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Day 6, To Sept Iles. Caught the 8am ferry to Godbout. Nice smooth ride over with breakfast onboard. This trip, sleds were on first and off first, nice. I hate to keep rubbing this in if you're not up here, but today was another nice mild, sunny day. 7 other sleds crossed with us. When we all off loaded and took the local to the 3, everyone turned right. The first maybe 10 miles was still wide single track, but from there on everything was very good to freshly groomed. We stopped for gas and a soup at Tims in Port Cartier. From my room at the Quality Inn, looking across the parking lot I can see a St Hubert. I've got an idea for supper. Jeff and Sandy Sorry for all the boat pics, but I thought somebody out there may not have seen it before, and it is an impressive boat.

Wasn't expecting this. Dropped them a quick thank you note and they put it in their news letter. Thought that was pretty cool.

Day 3 Today was one of the best riding days we've had. Trail conditions and weather were great. We had a nice stay at Roland. After breakfast we head to the overlook. I am going to try to get to the statue. Last year I sank in powder like a boat anchor. This time around the snow is firm enough and we finally make it to the top. After some picture taking we set off for the multi gas station in Gaspe. To our surprise the trail out of Perce is fresh groomed. This was the nicest quickest trip we have had on this trail. We get to TQ5 and it's just as nice. North of Perce there is a detour. We got through it fairly quick. Then back to our regularly scheduled beautiful trail. At the gas station we are informed that the trail was groomed to Murdochville last night. We set off for the local west to 597. Sure enough it is in top form. When we get to 597 it also is in super shape. The snow gods are with us today. We stop at Hotel Copper for lunch. We meet a group of guys from NH. They said the trail over to La Cache was in rough shape. After lunch we head north to TQ5 east. Here the trails are not quite as nice. There is some chop. We got spoiled most of this ride. Only after passing Grande Vallee did we get back to nice smooth trails. We pass a groomer going west in the vicinity of Cloridorme. We roll into the Caribou with 238 miles on the day.

Left St Felicien this morning, warm today, saw 41F on my thermometer at one point. The section near Lac Au Jim is now called LT700. 93 now officially bypasses Lac Jim and St Thomas Didyme. It now hooks westward and later loops back in to its normal path over the top. The new part of 93 was not on my 2017 paper map, or our just updated GPS maps. Scratching our heads.....GPS and intuition said go to the right, the old way to Lac Jim, so of course we went....left, following the <93 sign and the groomer. Went a few miles, what a fantastic trail (chemin breadcrumbs on the map), groomed, but headed due West. West...WTH? Stopped a couple times to chat, and decided to keep going and eventually it turned north and east, and reconnected. Perfect trail, so we did not want to turn around ;<) It had some shiny new 93 signs on it, but no town names or clues, so we were confident, but not positive. It paid off, some of the absolute best trails so far. Ran 93 through Dolbeau, gas at Belize at St Jeanne D Arc with 120 miles on, more than expected due to those bonus miles on 93. Best tank of gas on the trip so far. Shipshaw and down. St Felicien was deserted so we winged it tonight with no reservations, headed to Delta to say hi to Bill and stay over. As we rolled in saw a line of sleds outside and lots of riders chatting. No rooms available. Cell call to Sagueneenne, lots of rooms, 25 minutes later we check in. Sleds are camping, out in the tents. Some of those folks we saw outside Delta, also rolled into Saguenneenne later. Road crossings and getting around in town are really junk in Jonquiere and Chicoutimi, the warm has taken its toll. I also forget how treacherous the many highway road crossings are too, no way that would fly in the states. Avoid and bypass to stay on good trails outside of towns is a must as spring springs. Loose gravel and mud are on the way! May head to Onichiway tomorrow as we have not had a relaais burger yet. We definitely dread the trek back to Shipshaw to cross back over the river to get to the good stuff, so we are calculating now.

Had supper and spent the evening with Northbound, Jeff and Sandy at the Quality Inn, Matane last night. A great evening, it is always fun to meet fellow QR members and put a face to the name. Freshly groomed from Matane to Mont Saint Pierre, blue skys, awesome day. Getting up tomorrow and going to snowmobile all day... ..really have no idea to where yet, the map is spread out on the bed.

The internet connection is giving me problems. Satellite must be struggling. We took 5 east to 597 south. We stopped for gas at Murdochville. It looked like they received some fresh powder. We head south to Chandler. 597 was in good shape. Going west into Chandler was not great. It's getting pretty choppy. Spotted Team Ice stickers. Doonali your slacking on this bridge.

