Jackstraw

Yep,
Very little snow end of March!🙂

Yikes, did I say March? I meant Feb. Rarely much snow on the ground end of March in the Gaspie! 😉

Yikes, did I say March? I meant Feb. Rarely much snow on the ground end of March in the Gaspie! 😉

Hey, don’t be giving that advice. February is awesome. 
 
March will be the new February tabernac. 

IMG_3580.MP4    

Some far from the garage is an understatement! I think they put the sledders as far away as possible. Don’t think I’ve ever walked that far with baggage at a hotel!😂

Some far from the garage is an understatement! I think they put the sledders as far away as possible. Don’t think I’ve ever walked that far with baggage at a hotel!😂

And the sheep will start wearing the masks! LOL!

And the sheep will start wearing the masks! LOL!

And the sheep will start wearing the masks! LOL!

And the sheep will start wearing the masks! LOL!

I think the cabooses have a better suspension!😂

Did anyone else see the satellite imagery?
kinda strange how all the fires erupted at the same time all over QC.  Planned arson!

You have to truly understand what’s going on. Let’s just say it started with this in 2016

Had a new shortblock installed at the dealer in Chandler on my MachZ. Less then 24hrs and the block came from Amqui on a bus over night! Under warranty. $40 for the bus

Haven't been to Quebec since before the Plandemonium.  Been hoping to organize some long weekend hops 2up with the ladies jumping off from Jackman but it hasn't materialized yet.  This video has a weird section where the skidooers seemingly terrorize the townsfolk but it is quite entertaining.  Gotta be playing in a Skidoo museum somewhere.

leave it at RDL instead

I don’t post offen usually for help planning trips.  I have been reading Quebec Rider forever and riding Quebec longer,  since 1987 to be exact,  and it’s hard to think of a trail or area I haven’t rode.  This years final trip was to do the complete figure 8 of the Gaspe,  which I have done many times.  The weather was warm but overall conditions were good,  a little snow starve around Carleton.  For this trip my grandson, Hunter was able to go over college break with over crew,  which at my age this was very special to me.  My riding crew, Dennis, Chuck and Tommy all have known Hunter before and we had a great time.  Chucks sled 900 turbo ski doo started acting up 30 miles before our stay at the Caribou hotel, but he was able to limp in with.  So this is where the other special part of this trip gets me to post.  At the Caribou we meet several Quebec rider members I have read over the years.  First we met Linda sled girl and her husband Joel and have a visit and she sends a pic to our old friend Saguenay Bill who I haven’t seen now in a few years.  Onto the restaurant after settling in and we met Iceman and NH Moose and Snohorse.  These guys were very friendly and most helpful with our sled problem.  Turns out to be exactly what NH moose though it might be,  the sock filter in the fuel pump.  Great visit with Ice and crew at dinner and breakfast then off to BRP dealer in Gaspe.  Great service here folks, took Chucks sled right in and had the fuel tank off and pump out within 45 minutes replacing a nasty looking fuel sock and very dirty in line fuel filter as well.  Probably got some bad fuel somewhere.  Price was reasonable and the folks at EM ski doo Gaspe were top shelf.  Then onto Murdochville for the night, but not before meeting Iceman and crew again on the trail,  another meeting with them the next day on local 150 north of New Richmond.   I have always had great responses to questions I have asked on Quebec rider in the past as I plan my next adventure,  but I must say it was special finally meeting some of the folks that have helped me on the site in the past.   Just when you think you have rode every trail along comes Icemans private trail the 150 which was perfect and that brings me and our crew to the end of another season.  To all have a great summer and stay healthy and safe,  Fred

16 March Thursday 
 
 
Had a fine stay at Motel Fraser. Another home run. Great breakfast and dinner was awesome last night. 
 
First thing this morning we had a meeting of the minds to look at this grooming report. We had decided that we needed to see a fair amount of Purple headed west on TQ5 from here in Chandler to make that route the winner. We got it. West it shall be. All in favor say I. The I’s have it 3-0. 
 
Feeder trail out of Fraser not groomed. But ok. Hard to say but about 3-5” new snow here. The amounts varied greatly according to what altitude In general less new snow fell the further west you moved on south shore. By the time into New Richmond they had almost no new snow there. 
 
