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Day 3 February 5 After a great night at Lac Faillon, not in a super hurry this AM. We leave when we feel like it, no issues pounding out the miles and no reason to leave early. Had no real plan today other than get Kwiknick a new shield for his helmet. 3-4” new snow not the 15-20cm predicted, that’s ok. 83 west has tracks from the group from Royaun Noranda headed out ahead of us. Glad I am behind these guys and not headed east. They are using all the trail, well middle and left. Right side clean no tracks. Scary. Trail is great from Lac Faillon. Just before warming hut on 83 we see the groomer headed west. Too bad all his work was torn to hell by the gang ahead of us. Stop at warming hut and we will probably arrive in Seneterre around noon. Decide that it’s gas and go at Seneterre on to Val d’or. 83 leaving Seneterre is dreamy. We see another groomer headed east but all 83 here is Freshly groomed and fast. Wow. This is what I think of when I think Abitibi. Nice ride to Louvincourt and again not far from Louvincourt another groomer headed east. Down to Val d’or. I stop at Forestel while the team heads for ski doo dealer. I get 2 rooms and all the keys and stuff, then go to Beric Sport. I find NHmoose waiting there. Turns out the Arctic Cat dealer has the shield for Kwiknick as they sell that brand helmet. Snohorse and Kwiknick have gone to gather it up. All back together now as he has his new shield. We head out and take the tour de ville. Then it’s time to bonus ride to rack up the miles. 83 west to Malarctic, junk junk junk all the way from Val d’or, not happy. Gas in Malarctic. 83 west better here but not great. Up to Rivere Heva and then Local orange to Lamotte. No tracks on this we ride on. Nice run across to the 309. This trail has been groomed and is beautiful really fast. We are putting first tracks on this groomed trail. 20km from Val d’or I notice the trail is roughed up, very strange, I back it down a bit. Good choice. 2 very large moose together on trail just ahead. I scared them as much as they did me.. one jumps right off into the deep snow on left and gone. The other goes about 40 yards then does the same move. Perfect as, i got to be moving on. Dark now and ice need jack. Did I mention it’s pretty cold out here? more so now that it’s dark. 309 down and in front of me now a fox running up middle of trail. This guy i slow to a crawl he is just running on ahead. We move ahead and he finds a place to bail off trail. Skinny fox here, no chicken wing diet for this one. 309 to 83 back to local orange to gas and then back to Forestel. Good day, hoping to see more grooming activity on I Motoneige tomorrow morning or we are out of here. Probably Matagami tomorrow night but no set route yet. 240 miles. Until next time.

Day 2- Freezing rain snow mix Monday night left us with a freezing mist this AM. Cleaned the sleds off and leave about 8:45 heading towards Clova. Trail not groomed last night but still pretty good, the freezing mist is giving all 5 of us problems having to scrape the shields every 30 seconds or so including the 3 Oxygen helmets. Closer to Clova the mist stops we stop there for an early lunch then head to Lake Fallion. Trail is being groomed ahead of us and 1/2 way to Balbuzard we come up behind him. Even after we pass trail not bad just some loose snow on top. Balbuzard is for sure closed there is a cable across the end of the driveway with Ferme signs on. We get to Lake Fallion and gas up. The gas pump broke before our last guy could fill up. They gave him a 3 gallon can and we left for Senneterre. They have plenty of gas at Fallion just a broken pump hopefully it’s fixed by now. Get to Senneterre at 6:00 stay at Senabi for the night.

The monkey is hereby named George. I worry if other monkeys find out George is brought inside each night, other monkeys left tied to sleds may rebel. A monkey uprising,.

A Monkey Found Is A Friendship Found: (Or, Are Monkey's Good Luck?) Early morning snow/sleet/freezing rain. A late start with flurries stated for the afternoon. Through the tunnels heading west, onto Trail #5 and east to loop down to the Explorers Club House for Coffee. Dark and cloudy. Finally onto #5 heading east and come across a monkey in the trail. Just laying there, cold and lifeless. He looks very familiar. Last night a group of 4 Quebec sleds parked on one side of my sled by my room, and two sleds on the other side. All sleds were loaded with monkeys. My new monkey friend was one of these attached furry creatures, his color was very recognizable. His master had left in the freezing rain, the monkey had enough and bailed. I set him beside the trail hoping to put his thumb out so he could catch a lift. Hmmm, no thumb, will a foot work? I started to drive off but stopped. Couldn't do it. Monkeys on sleds are supposed to give luck. I am no longer sure. I start my engine, my new friend hanging on. Instantly starts a hard freezing rain. I come to Trail 561, ahh, this takes me to the Shell station on the tunnel bypass, SnowCrazed and I did this two weeks ago. It was poorly marked with a few intersections, thank goodness for his GPS. I obviously take a wrong turn and slip into deep wilderness for the next 25 miles. I have never been on this section before, it is a wonderful trail but seems to have no reason to exist. My shield is coated with thick ice. Slow going as my shield is up, I am peering over my iced glasses and slouched just looking above the windshield. Finally an intersection.I am back on Trail 5 and only a dozen miles to RDL. A sign at the intersection says I went through Chemin du Lac. Six miles to RDL and the weather turns to snow. Maybe the monkey does bring me luck. I finally get my glasses and shield ice free, I can see again. Two minutes later I am in white out conditions now going slower than ever. If anyone knows of a Quebec sledder who lost a monkey, let me know. And yes SnowCrazed, I did take pictures.

