Andyman

Too funny Bill see you in a couple of weeks! Andy

Got my reservations all made Bill see you in July! Andy

6900 miles in Quebec and NB. What a great winter now I wish it would warm up and turn to summer. Andy

We left Bathurst on Wednesday Mar 26th morning and rode to Dundee for fuel, table top entire route. Continued west to Kedgwick for lunch and on to Edmundston for 450km. Trails were excellent and very low traffic. Thursday morning we headed north into Quebec on TQ85. We picked up RT 569 and had absolute perfect riding until Auclair. At this point the groomer turned around and the signs stopped as well. So it was time for some Andyman here goes nothing cross country dead reckoning with the help of my trusty GPS. We knew we wanted to get to Squatec it was just a matter of if we would be able to do it on snowmobile trails or the highway! Well we managed to make it to Squatec and pick up Rt548 to Biencourt. I have a feeling the portion of the 569 between Auclair and Squatec has either been abandoned or the groomer has been down for a very long time! Fueled in Biencourt and headed south to Moose Valley. The portion of this trail from Biencourt to the NB/QC border has not been groomed in a long time but when you get to the provincial boundry it goes from a cow path to TABLETOP big time. Continued to Moose Valley for a burger and then St Quentin and south toward Grand Falls. Picked up #115 and we came to another dead end in a field with the biggest snow banks I have ever seen. They were so high that I had to check to see if there was enough clearance between me and the hydro wires as I climbed to the top to try to find the trail on the other side of this road. Needless to say this was the end of 115 for us and we backtracked to find 116 and try a diffferent route. This worked much better and we rode on to Riley Brook for fuel on great trails. We ended the day at Serpentine with 530 km. At about 9pm no less than 2 groomers showed up from Doaktown. The guys had been on the trail for 15 hours and they did not have to think twice when Alyre offered them a cool beverage!!! The next morning we headed for Bathurst and I don't think I have seen piston alley any better ever! Hard and fast with just enough loose snow for lube. We ended the trip with 1147 km over 2.5 days. This portion of NB and QC still has incredible snow depths and it is a matter of the rain holding off and the trails not getting too rough as the grooming will soon be over for this year. The Nepisiquit trails were groomed to perfection and this organization deserves a giant Thank You from those of us lucky enough to have ridden these trails this year. The next day I rode to Poley and watched the hill climb and then slowly made my way back to the clubhouse as I had the feeling this could be my last ride of the season. I always hate to see it end but I look toward next year with hope that it will be a safe and snow filled season like this one! Andy Pic is Nepisiquit River by Popple Depot on Friday.

Awesome trip guys! You can hold your heads high having completed a trip of this size! Andy

We just had a great late season trip. We left from home in Riverview NB on Sunday morning and rode to Coal Branch for fuel. South of the Bouctouche River the trails are very poor. Basically no grooming and very hard trails. We then went to Salmon River Outfitters for fuel and asked for directions to go cross country to the Miramichi River area near Boiestown. The owner Hal was very reluctant to give us any info as he was very concerned we would get lost and blame him! Hal it worked out fine and we will be back to see you again. After fueling in Doaktown we headed to Serpentine to see our old friend Alyre. On the way to Serpentine we stopped at a warming shelter and 2 sleds rolled in, on one sled was this pretty lady and the other her husband. I thought to myself could this be the infamous Fresh Powder from HCS? Well after a few minutes I said you must be Fresh Powder and with that a big smile came on her face and said yes who are you ? We had a big laugh and a great conversation . Now on to Serpentine ,Alyre works very hard to maintain his outfitter business and we as sledders need to stop by and support him so he will be there in the future for us. While at Alyres we ran into Tim Pond from the Grand Lake area. Tim had a group of friends with him and they were on a tour of the northern part of NB. Pic of Fresh Powder! MUBS and Alyre. Alyre and his buddy. Mubs and I had a great evening at Alyres and after a hearty breakfast we headed out. First stop Kedgwick for fuel the Moose Valley. We took the new trail from MV to Biencourt QC. Absolutely AWESOME!!!! Table top and great scenery. We picked up RT 548 at Biencourt and rode east to the TQ5 and the RT579 to RT587 to Amqui. A super day of riding and table top trails. We headed south on TQ5 the next am and as we passed Albertville we were riding on some of the smoothest trails you can imagine. I knew from the grooming that we were going to see our buddy Groomer and we caught him just like we expected to. Mubs was ahead and it was a couple of minutes before I got there as I had to stop to take a pic of my odo as I just turned 20000km on my sled in the second season. It has been a great 2 seasons. On to Point a la Croix for breakfast and then across the bay and back into NB. Table top to Balmoral then garbage to Island Lake. South of Island Lake back to table top. Stopped at Nepisiquit for a burger and the on to Miramichi for the night. Thanks for the great trails Don Kenny and the Nepisiquit Sports Lodge!!! Pic of snow levels in northern NB. Left Miramichi this am at 6:30 and home by noon. 1532 km and 1532 laughs thanks for the great trip Mubs and don't worry we won't miss supper next time!!!! Pic of trail warden this am!!! Andy

