Yamaha Jim

Thanks, I just visited the EarthX website. $349 for the battery but it packs a punch with 405 CCA plus a two year non-prorated warranty. Battery has built in electronics to prevent over discharging and over-charging the battery. Looks like it is wortha try. Jim

Hi folks and happy new year! The battery on my son's RX-1 is not holding a full charge and I don't want to risk a dead battery on a trip. I am thinking about switching to one of the new lithium ion gel batteries but don't want to experiment with batteries on a vacation. What do you reccommend for a new battery? What has been tested in the cold Quebec climate on saddlebag trips? Thanks!! Jim

Excellent report with terrific pictures. Thank you very much. Reports like this provide a terrific incentive to be POSITIVE about the possibility of a wonderful season. I am praying for a wonderful season across the entire region! Jim

Shane, you are right, we must fight and lobby with the same strength as those that oppose our sport. I agree with policing ourseles as well. Over my 30+ years of sledding in Quebec, New York, New Hampshire and Maine, I have seen a lot of trails lost due to landowners getting fed up with the disrespect they have been shown by a minority of people in the sport. It is surpring we have not lost more trails due to the trash and litter left on the trails (cleaned up in the spring by the clubs and land owners), people "buzzing" homes near the trails with excessively load pipes, people wandering off the trail in sensitive areas like tree farms and the list goes on. It only takes a few to ruin it for so many. Jim

Yes, I read the posting also. This is a very disturbing action which makes NO sense. The power company want sthe sled clubs to pay 50% of the land taxes along with other changes. What is the justification for the sled clubs to pay 50% of the land taxes when they use only a small portion of the power company's land for 2-3 months of the year? Is the power company's finances in that bad shape that this will make a difference? Is this just another way for the tree huggers to hurt our beloved sport? If the power companies are afraid of legal liabilities in case of accidents, there are other mechanisms to handle it. If this action is passed, it will shut down sledding in the province by causing the trail system to be broken up into unconnected segments and this action will surely spread to other regions. The lawmakers better consider the TOTAL economic damage of this action by a sinlge power company and the widespread ripple effect. The last report I read stated the sport of snowmobiling brings in 2 billion dollars per season into Quebec alone, I did not see a figure for Ontario. It is getting harder for us all the time. The provinces closing off parks, private landowners closing off their land, rising gas costs, now the power companies want to "tax" us on top of milder winters. I'll never quit the sport but it does get "old". Jim

With so many reports from all over Quebec reporting consistent cold temps and snow, this season is shaping up to be a good one. Hopefully the trails will be in top condition in a few weeks and the season will last until May 1!!!!! Jim

Indeed a sad day whenever a North American factory closes. I remember seeing that plant when I used to ride from Bernard's place. That company has many locations all around the world already. Surprising to see an aluminum smelting operation in Canada closes since that operation uses an enormous amount of electric power and Canada has some of the most inexpensive electric power rates. The top three producers of aluminum are China, then Russia, then Canada. China currently produces about 6X more than Canada and 5X more than Russia. It is very sad to see a plant close which is providing the income for so many people. It would certainly be good if corporations understand they have a responsibility to the workers which allowed them to grow and be profitable. Today, most large corporations treat workers as disposable assets. Jim

Wow, now that is a name I have not heard in many years, Yellow Boots. I met hem some years back on a ride across the Gaspe. I had breakfast with him at a hotel in Mt. St. Pierre. Nice guy who certainly did a lot of riding. I hope someday I get to do that kind of riding........ ride for a month or two all throughout Quebec and perhaps west into Ontario. I hope he is doing well, he must have thousands of stories to tell from his adventures. By the time I put away enough money to ride for a month gas will probably be $15 a gallon.

I just looked him up on Goggle. He is listed as the owner of Peace Haven horse farm in MA. There is a video on the site with him in a few shots, can't get a clear view of him but the voice sounds very familiar. Hopefully he is doing OK. Jim

Thanks for the info.. I was just curious. I think New Englan Bob's actual name is Bob Sadowski. The other day I got a message from Linkedin that a person named Bob Sadowski wanted me to link him in as a colleague. That got me thinking about what happened to him. I never went on a ride with him, just know of him from the New England Sled show in Springfield. When i met him in 98 or 99, I had already been riding in Quebec for 15 years. He gave me his email address and cell phone number so I called him a few times to get updates on trail conditions while he was on a tour. he seemed to be a nice guy although some of the "tales" he would tell about the riding in Quebec were a bit over the top. I hope he is doing well. Thanks, Jim

There used to be a guy who called himself New England Bob who "specialized" in running a sled tours through Quebec. He used to have a booth at the New England Sled show in Springfield MA. I have not seen him at the snow show for years. Just curious, is he still in business? Thanks! Merry Christmas to all and I hope for a wonderful sledding season for all in the New Year. Jim

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and wonderful New Year!!! I hope the new year brings tons of snow, cold weather until April and thousands of miles of perfect trails and warm friends!!!!

We are experiencing an unexpected by-product of the storm, gas and diesel shortage in my area, right between New York City and Albany NY. I tried 5 stations for diesel yesterday and found them out of gas and diesel. I found one station off the "beaten path" locally who had diesel and gas. I filled up my truck and four 5 gallon cans as a reserve. New Jersey started the odd-even license plate fuel rationing. The gift of a big storm keeps on giving. I went into the local Home depot last night and the had 2 employees guarding the last 6 generators. They had the generators "fenced off" and two guys posted to watch them. Crazy aftermath form the storm. Jim

Many thanks to Linda!! I received the package of maps she shipped to me while at the Toronto sled show. That was so very nice of you!! I've already started going through the set of maps and laying out some trips. Now all we need is the cold, snow and then time off from work. Thank you very Much!! People like Linda make this sport and site terrific!!! Jim

Absolutely hysterical! How can anybody be that dumb!!! Encouraging the deer to cross at specific locations??? Come on.