ice does suck

I see Richard the owner of Auberge Mekinac has posted on HCS that it looks like he will be back open in the future. Been 7 years since he closed. He said right now he has a 2 Bdr cottage available now next to the Auberge. Always loved launching from there, great location at the end of the river. Richard always took care of you with secure parking, sending your truck with a driver for sled retrieval no matter where. Great host, looking forward to the return of the Mekinac!

Today was frigid but mostly clear skies. Through the tunnels, onto the bypass trails and made my way to Trail #5. Club Hiboux for coffee and then dropped down to #35 and headed east. All trails are hard, flat and smooth, up to an inch of snow had fallen in most places after yesterday's freezing rain. I had a good appetite and was looking forward to a return trip to Rockford Resto and Bar. Back around to #5 and a few miles back up the bypass trail. Special today: lasagne with a small salad, french fries, soup, and apple pie with ice cream. Please add a cup of coffee. Arrived at 1:00 and place is quite busy. The lasagne was spectacular, the apple pie better than most homemade. The bill, $10.60. Two days ago the hot chicken dinner was $8.00. I wonder how far from the hotel by truck this place is, would make a nice place to have dinner at night that doesn't break the budget. Back to #5 east and onto 561 to repeat yesterdays ride. About 25 miles across before it comes back out to #5 again, probably doesn't save any time or miles, but a quiet, little used piece of heaven that is smooth, a nice mix of fields, power lines and lots of miles of nice woods. Saw a couple dozen deer. Trail is poorly marked, some intersections not marked. Believe I just kept bearing right. Lots of traffic on #5 going west this morning, all other trails pretty quiet. Met one groomer out doing his job, another stuck mired in a ditch. Also saw part of birds or feathers hanging from a small tree along a trail. Tribal or trapping?

I took my eyes off George for just a minute. Not too grateful for saving his life.

You know this thread is now going to have to show pics of your little buddy on all your adventures this trip! Maybe in the hot tub later?🐵

Left LeCabanon Monday morning took lake Toro to Canadaventure then 33 to Repos gassed up and on to Kanawata for an early lunch. Headed up 345 to 83 then West to Parent for the night. Stayed at L’ Ombré Vent. All trails in great shape low traffic.

Interesting, hope it happens. Love Richard great guy. The Auberge could use some love, but great strategic spot.

we have 2 2 strokes here, only carry 2 quarts for the 2 sleds and just buy at gas stops. all gas stations we stopped at on trip last year had skidoo oil. at Relais 22 it was like $12 ca for 1 quart and I did not think that was to bad a a price. locally at home its around that for a quart also.

I wonder how they can put out a meal for $10 Canadian. No two way traffic in that tunnel. Jack & Sandi

What kind of oil and where you headed? They have Ski Doo oil at the gas station in Parent just happened to see it don’t really look for that stuff anymore

Mike if that is the same bottle of wine, it hasn't gone down much. Maybe that is the second bottle? Hmm! This is going to be called "Stuff the monkey"? You don't want to discourage riders from stopping at the Universal now being leery of having to handle George. I see you also have a picture of the cheerleaders. Were they at the pool today? Is George entertaining the cheerleaders or looking at the laptop? Jack & Sandi

Heading to Mont Laurier 2/15 to start a 5 day saddle bag ride.Hoping we don't run into any monkey business up there.Gaf

Well the color is right! Might have to take a better look?

