This is kind of long, but worth the read if you're looking for reports on trail conditions,

Me, my uncle, and 3 friends of ours went for what was supposed to be a little ride today, ended up being pretty long. We left from the 59'er at just after 10 a.m., and headed north and caught Jim LongBottom's Trail up towards Stead. It was pretty rough in spots, decent in others. Although, we had to go about 20 mph for a while. Then we hit the Domo just before Stead at the corner of #12 and the old 304. From there we headed north (can't remember name of the trail), crossed the new 304 and met up with the trail that goes from Pinefalls to Grand Beach (can't remember this one either). It was pretty rough through here as well. had to go pretty slow again, until we got to the Halfway Hut and chatted with a couple guys who were heading the opposite way. From there to Pinefalls it was decent, still had to slow down a bit. We gassed up in Pinefalls and had lunch at the hotel, where one of the guys we were with got kicked out of the bar because he's under age. :frech32: Then we headed to Lac du Bonnet. It was still a little rough before the Red Deer Hut, where we chatted with another guy and his wife. From there to LDB it was really good, perfect in some areas. I was able to open'er up a bit on this stretch. We gassed up in LDB and headed down the old rail bed to meet up with the Stefaniuk trail (Ha! I remembered this one) to Tyndall. There is a lot of feild running, and a little road riding on this stretch, so it's pretty flat and some rough areas. We hit the 44 and headed back to the 59'er from there. Ditches along 44 are good, some rough areas down 59. We got back to the 59'er at 7:30 p.m., just for reference. :augen41: We put on 156.7 miles according to my uncle.

Just incase you saw us or were one of the people we talked to, I was on an 02 ZR CCE, my uncle has an 06 T660 Turbo, and our 3 friends have an 06 F7 SP, a 99 Grand Touring 700, and a 00 MXZ 700.

Hope this helps to those looking to ride New Years Day!

i went out today, started by going down a stupid lake trail(Gimli to Matlock) it was so rough my kidneys were gonna shake outta my sides. not fun. so i ditched banged back to Gimli to get gas. met up with some buddies and went to the heth(willow creek trail) we know of a cool hillclimb spot so we played around in there for a bit. the went back down the ditch to matlock, met up with another 2 friends. found a bunch of powder and some snow covered ice that made for a little fun. then me and the 2 guys from gimli ditch banged back to gimli. all in all 100 miles. i'm super tired and my hip hurts from landing on the running board becuase they were covered in ice. but it was a good day

I put on about 130 miles in the Whiteshell. 80% of the trails were pounded out, no grooming whatsoever. Half the trails weren't even signed.

It's not easy on the lower back, lol

We went for a ride today in the south east parts, put on about 100 miles.The trails were brutal, looks like the groomer passed 3 weeks ago but the trails were so rough we ended up riding beside them. I am a little upset that they didn't groom in threee different areas before the weekend as we were planning on putting on alot of miles.
There was alot of snow in the ditches but very rough. The Red is showing slush and there is alot of open water still. We traveled from Morris To Lasalle then over to hwy 59 the south to St Pierre.That area wasnt to bad but was pretty beat up from lack of snow.Then we Ditched it back to Morris Area. All in all it was a fun day on the sled but dayum we need more snow!!! :cn:

see it was as bad 2 years ago as it is now

yes sir, nothing has changed at all

you get my point the trails were just as bad 2 years ago as they are now hopefully we get that snow and they turn beautiful but the reason i am bringing these back is to show what we are all bickering about.

Wow thats a pretty long ride

2 years ago i thought the trails were in good condition. put on alot of miles that year

me too... 1800 to be exact, most ive ever done.

Iam lacking miles i better get my ass in gear i only got about 800 so far!

Wiseguy eh??? pay attention to the colors..........

I've got 0 miles so far but hopefully that'll change tomorrow! 1st ride of the season for me!!

