Leaderboard

Wow, beautiful day, great trails. Left Mt Joli heading south on 5 and 587. Stopped by the Redemption look out tower to see the mummies, but it was too overcast to see much, observation tower is plastered with ice, we have no in interest in climbing. So much show in this interior region!! Lots of cool looking drifts creeping across the trails. Stopped at Groomers clubhouse for a smoked meat sandwich, waitress asked if we were the group from New Richmond, she was to call JG to summon him for a visit. We said we know JG, but had no arrangements. Great food, friendly service, and we were off to the south coast on 5. Was sweet, fast, and we made good time. Later, on the orange bypass above PLX, we saw a rotopax gas can in the trail, just past a huge drift, looks like someone slammed the drift and didn’t realize they dropped the can. I put it off to the side of the trail so no one would run it over. Hope they came back for it, looked expensive ;<) adjacent/above a road, we passed a couple sleds with NH stickers, should have stopped to say high, but we were all rolling. Maybe the group from New Richmond? Gas in Nouvelle, and settled in to Baie Blue in Carleton. Pub is closed this week for renovations, ate at the upstairs in the main dining room. Tomorrow we’re off to LaCache, Murdochville, and then up to the north shore. No telling what the Chic Chic mountains will bring, and we want to see the sled museum at a Copper, Steve likes to have a lunch, so we have short, medium, and stretch goal destinations in mind. Murdochville, Mt St Pierre, St Anne Du Monts. The only thin spots were on the south shore, south facing hills were slushy, the one long driveway is down to the mud...see picture....it’s going to go fast soon, but this week is awesome!! Saw a groomer that missed a turn and was stuck in a drift, must have walked out last night. Marty rides so fast he rode an inner idler wheel down to its hub. At Carleton, we rode out by the docks and the lighthouse. A lot of moving sea ice near the shoreline. Marty preferred to have cocktails in his room, so he missued out on the best part of the trips scenery so far. We all have our priorities I guess.

Day 1 Left Le Cabanon and up 345 to Repos for gas. 345 was great. Past Pourvoirie Kanawata it was freshly groomed to 83. 83 was freshly groomed also. Wemotaci for gas. then to Pourvoirie Windigo for the night. Had a great time at Windigo and would stay there again. 238 miles. Repos Kanawata 345/83 intersection. 83 Windigo Day 2 . left Windigo and trail 83 was freshly groomed. Stopped at Relais 22. Then to Rober val. only had 115 miles on figured we would ride some where for lunch. headed north. Stopped at Club De Motoneige Relais Des Buttes club house. headed back to roberval on new trail that goes down to 83. Stayed at hotel chateau roberval. 200 miles total for the day. 83 Day 3 Left Roberval and went down 355 to 360. stopped in lac edouard for lunch. 360 on top of park was great. then down 345 to 23 and back to Cabanon. 278 miles for the day. 705 miles total for the tip.

Map of the trip. one thing I am known for is posting food pics.

Rode out of RDL this chilly 7F morning. Brad, Mark and me from NH, Marty and Steve from NY. Headed southwest on 5 and 35 through Pohenegamook, gas in Cabano, gas in Lac Des Aigles (not a recommended gas stop, lots of pavement to gas), then 35 towards Mont Joli. TQ’s were definitely best groomed, perfectly flat and very great Indy car action. Fields were a bit drifts, but not bad. A few sections of orange trails like 544 and 571 were not whooped, but could use a grooming. Clear and sunny for most of the day, ending in cloudy windy and blowing snow. Very windy here at Gaspesiana, wind howling from the St Lawrence, we all had excellent seafood, their specialty. Very light traffic today, by 11am we passed 1sled, was a police sled but did not stop us. I didn’t even notice it said police on the hood, and saw no radar ;<) Then a small tour or family group making a souvenir video south of Cabano, and only a few others by the end of the day. Could count them all on 10 fingers ;<) Tried to find a sailboat for Brads summer enjoyment, but nothing in his size in the dry dock. As reported by others, plenty of snow and they are grooming daily. We saw several groomers out today. Off to the south shore tomorrow, maybe Baie Blue. Not many pictures today, too busy riding, besides it’s hard to beat Mikerider and Towings pics ;<)

That is what I doo when ICEMAN is at point !!

Thanks Mid Range Hopefully I can get the crew going early and we can circle up around Chevel and 100 Lacs so won't need the short cut. If your near Rabaska Thursday- Sat night stop in and I will buy you a drink

There’s only one original. Many may follow, but only one could be first. #worldwide

Last ride of the season: Was only appropriate the ACE hit the 15,000 mile mark on the Mikerider bypass. That would sound more impressive in Kilometers! Sled goes just like it came off the showroom floor. Saw a black cat for several seconds in a field today before he disappeared into the woods. Looked 25 to 30 pounds, no idea what it was. And, best of all, the mice story did not get me kicked off QR, thanks for all the positive feedback on the story. mike

Statrted in Maniwaki they had new snow trails were loose but nice coverage. Left at 2 pulled in to Mekoos before dark, relaxed morning up to Parent great trails lots of snow grooming up to par. 83 to Relais 22 was fast hard and fun, tonight at Relais 22. I would say mid winter conditions.