Great to see you again Groomer!!! Super trails as usual. Got home at noon today safe and sound 1532 km for 3.5 day ride. Super riding for this time of year. Andy

It is going to be a wild finish! Team 22 ran out of fuel prior to Orma on the way to Churchill Falls and had to change a shock prior to leaving CF this am. The leading groups departed as early as 9:42 last evening but there was a crash with no serious injuries just outside CF and one sled caught on fire so that means 2 more scratches plus the lead groups turned back to the Ranger CP due to cold temps! So instead of increasing their lead on #22 they are sitting still keeping warm while #22 boys are gaining on them!!! Never say never boys!!! Andy Temperature: -32.4°C Churchill Falls Dewpoint: -38.2°C Humidity: 56 % Wind: W 5 km/h Wind Chill: -38 Temperature: -33.8°C Lab City Dewpoint: -38.6°C Humidity: 62 % Wind: calm

Hi Bill Congratulations on the great season! It was great to see you again this winter a couple of times. Have a safe drive home and God willing we will see you in July. Andy

Team Maine you have a lot of us with our fingers crossed that you guys don't have any more serious breakdowns and have a chance to go out there and really show your stuff! You guys had an incredible run today considering the night you had put in. Try to get some rest and go back at it in the morning. Andy

Here is an update from Tina and Amanda. Andy Re: Cain's Quest - In progress3/9 Reply #60 - Today at 6:16am hey everyone, this is Tina and Amanda. we're here in goosebay and thought you'd like an update. rich and rob broke a suspension part that attaches the suspension to the frame (sorry, that's as technical as i get) and spent several hours holed up at seal lake. todd and dave were able to reach a fabricator and create something that will fix this issue-we hope. todd, dave and the milley's (our wonderful support members from up here in lab) left at 4:15 this morning and are delivering this piece up to them as they work their way down. rich and rob are traveling with another team (i think team 1) as they broke a clutch; todd and dave are carrying the clutch for them to fix as well. so, nobody has checked in here in goose just yet. what this means is that rich and rob have 18 hours from the time the first team arrives to get back here; this should not be an issue. let's keep our fingers crossed that all goes well and they get here in the allotted time. love to read all the good thoughts, keep them coming!! we will deffinately keep you all posted as we learn more. oh, side note, team 14 has had 6 super wide tracks breaking trail for them most of the way. appears that when the ride broken trail, they do well but when forced to break on their own, the results are not nearly as astounding. ttyl Back to top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rich - Team Maine www.teammaineracing.net

The word on the street is team #22 has a mechanical and the support guys are enroute with parts to Seal Lake CP so the guys can repair their sled and get underway again. Andy

Now it all makes sense! Keep up the good work guys and give them Hell. Andy

Looks like an issue with fuel ay CP1. Either no fuel or they ran out. Team #22 ran out of fuel and had to have the support crew bring them fuel explaining the long time stationary. Andy

If anyone hears anything please post. It looks like they have a problem I just wish we knew what is going on! Andy

Good Luck Boys go kick some ASS!!! Andy

So Bill as I sit here in NB in the pouring rain what does the odometer say for this year? Andy

Groomer we rode your section of the TQ5 yesterday and it was a 10 out of 10 no question. If they had a competition for groomer of the year you would win hands down Jean-Guy. Not only for the quality of your trails but your dedication to the sport of snowmobiling. On behalf of myself and the thousands of sledders you have helped with information and of course your trails a big MERCI. Here is a pic from the Chic Chocs on Thursday. Andy .

When the race is on I check on your progress dozens of times a day. Everyone here on QR and HCS are pulling for you guys!!! Remember guys this is an endurance race and you need to stay safe and keep your equipment running. You guys have the physical and mental parts of this race down pat. You just need to keep the sleds rubber side down, out of the trees and off the rocks! I know much easier said then done! Go out there and use your God given ability and do us all proud! Andy ps: Keep your eye on the local boys!

