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We are back from our ride and back from supper. Sandi had a Greek style pizza with artichokes, black olives, red peppers, feta cheese and I have no idea what else was on it. I got to try a little piece because she couldn't finish. It was good! I would have never ordered it but I might now. So this morning, where do you want to ride? It is Jan 1st and not every place is open. I ask at the front desk if they could call Auberge des Battures. Other QR people have had great things to say and we have never stopped there. The receptionist makes the call and yes they are open for lunch, yes the trail is open but not great and lunch is only a big brunch buffet. Usually we have something light at lunch so I pass on the Auberge. We will have to hit it some other day. Could you call Relais des Lacs please. She calls and yes they are open but for breakfast only. They are closing at 12:30 today. OK make a reservation for us please. Back to our room and plan a route so we end up at Relais des Lacs by 12:00, our reservation time. There are four of us today. Michelle and Chris from Mass are joining us. We have to cross the two bridges and then how about a big loop on 367. OK sounds good. On the sleds and our normal route from the Sag on 83 to 367 and cross the two bridges. A little rough as expected. On the north side though, 367 is pretty good. Thru St Ambroise and 93 has been groomed. Up thru the potato fields and Sandi is beating feet. A little fluff on the nice smooth trail is just what we need. We pass the junction with 328 to Begin and then the next junction where 328 goes toward St David. This is just fine. A little further up by the cabins on the lac there is some logging activity. Nothing today being New Year's Day but a lot of wood has been cut. The snowmobile trail winds back and forth crossing the new logging road. I hope that logging road becomes the trail next season. It is wide and gentle. Oh one can only hope. The logging stops just before the junction with 482 to Onatchiway. 367 is now on the original trail all the way to Relais Mont Vilain. There is one section just before the local trail to Lamarche that is not groomed. A few miles of bumps here. There is a swampy section that the groomer can't pass yet. After that it is fine to Relais Mont Vilain. We knew they were going to be closed from when we stopped here the other day. Sandi drops down on the river and off she goes. Not groomed of course but no bumps. A couple of miles later and Sandi gets on the connector that brings us from the river back to 367. This is still good and what a nice ride this is. Running along the blueberry fields, wide and flat with just gentle turns. We get on 553 and Sandi gets us to Relais des Lacs at 11:45. As they say up here, Perfect! Only one other sled but a pretty big group of at least twenty that must be locals. They drove here. We order a light breakfast and sit back. We chat about how nice the trails are and no one is out riding. We have only seen a couple of other sleds today but that is how Jan 1st is, quiet. Back on the sleds and u-turn. 553 to 328. Watch out for the drifting here in the fields Sandi. Oops! I didn't realize you were stopping. I'm off in the poof and with a little body English, back on the trail. A stop at L'Acension for gas. Easy stop right on the trail. Sandi continues down 328 and turns left on 93. I know this is going to have bad spots but lets go. The new detour at Alma for 93 to get around the road work that was going on last season. Some thin spots in the fields and hills and then on the other side of the hill is all the snow that has drifted. After St Nazaire 93, which was bad, is now fine. The groomer made a pass last night and turned the ugly into the pretty good. Thru St Ambroise and back on 367. We cross the two bridges and pull into the Sag. Home once again. Another day on the trails is done. As usual, some good and some bad but it is still riding. It is starting to look like winter. Jack & Sandi

Don't wanna randomly hijack just any thread with this, so first: Wishing a Happy Healthy Groomed New Year to all! So now... How perfect is this wubbie I got from a favorite niece?!... For those times when the Mrs. is having those "power-surges" (aka: hot-flashes) and somehow the room temp's been dropped to sub-polar!... And for those times when she'll swear she told me stuff, and swear I was looking her straight in the eye at the time of the alleged telling!...

You will from now on be called the Ambassador. forget snowmaster he is no more. it is QR Ambassador of Indigenous Affaires Done. All in favor?

From the Club. Here is the surfacing schedule for the 2020 season for the 516 km of trail in our territory. Surfacing is always done in the evening. From Friday morning the southern part of La Tuque will be officially open for the season and the northern part Saturday morning. Surfacing begins in the evening of January 2. Have a good season everyone and be CAREFUL especially at the start of the season there may be some snow missing. Club Motoneige La Tuque surfacer schedule.