Day 5 to Matane, GT, sorry we missed you, I think you got an earlier start than us. Laying in bed last night listening to the wind howl didn't make me all that anxious for an early start. I saw a few sets of eastbound tracks that started at MSP. I assumed one of them was yours, maybe next time. Enjoy your ride. .Trails were all pretty good to st ann except for a couple spots GT mentioned that were icy or thin up high in a logged area. The wind didn't seem to hurt that area. After st ann some of the trails got a little bumpy in spots, mainly as you would expect in narrower sections like where the trail would share half road half trail. They also must of had some more blowing snow because they had drift bumps. Still a very nice day. The relay that we like for lunch just west of St Ann, we knew was closed on monday so we went into St Ann to subway. Catching the morning ferry and will post on Cote Nord site tomorrow. Jeff and Sandy

Day 7 to Baie-Comeau, More info about the Quality Inn we stayed at last night. Their included breakfast was pretty good, eggs, bacon, sausage, you know the good stuff. Also on the 4th floor they had a free laundry. Only 1 washer and 1 dryer, but new machines and did I say free? We'd always stayed across the street at comfort inn, but no more. Also pretty cool, we could see a freighter anchored out in the bay from our room. I jinxed myself yesterday about the sunshine. Today was cloudy with a few furries but mild. Trsils were all good to Godbout. Between Godbout and BC a few bumps, mainly in the little hills. Still a real nice day to ride. Plenty of snow here. Jeff and Sandy

We spotted team Ice and team Doonali stickers in several places.

Congratulations! Glad your wife was able to overcome her challenges and get back to the things she loves.

hi steven !!! great to meet you for sure !!! sorry if trail was bumpy ....trail was rough....11 hrs run ...low traffic...25-30 sleds..mostly going west heavy snow...wind ..sunshine and still warm ... cocktail ???? beer and rouge in the gaspesie !!! jean-guy

Day 4, to Mont-Louis, Another ideal day to ride. Blue skys and very little wind. I think tonight will be different, its about 3:30 now and clouding up with some wind forcast for tonight. Got to Grande-Vallee early, got gas and a nice early lunch at hotel GV. The place then filled with a lot of sledders. A lot of them looked like 2up dayriders. It was a short day but between Gaspe and Matane is about 500k, which is way too much for us in 1 day so we have to split it somewhere. It has been several years since we ran the 5 between Gaspe and the 597. It seemed faster and more open than I remember it. There were a lot of windmills, so I'm guessing they are utilizing some of their new roads? Most all trails were in good shape today with not a lot of traffic.

To see the Gaspe, it is pretty hard to not saddlebag it. But, if you want to do day rides in the Gaspe, one option would be to stay in Amqui and ride out of there. Nice area with a good mix of riding, very nice scenery, really good snow cover this year and a place where you are never really far from anywhere. Ride Options: South West - Amqui to Moose Valley, NB and back - approx 180 miles South loop - Amqui, 587S, Matapedia, Campbellton, La'Alverne, Amqui - Approx 180 miles, East - Amqui, Matane via 5, to the St Paulin Relais and back to Amqui via local trails from Matane - approx 170 miles West - Amqui, to Rimouski loop - lots of local trails and zig zagging, could be anywhere from 100-200miles - La Redemption snow mummies on this route. Hotels: Select Hotel Hotel Ambassadeur Just some options, maybe some others will chime in.

With our Adventure riding mentor , Team Maine’s , Early rider, getting ready for the 2000 mile Cain’s Quest Race in Labrador this week, we decided several months ago that we would return up the White Road and meet Rob at the check point in Lanse au clair. At this point he will be 1335 miles into the race and has a 12 hour layover in Lanse. We have a big crew of 9 making the run, including 3 QR members, 603, Trailblazer and yours truly. Several of of us are leaving Forestville for Sept Isle this coming Thursday, meeting a few more in Sept Isle, than making stops in Havre St Pierre, Chevery and onto Lanse au Clair Labrador. Weather and mechanical issues permitting 😋 This is a trip similar to last year with the exception, that we will be returning back down the White Road after the rendezvous. TB, 603 and I will update as our trip unfolds. Here are some links to the Cain’s Quest Race, they have a great tracking system to allow those interested, to follow the racers progress. Happy Trails RR http://www.cainsquest.com/