Always happy to have a beer with you Groomer!!! Andy

If you look in the corner by the coat rack I have a pillow and blanket hidden there just in case!!!

This trip started in Bathurst NB and ended in Point A la Croix. We drove to the Host and stayed the night of the 7th. smclelan had to attend The Presidents ride and while he did I went for a ride to Popple Depot and back. The trails were excellent and I stopped at the Nepisiquit Clubhouse and had a nice visit with the Godfather of Grooming Don Kenny on my way back. Upon completion of the ride we loaded up and headed to Matane as we had reservations for the 8am ferry to Godbout. On the way we started to talk about all the snow and why don't we ride so we unloaded at Point a la Croix and headed to Matane. We stopped at Groomers club in Albertville and had a beer with one of the hardest working volunteers you will ever find. We even managed to get a picture of Groomer! After our visit we carried on the TQ5 and Rt591 to Matane ending the day with 467km. Here is a pic from the presidents ride with Ross Antworth talking to the group and I am sure many of you will see some familiar faces in the crowd! Ed Klim the president of the International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association addressed the group as well. We caught the 8am ferry and arrived in Godbout right on schedule. On the ferry we met some sledders from NS who were on their way to Timmins so we had a great chat and the time passed very quickly. Steven and I headed east on the TQ3 and it was perfect with amazing snow cover. We stopped at Odanak relais for lunch and arrived in Sept Isle mid afternoon. Today was only 212 km as the ferry chewed the day up. We stayed at the Comfort Inn with food and gas next door. Here is a pic east of Godbout and Odanak relais. The sign from Port Cartier is at the beginning of the trail to Fermont and Labrador City. We got up the next morning and headed toward the west. We rode to Forestville on the TQ3 and had great running even with the wind and snow. Today was 515 km and 10.5 hrs on the trail including a couple of local trails for sight seeing and gas. Here is a pic of the excellent snowcover and trails in the Baie-Comeau area and a cabin west of Baie Comeau. We left the next morning for Jonquiere via TQ3 local trail from Les Escoumins to Mont Valin and TQ93. Great riding again and tons of snow. Total was 363 km approx. Here is a pic of the drifts outside Forestville. Next pic is TQ93 in Mont Valin superb! We stayed at the HI Jonquiere and had a great visit with Saguenay Bill and company. We left early the next morning and rode to Hebertville for breakfast and then to Lac Bouchette for fuel. Here is a pic of the lake. We stopped at Relais 22 for lunch and they reported the traffic is down especially the American sledders and their business is also suffering due to the fact that the logging activity is way down in their area this winter. The majority of the logging is taking place west of there near Parent and Clova. We stayed at Windigo Outfitters and Martine and Daniel were excellent host's as usual. Here is a pic of the road leading to Windigo where it leaves TQ83 and the lodge. After arrival we rode on the St Maurice river as we arrived early for supper. A pic of smclelan on the river. 342km today. The next morning after a great meal we headed toward Quebec City The TQ73 was fresh groomed all the way to La Tuque and it was perfect! Lunch in La Tuque and then on to the Colibri to catch the shuttle. The next morning we headed toward Riviere du Loup. I had sled trouble and we had to make an unscheduled stop in Montmagny. The Ski Doo dealer took us right in and we were on our way in a couple of hours. Excellent service and fair price from GP Performance. Ended the day at the Universal in RDL 372km. Pic east of Quebec city tons of snow! Next morning we headed down TQ85 to Cabano for breakfast table top and lots of snow!!! After breakfast we rode RT548 and 587 591 Tq5 to Point A la Croix. The next day we rode TQ5 to Carleton and did some local trails and back to the truck.These pics will give you an idea of the snowcover on the Gaspe. We had a great trip and one last pic to show Steven checking out the snow depth! Andy

Hi Bill I just wanted to let you know that we got home safe and sound. It was great to see you again as well as the rest of the gang. Trip went great with some minor issues as I had a very close call west of Hebertville when a guy backed a F250 across the trail at an unmarked crossing. I managed to get stopped about 3 feet before the truck. One second earlier and it would have been the big groomed trail in the sky for Andyman. I ended up with 2145 miles for the trip and other than this incident and a minor mechanical it went great. Andy Tell Rob more Police!!!!

Timbo we may very well cross paths as we hope to be in the area the same time. Andy

I am getting mixed signals and I want to be sure before we attempt this. My question is the 347 open from the intersection of 360 north to La Tuque? Thanks in advance Andy