The Club has received requests for coordinated rides, including longer tours. Over the last two years the club successfully planned the RAP tour, and the Gold Rush Tour. As a result of the tour last year we are in the planning stages for a group-coordinated ride in Northern Ontario –The OFSC North Shore Loop – Ontario’s newest tour loop. It is approximately 800km tour, over 4 days.
Background
“Are you looking to ride where no one you know has ridden before? Looking to lay fresh tracks on a perfectly groomed ribbon of bliss? Looking to have one up on your buddies by visiting a snowmobile destination that none of them will have even heard of yet? Algoma’s all new North Shore Loop is the perfect place…”
The tour will depart from Sudbury Ontario and travel clockwise around the tour loop ending back in Sudbury. It is approximately a 5 hour drive from West Carleton to the start point.
The tour will follow TOP trails, connectors, and local trails. The area is well known for its deep snow, scenic vistas over Lake Huron, and wide low traffic trails.
Deposit
A $100 deposit non-refundable from each rider is required prior to the cut off date. Deposits are required by the planning meeting Nov 19, 2016. Please provide via online transfer or cheque to Scott Hamilton, or Paul Asmis. The deposit will cover chase truck and fuel, satellite phone rental, and a custom dry fit tour T-shirt for each rider.
Length
800 km
4 days of riding with approx. 8 hours per day. The first three days will have approx 225 km per day. That is approx 110 km before lunch / after lunch. The second day will have 150 km distance with no fuel. The last day ride will be shorter, approx 116km to allow for riders to drive home if desired.
Dates – Feb 28 to March 3 2016
The trip has planned over the week to take advantage of lower hotel rates, the fact that all services are open (including repair gas etc.), and that there will less traffic on the trails.
Planning Meeting
A planning / information meeting is scheduled for Thursday Nov 19, 7 pm at “Sammy’s Pizzeria” http://www.sammyspizzeriarestaurant.ca in Dunrobin.
Reservations
Prior to making reservations please submit a tour registration form and deposit to a tour coordinator. Once the registration is accepted reservations can be made. Room reservations are the responsibility of each rider, and detailed information for each booking is provided. It is not too early to make bookings once a tour coordinator confirms your registration!!! If riders know they are interested please start making bookings after your registration is accepted. The accommodations fill up very quickly for that time of the year. Cancellation dates are listed.
If you cancel your reservation you are responsible for all fees. If any fees are not paid and must be covered by the group on tour you will be required to pay when the group returns.
Note all bookings under group – West Carleton Snowmobile Club
Schedule and Options
Riders can trailer to the start point at the Chateau Guay Motel in Sudbury. There is plenty of parking for trailers.
The motel is adjacent to Royal Distributing Sudbury http://www.royaldistributing.com. Open 10-4 on Sundays.
There are excellent trails around Sudbury. Riders arriving early on the Sunday can take advantage of the loops around the town. Also riders can elect to stay an extra night at the end of the tour to explore the local loops.
Schedule
Sunday
Arrive – Chateau Guay Motel, Sudbury
Riders Briefing – 1930 hrs. In restaurant area.
Monday
Destination is Old Mill Motel Blind River, Ontario
Distance approx. 221km km
Fuel / Stops – Cutler Lake Lodge/ Lang Lake Lodge/ and Massey, Ont – Shell Station
Lunch – Back Home Bistro, 340 Sauble St / Hwy 17, Massey, Ont, POP 1PO, 705-582-3003
Tuesday
Destination is Aubrey Falls Trading Post and Resort
Distance approx. 232 km
Fuel – Last fuel before the 150km run to Aubrey Falls is at Little Rapids General Store 705-842-3717, 3.1 km off the D trail down Shaw and Little Rapids Road – Regular fuel only
Note that access to services and support truck will be at least 20 km off trail in one direction. For last 80km no access to chase truck as trail is on closed roads.