We had to deal with another warm up this last week, all had freeze back on wednesday night lefting some time for the dozers to work the hard surface and loosen-up some snow. At home we had another hotflash friday end of the day with a bit of gresil and a 2 mm ice crust. fortunately this turn to be snow a bit more north. I was still confident to get highway type trails condition so we decided to go for the big loop Joliette/Grand-Mère/Mattawin/St-Zenon/Joliette, a ride of 320 miles mostly on open path trail. Glad we did, we had good to very good conditions conditions all over the ride. Let's check it in detail but first, here is the trail path of the day:-5C when we left under a cloudy clearing sky directly from home in St-Thomas de Joliette in the south of Lanaudiere. The major thaw during the week had left an hard trail base and the small episode of ice Friday night had left a thin crust of 2mm ice on the groomed trails so scratchers were necessary to start the day early. Here in the field near my home.As expected, the trails were very hard and fast, not a single bump. With the snowtrackers my venture was like on rails, very precise direction and easy driving: ideal conditions to crank up many miles without getting tired. Here in the maple grove in St-Cuthbert: the water pipe was installed high enought to allow us to continue to pass without problem. We then took trail #3 to go toward Grand-Mere I take the opportunity to write a bit about scratchers: In my case it's been part of my essential accessories for more than 10 years after we got traped after a rainy day on a trip ... after that I understood !!! I use the cheap model at $ 60 which clings under the footrest. Some will say: yeah but you can not back up with them ... in my life of sledder it never happened that my engine overheat or my slides stick when going in reverse so I think I can raise them during that time!!! Jokes aside, I happened to bent one at the beginning when I had forgotten them and I just had to bent it back in shape (otherwise in case of badluck the spares are sold for $ 20 each). By putting them as far forward as possible they are very effective and installed as I put them I do not even have to stop to put them on: just to lean and pass the hand under the edge of the footrest to pick them down. Often just one side is enough and in the most extreme condition both will do the job. In my opinion it should come standard with a snowmobile, it is not very often that it is absolutely necessary but when you need them your $60 investment is right there to save your ass and when they are there easily usable we used them regularly, most often in the morning when the trails are very hard and we are in the first to pass. It is easier on the engine cooling system and help on hifax life. Yesterday we took them off in the middle of the morning. It's the worst we've seen and it was just a few spots in St-Barthélemy area (very south of Lanaudiere along St-Laurence river)Otherwise it looked like that on most of the rideGiven the very good conditions we chose to extend the ride a bit going through #63 trail to see the Magnan fallsA beautiful site, ideal place for a trail side breakThe sky had clear up leaving us a beautiful sunshine for the rest of the dayThe pics bring up the beauty of the scenery so much better with some sunWe stopped to refuel in St-Étienne before crossing the St-Maurice. Policemen were passing there but must believe that we did not look too fishy they just continue their way We then continued trail # 3 eastboundAnd crossed the St-Maurice river at La Gabelle. A little bumpy but very solid no movement with the warmth.The trail had a small hi frequency ripple east of St-Maurice a little tiring but it still ride at a good pace.An FCMQ patrol accosted us but they were satisfied by my just seeing my sticker, no need to stop and dig in my pockets to do the paper thing on the trailside to my great satisfactionWe then took the St-Maurice river trail in Grand-Mère.It was quite bumby, especially up to this point but still solid as a rock no slushThen further north was less bumpy and it was done at maximum legal speed except for 2 small ice jam sections at the very end. When we observe in the side of the mountain the warmth have formed several large glaciers Once back on the shore just beginning the trail we faced to that... oupsss, that's when it came back to me that my friend Snowcruiser had told me a few weeks ago that they had plowed a section of the trail there this year ........ Fortunately, it's like that for only a few hundred feet up to the top of the hill not far,And then it's looks like that's ....oufff!!! next optimal trail conditions, good and fast Nice trail and even nice scenery We arrived for lunch at Marineau at 12:45 with 141 miles on the dreammeter. A first real break for us because we had almost not stopped in the morning feeling we does not needAfter a good meal for us and a fuelup for the venture, we leave for St-Zenon via trail #360The #360 was nice and fast, a small ripple in some curves but very pleasant to do on this beautiful sunny dayThe ride going so well why not expand it a little more circuit through the M20 trail! A beautiful segment that once again was worth the detour. This trail is a bit different from the rest of the area. The mix of scenery and mountain/lake remember me the Laurentide park each time I ride it We did not had the chance to see a lynx or a beaver but at least a small partridge who obviously felt at home in the trailThis trail also includes a couple of interesting and safe trail stretchs. We must still take care because we do not want to have any incidents or problems especially in those remote spots that are very far from roads and services. Once arrived at the next junction we took a short break and then continue on the #345 southThe #345 was just perfect not a single bump. Never saw it so good on a Saturday late afternoon. We then continue to the Mattawin River Bridge where we took a good breakMe doing a 360 with the Gopro to immortalize the moment up there Then we continue on #345. Given the mild day, I was expecting more bumpy trail but no, the conditions were very beautiful ...On the other hand, there were icy washed curves that we had not seen elsewhere must be more vigilant and have good runners to keep on your side. We then crossed the dozer grooming this already beautiful trail making the conditions almost perfect We did a last fuelup at the Cabanon and then continued the #23 southbound Still beautiful conditions, it had just been regrommed there too. Sun was already down We stopped to eat at Real Masse around 5:45 pmAfter our good meal break we started our last stretch to the house. The conditions were still good, no beated trail with this hard base and as a bonus we started to encounter just grommed trails in St-Gabriel de Brandon and Joliette. We left the house at 8:15 in the morning and came back home at 8:15 pm with just 320 miles on the dreammeter. In summary very good conditions everywhere on the circuit we did and the today falling snow will give the little notch that was missing with some new material on the good hard base that was already there as the cream layer on the cake! There is no rain in the extended weather forecast and despite the temperatures being slightly above the average, the nights would be cold enought to groom so the picture is good to keep a full operational trail system for the next weeks in our area. Let's enjoy it! Alain

What a gal

That is awesome. So happy she is able to enjoy the great sport and see such great scenery!