Thanks Jack, and the 900 ACE gets 5 more horsepower next year. Might be biting on the rear bumper of those 850's. lol Have a great summer. mike

Capes, helmet covers, must be a Flintstone and Rubble Water Buffalo meeting.

Capes are essential after unloading your sled for your ceremonial Braaaap around the parking lot, very common in upstate NY. Generally worn by parking lot superstars with loud pipes before Braaaping off down the trail!

Or a cape.... Or wants a large animal fur shawl and helmet cover....hmmmmm GutZ

I understand playhard. I can't get anymore extended weekend's so it's more only choice. And actually last Saturday trails were fairly good. I'm just looking forward to another ride.

I believe they take their vacation time now before the fisherman come this spring.

Plenty of snow , not enough Sledders late in the season by the sounds

hi nh-moose !!! waitress was confused....i was waiting for friends from buffalo area during the afternoon ... she gave me the paper...i was at the clubhouse around 4 pm looking at your pics ....it has been windy everywhere.... -20c and sunny here !! jean-guy

That's funny....

Hi Mike, thanks for sharing your adventures, I've loved riding along with you sat here at home. Have a great summer in the canoe and a safe trip home, all the best.

No question 8 inches of runner is a lot of bite, especially when you are use to 4 inches, and it really steers fast like a Ferrari on white concrete, and 73 just south of relay 22 is very narrow and very twisty, I can clearly see how this happened, the perfect storm, at the wrong place, when the trail was hard and the sled was really biting in, probably a very big surprise to him how well it was hooked up and how hard it was to steer, all at once, hopefully no one is hurt and a great learning experience.Just a tough way to learn about carbide, I can see it all happening, a reasonably warm spell and then his first ride on 8 inches on a very technical trail with hard pack. Keep smiling, you can fix the sled!!

Yes conditions change dramatically so I am assuming the speed limits are on the conservative side taking that into account. 3-4 weeks ago I punched it coming out of a down hill corner, been over that trail hundreds of times and twice that week. I saw a rock poking out of the snow at the last minute and decided I would rather hit it with my ski than my track. Nothing new here so far but it turns out the rock must have been dislodged by the last groomer pass and not stuck or frozen in the base. It rolled up out of its hole, sent me across the trail and flipped the sled on it’s side. The friggin rock was round and the size of a basket ball. We cleared the rock off the trail and rode to a safer stopping place to inspect the damage. Nothing not a scratch except to my ego. That was cured later by several evening beverages.

Little thing that happened to one of my boys this past weekend. I'm sure this has happened to others. Just south of Relay 22 very cold morning. Going around a right turn and all hell broke lose. Now being as cold as it was we were not going fast . As the trail was rock hard i think his new carbide runner caught a ski track from the night or day before and draged him across the trail straight in to a small but solid pine tree. When I got there 30 seconds later he was dragging himself out of the woods. Insurance adjuster coming tomorrow. What I am getting at is, we discussed that the trail was hard and old tracks were making steering a little hawkish. He wasn't going fast and he said he was around the corner and it just shot to the left and braking didn't help. He has rode thousands of miles and said he never experienced anything like that. Only thing else was his dealer sold him new carbides and suggested a 8 inch runner instead of the 4 or 6 inch that he was use to. As everyone can relate to things happen so quick in our great sport. Main thing is he was not hurt and we got back to the truck safe and sound. So I guess his experience has opened my eyes on just how thing on the trail can happen so quickly. Be safe all.

Another slow morning, hit 93 stud groomed and nice and fast, not 43 MPH 🤪, to 83 also nice went to Val Dor for fuel and lunch. Hit 309 as none of us had ever ridden it, more turns than any other trail over here on the west side. Could use a groom, we stopped at Rapid 7 they were closed, BJ said that trail would be perfect if it were groomed well we got off the dam and viola the trail was perfect just groomed. Ran it to 63 that was also just groomed making first tracks a lot of the way. Got to 303 sud to Villa Marie for the night.

Here in Roberval right off the trail. http://chateau-roberval.qc.ca/en or St Felicien http://hoteldujardin.com/en or definitely not the same level of luxury but right off trail near Chicoutimi right on the RT 175 http://www.hotelmontvalin.com/welcome.php or in Chicoutimi not as much pavement as Delta or La Saguenee closest to trail. http://chicoutimicomfortinn.com/en-gb

my buddy went up that way this past weekend and said was great. He stopped in at 100 lacs for drink as well, all good

Tell the cop the scarf was flapping at 120, you were only doing 70. mike

you can go around the mitchinamecus reservoir or you can cross it. It is marked. We went by the area a few times this winter. You wil get to a jct where the dam is, to the left you go around and to the right(where the dam is) you go upon the reservoir. You gonna end up at the same place

Probably the most interesting or telling comment on this thread is, especially after it snows, the trail is almost always single track, RIGHT DOWN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAIL!! It usually takes a half day for it to widen out, and yes , the smooth stuff is always on the right. Be safe, do not ride over your head, and respect on coming traffic, and respect sleds that you are passing, meaning don't trade side panel paint with them or leave them in blinding snow dust.If we observe these simple courtesies I think things are pretty good out on the trail. When you see cops in town, I wonder how many residents have called them because some one is riding thru too fast, go easy in town when fueling and eating, give way to pedestrians, it will go a long way, we are all representing our sport!!