He has the gorgeous eyes, a turned up nose and an attractive smile. You can't bail on him Mike. He would be heart broken. Does he smell like he wears perfume? Be careful where you sniff, George may get the wrong idea of your friendship. He looks very happy in his new home and guarding the wine. I think he will be an asset on those days that you don't have anyone to ride with. What do you say at the border when you bring him into the U.S.? If you are asked "Did you make any purchases?" You can say no. But if they ask "Did you acquire anything in Canada?" You would have to declare George. Ah! Flashes of the illegal dog biscuit episode. I think you have found a ridding buddy. Jack & Sandi

People have an unclear idea of what the FCMQ is. It is not some sort of large and powerful agency with unlimited resources with the 250 odd Québec clubs at it's beck and call. It is merely a coordinating body whose employees, including it's Director-General, are under the direction of the Administrative Council. This council is comprised of the elected representatives of each of the 13 administrative regions, as well as the Federation President. Those representatives are elected by the member clubs in each region, and are subject to term limits. FCMQ presidents are elected from the ranks of those regional representatives, and are chosen by the administrative council through an electoral process. Only the permanent staff are salaried employees. The Administrative Council, including the President, are all volunteers. To sum up, the FCMQ does not tell the clubs what to do. It coordinates, advises and liaises with the Provincial governments. It is the clubs that tell the FCMQ what to do based on regional and provincial discussions, and not the other way around. Most times, when folks say the FCMQ should do this and that, they are unclear on what it's proper function is, and how it operates. As for off-trail trespassers, the clubs themselves are acutely aware of the issues, and do their best to hinder these entitled, disrespectful jerks. However, as is the case with most volunteer endeavours, resources are scarce, and it's a sad commentary when those resources must be directed into installing thousands of metres of snow fence rather than towards more productive activities such as signing, brushing, bridge building, etc. Right of ways are negotiated by individual clubs, and club directors are the first to know when there is a problem. We were fortunate, in our club, to have had this problem diminish somewhat. I even had a landowner, with a mix of arable land and wooded areas, congratulate me on the good behaviour of our riders during the previous season. This, after years of problems with "free riders" on his property. I do not know to what we can attribute this change but, hey, we'll take what we can get! Most other area clubs have not been so lucky.

Got to LeCabanon Saturday night. Rode Sunday as a warm up for our Western Quebec trip. Took 345 down to Koubec then continued to 23 to Grand Mere up the river to Mattawin for a late lunch then the 360 to 345 back to LeCabanon great trails low low traffic and excellent trails.

Carman, i’ll keep an eye out, but for me I have not burned 2-stroke oil since buying the Ace in 2015. Snohorse and Kwik Nick carry their trips worth in a stacked jerry cans, 1 for gas, 1 for Amsoil for the 850’s. No doubt you can find it, but prepare to pay through the nose for trail oil, the one time i had to buy some Doo oil or a belt up here years ago, i had sticker shock and carried my own spares. Not to mention the taxes. My 600 SDI’s always had a rack i could carry 3 jugs if necessary, usually 2 gallons, plus a coiple quarts got me through a weeks riding. I dont miss those days a bit, but i can see the allure of the power/weight ratio for some.

Respectfully your talking about two different issues. Staying off lands your not supposed to be on and also tearing up the trails. If you think your ever going to tell all the locals north in Quebec what track lug or length he can use to get around up there it won’t go. It’s not paddle tracks tearing up the trails and I see more shorter tracks going off trail as long tracks just look for the holes where they were stuck. It’s like guns. It’s not the gun causing the problem it’s the guy holding it!!!! I don’t feel you can blame a class of sleds just the drivers!!

You know what they say Mike.......monkey see, monkey doo

Yes on the bad luck, Eddie. Rain, sleet, blinding snow, lost! I may wait for the right sled to show up at RDL and dump him in their glove box. When you coming out this way? lol

Check out the web site for the Carnival as it has full schedule of events etc. Maybe try to be there while it's dark as everything is lit up really cool . let us know how you made out. Have Fun !

Hot tub might be a little weird. I need to give this monkey thing some thought. Monkey is probably filled with drugs, he is a drug courier.

Good to know!! Timbo

As for the Cash, this year I opened a TD Bank account in the US and then use the TD Bank ATMs in Quebec to pull it as Canadian. Great Exchange, No ATM Fees, No Foreign Transaction Fees. GutZ

Breakfast wings for the fox. I’m jealous we were not here for wing night. Kwik Nick free Freeriding in the fluff Iceman tagging a sign at the spot Kwik Nick tool the wrong trail, we had plenty of time there. Cool antique military truck rolled in and out of the gas station while we were there