Props to your wife for making the effort to get back out there! Very inspirational

Rodmax, sounds like you had a perfect run up the white road, that is a gorgeous ride if there weather gods are working with you. Thank you for the updated report

Iceman and the two boss men are in Indianapolis at the WWETT show 2018. Here.https://www.wwettshow.com/en/home.html The WWETT Show - Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport. Left Trois Riveres at 8am Wednesday morning. Had a meeting with a new Supplier west of Montreal in Rigard. We headed there and had a look around. We bought a bunch of new fittings and new nozzles for my Pressure Truck to unblock, de ice and clean pipes. Off to the Airport for our 3:30 flight to Toronto. Had a nice lunch and some beers at Archibald at the airport. Off and Into Toronto no issues. In Toronto I don’t understand their system. We never left the secure area but had to return through security to then go through USA immigration. The immigration part i knew, the re screening through security made no sense. What a waste of time. Flight delayed 8:30...flight left at 10:35. Late arrival into Indy and into hotel at 1:30 am. Considering i got home at 2:30am Wednesday morning was back at shop at 7:30am that gives me 3.5hrs of sleep. Now it 2am getting up at 6 gives me another 4. Hey that’s 30 minutes more than yesterday. Breakfast at hotel, then Uber to the convention center. Trapped here in a land winter forgot. Sad to see no snow anywhere. Oooof i could not do winter like this. No Way. Into convention center to get our credentials. Smooth sailing. Off to regard the toys for big boys. Lots of things to see. Many directly related to what we do....other things not so much. Alot to take in and and tough to translate the best I can to the Bosses the info I am getting from different reps from each booth we stop at. Walking, did I mention the walking. I walked more today tha god knows when. Definitely walked off several poutines, but sadly pants still tight. Excersise don’t work. Unbelievable the trucks on display, of course every manufacturer want to show their best stuff hence not many lower end models here. Some hot ones next to several of the trucks. More on that soon. These are rigs of my dreams, Alain and I are like kids at the candy store, checking out all the little details on each rig. Many are the same just built by different manufacturers. Like women the come in all shapes and sizes. Some much prettier than others. This place is huge. We cover less than half by 1pm. We break for lunch and meet some others from Quebec. From St. Raymond, but they winter in Florida, (for me does not count) but the others were from Levis and Quebec. Nice for the guys to get to speak french not frenglish with me. After lunch back at it and wow, more real nice trucks. Chatted with a few different booths as we are going to be custom building our own New Dedicated “Jetting” truck in house so taking in all we can detail wise and product wise to truly make ours one of a kind. It’s like with everything else it’s all about $$$$. You need to spend money to make money but, how much is too much? $650-$800K for a combo rig (Vacuum/Jetter) that may see daylight 2-3 days a week some weeks. A lot of coin. We can charge more for two trucks (one vac, one jetter)when needed and we have more flexibility. Makes much more sense for us. Of course I want the combo truck, any operator would. Maybe someday but not this year anyway. We came upon one company from Texas. They had two lovely young ladies in their area with the trucks. One of them spoke a little french as she spent some time in Montreal. Not enough french to understand however, when Alain asked if he could have the two ladies today he would sign the check for the truck tonight. After I Translated his proposal. All he got was a photo with them, and sadly no new truck for me yet...... Great day saw lots of cool stuff. Who knew crap could be so interesting. Great time with Alain and Marc. I am truly appreciative and appreciated by them. Very fortunate to have such great bosses and friends. Life is good. Tomorrow we go to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch various demonstrations of equipment and new technology. Can’t wait. I took way too many photos to post them all so I’ll give you a look at some of my favorites. One more day here tmmrw then an early flight to Toronto Saturday morning then back to Montreal midday Saturday. That’s the plan anyway. Until next time.... No Deal..... :(

Day4 Here we go, plan was to go to LSQ. Left la sarre tQ 93 freshly groomed, nice! First 20 miles anyway . After that still nice super soft warm temps.lunch at mont vidieo the ski area . Fuel up in Bairut and see if we can tighten up Eric’s track. Looks like the rear axle bolt loosened up or axle bearing may be kaput. Tightened up ok let’s go. Back on the 93 stop for a break. Ready to go my sled fires up and dies. Eric gone like the wind. Check all fuses no power jump the starter she’s turns over nothing, couple locals stopped and helped to no avail. Now Eric is back its3:30. Let’s hook it and go. 18 miles to Senneterre to the dealer at least the trails where flat, there in no time main 30 amp fuse from battery fried. Melted the connector. Quick fix and now it’s 4:30. Stay in Senneterre or head 70 miles to LSQ. Pulled up the the hotel as 8 other sleds pulled in, f it let’s go. Got to LSQ st 6:30, Saq closed, dam goto the hotel after fueling up only one room left. With only one small bed. 2 other places in town both full. We’ll take it. Gave us the key and a soup spoon for some reason tomorrow headed to chibougamau and misstissini for the night if nothing else breaks. Always an adventure!

I am impressed. Kudos to you and your wife.

