping to ride from my back door this year....

my back door is now mass city..ive completely givin UP hope and dont even bother..sleds r permantly in da yoop..F it


and to u crazys that want to ride across da nothingness..have at it good luck..(350 a day...forgettabbouttit)

 

[old abe]

A good chunk of that gap is supposedly going to re-open this winter. But my guess is it will take couple years at best and that assumes everything goes well up there. They lost quite a bit of their trail system in the late 2000's after the recession - lumber mills shutting down, high gas prices, change in exchange rate all brought the snow tourism to a halt, but it's been getting better the past few years. Hope the momentum continues since riding up there is unreal.

Agree with all you say Hoosier. Lack of $$$$ on both sides of the boarder really hurt all types recreational travel due to the recessional period. I just hope they can get the "North of Superior Loop" back into the OFSC trail system. The connection between Marathon and ThunderBay is badly needed. But that section is very difficult due to the rugged terrain on the north side of the lake from Marathon west. Having to winch the groomers up those very large grades/hills is challenging to say the least. The scenery is breath taking though, and worth the effort!!!

 

[frnash]

Agree with all you say Hoosier. Lack of $$$$ on both sides of the boarder [sic] really hurt all types recreational travel due to the recessional period. I just hope they can get the "North of Superior Loop" back into the OFSC trail system. The connection between Marathon and ThunderBay is badly needed. But that section is very difficult due to the rugged terrain on the north side of the lake from Marathon west. Having to winch the groomers up those very large grades/hills is challenging to say the least. The scenery is breath taking though, and worth the effort!!!

1. "… both sides of the 'boarder' …"? Both his/her left and right pockets?
2. Are you taking in (click →) boarders now?
(Or on this site, perhaps you meant "someone who uses a snowboard"? )

"A group of boarders swept past us as we climbed the side of the ski run"

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(Okay, my bad. I'm just feelin' ornery after plowing through at least three tediously long redundant scattershot promotional spiels from wildskies.com on the johndee.com forums today.)