Leaderboard

Finally. Today was the day. I traded in my tri axel for my Apex XTX. Left the work boots and put on the snow boots. My boss had mercy on me and gave me tuesday and wednesday nights off to get back on a real sleep schedule before I went riding. It helps that both my bosses are sledders and they “get it”. Snohorse and his friend Louie rolled into chez Ice last night at 6pm. We got them settled in and relaxed at my house for the evening. This morning we broke out the hardware. Snohorse is back on te 2 stroke is a hard addiction to break. He tried to kick it with the 1200 enduro but he has relapsed. He cannot get enough of that angry nest of bee’s sound and the incredible power. His new 850 Backcountry is just what the doctor ordered. One happy camper. The thing is a beast. Louie on the other hand is sporting some old school Iron. A 06 vector and its a shorty. Man what a trooper trying to hang with us. Good Luck. We did stop and wait for him though. My new XTX is a keeper. I must say its pretty damn nice. I can feel the difference with the front end. It corners flat almost zero ski lift. It handles real good. It’s real close the setup right now it’s not gonna need much tweaking at all. It’s still breaking in so we will see how it goes. Left Chez Ice and headed for St Raymond caught up to Playhard and his gang just outside St Ray. Stopped and chatted a bit. Gas in St Ray and off for Mt Apica. Trails all decent not perfect by any means but acceptable. Very little traffic. Ran my sled out 13 miles from Mt Apica. She is still breaking in. Dumped in my one gallon and cruised into Apica. We took a break here only four other sleds, perfect just how I like it. Left there and headed up to 368 then 383 to 83 into Chicoutimi. At La Saguenee cause I like it here and my friend works in the restaurant. Trails decent like I said nothing perfect yet that I’ve seen. Nice first day out, no real issues and tomorrow we go for it again. 280 miles

I hear a lot of this lately about talking to businesses about becoming a paid sponsor. It's all well and good but you guys are not giving any guidance as to how to go about this. As a small business owner I literally get hundreds of requests every year for donations. Each one has the potential of exposure for my business to varying degrees but I can't possibly put my name on every kids baseball,soccer or hockey shirt. I can't afford to donate to every Lion's club Fire company golf tournament but these people are from my community and are my customers so we always do our best. If you want sponsors I suggest you put together a package with info regarding who you are reaching and the costs involved otherwise any of us that go in blind won't be able to answer the first question that a business owner could ask

Day 4: Thursday Jan 18th Woke up to 10 inches of fresh powder and still snowing. Headed 48 miles to Chicoutimi Nord to pick up 2 needed belts. Over 18” of new snow up in the mountains and snowing hard. Sweet! Great dealer - Equipments Villeneuve. They offered to pull in Jim’s sled & replace the new belt free of service charge! They cleaned the clutches & adjusted. They also looked at Eric’s sled for some fuel delivery issues. We left and 10 miles down the trail Eric’s sled started to go into safe mode. Rut Roh. We went back to the dealer and after further diagnosis they changed the TPS (throttle position sensor). The mechanic took a test ride and came back pleased. Ok. Fingers crossed. Let’s ride already! It’s 2:15pm & we pull out. Destination is Sacre-Coeur. Took gas at Chapelle & then Karma kicked in. The lighting & sky was beautiful. We started a section of trail that is in my top 10 in PQ. TQ93 downhill from Chapelle to Sacre-Coeur. Today it was amazing! Fast, smooth, lots of snow, amazing views & a spectacular light show of colors in the sky to boot. Pulled into Motel Coronet at 5:15pm. 188 miles

I put together some images I catch with the gopro during my last ride of the 14 january. Here a first video of those...

Very sad to part ways with Mike today. I tried to get him to come...Really nice ride over here to Amqui. Got here around 2 and went out for a 50 mile loop. Jack and Sandy, I had a great time riding and hanging with you guys. Really hope our paths cross again this season!! Lets see if I can get pictures to load from an iPad...

Terry and I still talk about the good times with you and Sandi.

Click on Advertisers tab on the top of the page, that tells the cost and about the banner advertising. Any of us should be able to tell a potential customer about the advantage it could be the that client. Should they have an interest send the name to one of our three administrators, or have them sign up as a member and contact an administrator directly.

Short ride today, 5 miles. Rode up to Relais du Lac for a coffee then rodedown to Alma. Trails westof Alma, close to LSJ are in need of snow. Done to frozen dirt with ice in many places. 23 is not bad getting thru Alma but 383 down near the lake is bad, but nothing that 6 inches of snow can't correct.Then came back 83 which was good.

I have spoken to a moderator who was very kind and gave me some info. I will be attempting to get the hotel on board. mike

All interesting information, but I was hoping to hear more about Iceman's run! Iceman, where are you?

I think you are going to an extreme with your example Of course if someone asks about services they should get an answer about what is available and where and mentioning places you have stayed or enjoyed a nice meal by all means post it regardless of that establishment being a sponsor or not My point is if you’re on this site constantly promoting an establishment that is not a sponsor maybe you should consider approaching them about becoming a sponsor For one establishment to get free promotion on almost a daily basis while others pay for advertising isn’t right in my book

Thanks for the pics and the posts Mike and Terry. It has been fun and it was a pleasure riding with you. Looking forward to the next excursion. Jack & Sandi

Squatec for breakfast then on to Rimouski where Terry parted for a night in Amqui and I returned to hotel. (still in rm 122, leave tomorrow morning). 85% trails freshly groomed.

If you are near Shawinigan this weekend they are having the Snowcross just off the river in Shawinigan at Centre Gervais Auto.

Thinking of ya boys . I’m in Stowe VT. Skiing ⛷

200 miles tons of snow in the mountains Broke Trail from St Ray to MT Apica 12 inches plus less snow up north but still very good

Valin A1

Fortunately I caught my belt before it blew apart. Eric's blew to pieces. Took awhile to clean it all out. Today's mishap was my clutch blowing apart 15 miles from jonquire.