Jackstraw

Can't see the pics, Groomer!

Groomer, As I sit here in Florida now after driving 20 hours with my wife, daughter and her friend and 2 dogs I still wish I was where you are! Seeing the pics of the trails still in that kind of shape makes me want to saddle up and ride.It's been a great 4 days down here so far sunny and in the mid 80's every day. We'll be headed back on Sat. Have a great summer and we will be back next March for sure, Hopefully twice!

Happy Birthday Jean Guy, to many more!

Fuel isn't an issue cause your usually in towns, La Cache had fuel also. No issues with water either, tq5 is closed between perce and Gaspe. Due to a bridge out I beleive. Rdl to Cross Point is good, I would headup the 595 to La cache then the local to Murdochville, that was great. There is a lot more snow in the interior and North Shore. You'll be amazed how good the conditions are. It's been fairly cold up there since we got back, so you will be fine. The clubs we talked to said they would continue grooming also. Enjoy!

Phil, I still don't understand why you didn't go around the tree!

Well 5 of us started out from RDL on Tues. the 21st. We left RDL towards Point-a-la-Croix, conditions where a little hardpacked but smooth with enough lube for sliders,stopped at groomers clubhouse and talked with him awhile, then off to crosspoint for the night. Wed. morning we headed to Murdochville via the TQ5 to 595 to La Cache for lunch then the local trail to Murdochville for the night, trails are all great midwinter conditions. Thur. we headed down the 597 to the local trail towards Gaspe' to the TQ5 along the North shore, lots of fresh powder in the Mts. 10+ inchs even the plowed section near Grand Valee was fine,you could also hop on top of the snow banks. Stayed at a B&B in Madeline for the night. Fri, we headed to Matane with a few side diversions to play in the powder and take some pics. At this point at about 950 miles we probably passed a dozen sleds. Sat back to RDL throgh Squatec, lots of sleds out trails still table top smooth all the way back for a total of 1180 miles in 5 days. I must say the 5 of us Me,my buddy Eric, Phil1, and our two internet buddies BobbyNJ,and Snowracer, had met for the 1st time and instantly bonded for an incredible 5 day journy around the Gaspe'. The conditions where outstanding, daylight till 7:30pm, combined with cold temps at night, and high 20's during the day led to the best conditions of my 3 trips to QC this year. If I didn't have to go to Fla. in 2 weeks I would be back. If any one has the time head up, you won't be dissapointed.

I think people are nuts if they don't head up for a late season ride. We just got back from the gaspe', 1200 miles of the best conditions we saw all winter. Plus it's light out till 7:30. I'd be back up in 2 weeks if I didn't have to go to Fla. A couple of the clubs we talked to said they where going to continue grooming till it melts due to the late start this season.

Jean Guy, It' Friday and we are in Matane now, it was great meeting you again, we have 950 miles now on the trip and all I can say is WOW 10'' of snow in the mountains last night the conditions have ben outstanding for the time of year, looks like midwinter. We have 225miles back to the truck tomorrow. I can't beleive we only passed a dozen sleds the whole week. Talk to ya soon

Jean guy, s of us are leaving RDL this morning, we are headed to Cross point, will be by the club house sometime in the afternoon. We had truck issues on the way up.

If you can find a partner I don't have a problem with you coming along, we plan on being at the Universl Hotel in RDL on Monday by 3pm. We are more than likly throwing the bags on the sleda and riding to Rimouski for the night about 100 miles.

Winter storm warning for the Gaspe for tonight and Friday, sunny and below freezing day temps for next week!!!!!

We have also skipped across it in the spring, I don't think it's even that deep?

Groomer, Do you mean closed just on mon-wed and open thur-sun ? With a little luck, and if the forecast is good 4 of us will be headed to RDL on Monday headed your way depending on weather. Not sure if we are going to go clockwise or counter clockwise. Would like to stop and say hello at the clubhouse. let me know if you hear any trail reports towards RDL.

Hi Groomer, Grooming, computer and couch, that sounds like great training for a marathon! lol. We hope to make it to the Gaspe on the 21st of March for the week hope the weather holds. Keep up the good work, and stay on the trail Eh!

Lotsa sled traffic and tons of new snow on sat = rough trail. It was rough from Repos all the way to Mattawin and Auberge mekinack

Don't worry about it guys, we just got back from a 900+ mile trip in 41/2 days, left from Auberge Mekinack just North of Shawinigan, trails where great got about a foot of snow that week,snowed all day Saturday, changed to light rain Sat evening and then woke up to six inchs of fresh snow, and it snowed hard all the way to Lake George on the drive home.

That's why I do the gaspe in march, I,ve been there 3 times now, have done it clockwise and counterclockwise, through the interior and have never hit a ripple! February is the most crowded month, will be there this year end of March again.

I don't think the bar closes at the central! We left a buddy there a few years ago when he blew the motor, he said the bar was open 24hrs.

I know its a 100 miles by trail to Rimouski from RDL and I beleive about 200 to Matane. Take the time off if you can if youv'e never done the Gaspe before your in for a real treat!

We start From Riviere DuLoup at the Universal when we do the Gaspe, secure gated parking area for trucks.

It looks from the weather reports that you may be busy this weekend Groomer. Lets hope so, most of Quebec is showing rain or freezing rain except for the Gaspe'. We are headed up March 1st, we where going to do the Gaspe mid march, but maybe we'll head there earlier. Phil1 is going to be with us for his first Gaspe trip.

You may want to keep an eye on the weather, warm up at the end of the week with alot of areas calling for rain on Friday, just a heads up.

WQe stayed at the Nordic in Chibougamau, garage for sleds and across the street from the ballet. There should be fuel at a lumber mill from Chib. to St. Felician.

We rode out of thetford a week ago, I'm done with that area, although the conditions where good I couldn't take all the stop signs, road crossings and plowed sections of road. It gets much better the farther East you get from the bigger cities. I normally ride North of the river, except for the Gaspe which we do in late march.

I know he had a website, not sure if it's up and running. His # is 418-365-0831