[enduringexplorer]

Some of us in Michigan were looking int some riding in Ontario this year. I accessed an Ontario sled site and your trail system looks excellent. From what I understand, it is rated "best in the world", particularly because of all the money spent on creating and maintaining it. Then I saw the kicker. Do you guys really have a 35 MPH speed limit?

Is it strictly enforced? ???

 

[FishHog]

Really, yes.

Is it enforced, not much.  As long as your in control, you won't have much of a problem.  I wouldn't let it stop you from coming to our country.  But you might want to wait for some snow.  Raining here in Southern Ontario right now.

FishHog

 

[DanR]

Yeah thats the only bad thing about our trails in canada the speed is 70 km/h but when you see a nice strech and nobody comming on the other you can let her rip but then back to 70.
This is a nice speed for touring and its safe for the unexprienced rider. Hope you enjoy your ride !

 

[kid rocker]

Yes, the speed limit is there, and yes it is enforced.  However, our great neighbors to the north and east are some of the nicest people you will ever meet.  I love to ride in Canada with my fellow riders.  Beautiful country,and beautiful people.  Have fun, and stay on the trails!  If you haven't done the Lake Superior snow challenge you should.  I do this every year, and like even more each year.  This ride is not for the meek though.  LOL.. Enjoy.

 

[jwheeler]

Here in newfoundland you will find some of the best trails and playgrounds in the world and the speed limits are not enforced hardly at all.  Right now we have a ton of snow and the trails are just starting to get really good.

 

[SnowmoKING]

Ive riden here all my life and ive never listen to that speed limit.  Ive been pulled over but it was just a spotcheck.  The police have seen me going faster too!!!!
they care about drunks and winos!!!!!!!
they check passes and insurance also.
i wouldn't worry about it

 

[ZRT800]

50 km/h in Ontario, I've even seen signs for 20km/h!  I think a sled would blow up if you rode around all day at 50km!!  Can you imagine the amount of carbon that would build up!!!  Cops are out there & they do get sneaky but if you're in control you won't have any problem!  The cops don't even go that slow!

 

[JMC]

Got stopped two years ago on the Seguin rail bed where it crosses Hyw 518 just 3 miles from the Sprucedale hotel. Luckily we knew ahead of time that the OPP were there with radar guns. A  guy at Walkers gas station just got a speeding ticket and was really pissed off. I had warned some other sledders that they were waiting ahead. So we all took it cool  up the OPP check point. The guys I just warned forgot that they didnt have their plate stickers on their sleds. The OPP asked us what the speed limits were among other things just so they could sniff ours breaths. Needless to say both cruisers were filled with sledders who obviously didn't pass their scrutiny.

 

[MachU]

ihave heard of 2 horror stories about these ride programs,and spot check.
Apparently the cops are thinking more about being sneaky than safety.For instance.
a guy was travelling down a track bed in excess of the speed limit when he came into a turn the police had the trail blocked of ,he didnt have enough shut down time,so into the trees he went ,totalled his sled.he luckily was not injured.
second story:
a person was travelling up a long straight hill,cops were at the bottom on the other side,this startled him ,got nervous lost control,totalled the sled and broke his arm.
Now i have never had a problem with the police and my snowmobile in my area.
but then again who can believe every story you hear

 

[Rocketman]

I've never even seen a cop on a sled here in Saskatchewan...and our trail speed limit is 80km/h (~40MPH)
The thing is that here in Saskatchewan....sometimes the difference between trail and field is the little ridge the groomer leaves behind on either side of the trail   (surprisingly though, most of our trails never see a farmer's field and are very scenic -- I don't want to discourage anyone from riding here!)

 

[kipawa]

2 years ago, my wife and i went thru a S.T.O.P check point , just above northbay ont. the officers were very polite and courteous. after they checked are registration and insurance cards (we are from pennsylvania) one of the officers said, sit tight we are going to give you something.(until then the only they i ever got from a cop was a fine) he came back from his sled, and gave each of us a keychain,wallet for license&reg. and a pin that said, OFSC snowmobiling into the new millenium. i was impressed, we were back last year, and have a trip planned  for the first week of feb. they do have the best snow on earth in my opinion.
                                  Kipawa

 

[mr670]

50 km/h=31mph, thats slow!