Stops – Little Rapids General Store http://huronshores.ca/2011/08/little-rapids-general-store/
Food – Bring pack lunch from Tim Horton’s or 17 Restaurant in Blind River
Wednesday
Destination is Pinewood Motor Inn Espanola, Ont
Distance -230 km
Fuel –Esso 225 ON-108 Elliot Lake (just down street from Tim Hortons), Massey Ont
Stops / Lunch – Elliot Lake Tim Hortons – 261 ON-108
Thursday
Destination – Sudbury – Chateau Guay Motel
Distance 116 km
Fuel if required Nairn Centre
Stops – TBD
Accommodation Information
1st Night Sunday Feb 28
Chateau Guay Motel
2865 Kingsway, Sudbury ON
705-566-1501
http://chateauguaymotel.ca
Cancellation – 1 week
Rates
$85 per double room – under West Carleton
Parking: Truck and trailers –included
Trail access: Beside Inn
Food: Restaurant /Dinner – Chateau Guay open Sunday 7am-8pm / breakfast starts 0630 Monday /Tim Horton’s 2 min away
Fuel: Close by – 5 min by trail or drive
Stores: Royal Distributing within short distance
Sled Dealers – Mid City – Polaris http://midcitymotorsports.ca – 400 Falcon bridge 1-705-560-3300
Play Power sports Yamaha http://playpowersports.com – 2100 Kingsway, Sudbury 1-705-222-7529
Sudbury Boat and Canoe http://www.sudburyboat.com – Arctic Cat 314 – Harrison Dr 1-866-676-5442
Algonquin Equipment (Skidoo) http://www.algonquinequipment.ca – 259 Fielding Road, Lively ON, 1-705-682-2004
Pre Departure meeting in restaurant for briefing
2nd Night Monday Feb 29
Old Mill Motel
Hwy 17 and Woodward Ave, Blind River, ON, POR1BO
1-800-871-0842
705-356-2274
info@oldmillmotel.ca
http://www.oldmillmotel.ca
Cancellation – TBD
Rates – single rooms will be $69/- and for double room $89/- under West Carleton
Food: Across Street 17 Restaurant -705-356-1110 – Group reservation in separate room for dinner with evening meeting at dinner – open 7am-9 pm
Tim Horton’s across street
NOTE – make arrangements for pack lunch for trail for Day 3. After Little Rapids limited stops available
Fuel: 3 min from hotel –Esso Station 705-356-2285
Stores: Drug store /LCBO/tavern in walking distance of Inn.
Skidoo Dealer – Napa Power Sports, http://www.napapowersports.com/site/welcome/, 15 White Road, Hwy 17 East, Blind River, 705-356-1466 – Hours – TBD
3rd Night Tuesday Mar 1
Aubrey Falls Trading Post and Resort
Ontario 129, Thessalon, ON
705-841-2575
Contact Michelle
aubreyfallstradingpost@gmail.com
http://www.aubreyfallstradingpost.ca
Cancellation: 25% with one week notice
Rates 45$ per person accommodation – 35$ per person dinner/breakfast
Accommodation: Two winterized cottages – 1 sleeps 12 people, 1 sleeps 4, motel rooms
Food: Dinner is roast beef family service (note no menu choice) / breakfast buffet (note evening meeting at dinner)
Fuel: on site – regular only –bring Octane boost
Stores: small store on site Echo Bay (20km off the trail route) – Skidoo dealer http://northshoresportsandauto.com – 30 Calabogie Rd, Echo Bay 1-705-248-2208
Skidoo Dealer in Elliot Lake – Napa Power Sports http://www.napapowersports.com/site/welcome/ 1 Charles Walk, Elliot Lake
4th Night Wednesday Mar 2
Pinewood Motor Inn
378 Centre Street – Hwy 6
Espanola, ON, P5E 1G3
705-869-5875
1-800-361-3460
pinewood@on.aibn.com
http://www.pinewoodmotorinn.ca
Cancellation – 5 pm night of reservation
Rates 89$ flat rate
Food: Restaurant in hotel Dinner – Group reservation open until 9 pm /Pizza Restaurant across street
Breakfast 3 min sled ride or 10 min walk – Roger Rabbits family restaurant 7-2pm / 92 Park Street/ 705-869-3418
Gas: Petro Can 731 Center Street, 705-869-0643 / UPI Station 120 Center Street near Roger Rabbit Restaurant
Stores: Tim Horton’s down trail, beer store
Polaris and Yamaha Dealer Trail Side Sports http://www.trailsidesports.com – 50 McCulloh Dr, Espanola, 705-869-0170
Arctic Cat – Nicks Cat house http://www.nicksgotyoucovered.com/site/home/ – 770 Centre St Espanola, 1-705-869-1110
Evening meeting in Restaurant
Food
Dinner and breakfast is available at each accommodation stop (each rider responsible for food). Group will stop on the trail for lunch. See details above
Fuel
The group will stop for fuel approximately halfway through each day. In some areas of the tour fuel stops are limited and are approximately 150km apart. Fuel is available prior to departure.
Chase Vehicle
A chase vehicle is being organized and a non-refundable deposit will cover the cost of the chase vehicle for each rider. The chase vehicle, which will be a pick up truck with a 20 ft trailer, will follow the group. It will proceed to the next nights stop, and can be contacted in case of break down. It will also be able to carry spare fuel, oil, parts, and limited amount of luggage. The fuel for the chase vehicle will be paid for from the non-refundable deposit.
