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Quick update to this 4 day trip. Launched from Fontbrune (Baskatong res area) and took the scenic way to 100 lacs. From there to Balbuzard (was renamed ball-buster by the time we left). Good times there. From there to Senneterre to buy some more belts but the dealer closed 15 minutes before we got there. Damn. Off to La Verendyre for the night. 83 was perfect, 386 desperately needs a groomer and 63 to Le Domaine could use one too. Problems with the club we were told, been two weeks since its been groomed. After Le Domaine it was perfect all the way to FontBrune. Saw 4 sleds (2 Doos, 2 Poos) from NY at the intersection of 83 and 13 near Parent but they took off before I could say anything. No problems other than belt issues. My 800 blew a belt with 400 miles on it. (previous belt lasted 1500 miles). Buddies 850 blew 2 belts this trip. One with 700 miles on it (which cleanly blew out the bottom of his belly pan at 100mph) the other belt with 400 miles on it. Other buddy's 1200 blew his belt with 700 miles on it. I'm guessing its directly related to the throttle position. The 800 and 850 consistently got 10mpg, the 1200 got 11mpg, the 900 ACE pulling up the rear got 17-18mpg. My 800 ran out of gas at exactly 101 miles (we all carried extra). Nearly out of spare belts we took it easy the rest of the way (tried to anyway). Plenty of snow everywhere we went.

Was on that trail yesterday too. It was a nice trail and very little traffic.

Nope. We got to Beaupre on the 18th, rode to L'Etape on the 19th, and then to 4 Points Sheraton on the 20th. We were the only idiots out riding in the rain on the 20th.

Thanks. She's a trooper. Had dark days in the beginning but she eventually pulled through. Good thing snowmobiles are inherently all hand controls. A hook-up for electric socks and she's good to go. I see your from Enfield, CT. I've spent a lot of time there for work recently. Heading there again next week. We did a town-wide energy project there. You've' probably seen all those LED street lights that everyone hates. :)

Wasn't expecting this. Dropped them a quick thank you note and they put it in their news letter. Thought that was pretty cool.

Our first stop is 100 lacs so we are looping the other way. I guess we will start from Fontbrune or Rabaska.

Damn Ok thanks. Will probably have to drive further North to start our loop then. The app shows that TQ13 was recently groomed to Maniwaki but maybe it was just returning home.

How's it looking around Maniwaki?

I just came back from Beaupre today. The trails will survive. Rode TQ3 yesterday from Quebec City to Beaupre and it was bumped up but had good snow. Freezing rain the whole way. Never got above freezing until this morning. Trail 369 up to L Etape was mint yesterday with tons of snow. The trails will bounce back quickly.

Just be glad they know what the super bowl is at Gouin. About 10 years ago at the Coronet we asked them to put the super bowl on and they said “what is that”? So we watched hockey... good times.

Ok good. I took the picture mid- March last year. Was a bit annoyed but I did chuckle when I saw it. Glad it was replaced. Looks like your doing some big miles out west. I’ll be doing the same loop in a few weeks.

Did you at least put a new sticker on the gas pumps up there? Some jackwagon f'd with it last year.

Thanks dooright. quebec bob - thanks this is perfect. I've taken a few off-trail excursions to save time before so I'm comfortable with this. Got a GPS too.

Oh cool thanks. I'll give it another shot. I'm not looking for a super-highway (actually I guess I am) but as long as it's not 20mph the whole way I'm good. We used to just jump on the road and take that into Relais 22 after a while. We are headed to Windigo, I think you can short-cut from 73 across the reservoir if you knew where you were going. Wish there was an established trail that way...

In the middle of planning another trip. How is TQ73 from La Tuque to Relais 22 these days? About 10 years ago I rode it and swore I'd never do it again. It was the windy goat path from hell. Has this gotten any better? I know it went through some re-routes over the years.

Lol! I love these stories. I have a ton. Few totaled sleds, blown track, failed stators, blown chain case, you name it. Someone should start a thread of trip disasters. I'm sure every one has a good story. Anyone remember these maps? No GPS, no cell phone, send it!