 

[AC]

In Quebec it's 70 kph (45mph) on trails and 90 kph (55 mph)on lakes. There were some requests to bring speed limit down by a certain group of people and some people wanted it faster. The FCMQ (quebec snowmobile federation) Assured that it would not get slower but for safety reasons, and because all trails are not highways, the limit wouldn't be set higher. IMO, this means that as long as you stay on your side of the trail and not driving recklessly, they won't give you a fine. I have ridden in straight 10 k's trails and crossed police at 130 kph and they waved at me (No, it wasn't to make me stop) And I was ridding in small twisty trails at 90 k's, they stopped me to check licence and congratulated me about my driving!, aparently, most people who were stopped were missing the turn where they were posted. Sledding is the most tolerant activity involving an engine aside from mowing the lawn and this is what I like about this sport.

 

[ZRT800]

Heard stories of them jumping out in front of sleds at night, dressed in their black suits!  Not a good idea!!

 

[SLDRDR]

Was it a black vinyl cat suit(LOL)? Can't say i have ever had a problem with the ontario cops either. I have been through a few spot checks they always seem realy cool. Usually the cops look for the local bar hoppers or idiots. When ever i meet up with the cops on a trip there more interested in to hear what you have planned for a trip, like where you are from and where you are going. After shooting the @^#$ with them for 15 to 20 mins on the trail they tell you that just up ahead a mile or two there is a spot where you can really let her rip.

Also the way the speeding tickets works is that it is just a ticket set fee of(not sure how much never got one) wether you are going 50 or 100mph, and there is no loss of points. So it's like photo radar if you can afford to speed then speed if you can't maybe you should relax a little on the throttle.

 

[kennypope]

I't has become very strict in my area of northern ontario, ( Timmins) During the Christmas holiday's our trails weren't even open and still in pretty ruff shape and our local police were out in full force. I was coming up to a 4 mile straight away, and gave the trottle a blip on my new renegade 800. I could see someone way in the distance so I backed off and coasted up to them, it was the cop's. They told me right away that they got me at 90 km/h on the gun, and the speed limit was 50 km/h, and that there was going to be zero talerance. So I get a nice 110 dollar fine. Which by the way is a set fine no matter how fast your clocked and no points on your licence. So I wouldn't incourage anyone to come up here to ride this year. Last year there were a few deaths on the trails, all happened at night and all were alcohol related. So the police set up in the middle of a long straight- away during the middle of the afternoon, and see how many guy's they can nail, exceeding our pathetic speed limit. I guess I alittle bitter :angry:

 

[Artic Steve]

Keeny, that's sucks.  Where those "town" cops?

I ride in the Owen Sound area (120 miles northwest of Toronto) and I've only seen OPP once and they were checking for drunks which is fine by me.  I don't know any rider that has actually got a speeding ticket from the OPP.

I was in Quebec a few years back and they ride sleds like they drive cars, fast and furious where speed limits are meer words.

So to an American or Out of Province riders, I don't believe speeding is an issue for you.  The OPP are out to get the drunks and the wahoos and will most likely give non Ontario driver license holders a bye.

 

[fastcat02]

Here in Sask. Canada they are starting to crack down on speeding and drinking and riding. The first one i don't like to much but the drinking and riding has got to go. To many people getting hurt or worse. Cost me over $600 dollars to insure and plate my new cat and another $45 for trail permit. Thats so i can ride a stretch of ditch that they run a groomer down twice a year. Starting to cost to much money to ride.

 

[Little green sixer]

$45 for a trail permit I wish. Here in Ont it is $140, and the %$#@*& trails are not even open yet. I guess there is nothing that can be done about that though. I hope they give out some coupons for gas or something next year because of the year this year. that happened two years ago when we had a bad year. :angry:  :angry:

 

[SKI-DOOD]

I think in the next few years , it is going to get worse.
To many people getting killed or injured on trails.
Some alcohol related other for stupidity.
and yes a few accidents.
I live in a small town of 1000 peope and the town police have 2 sleds.
I got stopped last week for insurance, of which i left at home.
The cop gave me time to get it and take it to the cop shop.
I did and he just gave me a warning.