Wow great day on the trail! Sure miss that route this year I have not been able to get away for more than a few days at a time this year. Maybe march is doable. Anyone know what date Masse shuts down? I know they close up near the mid to end of march and head south before spring fishing season starts up...

That is great. I have yet to see a wheelchair strapped to the back of a sled. Now I have. Congrats to your wife Mike. She has determination. I don't think many people would have thought of accessibility for snowmobilers. I never have. We wish you many, many happy trails. Jack & Sandi

Don't get a splinter on that bridge it bit my partner and ruined the rest of his trip remember ICE MAN .

Tonight we are in Comfort Inn in Sep-tile, just back from dinner @ St. Hubert, spent an hour and a half there smiling about a really fantastic day of adventure. we say and rode thru almost everything Quebec can possibly throw your way on the trail today. Started out of Baie-Comeau on 6 to 8 inches of fresh powder, then to a few tracks going North in front of us. We were on the trail just before 8 am, on the east side of the mountain we caught and passed those sleds at the new bridge. Now breaking trail and it is absolutely incredible conditions with no traffic and an amazing trail all for us!! We traveled in to Godabout for fuel, signs directed us there, but there is no gas in this village, but it just so happens that a very generous older gentleman has some at his house for the fine price of 12$ a gallon.Sno Horse and I are both carrying gas so we pass on this deal and go 25 more miles and the 4 of us fuel at Baie-Trinite. We do not stop for lunch today, having way too much fun for that, besides, we ate very well yesterday!! Despite the fresh snow we are making very good time and are looking for a way to fill the day before lodging in Sep-tile. No problem finding a little extra riding here and Sno Horse has a gps, what could possibly happen?? Jared promptly buries the long tack Yamaha in 7 ft. of powder, and the Federation trail patrol just happens to be on the trail to kindly assist the boys who passed them 3 miles earlier, OOPS, did not recognise them, after a little lecture about having my trail sticker too low for them to see , they let us go. Then having a little spare time on our hands we take what we thought was an M-trail into the back woods thinking it would go some where. It turns in to 1 sled wide, out in the mountains in 10 to 12 feet of snow pac, like riding in a tunnel and no possible way to turn around, but it is a nice ride so we keep going and cross a few lakes and 20 miles in Phil decides we are getting farther away from trans Quebec 3 and it probably goes somewhere, but not to gas or lodging. The last lake we crossed had some serious slush in spots so time to turn around at 345 pm. I leave last so I can keep a eye on the 2 young guys with us and Jared hammers thru a big drift right in front of me to make sure he can get through and I have my shield open and as he rises up blinds me face high, I let off the gas and sink in 10 ft. of powder, as he drives 2 miles down the lake, never looking in his mirrors. Snow Horse see him coming and leaves the end of the lake and his son waits for us. Jared is on the hammer at the end of the lake and tries to power thru a mountain of snow and buries it. A half hour goes by and I am alone 20 miles out in the real back country, with my back country buried and I am thinking about the possibility that these guys got onto the m-trail and are unable to turn around and will have to go get gas to come back to get me so I continue digging the sled out, what could go wrong they have a gps and know here we were. So the 2 young boys are now coming to find me and think maybe I fell thru the ice, but boys will be boys and these guys are still playing Johnny stand up and Jared buries the Yammie AGAIN!! At this point I am thinking I may be spending the night out here and can hear wolfs howling, great!! There is a cabin a half mile away but walking there to break in is nearly impossible in 12 ft. of powder! Soon I hear a sled and Phil's son Nick, is coming , then Jared, YEP, they are loving it and ribbing the old guy and now it is after 4pm and staring to get dark. I think they waited for me to get it dug out!! Finally Phil pulls up to lay it on a little more, all in a days fun and we get out of this place at dark and find our way back to trail 3 and head west back to Sep-Tile. Not all over with as Phil tips over going over a snow bank at 3 mph, no one hurt and nothing damaged, but we finally get to lay it on him, tomorrow is Nicks turn. The waitress @ St Hubert is getting us a report on trail #3 conditions to Havre-St. Pierre as we head farther East tomorrow, she is 24 and rides a 2018 850 Summit, with pink powder coating, Nicks eyes lit up when he heard that, he wants one, I think I am talking about the sled!! In all my years dating back to the 80's today was the finest day of riding and camaraderie I have had, terrific trails, amazing terrain, and really great riding partners, only 5 more days of riding left on this trip, what could possibly happen, Phil has a gps.......to be continued!!

Today's trails (minus the detour to Chandler) We rolled into Roland with 191 miles. I wanted to call around to locate some communicators so we did not get going until about 8:30. It was warm my gauge read 38. We went up to the lookout and then to Mt Louis for gas. We passed a groomer on the way in to the crevier. We are psyched. We gas up and head east as we start to climb there is the groomer and he has problems. He asked us to block traffic coming down the mountain. I drove Gemma up to warn, Stop people. He disconnected the drag and dragged it back out of the ditch. I spoke of our Groomer on Quebec Rider. He said I know Jean-Guy well. Pierre sends salutations. He was cool as a cucumber with a great sense of humor. It was nice to meet him.

fixed !!! where the chain enter the hole......there s a plate with 5 or 6 bolts...swivel.... right side of buffer is swivel too ...but jammed and rusty.....so ,stripped the bolts where s the chain enter the hole. fixed temporarily ....be good for the rest of winter !!! btw......installed the '' razor '' during the weekend !!! jean-guy

Dam that explains it!

