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With the new snow fallen during this last week, we went for another last ride with our friend Luc yesterday, April 13, 2019 in Lanaudière On this exceptionally snowy season the trails of northern Lanaudière were still surprisingly good, here on #23 trail south of Cabanon The temperature was very mild since a few days, no freezing during the night so we got very soft trail. Here passing at Cabanon in the morning We left in dam direction. The whole reservoir loop had been groomed during the week! The conditions were nice for an April 13th but very good from the dam trail junction(on the # 345) and for all the reservoir loop up to St-Michel des Saints It's not visible on the pictures but it was so windy there that I had hard time to stay still the time of the pic, I almost went with the wind! The #360 around the reservoir was candy to ride, just superb. We did very good tempo on this stretch... The reservoir is always impressive to see once emptied ... I read from a buddy that the emptied reservoir shortcut was still ok on Friday, so with the good visibility we had, we tested our luck despite the wet conditions It was not for the fearful ones, alot of surface water on the ice. It looks worse than it realy was because even if there was water, we ride on ice already leaning on the bottom of the reservoir on more than 90% of the way but the rivers(yes there are rivers in there) where worrisome. I would suggest every body to go around by the trail, I personally would not do it again this season! Luc learned the risks associated by following us too closely ... he arrived on the shore a little wet! We arrived for lunch at the Central in St-Michel around 12:15 After a good lunch and a great talk with Luc we headed south on #63. The strong sunshine combined with good winds at 10C made the trails tender and juicy ! Without surprises, we found some dirt spots near St-Michel village on the larges south-facing hills But a little further it was still very snowy Back in the Cabanon courtyard, we could see how much it had melted compared to the morning pic We switched into the Mastigouche Reserve on trail #345 to loop back. As I expected beautiful conditions, very snowy ,almost no traffic and not a single bump Among the best conditions of the day. We also saw some fresh moose tracks on the trail. A nice spring ride for us at its best! We stopped a few minutes at Koubec (which was closed) And we came back on #350 trail which was also in very good condition In sum a beautiful spring ride of 170miles for the three of us. With the reservoir loop groomed during the week, it was definitely a record in the area to ride recently groomed trails on a April 13th. A big thank you to the clubs involved! It could close our season with 4830 miles on the venture dreameter...unless Kristine twist my arm for another last one somewhere !!! Alain

You are welcome actionjack! with the forecast ahead for the easter weekend, I really think it'was the last one this season. I just watch the video I took on this ride and I have some insanely good footage in there!!! I will certainely have something to post before the next one ride! It was a perfect spring ride on a blue jay day, can't ask for better! It's two season in a row that I do some late april riding, was on the 21 last year! I tried to change Kristine's camera this season with deceiving results, we finally came back to the small sony 4,1MP from 2005 that do 3 to 6000 pics/seasons since we bought it and haven't completely failed yet. I will need to do better shopping for her for the next season... The Venture end up at 20577 miles which let me just a correct gap for riding it an other season. I usually keep my sleds 25000 miles/40000kms which we were doing in 5 seasons on past sleds but will be in 6 on this one... we are getting old!

hahahhaha bonsoir jackstraw !!! wrong answer...you should have said....a month or so ......still christmas up the hills !!! won t start working before third week of may ...and won t cut the grass at my camp for the first time before first or second weekend of june...normally , second one.. so , no stress yet !!! just back from a short walk ...took a few pics !!! railroad....when i was younger....was my '' black trail '' to go to the hotel......... jean-guy

hi gutz and gowser !!! just back from '' school bus '' taking a few pics !!! trail is soft a bit but in great conditions....sunshine day ...but can feel cold air if i can say that !!! just to let you know...ahahha this afternoon , i shoveled the snow in the yard of my neighbor and rode my 4w in the snow banks in front of my house !!! enjoy your in trip in the monts valin gowser !!! jean-guy

Hi Alain, Looks like you had a great ride, on a beautiful spring day. I was pleasantly amazed to see a ride report this far into April. Great pictures by Kris. How many miles do you have on the Venture now? Have a great summer !!! Hank

Thanks for the report Alain. Looking forward to next season's first.