Blue Sky Riders

Big Doug · Last edited by Big Doug on Tue May 08, 2007 6:36 pm; edited 2 times in total

Monday, May 21 6:30 PM at the gas line trailhead below

We'll ride for a couple of hours max

Hare · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 7:00 am Post subject:

Will need trailhead info as my machine is not licensed for the road.
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Big Doug · Posted: Sat Apr 28, 2007 9:07 am Post subject:

Working on it...

Big Doug · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:50 pm Post subject:

Hey, Tony...have you ridden the gas/power line trails just off hwy 11 ?

My bike is ****ed, probably for at least another week.

We need someone who knows those trails to be ride leader...

Tdogxr · Getting Started Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 16

I am Day shift and am unable to finagle the day off, hey how about next wednesday? Laughing

T

NOTATWORK · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:28 pm Post subject:

NEXT WEDNESDAY SOUNDS GOOD TO ME.

Big Doug · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 2:59 pm Post subject:

I just spoke with Peter C who has ridden up there a lot over the years.

Basically, the Gas Lines can be accessed on the West Side of Hwy 11 north of the city.

Some people access from Cook's Mills Road (Directly across from the North Bay Psych Hospital), but Peter is reccomending that you can go a bit further north and access from Oak Hill Road, where there is a good spot to put your trailers, etc. Peter says if you're familiar with the old Miller Sand Pits, the access to the gas lines is near there.

From there, you can go North @ 10-12 km on the powerline before you run into swamp at Ranger Camp Road. Licensed dual-sporters can get around the swamp on that road and go further north but Peter recommends that you just explore some of the old fire trails/logging roads within sight of the gas line for a good afternoon of riding.

I will go up there in my car either tonight or tomorrow to get an idea & maybe a GPS waypoint so I can put it on some sort of map for folks who are interested in going out.

Unfortunately I will NOT be there on Sunday.

Do me a favour and if you are interested in going out for this ride, just post here so that others know and can get in touch with you...

Big Doug · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 10:55 pm Post subject:

OK guys, I drove up through the area tonight...here's the dealio

Oak Hill Road is on the west side of Hwy 11 @ 5 km north of Algonquin and Hwy 17, just past North Bay city limits.

Going north on 11, you will see a moose crossing sign on your right hand side and Oak Hill Road is immediately on your left. The road is well-signed.

Turn left (west) off of 11 and follow the road. At the first fork, veer left and then you'll come up to the gas line in @ 1 km after passing a beaver pond on your left (south)

This is looking North from the trailhead

This is looking south. There's a nice shallow, long water crossing to practice going through, probably less than 2' deep. Lots of space for parking your trailer....my van is in the bottom right corner.

To the west of the trailhead are some gravel pits. I could hear gunshots coming from there, so I didn't go exploring LOL

This looks like some nice, easy riding, suitable for big dog bikes with dual sport tires that are more street-oriented. It would also be great for kids or new riders.

The powerline trails that go east/west cross the gas line @ 1 1/2 miles to the south, so Buffer, you may be able to stay off-road from your house if you can get to those trails and they're passable.

BTW, Buffer, look in your shed, I left Dale's roost protector there tonight.

Peter C tells me that you can go @ 12 km north of the trailhead on the gas line, then you run into swamp. I'm pretty sure you run into OFSC trail A102Q that goes East all the way to Temiskaming @ 7-8 km to the north. Not sure if that's passable this time of year, but maybe worth a shot.

Anyway, as I said, I won't be there on Sunday. This ride will be one that if you stick to the gas line, it's impossible to get lost, but I'd still reccomend that you hook up with folks on the site to meet at the trailhead, North Bay Cycle or at Tim Hortons, etc. prior to going out.

For those who are GPS-enabled, the waypoint for the trailhead is N46 27.693 W79 29.015

Big Doug · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 11:30 pm Post subject:

Here's a close-up of that water crossing

Big Doug · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 11:32 pm Post subject:

Another water crossing @ 5 km more up hwy 11

Big Doug · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 11:34 pm Post subject:

Entrance to some knarly single-track sooooo close to North Bay

Big Doug · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 11:50 pm Post subject:

Here's the trailhead in Google Maps

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/download.php?Number=882022&t=k&om=1

It'll say they don't have imagery, but click on the 'map' button and the map comes up.

MikeB · Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:42 pm Post subject: Gas line ride

Doug,

Excellent work. Great pictures and directions....Trails look good...Sorry you won't be able to make it. Thanks for scoping out the area for us great job.

I am not sure if I will be able to make this weekend ride on Sunday but I am going to try to make it. Family obligations....trying to change things. I will place a post on the BSR site if I am able to make it.

I agree we should all meet up at the North Bay Cycle shop or trail head site in order that everyone meet up.

Whoever is interested in attending ride please post a reply to this post in order that we can determine the interest for this coming Sunday's ride.

Thanks.

Hare · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 9:57 am Post subject:

I am in........
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Hare · Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 9:58 am Post subject:

Anyone can get me at 744-0126 today or tomorrow, preferably today.
_________________
When In Doubt Whip It Out