They were shooting the pics for the new calendar spread and the oil-boy called in sick?!?

Yep, Prefer to hang out with my 3 pups more so then ever!

I have a couple bonus pics and trip summary report coming after dinner tonight. Here...at home south of Rochester I have to take advantage of the 50F day by getting the truck and sled back in launch condition. Then I have to get the boat out of storage. Thinking about going out on the lake.

Season opener yesterday afternoon, decided last minute to give the North a try. IMotoneige showed trails were groomed starting from St. Gabriel de Brandon so off we went with the intentions to go to Cabanon and return. Buddy and I had a mixed bag day, beat up shit right out of the gate moguls after moguls so I give her some shit 30 k later my wrists are boiling and the windshield had popped and lost 2 grommets. Didn’t think it was that rough. Found some nice wide fluffy trails then we got stirred around. Leaving Koubec heading north to catch the trail heading east we see what looks like but not groomed just beat’n down with sled tracks. So we give it a go then another fork again just beat’n pathes and before ya know it after a few forks we’re on google earth google maps and imotoneige, oh did I mention I left my gps at home!!!! Buddy had his but only skidoo trail map in it. So we cross referenced on a few occasions ran some roads to reconnect some trails then 15 k outside of St. Gabriel at 6 pm in darkness we lost it all together and gave in to the road, did the Roadrunner thing. Despite all the adventures we managed to log in 150 k for the afternoon and all though the Extreme doesn’t handle like a sports car like the 137 Sidewinder in the twisties it’s more of a muscle car when the trail widens up.

Coming from a fellow Irishman that knew a few Italians over the years.... Head down to the Central in St Michels des Saints on Thursday night. Might be some local talent putting on a show

The older I get the more I realize I hate people....... holy crap I am turning into my Dad 😂

Stayed at Hotel BSP many times, and agree with the above from Don and Mark nice Hotel nice rooms restaurant good and right inside but they don’t really cater to the snowmobilers. Last time or 2 we were there they didn’t sell passes and we needed some and they were no help in finding where we could get them. The last time we were there they wanted me to leave the keys for my truck because they were calling for a big storm. I always disable my truck and chain things up so I wasn’t going for that. They kept insisting so I said ok but they had to sign a paper they were 100% responsible for it...... They said park it over there and keep your keys 😂😂

We have stayed in the past. We mostly stopped when they started charging more and more for parking and they wanted you to leave your truck keys with them. The location is nice and the trails were always good right from the lot.

Good luck with them guys!! Have a rope?? Lol Will look for the post Tonite..

Hey guys, just got back from the LaCabanon 26/31. Actually left while the 6 + inches of snow was going on. You’ll have no problems leaving sleds in the corral, Dennis does a nice job having a night watchman walking the trailer pen throughout the night keeping an eye on any suspicious activity. Be careful out on the trails because underneath all the new snow there are icy turns with some rocks but believe me it’s not as bad as the INTERNET says it is. Signage is not 100% with a lot of reroutes north of dam.Was able to ride 910 miles while up there. Who ever is considering going up, just go and have fun.

You’ll have to excuse me now......I have to go get gas and say “auvior” i have a date with a girl named “Trail” and she said she wants her ass spanked one more time as hard as I can

Jeepers, and i thought i had trouble relaxing for a moment! Whats after the boat ride? Split a cord a wood and reroof the house ! LOL!

We've stayed there couple of times the past 3 years. Would recommend. Very nice, and within walking distance of several restaurants.

Love the new sled JG. Best of luck with her. Is still too early to ride down south yet. Barely enough near St Zenon./St Michael, Yes is open but good and bad. Still need more snow. Surely I am ready to ride but it’s all about the quality of trail. Just not up to my standards yet anywhere near home home. Not going to beat my brains out or my sled just to go “riding” North near Repos and further up Kanawata Parent etc. is a different story. From La Tuque north also. Decent for January 2. Still early.

The camp. One of about 10-12 spread out over a couple square kilometer area.