Day 2 February 4 Great stay as usual ot Windigo, better hosts than Martine and Dan you will not find. Full house as a gang of 14 arrived albeit around 8pm but they made it. Not sure what was up but was a group of tourists from France and 2 guides. One guide they said was the boss had his arm in a sling. Surely he didn’t ride one handed all day? I didn’t ask. Superbowl was anything but super, who cares. Sleepy gang woke up at 7am, had breakfast and checked out the fox having the chicken bones, very cool. Locked and loaded and off at 8:30am. The driveway to Windigo is way to much fun. Backtracked the necessary trail to hit the 83 west. Beautiful is an understatement to Wemotachi. Caught up to another group who left Windigo 30 minutes before us halfway to Wemo. Gas at Wemo and off to the next run on 83 west. Wow! is all I can say. Ripped it to Parent at the Gas Bar in Parent at 11:15. Good time ... this was about to change. This trip starting yesterday I have been giving Kwiknick a chance to lead. All of yesterday afternoon and all morning to date no problems. He rides like the wind but is all the way right like his old man trimming the bush on the right. Every intersection and stop he has been looking for me to give him a head nod or point the next direction. Well up until we arrived at Jct TQ13 and TQ83. I pull up after leaving Parent and he is not there. I am disappointed, he just failed his training. Inspection of ski prints yields not much to go on, my gut tells me he went down TQ 13. We stop and wait 15 minutes then 20. Oh boy. We decide he went on 83 we go 20km and another sled headed east stops us to ask if we have seen 2 of his group 6 left Parent now they are 4. We have seen no one. We ask if he has seen the blue Freeride, NHmoose even provides a photo of the wanted subject. Big No. Obviously he went down 13 with the other 2 missing. Well we spin around. Now I am fuming mad, this kid knows better. Back to Jct 13 on the way we find the other 2 missing from the other group. I tell them their buddy is 12 km that way waiting. We ask did you see this blue Freeride? Yes headed down 13. Just great. Arrive at Jct 13-83. Now question is did he come back and go back to Parent? Or is he still headed south on the 13. Like i said before this kid knows better but obviously that is out the window. Funtime is over, this is not how we roll...spending time looking for runaways. Team got no time for nonsense. We decide he is still headed south and hopefully will be at Fer a Cheval. Off we go on a beautiful TQ13 no wonder he kept going and going. Well we get as far as the bridge there not far from 83 and here he comes back across. I let his old man lay into him as it’s not my place and I really think he now understands what he did wrong. One... did not stop at intersection (he claimed was notan intersection but he don’t know) Two....he continues over 50km before thinking about us behind him. (He was sure was only one trail and claims did not want to waste gas coming back) this youngster got plenty to learn. All back together and now it’s 1:30pm. Well lets get to Clova. We burn it to Clova, Kwiknick has had his wings clipped, I am back in front and he is in the rocking chair with Snohorse behind followed by NHmoose he won’t get away Again. Into Clova at 3:05pm gas and a soda small break. Trail has been awesome. All good. 3:30 departure for Lac Faillon, Hammer Down now this section is good but with just recently being opened has not been groomed as much and you can tell. Right side is soft wants to suck you right over into the bush. Some big ruts and just not as fine tuned but like I said has not been groomed that many times like the rest of 83 has been. Just before Balbazard is a open water hole. Across the whole trail. Very dangerous not marked at all. More dangerous headed west as you arrive at speed. Headed east its just after a turn so you would see it better before. Trust me...bad spot. Just after Balbazard it starts freezing rain heavy. Instant frozen shields we are stopped cold. Never seen it that bad...go a bit then need a bare hand (glove from handwarmer on bar won’t do it.) remove ice go a bit and repeat 30 minutes like that. It was shaping up to bea long ride to Faillon. After 30 minutes then it changed to ice pellets. All good. Hammered it out and arrived at Lac Faillon at 5:50pm. Good time. Full house. Bunch of off trail guys staying doing day trips, and one gang from Ontario with yet another group of Quebeckers from Royaun Noranda we met earlier were missing their 2 riders. Happy to get inside. Had a great chat with Patrick the new owner here since November. Super nice guy. Good dinner and happy to be here finally. Snowing like crazy now. 525km 326miles with the bonus miles searching for Kwiknick. Until next time. No plan for tomorrow as to where. West yes.