As far North as this tour is, the loop parallels / follows Highway 17, 129, 639, this will allow for access to the chase vehicle in case of an emergency breakdown. The exceptions are on day two when trail D106 turns away from Echo bay to Aubrey Falls and the morning of day 3 from Aubrey Falls toward Elliot Lake. Each of these legs is approx 80-100 km on closed logging roads with no access for the chase vehicle.
Safety and Group Riding
Depending on the numbers providing the deposit, riders will be put into groups of 4-6 riders. Groups will be assigned on the Sunday evening meeting based on desired speed of travel – each group will stay together. The larger tour group will meet at lunch and at the accommodations at the end of the day.
A safety contact list will be provided to each rider in the group.
Each rider is responsible for riding safely under control, and within his or her limits. Note each riding group will wait at all critical trail junctions.
Risk
Each rider assumes responsibility for and understands the risks inherent in snowmobiling in a remote wilderness setting such as involved in this trip. Each rider must understand that regardless of the chase vehicle, the tour will be in remote locations and emergency assistance will be a significant distance away. Each rider must be fit, capable of riding long distances, and prepared with the proper equipment for the extreme winter weather conditions expected.
Emergency Numbers
In most areas 911 via cell or hard line phone will suffice. However in the un-incorporated areas 911 services are not always available. In addition 911 services are not available via the satellite phones. The direct dial emergency numbers will work on the satellite phones if required during emergency situations.
- OPP 911
- OPP emergency: 1-888-310-1122
- OPP North Bay Communications Emergency Direct Dial 1-705-495-7000
- Sudbury Central Ambulance Communications Emergency Direct Dial 1-705-673-1117 (Spanish Area East)
- Sault St Marie Central Ambulance Communications Emergency Direct Dial 1-705-256-5621 (Spanish Area West)
- Joint Rescue Coordination Centre 8 Wing Trenton 24 hrs – 1-800-267-7270 / 613-965-3870
- Sudbury Fire and EMS -911
- Blind River-911
- Thessalon Fire -911
- Elliott Lake Fire -911
- Espanola Fire -911-705-869-4240
- Sudbury Health Science North Hospital http://www.hsnsudbury.ca/portalen/ – 41 Ramsey Lake Road, Sudbury, 1-705-523-7100
- Blind River District Health Centre http://www.brdhc.on.ca – 525 Causley Street, POR 1BO, 1-705-356-2265
- Thessalon Hospital http://www.northeasthealthline.ca/displayService.aspx?id=90887 – 135 Dawson Street, Thessalon, 1-705-842-2014
- Espanola Regional Hospital http://www.espanolaregionalhospital.ca – 825 McKinnon Drive Espanola, ON – 1-705-869-1420
- Elliot Lake – St Joseph’s General Hospital http://www.sjgh.ca/portal/ – 70 Spine Road, Elliot Lake, 705-848-7181
Communications
Each rider will be asked to provide a cell number. A tour text group will be created so riders can text messages, and communicate with chase vehicle.
The loop route will leave cell phone coverage on Day 2, and the morning of Day 3. There will be no cell reception during the stay at the Aubrey Falls Resort. A satellite phone will be carried on the chase truck and in the group of riders. The satellite phone will be for emergency use only. The cost of the satellite phone is covered in the deposit amount.
T-Shirts
This year as part of the registration package each rider will be provided with a customized dry fit T-shirt with logo, tour name, and year. Please specify size to tour coordinator Scott Hamilton via email.
Selection for Participation
The tour group is initially planned for 12 -14 riders, plus chase truck driver. (Depending on demand numbers may be adjusted.) As demand is expected to exceed capacity selection for participation will be based on order the deposits are received, club participation, previous tour participation, and volunteer participation. The tour organizers reserve the right to select riders based on the requirements of the tour. If a deposit is not received by the planning meeting in Nov the participants name will be removed from the confirmed group.
Sled maintenance and Insurance
The group will assist each other but everyone is expected to have the basic maintenance completed on their machines, prior to departing on the tour. The machines must be in good mechanical condition capable of riding extended distance in remote areas. In addition each rider is responsible to carry all required insurance, registration, license, and valid OFSC permit.
Advertising
On the club’s web page, and Face Book page. To register for the tour please complete the registration form and submit with your deposit to either Scott Hamilton or Paul Asmis (see below). A tour coordinator will confirm registration. Please contact either of the coordinators for details.
Information
Scott Hamilton
WestCarletonPokerRun@gmail.com
613-852-7271
Paul Asmis
pasmis@wcstai.com
abcpasmis@mac.com
Cell 613-297-9818