Saw these cats hanging around Louvicourt.

I have seen them a couple of times in Ontario also got a few pics, They are pretty cool to see them seen o ne last week coming out of Val-dor but he did not stay on trail long he disappears, right before I seen him I seen a Snowshoe on trail I might have screwed up his breakfast. Here is a pic from Ontario

quick visit to clubhouse yesterday late afternoon.... went to meet ontario friends... crowded and very busy there !!! jean-guy

Day 3, Bono to Gaspe. Woke up to fresh dusting of snow overnight. Rode out of town by the Bonaventure airport. The runway groomer was working. The 5 was groomed overnight. Heading est, we were making the first tracks except for the deer. We saw a few this morning but tracks were everywhere. Beautiful day to ride, blue skys, very little wind, most trails freshly groomed. Quite a bit of traffic around chandler. We stopped at relay there for a bite and then into town for gas, there was a line. The bottom of the 597 and the bailey bridge cutoff were groomed overnight, sweet. There was a trailside conference on the 597 and gaspe intersection. Haven't seen any sleds in town tonight as we went out for dinner. Jeff and Sandy

OK here are the mitts. A nice natural dark brown color. The fur lies towards the wrist for snowmobiling. They made the wrist area where the strap is a little larger for my fat hands and the opening a little bigger to fit over the sleeves of my suit. The palms have a piece of suede stitched over the leather for wear. A little stiff but Sandi says the mink oil should soften them up. Bring on the cold! Jack & Sandi

hi yeti !!! great to hear from you ........good for you if trail were very good !!! back from grooming tq 5 + 1 local trail..... great day for riding with great conditions......- 12 c when i left this morning ......3 am.......sunny right now, still feel the cold !!! traffic is medium !!!! just checked...-12c in the shade !!! jean-guy

Day 7 Tuesday. The last day of riding. We are going back up to Normandin to pick up my new mitts. Hopefully they will be ready. Jak has decided to come along for the ride and check out Bilodeau. The groomer map shows some good and maybe some not so good. Off we go crossing the 2 bridges. 367 looks good. We turn left onto 93 and this is decent too. We take the local trail up towards Relais du Lac and loop around the lake on 328 to 367. This area I really like and it is not disappointing today. We get to 93 and turn right. This is a different story. The map showed this as not being groomed lately and the trail shows the same. The weekend has put a beating on the trail. The power line after St Monique is rough. We turn left staying on 367 thru Peribonka, still rough. Finally after Relais Vauvert the trail improves. Sandi picks up speed and we are rolling again. Relais Vauvert was closed today so we will have to find another lunch spot. Cruising up 93 we get to the cut off of 373 to Normandin. The relais here is also closed. A lot of the relais seem to have shortened their hours. They aren't open as many days. Maybe not as much traffic and not as many customers to stay open 7 days? We like to stop at the relais if we can and help support them. Most off them you get a good meal at a reasonable price. So we turn left on 373 and buzz into Normandin and Bilodeau. We go inside and I dig out the receipt. The girl behind the counter looks at the receipt and smiles. She doesn't speak English but the smile tells me the mitts are ready. She goes out back and returns with a big bag with my mitts. Oh these look nice. First of all they look huge but fit fine. A nice deep brown color to the beaver fur they picked. There is an extra piece of material across the palm and thumb for wear against the handlebars. Very, very nice. My fingers are going to be happy now. A few more pics of the critters in the store. Another English speaking worker tells us that some of these are used as props in movies. They have a large selection elsewhere. What they have in the store is just a few of the collection. She also says there is a restaurant, Cafe Marcel, just down the street. She says to ride the sleds along the edge of the street. Everybody does it. We take her advice and go have lunch. A good recommendation for lunch. After lunch we head back the way we came, 373, 93, 367. Peribonka and St Monique are still rough. I was hopping a groomer might have been out but not today. After St Monique we turn left on 367 again and this is fine. The rest of the ride back to Jonquiere is very good. About 2 miles from the Delta the freezing rain hits our shields. The wind is really picking up now too. We get in the hotel safe and sound. Thanks for the company today Jak. It was fun day. A really nice trip. It was good to see so many Quebec Rider folks. Wednesday we head back to CT. Is there one more ride left for us this year? Maybe if we can schedule things at home. Be safe and enjoy the trails. Jack & Sandi

hi jackstraw !!! took a nap on my way back home...then met the mechanic just by hazard at the grocery.....yes ...window on the way ..ordered...i can t remember exactly what he said....close to 1500.00$$ for the fender...looks like we re going to put a patch for now !!! plastic not too bad...more noisy and must watch branches....i did a bit of patching when i landed at st fidele cb...i had 3 holes in the palstic...i have a big roll of duct tape in the cab.. better go to hardware store tomorrow to buy a spray can ( repellant ..sp maybe ) just in case ..still a hole bottom right side..not much room to put tape ... super slow run....started at 2 45 am....back at 1 15 pm ...i stopped not more than 15 mins...3 shots of coffee !!! jean-guy