This weekend, a small ride to see the ice sculptures of St-Côme in Lanaudière. We then had continue north to St-Zénon and returned a little further east on #23 trail. Here is the trail path we did. Saturday morning -17C with snow, difficult conditions for the photo/video but I wanted to do this report at the beginning of the festival to give you a chance to go if you pass in the area. Here while starting the ride near home I chose to ride the #43 trail that we use less often because more twisty but the scenery is beautiful. Here at the intersection with the club hut at St-Ambroise de Kildare Here just north of St-Alphonse de Rodriguez rer view with our friend Snowcruiser that was riding with us There is a lot of snow this year throughout the territory but particularly in the north as we can see ... Here arriving by the west side of the village. We can see the big slide made of blocks of ice We parked the snowmobiles to walk a little in the village and admire the sculptures. The festival just started and the carvers are at realizing their works. Some are completed ... And others still work in progress The photos don't do them just under this dark sky but this is a real size scene of the Flintstones with Fred and Arthur in their car, Delima standing behind and Dino looking out by the window of the house! This one is fine art work with alot details, surely even more beautiful with the sun or the colored lights at night ... Another great scene very impressive here, always real size imagine the talent required for carving the wagon wheels Here a beautiful piece, one of my favorite And here a beautiful windmill well surrounded you can admire at the entrance of the village I did not show you half of what is there, to see everything you will have to go for a ride! This good walk having opened our appetite so we stopped to eat at the Marguerite restaurant also located at the entrance of the village After a good meal we continued our way up to the north via #43 trail We then took the local trail and joined #33 trail continuing north. Here with the small stream and waterfall along the trail. Notice how snow-laden trees are We had ride up to the next junction and took the local trail to reach #63 trail and then went down to La Glacière. From there we took the #350 to join the #23 south. Trail was bumpy by there and for a good reason, we saw the dozer down on the side of the trail We took a break at Real Masse, a lot of sledders there ... When we came out to continue the sky was starting to clear out and we saw our first sun rays of the day We continued south. The quality of the trail was significantly improved by entering the territory maintained by the St-Gabriel de Brandon snowmobile club and it's on mint trails that we went for a short break at the St-Gabriel belvedere. Back then through St-Norbert, rather rought in the fields because alot new snow drifts but i won't complain about new snow! We finally got home around 5:30 pm with 173miles on the dreammeter For the St-Côme in Ice 2019 festival, it is until February 17 and maybe a bit longer just to see the sculptures then so if you are in the area stop to see that, I have not shown half of what is there and if the festival itself interests you all the details are here: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/ It was a beautiful winter day as we dream in summer! The snow conditions are exceptionally good everywhere this year so go out to enjoy it, the great of the season is happening now! Have a good safe ride !!! Alain

Pictures!!!! I have taught you well! Wish I was there. Alicia and I had a great weekend in VT though. We even took my buddies new 900 Turbo Grand Touring for 20 mile loop.

Are the Best ! A Big shout out to Stephan and his crew at Le Pub Hotel and Resto in Riviere - Rouge right on trail 63 next to gas station. I left my phone in the restaurant at lunch on our last day. By the time I realized the phone was missing the sleds were in trailer and we were racing home to beat a storm. No time to go back by sled or truck. I called that night and the girl said it was there, call back tomorrow. A couple of my guys were Way more concerned about me getting my phone back than I was. The wife called while we were driving home the next day and spoke to Stephan the owner. Stephan would not take a prepaid Fedex or money. Well needless to say I have My phone and a shitty pair of readers to boot ! The postage was $46.00 CA to send the phone ! I have a nice note and a little something for Stephan going tomorrow. Gotta Love our friends in The Great White North ! Dave L , "Pipemaster "

Here a must-see if you are in Lanaudière area from now to the 17th february 2019 (and maybe a bit longer): the ice sculpture festival from St-Côme I did this small video yesterday, sorry for the snow in my lens in some sequences, conditions were not the best for filming but i'm pretty sure you will enjoy the results anyway Alain

There are some awesome people in Quebec. Had a helmet situation on a bag trip on the Gaspe. At the time I was using a LS2 modular which wasn’t very popular. Stopped at the clubhouse in chandler to get something to eat and rig my helmet.Got to talking to a woman behind the bar, next thing I know she says to me your ride is here and come with me.I hop in a waiting truck, end up at the Skidoo dealer in chandler on a Sunday!!!! The owner opens the dealership up and says helmets are over there and buy what you like with a discount and furthermore will send my old helmet to my house in Pa without charging me shipping. All on a SUNDAY!!!!!!! snowmobilers take care of snowmobilers no matter what the situation is. PERIOD!!!!!!!

Both my friend and I left our back packs in Clova a few years back, and realized it in Parent a 6 pm. We called back to Clova and after they were able to identify us by our licenses inside our packs they sent a rider to Parent, on the trail to deliver them to us, the guys name was Bob Morton, he was headed our way, in the dark and was from Ontario. He had our passports, a few thousand in US dollars, our truck keys, wallets, credit cards, etc. He would not take any money from us so we paid for his room and food in Parent without his knowledge. A week later he sent me a thank you card, he was thanking us...amazing, try that in most place today and see what happens, I have always said that some of the nicest folks I have ever met have been on the trail in Canada, second to none!!