Yeah I hear ya. Been doing this ring leader gig for many years now. I'll do a couple more trips this year with only 3-4 guys. Then we can do big miles. 2 years ago we did this loop with 12 guys and I was expecting the worst. It never got above -5F every day and we managed without a hitch. Couldn't believe it. Couple of shield issues, hangovers every day, sleds that wouldn't start, but nothing we couldn't handle. All experienced riders. I think it was so cold that nobody else was out riding. Makes the adventure that much crazier. We did split up into two groups a few times. We have a system. The hardest part is in busy areas when you come onto slower traffic. Half the group passes but the other half doesn't, next intersection, slow group goes by again. That gets annoying.

Thanks doonali. This is perfect. 160 miles on the first day is probably a good idea because its usually a shit show getting 10 guys going on day one.

I try to keep it under 225 because the group sometimes grows to 10+ guys. 175 - 200 would be ideal. But if the trails are fast, then 250 is do-able. Is Maniwaki a good launching point? I've been up through Mont-Laurier and up 13 but never West of that so I'm not familiar with hotels.

That's the story we hear too but it definitely wasn't the opening week because we met the son when we were there (with MXZ7000). He was bar tending with his baby daughter on his shoulders. I think he drowned the following summer. His wife moved back to France and then the dad shortly after. Sad story.

I've tried to plan a 4-5 day trip in the Temiscaminque region for a few years now and I always chicken out. Been riding Eastern Quebec for 20 years but never Western. Wanted to start around Maniwaki and head toward Val-d'or (Forestel). Not sure what direction to go but I've been through Parent before and there doesn't seem like anything is there (nothing worth staying at but maybe I'm wrong). Not sure what my options are around that area. Going the other direction there doesn't seem like anyplace to stay at other than Verendyre but that's only 150 miles away which is too close (might be good for a short run on the last day back to the trucks). Anything else seems too far away for one day (287 miles to Val-d'or). I hear the riding is great out that way but I'm struggling with the planning. Lodging and gas seems scarce out that way. Looking for wide fast trails which that area is known for. As I've gotten older I tend to stay at nice places with good food, which is probably why I migrate back to what I'm familiar with. I think I'm talking myself out of this trip again... lol If you've done this loop before and have some suggestions for staying in the Parent area I'm all ears.

I guess I'll respond to my own post. :) Did a little 3 day spin up to Barrage Gouin. 90% of the trails were a 9 out of 10. A little thin and icy around Mont-Laurier but everything else was incredible. Came across an accident on the rail bed (TQ63) East of Mont Laurier. 60 year old Canadian guy vs a deer. Because it was -5F and he was probably doing 50+ mph, the sled literally exploded on impact. There must of been a 1000 little pieces of plastic everywhere. The deer died on impact and the guy probably has some broken ribs but they expected him to be ok. You can see the deer laying to the left of the trail.

Spur of the moment decision to blast up to Barrage Gouin. Never been there before but I called and they have rooms. After that, totally winging it so we might go West toward Val d'Or or East toward Roberval. Or we might head South on 13 and stay at Rabaska or Mekoos, depending on room availability. Are there any sections of 83 (going East or West) I should be worried about? I'm always hearing about logging or sections not being groomed, etc. This is one part of Quebec I haven't explored yet. Also, if there are some "must hit places" (or trails) in that general area I should hit let me know. I try to avoid the slow twisty stuff. I know 83 from Relais 22 to Roberval is generally fast. Looks like some rain coming mid-week so we might be dodging that too. Part of the reason I'm staying North. Thanks.

For those of you that use the I87 boarder crossing, take the last exit (42) and take route 11 to route 276. It literally adds only 5 minutes to your trip and it avoids the delay at the Champlain boarder crossing. I do the same thing coming back to the States. I also check the boarder wait times online to decide which way I'm going. https://bwt.cbp.gov/index.html?com=0&pas=1&ped=0&plist=0712 I swear I wake up the boarder patrol guys every time I come through this way. They are almost happy to see someone. It's a one lane boarder crossing and its always dead.

We are at Ravage tonight. Started in Beaupre and ran TQ3 north. Trails were mid-season conditions. 83 was awesome. 23 and 369 are supposedly good. Trails near St. Foy might be thin right now. Based on what I saw I would go for it. Rivers and lakes that I crossed were fine.