Five of us stopped at La Cache on Saturday for gas and a meal, a whole new spot. The new management was very friendly and obliging. The food was excellent, good old fashion home-made boiled pork dinner, with pea soup and desert. Inside was bright, clean, and inviting. They have rooms ready for rent, however I think at least one has to get the shower finished. $130 tx incl for the room, this includes breakfast. The rooms have two beds, so two guys split the room and each get breakfast, a good deal i believe.

Day 3. Awesome stay as always in St Anne des Monts. Hotel Cie and its resto never disappoint. Well we did want to have 2 of the 22oz Cowboy Rib steak. But they had sold out. It is marked on menu that to be sure you get one please give 24hrs advance notice. Next Time for sure. Up early today talked to a guy from south of Boston here with his friends for their first Quebec trip ever. Helped him look over the map and give him a few points not to miss. Told him nothing will compare to this trip after. I think it’s good I did not ride Gaspe as my first trip cause it’d be hard to beat anywhere else. These poor guys had a run in with Police i think near Matane, anyway they had come through New Brunswick and into Quebec, they had bought New Brunswick passes, not knowing they needed another pass for Quebec trails. Costly error of $560 each. Police took them to a Relais to buy passes at the on trail price. On top of that the police took pity I guess and only warned them all to get mirrors as tgey each had none. Lucky there, as I believe if I’m not mistaken that’s another $180 each if he wanted to do that. Law clearly states you must have at least one mirror fixed on machine (on left side). Hand mirror on glove not legal. If you want to use it fine but you can still get a ticket if you got none attached on sled. Anyway they took it well and now they know. Sleds fired up and off we go for the run to Matane and the truck. 7am out the trail we go. Well the clubs definitely got my memo that I was headed west, freshly groomed with not a mark on it all the way into Matane. Absolutely awesome run 2 hrs 5 minutes 135km and top speed for Alain of 161 km fastest he ever seen his Grand Touring run. Great short run and back to Quality Inn and truck just as the big gangs are headed out for their Sunday rides. Loaded sleds got changed in Hotel and down the black trail at 9:30am. Fun ride with the boss man we make a good team. Back to Trois Riveres. Big short week before we fly to Indianapolis Wednesday for the Expo/trade show. Until next time...

Day 2 Left New Richmond at 6:55, no breakfast until 7:30 and we were not waiting around. Pas Chaud cet matin. Not warm this morning. Big change from yesterday. TQ5 fresh groom headed toward the 595. Sweet. We pass two 2 ups just as we get on the 595. Bossman Alain is just like me. We follow no one. Downright cold. Frette if you will as we run up to the trail to Murdochville. Big wind here in the Chic Chocs and although the surfacer has just passed from Murdochville to La Cache its still looking not so great. Not terrible but no where near perfect. Still we push on no stopping it’s too windy and cold here. 50km from Murdochville we see first sleds headed toward La Cache. A bit further and 4 more. All good. I take the point now as Alain says go for it. I was not sure about making Murdochville from New Richmond, thinking it woukd be a stretch for me. But into the pum I cruise with 193km on the odo. Fill up and take 34.4 liters. Pretty damn good considering, sure I didn’t drive it like I stole it but was not mlking it either. We were on it. Its now 10:30 in Murdochville had no breakfast and its cold. We go to Motel Copper to visit with Jaques. We eat early lunch talk a little with Jaques and I take Alain to see the snowmobile museum under the Hotel Copper, he was really amazed by the collection and that is just a fraction of what he has. We head back out after saying goodbye and its a bit warmer now. Back to the 597 to head to TQ5 and to Mont St. Pierre. 597 to junction TQ5 tres tres bonne, at the 5 we turn left direction west MSP. Bad, bad, bad, all the way to MSP as Alain put it a “mechant vrai trail des vache” just not good, i have rarely ridden this section ever and found it good. It’s always junk. We bang through and from MSP west it showed fresh groom this morning when i looked before we left. They were not lying, awesome run all the way to St Anne des Monts. Into hotel at 3:30 happy to be here and with just shy of 375 km for today. Big day for Alain and all good. No pictures today as playing with the camera last night trying to get photos to transfer i ran tge battery down and the cold finished it off. Figures as it was a blue sky day all the way through the Chic Chocs and through MSP perfect day to get some good pics and I got none. Oh well. Tomorrow a short run back to the truck in Matane then 5 hours of black trail to the shop in Trois-Rivières. Awesome day. Until next time...

Pictures Day 1 warning some graphic content.....