Went for my first ride ever. Well I've been around sleds off & on but never did any real trail rides untill now on a '93 XLT 580 which I picked up in the spring. Now, we left from Stony mountain hotel ,north on 7 left on 236which was drifted for the most part up to the new warm up shelter(VERY VERY NICE!!) but the groomer was out todayand was much better on the way back, then north on the prime meridian all the way up to the warm up shack N.E of Fisher Branch which was pretty good overall except for a few areas like the first few miles north of Inwood but could use more snow, we still could average 60mph and even 85mph now and then and then returned via the same path. It was a good long day and had lotsa fun and I'm wiped.

Went for a great ride yesterday, took off from Garson on 44 and headed to the South Beach Casino, 59 north trail was beautiful. On the way I chatted with a gentleman who was putting the signs back up after the big blowdown (wind storm) and it was freshly groomed the night before. I thought what a nice guy and I stopped and did a few myself on the way back. Yes really, to all you grooming skeptics "FRESHLY GROOMED" the night before on Wednesday January 3, 2008 for those of you keeping records. My trusty 03 Firecat was running good, but it was flashing the check engine light and doing a little research on the light it gives, indication that the temperature is a little higher than acceptable parameters. Flashing light okay but solid light bad. On the way back is when the real problem hit the chaincase lower bearing decided it was time for a holiday and a horrible grinding noise erupted from the bowels of the bellypan as it expired over a road crossing. Limped to Fiddlers and called my girlfriend to come and rescue me. She is a trooper, slid our 02 800 cat over out of the way of the trailer with no help, hooked up the four place trailer by herself (first time), got the old neighbour to make sure she hooked everything up right, (she did) and drove the whole rig to Fiddlers (now called The Sportsman Stop with the new very helpful owner) also for the first time. She was also good about that and helped me load it up to boot and even felt bad that my ride was ruined due to the bearing. What a sweetheart. Yamaha riders stopped to see if I was all right on the trail, of course my pride said "yeah I'm okay keep on going on your ride" knowing that a good chance I would need a tow. I did limp it to Fiddler's but it sure made noise, and the gears are wrecked along with the chain. Another yamaha guy came and shone his headlight on the trailer as we were putting in the pin for the ramp. Thanks Yamaha guys! Thanks Leah!

Trip to Casino $30 dollars gas, new chaincase parts $300, gift for more than accomodating girlfriend $100, Freshly groomed trail in manitoba PRICELESS !

My rescuer.....

great story i like the end lol you know

I guess she pulled her back a little as the sled she moved over by hand weighs 500+ and she about 135. She has sore muscles and I have been applying the A-535 as well. I get to go and stick my driveshaft back in today and I hate that job with a passion. I knew at the beginning of the season that I should have changed them, but noooo they should hang in their a little longer. NOT! So today we are changing driveshaft and jackshaft bearings.

Wait, you don't like sticking your driveshaft in, Dan?

You are very quick Mr Wildoat. I meant the sled...get your mind out of the ungroomed ditch LOL. Have a great weekend as I am going to play with my shaft....coated with chain oil...LMAO

lol funny dont forget the ky

I went for a ride yesterday. I live south of the city and went with a few friends to Riverton. Round trip 360 miles. I feel like I've been beaten with a stick. The lake from Riverton to Gimli was brutal as a south wind made drifts pretty rough also we had pretty flat lighting which made it even more fun. All in all that was the most miles that I have probably ever put on in one day. Man am I ever sore. lol.

We also went out on saturday(the 5th),we clocked 162 miles. We went from Anola north on 302 to the Brokenhead trails which were groomed, up to the cougar trail which was in very good condition, then north again down Longbottom's which was pretty rough going and coming home then up to the Northstar trail which was in great shape going up to traverse bay, but a little rough coming home. We saw lots of guys were out and it seemed like all the trails started the day off in good shape. But most importantly all trails that we were on with the exception of the Springfield Pathfinders trail had been groomed. [b] This trail has to get groomed.[/b]

One note to all going into the SouthBeach Casino off the Cougar trail there is very poor signing on that trail and as small as it is be cautious of other riders and rocks on the edge of the trail.

Thanks for the heads up on the trail conditions.