Winter Ride Tilden Lake Nov 15 2025

Under a not so favourable weather report, 16 members braved a chilly start to this year’s Winter Ride, Tilden Lake.  Seven side by sides and two intrepid quad riders left on the ride towards The Tomiko Restaurant in hopes of a warm lunch and there was no disappointment there.

The route took riders the long way round, out to Crystal Falls, along side Chebogomog and Tomiko lakes, along bush trails towards the restaurant and back to the the group’s starting point on Riding Stable Road.  We shared the trails with a few hunters and saw evidence of moose tracks and bedding along side our path.  Even saw a beaver out and about plugging a drainpipe.

All this aside, the most interesting stop along the trail was the MNR about five kilometres into the ride.  A few missed signals, a few words and plenty of searching for rider documentation held the group for about 30 minutes before an “Official Warning” was given and the group was allowed to move on.  This was the first time a Club Ride was stopped in my 15 years with the Club, one rider said.  You can beat there was plenty discussed at the first planned rest stop.

Some rain, sleet and the other stuff you find at this time of year was experienced by the quad riders while the other sat in heated comfort (all in jest), as we made our way through frozen water, icy trails and bush roads.  Everyone appeared to have enjoyed the ride as we returned to our trailers mid afternoon.  A small group of four or five side by sides returned back to their homes on the trail network as they arrived for the begin the ride.

Plenty of thanks to Mike Labelle and Ray Routhier for leading and trailing this year’s Winter Ride.