After lunch we are back on 3 east. A few miles down the trail and there is a gas station just off the trail. Top off the tanks and continue on. We pass the Clermont cutoff and trail 83 that heads back up to Lac St Jean. A few more miles and here is the groomer coming towards us. This is great. The groomer map showed this section wasn't groomed and now I know why. He must have left this morning after the map had been updated. Smooth sailing again. 3 is really nice until you get closer to Baie Sainte Catherine. The trail gets a little cranky compared to what we were on. It is still snowmobiling. Finally we can see the Riviere Saguenay and drop down to the landing for the ferry. Perfect timing. The ferry is just coming over. A few more sleds come down off the trail as one of the tractor trailers pull off of the ferry. This is a no charge ferry because it is part of the road system. The ferry is a fun ride. Something most snowmobilers don't get a chance to do. Cars, buses, trucks and sleds all together for the trip across the river. Jason and Yushen. Sandi standing guard. We get off the ferry and get back on 3. Still groomed. Getting cooler now and the sun is going down. The east sky has clouds and towards the west it is clear. As the sunsets, the colors in the clouds keeps changing. Mother Nature giving us a little light show. Trail 3 to 93 and we arrive at the Coronet for the night. Lock up the sleds, relax over a couple of beverages with supper. A great ride we had. Tomorrow to the Delta. Jack & Sandi

Looking good Don & Alain! Enjoy! The conditions are excellent in Gaspesie currently. I was at la Cache on Tuesday & met Josh, Melissa (cutie), Dell & Lin. All good people who speak great English. We are very lucky to have la Cache open again! Very very important location to be in business & sell fuel. Let’s all support their efforts. Josh bought the place last year. They have been putting in a lot of money on renovations. All the rooms have been renovated. House was sided. Interior was gutted & renovated. We didn’t eat. Just gas & go. I suggested installing a larger fuel/gas tank. That’s when Dell told me the story about running out of gas the Saturday before. What a nightmare getting there on a snowmobile and not being able to get fuel! That makes for a lot of walking later that day. They said it didn’t come to that. People brought in containers of fuel by car/truck to service the snowmobiles that needed gas. Lucky sledders!!

hi pinkm1 and smclelan !!! ahahaha merde in french...but more french from france.......quebecois we say marde (slang )....and usually add a swear to make people understand better !!! ahahaha lets pretend you go moose hunting ...if i wish you '' merde '' ...means good luck !!! saturday ...might buy a bottle of rouge to forget about my run !!! ahaha -6c jean-guy

That's awesome not to often you get a high 5 from a moose on the trail! Bet the guy taking the photo can't wait for his turn

T That makes for a tough 200 mile day eh Andy? Been there. Done that. That’s when I start riding the roads! LOL

Glad they let him go .........

Mmm hmm. Melt me about a lb of butter. Oh yes.

Day2 Super dinner last night at Cheval, probably one of the best filet mingion ive had up here. Up at 6 breakfast at 7 on the trail at 8 tq13 up to the 83 towards Clova all sweet! Arrived at clova 11am fueled up took an early lunch. Started snowing hard and super windy. Passed 4 sleds. Train came in and picked up 5 or 6 people, is anyone left in town? Jumped back on the 83 to Lac Fallon for fuel. Was worried about the snow and high winds in the burnt section. Was great to see the forest regrowing giving you a tree line on the trail again. Been a few years since I had been through there. What a difference. Saw a burnt up Yamaha in the trail, still smoldering, maybe Bill is on to something with the fire extinguisher! Took the orange trail down to Louvicourt, very light rain at this point at least not freezing. That trail sucked, logging and pretty whoppped. Fuel in louvicourt and back on the 83 to valdor at the forestal for the night. 289 miles. Was thinking of dropping down the 309 to villa Marie in the morning. If anyone knows the conditions that way please chime in. Otherwise west then north towards la sarre. So far no shortage of snow anywhere we have been. Till tomorrow! Would post more pics but painfully slow

hi terry !!! entered a curve waaay too fast ...machine started to lean on the same side and window '' rubbed '' the trail and cracked !!! ahhaa seriously ....a bit more than 2 miles west of ste marguerite...after crossing road for windmill...trail in the ditch ....there s a new clearcut about 800' after crossing road....right on the corner of new clearcut...there s a pile of birch ( bunch )....and its very narrow...between pile and road...machine is 10 ' wide...trail there about 10' 4'' for 50'... so ,just before the pile , i put the '' bull '' in angle to make sure if i touch the pile with the '' bull '' it ll be only a little ''kiss '' and won t need to stop ...while grooming .. so , as soon as arrived next to pile...took a very quick look at the road to see where i was on the snow bank .....then boom...then bing bang !!! happened very fast ....2 '' maybe...i guess there was a log under the snow between the track and the pile....hit the log ....one side of the log went under the fender...made a bit hole....time to realize and put the brakes...i guess track brought the log way higher while turning and bang in the window !!! if you look at my night pics i took earlier this week...you can see one of the piles in front of the groomer...the one i hit was behind the groomer !!! fixed it in ste florence ... like we say here....when you don t work ...you don t break anything !!!! grey sky all day ....maybe a bit over 0 c around noon ...-3c right now !!! jean-guy