Phil, how did you know? That is what I do for work so I can go snowmobiling. I paint parking lots and have to wait until the paint is dry before I open up the lot to traffic. Jack & Sandi

I close my eyes in tight corners!! LOL GutZ

The season is over for my boys and me. David flew in from North Carolina on Thursday to Watertown and nephew Mike and I picked him up at the airport with the trailer loaded and truck fueled up. First question was are we going back to home before we leave. Answer was nope don't have time. We have reservations at the Drakkar. Best part is my other boy Christopher and his group of three were meeting us there a little later. Friday morning comes and off we go. Big group of seven but all have riden in Quebec and are all good riders. We leave the hotel and head for Roberville. Rt. 3 to a local trail to the river. Good place to get the boys to get the kinks out. Up 360 to 355 and on to La Tugue for lunch. Next we have to decide do go 355 or 73 to 83. Farther 73 to 83 so it's 355. Problem is more places to stop on 355. Same amount of time to get there I believed. Long day but we made it. Next David, Mike and I decide we are heading north because we can stay an extra day. The other group headed south to Quebec city . It was great to spend time with all of the boys especially my boys as they live so far apart. Saturday David, Mike and I head for chibougamua. Bad spelling. Trails were good but mostly great. Hard fast and smooth. 198 miles and we were at the Nortic hotel. Great day with the boys who take very good care of the old man. Sunday up and heading back south going to Relay 22 and maybe farther. Now the temperature is 13 below as in our scale. Had to stop and put on an other shirt and a hoody under the Helmet. Fingers got cold and never thought they would get warm. Not a lot of sleds were out there with us. I think below the sawmill we did meet Phil and his group but I'm sure they wanted to get where they were going like us. At La Dore got gas and headed for Relay 22. Local trail little rough to 83 but that's part of the adventure. Got to Relay 22 and had to make the decision to stay or go. I had one beer and decided this was the place for me. The boys did agree and we were in bed by 9. Up early this morning and off to the truck. Trails were hard and smooth and a nice ride back. 175 miles and at the truck at about 3. Total of about 900 miles for 4 days. Hit the road and home at 8 30 tonite. All and all we road 2300 miles, mostly in Quebec with no big issues and no one got hurt. I am very lucky to have 3 very great people I get to ride with as in David, Mike and Jimmy who take care of me and make sure I have a great time. They are all 25 years younger of me. So everyone have a good summer and hopefully we all get to tell of our adventures again next year. Be safe everyone.

Hey Don, Belinda and I are coming up Friday morning and I was wondering if you think the trails will hold up to the warmth of Thursday and Friday? I know the parking lots and roads will be dry, but with the cold you have been having I'm assuming plenty of snow for the groomers to work with and the rivers are all still good. She needs a little get away weekend after these past few weeks so it would be good to end on a good note. Thanks.

43 MPH is like watching paint dry just shoot me. I would rather knit.

https://quik.gopro.com/v/lPH8EsYkl0/ A few weeks ago the team (doorite , markusvt , Dave , Todd & Richard . made a run to Revelstoke BC to play in the steep and deep for 3 days . What a time we had ! ! Knowing its not Quebec trails here but thought we'd share a little of our trip.

The parking lot at the classic restaurant still has coverage

Indeed phil...it's getting thin or literally bare in town. The sun is doing is job during the day. It was my last weekend leaving from home in maniwaki. Too much pavement. But hey!!!! when you hit the trail it's another world. Plenty of snow in the bush. Great weekend of riding in the upper gatineau and upper laurentians with sun wall to wall and cold mornings. Great trails.

Powder turn ... 101

Left Auberge Drakkar in Shawinigan up to Auberge Eva for one night in Lac Bouchette up and around and down to Club Odanak for one night north of Latuque and back down to Roqmount for one night in St. Raymond and back across to Drakkar. All trails were dynamite with the usual bumpy sections leading up to rivers / water crossings and thin snow in and around urban areas. We broke trail coming down 73 on Friday with up to a foot on new snow. Two thumbs up to Reggie at Drakkar, clean large rooms, secure parking, good breaky, and very accommodating. Auberge Eva also 2 thumbs up with large clean new rooms and delicious food and cold beer on site and Roqmount also very good and convenient with clean rooms, secure sled parking and good food and cold beer on site.