TQ5 fresh groom. No tracks going east. White ribbon. We are going west. Counting 4 tracks here, left from Fraser ahead of us while we ate breakfast. We idle up and roll west. Trail holding up nice considering temperature is not real cold the heavy wet snow has packed down nicely. This machine operator is an artist and been doing this a while for sure. Ripping trail. We arrive at a bridge not far from Chandler and the 4 sleds are stopped taking pictures. Say “cheese” we roll on by. Its our white ribbon now. The white asphalt is a great payoff. This is great. We are rolling. No looking back. 
 
At Paspebiac we loose the ribbon. We are all solidly confused as it showed full purple 2/3 or more to New Richmond this morning. WTF? Its beat up here. We are spoiled I am the first to admit it. I know you need ride some bad to find good trails sometimes but screw that I got no time for bumpy shit. 
 
As usual it’s me doing the complaining  sucks and if this is it we go 60 miles still to go of it. We are discussing turning around and decide to go up further to find a spot to turn back and there it is white ribbon untouched again coming up from my left trail goes right and its groomed untouched white ribbon. It’s back, We figured it out. The groomer made a left into town where I lost the ribbon he groomed through town exiting other side where we found the ribbon. I almost gave up on it. 
Ran me out of gas again as I didn’t stop as advised by NHmoose. I blew past his suggested stop the ribbon was too nice to leave it. 97 miles out. This time i got my spare full and make it to New Richmond.
Sweet run to New Richmond got gas before the 595. The up 595 to our honey hole here the 150 local. Beautiful did i say it was beautiful? Freshly groomed trail. Nice alternative to 595 through pin rouge. Won’t be surprised if this is 595 next year. Or soon after. Remember you heard it here first.
 
We cross paths again with Fred’s gang on the 150, I told them to try this trail they would not regret it and we meet them on it. Timing is everything. We say a quick hello then its off to join 595. We fly low into La Cache 595 is a go. Go fast. 
 
Left Chandler 9:30 at La Cache 2:03 pumping gas. Inside we visit with Little Feather and James. Percy had his tonsils out and is recovering well. Had lunch and talked about the future. 
 
Saying work WILL be completed by next winter season. Building to be added onto. Addition will result in 80 seat restaurant with BAR and new kitchen facilities, i said i hear this for at least two years now but they swear construction will be done. 
 
2:40 we say goodbye for now. We go to come back. We take off across the sentier chic choc. She is beat up and we pay the price for our fabulous day so far. This operator just doesn’t get how it’s done. 
We skio Murdochville gas and run 597 which is in good shape to TQ5. The TQ5 is great also. Gas in Mont Louis and a last night with Julie and Patrick here at Le delice in MSP. 
 
Had awesome meal starting with surprise appetizer of fried Poutine (fritter with cheese,bacon french fries) damn good. For us to share made specifically for us by Patrick. Had the smoked duck last time, (i know you remember that playhard)
Some smoked wings
Then House Ribs another item not on menu made for us. 
Finish with homemade brownies with vanilla ice cream with cocoa powder sprinkled on it. Yes please. 
 
 
 

2 blocks on the mach Z not including the original in 16,000 miles

March 15 Wednesday 
 
Gotta love spring snow in the Gaspe. Woke to maybe 2 inches at motel. Had breakfast said bye to Fred and his crew headed for Gaspe. Never saw Linda before we left. Headed west on TQ5 more snow higher up and sticky stuff too. Constantly wiping visor with glove. PITA. Cest la vie today. Good practice as i have not gone red stick hunting yet this season. Yup. I still can do it. Well mostly anyway. A good way down the trail we are following trail along plowed road. I thought trail jumped off road but we were headed for bonus miles up a windmill access trail. Well no harm no foul. Got out and quickly got re oriented, all good. Some tricky spots with wind and blowing snow. I have seen much worse. But was still fun. We gas in Madeline Center I think its called. Then continue to Murdoch trail. Beautiful run up to Murdoch. Less new snow as we came west on north shore but still some new everywhere we went today. More snow as we climb into Murdoch. Took time after gassing to stop to see Jacque at Copper. I really do not want to get into anything regarding the post made but I will. I understand not being satisfied and not getting service as you feel you should as paying customers. But he is truly having a hard time with staff. And the comments about him and competition and he should sell are out of line. Ok you had a bad experience. You shared your experience. To warn others. Great. It’s over now. 
Don’t like it there? Fine go stay at chic chac or rent air bnb. Jacque has always been there to support all snowmobilers and i have never had a bad experience. He does a real lot behind the scenes there for the Club in Murdoch and this all goes unheard of. 
Thats that. Moving on.
 