Thanks for getting back so quick, Don and Mark. was trying to stay in that area on our trip, and Hotel Saint-Baie-Paul was my first look at places in that area, did not want go down to the Casino. Going to give Motel des Cascades a try. thanks again

Motel des Cascades is right next to gas station which is just next to Hotel Baie St Paul. Stayed there many times too. More basic rooms than the Hotel but perfectly fine. No restaurant. You need to go to restaurant at Hotel BSP. Quick walk not far. http://eng.moteldescascades.com/

Thanks for posting that info Will now have 2 options for the return trip back to st Raymond Happy New year ED

FYI.. in the morning always sit in the section by the bar entrance or in front of the register. That’s Frank’s section, he’ll have you guys in an out quick. They have a couple of new young waitresses that are really slow. when going to Mattiwan, once you run threw a parking area for trailers and stop at the stop sign, the trail goes into the woods across the road.That section was a whooped goat path. You could run the road until you can make a left into the red open gate which puts you back on the trail and avoids that particular section of trail. Maybe that section of trail will be different by the time you run it but man was it Brutal. Just a heads up. Also if your going to Repo from the 33 north side, they have you running multiple lakes as of now which will give you the opportunity to really unleash those turbos.👍

Never had a bad dinner at MOTEL AU VIEUX MOULIN À SCIE down the street.

90% sure staying at Cabanon too. I ride 2020 Red 900T too. Food is pretty good there but be patient service is sometimes very slow. Saturday night all you can eat beef deal real good. Real Masse very good as advised above. Easy 1st day ride would be to go to Mattawin. Gas and great lunch there. Head back same route or hit M20 on way back to add a few miles. 75 miles each way.

Back to Matagami with Kenny eating the Moose they got last trip and washing it down with the Budweiser. That’s my guess. Or since you did not make it to Lebel, you found more new friends and ended up in Waswanipi for a New Years extravaganza.

Obviously you can retire from the day to day workforce but apparently the detective is still working!! LOL

Two hints from Snowmaster: Moose and Budweiser On page #1 Snowmaster showed a pic of himself at the store in Desmairville holding a pack of Bud . He saw the Cree's cooking moose meat in Mistissini. And, he usually posts each day from Mistissini about 2 pm each day after his lunch. He says this yet announced epic adventure developed at 2 pm (his lunch time in Mistissini). It must have been a night of revelry from someone he previously met in Mistissini the past few days: The young police officer, the Auberge owner, the cook at the Community center, Adele from Adle's Restaurant, The Boondocker, The camp owners shoveling the roof. So he like's Adele's Restaurant a lot. He is there eating lunch and which of the above suspects would be most apt to stop at Adele's at that hour. Of course, duh? The police officer. After his shift, the officer and SnowMaster partied it up at the Community Center, drinking Bud and eating moose. Too late to ride home, the next morning, off duty, the officer gives him and his sled a ride back to Chapais.

We need Larry to show this gent what time it is!...

I'm on my way home right now. The " most epic" thing that happened to me on this trip and (where I spent new yeas Eve) came out of the blue at 2 pm yesterday. You guys really aren't gonna believe this one but I have pics for proof. I will do full and final report tomorrow. Coming into Manawaki now. Yesterday I pushed about 7~8 inches of fresh virgin cream cheese fro chapais into Desmairsville. Tabernak what a run.

"Munson always looking for the best eats. I never worry about getting a good meal riding with him. " That's the difference between being Italian and being Irish!

Food is very good. I never heard of a sled getting stolen from their corral. They close/lock it at night, I don’t recall the time, 10 or 11. They open it at 7. I wouldn’t leave your sleds in the trailer out in the truck trailer compound. Although they watch it, it would not be hard for someone to walk in, unload it and ride it out. Load up the morning that you leave, not the night before.