Further we go down 597 it gets deeper this new snow. Patches of freezing rain now mixed with snow. At hut by local to Gaspe. Is Fred and his Team. We talk a few minutes then bail south 597. Gotta be 8-10” here heavy wet snow. Sucking gas trying to blow open this trail on the right, one has gone south it seems but everyone else headed north. We reach TQ5 but already on thr low fuel light. Ran it out at less than 80 miles. Go for my extra gas, very unlike me, I never filled it this year. Been riding with it empty. NHmoose gives me life. We cruise into Chandler. Rough near here. 
Gas up and decide to go get spare belt for NHmoose at skidoo.
 
Find our way to dealer and John is looking for a 571 belt which will also perform well with any Ski-Doo model using 417300531.
 
We get him his new belt and off to Hotel Fraser. 
 
Another great day.

Here is the ride we did on sunday March 12th

it's one of my classics ride but I admit that this season with the St-Maurice river closed and the detour in the Mauricie wildlife reserve on the #360 it added some body work to an already big day ride.
We left at 8:30 towards St-Zénon. The trails near my home were just groomed but very hard in the morning, scratcher mandatory!

There is still a lot of snow even in the south of the area. I had put on the roller skis to do 2 shorts side of the road sections but no mud to start the day. Here in the maple grove in St-Norbert

For the rest, no roadside or marginal section to go north. Here's a guy who holds his right to cross!!!

Beautiful trails going up to St-Zenon.

We fuel up at the Cabanon before continuing towards the Taureau dam on perfect grooming


We went through the dam. The reservoir level is already very low.

And started the #360 to the east. It was not freshly groomed but still nice and fast

Riding the #360 in these conditions on a blue bird day like this is near the peak of snowmobiling happiness!!!


We took a first real break at stop #440, our usual spot

The 2 picnic tables... there's still snow there!

The 2nd part of #360 to Mattawin had been groomed overnight and was perfect

The beautiful Mattawin River

We finally arrived for dinner at Marineau at 1:30 p.m. with 245 km on the meter. The lunch rush hour was already passed but despite this superb day and conditions there are already fewer sledders on the trail.

We took a good lunch break (still so well received by Marie-Josée at Marineau) refueled and continued on the #360 which was perfectly groomed

Past the #355 junction, the #360 to the south had not been groomed recently and was less good. Near St-Joseph de Mékinac village on a plowed road section the groomer will really have to built us a little sidewalk on the side of the snow bank soon, there is way enough snow for the groomer to do that.

To the south of the village there is another short short plowed road section and then it becomes quite nice

On the #23 to the south the rivière des envies is holding up and was solid but this one is always to be watched at spring 
It's not the snow that is missing there!

The St-Maurice was still solid, no slush

We then took back #3, a little bumpy but still going fast. There is a short section of plowed road in the power lines which would also require a small sidewalk to not play in the mud!
Otherwise it was riding fine

We crossed the St-Maurice at the Gabelle and it was still very good

We fueled up one last time and took a little break in St-Étienne before continuing on #3 trail. A little bumpy at first in the woods but nice and fast in the fields.

The whole rest of the trip was nice with a good snow cover

We finally got home around 7:45 p.m. with 475 km on the meter, very satisfied with our ride but haven't took long to fall asleep that night!
Despite the impressive snow cover, the season is already well advanced. Some outfitters in the north, such as Repos and Kanawata have announced that they will close after this next weekend which is quite usual for them. Some others continue to operate until the trails close...
There is still great snowmobiling to do, it's often the best conditions of the year so enjoy these last weeks of sledding
Alain

I know to feather the throttle on long runs. It was spitting oil out the exhaust the prior 2 days. Oil slick in the snow. Was hoping to make it back to RDL that way. HaHa still did with a new block! 3 motors in 16,000 miles all under warranty!

I know to feather the throttle on long runs. It was spitting oil out the exhaust the prior 2 days. Oil slick in the snow. Was hoping to make it back to RDL that way. HaHa still did with a new block! 3 motors in 16,000 miles all under warranty!