https://youtu.be/UpqknwKbvDE

So Sandi, with the fresh snow and some wind this afternoon, where to? Maybe stay out of big fields as much as possible. This morning might not be too windy. Lets go to Mt Apica. We haven't been there yet. Six inches of snow and here we go. On the sleds and 83 east it is. A few sleds have been out ahead of us so Sandi has something to follow. Ah, nice fresh snow. A little track spin here and there. We turn right on to 368. This was groomed yesterday so it is smooth underneath. Quite a bit of snow dust behind Sandi. The past couple of days there hasn't been any snow dust. Maybe dust dust and rocks would have been more like it. We are out of the fields now and into the woods. Nice riding here. We pass the 383 junction and start climbing. We get to auto route 175 and not much traffic. The road is in good shape. We cross and continue on. Some logging going on in here. Not disturbing the trail much. We get onto the section of 368 that is on the old road and it is beautiful. The trees hanging over and covered with snow. So pretty. We have only seen a couple of sleds so far. Nobody else out I guess. We get to the junction with 23. Sandi looks around and notices something is missing. What's missing Sandi? The warming hut is still there. Looks like it has new metal siding. Sandi looks at me and says "No porta potty!" Oops. I guess guys don't notice that but the ladies would. So attention all ladies, the porta potty is gone. You must plan accordingly. Alright, Sandi turns left and heads to Apica. It will be a good lunch stop. 23 isn't quite as nice as 368 which was flawless. 23 is good but a little chop in the corners. More traffic on 23 of course. A quick ride and we arrive at Mt Apica. Only five sleds outside and the guys are with the sleds chatting in French. We park and Sandi looks in. It is dark in there. She goes up to the door and it is locked! What does that paper sign on the door say Sandi? Dec 31, Jan 1 and Jan 2 CLOSED. Open Jan 3. Very important folks. I know a lot of riders depend on this stop for fuel to get to the Lac. No one is here. No food. No fuel. So for everyone that can't make Hebertville, make sure you tank up at L'Etape. U-turn it is and back up 23. I've got a gas caddy with me but we will have plenty of gas in the sleds. After we pass the 368 cut off, 23 gets better. A lot of traffic from the previous days takes 368 so this section of 23 stays in better shape. We get to Presbytere and drop down on the lake. At the end of the lake is the steep climb up to the road. There isn't a snow bridge yet and it is a bad spot because you pop up in the road. Have to be very careful of auto traffic. I look around and see a sled track about a few hundred feet before where we are and it is going to the edge of the lake. Lets go over there and check it out. A much gentler climb up the bank, a slight turn to the right and we are on the side of the road. Nice. We run the edge of the road back to the trail and off we go. We pull into the Petro station and top off. We still had plenty of fuel even though my low fuel light had come on. Lets continue on 23 north and then circle back on 383. Well we notice that the snow is thinner here. We aren't that far from Chicoutimi as the crow flies but there is only two inches of fresh here and this part of 23 hasn't seen a groomer this year. Going from a really nice 23 to a single sled wide path stinks. I know 383 is only about 5 miles up so keep going. A few stakes in some of the fields but some fields have none. Just following tracks. The fields are wind blown and bumpy. You see the harrow marks from the farmers still. It will be over soon. Finally we get to 383. This has a little more snow and maybe has seen a groomer awhile ago. Keep on trucking. We get to the Relais Grenouille (bad spelling) and this is busy. From here on it is 83. This was groomed but it is still rough. We were on it yesterday and a groomer did make a pass but it just gets so much traffic and there isn't a lot of snow to work with. Passable but we got spoiled with how nice 368 and 23 were before Hebertville. You got to take the good with the bad. We push our way thru and wave to the Delta as we go by. We will be there in February. Only another 10 miles Sandi. Chin up. We top off the sleds at the Ultramar just before the Sag. One more mile on the spur and we are in for the night. It was a very good ride until Hebertville and then it went downhill from there. We didn't see too many sleds today but there must have been a lot of traffic on 83 to beat it down like that. I don't expect and groomers to be out tonight and probably not until tomorrow night. We will have to plan accordingly for tomorrow. Happy New Year to everyone. Ride safe and look forward to another great season. Thanks for being with us. Jack & Sandi

So the big star attraction of this event wa supposed to be some type of tower up top.And I have to say it was,a pretty darn neat thing. What you cant see in the pics is they had music playing in synchronized with the lights all over the tower. They had lights beaming into the trees that made them all sparkle different colors and a nice big bonfire where people were hanging out. You could actually walk up to the top inside this beautiful structure

I bought this from Nancy at the store in Desmairsville this afternoon and only had two left by the time I hit the Chapais Clubhouse

Thsts That's all good presumable stuff Mike but I said I was leaving chapais yesterday morning for the truck 225 miles south at Auberge Trimblmont. I had to pass by and stop in Desmairsville which I did. I would then had to travel thru Lebel-Sur-Quevillion and Sennetere. Next hint......I never made it to Lebel-Sur