Pipeman

Over 60 sleds just out front

I twisted myself around at that same spot last weekend.  Now that 345 pops out north of repos screwed up my sense of direction.  My trak maps is from 2016 so it’s not really up to date.
Ben left the horseshoe at least 3 years ago.  The place is now owned by the mining company that is prospecting the copper vein just north of the outfitter.  The two ladies running the joint now doo a great job.
I hope the prospecting doesn’t lead to mining in the area, that would be more problematic than logging. 
 
The WIFI password is the name of the company:  KINTAVAR.
There is a report on radio Canada on the whole operation.  I found a video on YouTube last summer showing some of the exploration.

Well, 6 of us reluctantly headed up on Saturday, the 3rd.  Being that is was free weekend, we wanted to try and avoid heaving traffic areas, so we parked off 322 between Mount Laurier and Maniwaki and headed North on the local trail towards Le Pensive.  We continued on for a stop at Club Gatineau.  Trails to this point were 9/10 with good snow and little traffic.  Went on to Club Notawissi and then down the cutoff to Club Fontbune for the night.  This was my first time staying there and let me tell you, awesome little place.  The team there works their butts off to make sure you have an excellent experience.  Fun staff, nice cabins, awesome food.
The next day we headed back the way we came and up to Le Pensive and Lepine road to Clova.  Very little traffic and even though Lepine wasn't groomed, it was a real nice ride.  The logging at the end wasn't even very problematic, sort of looks like they are done there and other than the last mile or so, there was plenty of snow on the road for lubrication.  Clova was exactly what you would expect, although I did overhear it being said Dominique may be considering hitting Lepine with the groomer. 
The next day we headed towards parent.  Clova to Parent was pretty tuned in.  They are now working you around the logging there, so other than some stretches to cross water run offs and some crossings, you weren't running the bare road.  I give it a more than acceptable work around.  Parent to 345 intersection was total dog shit.  I think they may have groomed one time, but I needs hit 2 or 3 times before it comes into shape.  There seems to be enough snow on the trail for grooming.  I was thankful the new bridge was in.  We were prepared to cross, but after seeing with my own eyes, I understand why those who have crossed said it was an adventure.
345 down to Kanawata and then down to Repos was freaking awesome.  11/10 for sure.  Fast and Fun.   We continued on down 33 to Auberge Taureau for the night.  Snow is definitely thin as you get down that direction, but groomers are doing a great job keeping the trails in as good of shape as possible.
Next morning we head out 360 to 345 and head back north.  This section of 345 was almost as good as the northern section.  They had it tuned up real nice and it was quite enjoyable.  From Repos, we head west over to 53 and down to Meekos.  I give this whole stretch 8.5/10.  A few obstacles to be mindful of hear and there, mainly water wash outs, but all and all, pretty nice ride.
Half the group jumps in the lake at Meekos, we have a good meal and wait for the next day wondering how it might be getting back to the truck as we decided to man up and try going down the St. Anne Du Lac, Devils Mountain, etc. picking our way back to the truck.
Well, this ride had lots of ups and downs.  There were sections that you would have felt like full on winter conditions and sections that would feel like the end of March with lots of rocks, gravel, etc.  That being said, sleds never overheated and we made back to the truck at 11:30.
We were all super happy we came up and it ended up being a great trip.  I would say 900 total miles, 50 or so utter dogshit, 200 ish 8/10 and the rest were classic Quebec.
 
Now for the real question..........What's it gonna be like in say a week or two 

Day 2 .. Tour du Lac 
Up around LSJ clockwise  , better conditions than expected really  . Mix of 93 and as much local trail as we could  .
Definitely thin near Alma but surely expected  
Eva for the night  , love the heated garage for our trail whips to melt out ..sweet http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2024_02/Screenshot_20240206_175313_Maps.thumb.jpg.e56742c2f2950a0d58b396ec23a773fe.jpg
!  The re route on 355 between TQ83 and Eva is awesome.  

Alex and Cynthia are great host ! 
Thanks for laying the tracks to them  Pipeman 😃

Nice! How was your stay at La Dore?

If Ben is still the chef there he does an outstanding job!

Today 2/3 final day. We left Relais 22 this morning and arrived back in Shawinigan safe and sound after 8 days and zero issues thankfully. 73 south was good , 355 sucked ,351 so so and a police check with radar near Shawinigan. Overall some great trails some not so much but still a great time with a great riding partner! Hopefully more snow and cold in the forecast. 

Amen amen!  Way to get it!  And share it!  BIG merci!

Hammered it to Marineau Mattawin from Fer a Cheval via Parent then Kanawata to Repo to Mattawin
 
276 miles 
i got turned around near Repo missed detour rode 12km on side of Logging Road
guy running log loader machine said many sleds passing he said 4km i would be at real trail. Further south more beat up it got but not terrible. 
90% awesome 10% still ok. 
 
picked safest hotel 
Police here from Ville Saguenay, Ville Terrebonne and Ville Trois Rivieres doing training together. Came upon this convention about 10km from bridge at Mattawin
They returned here so I had to go talk with them outside. It was the gang from Terrebonne the others were riding on then coming back. Nice guys.

Today 2/3 final day. We left Relais 22 this morning and arrived back in Shawinigan safe and sound after 8 days and zero issues thankfully. 73 south was good , 355 sucked ,351 so so and a police check with radar near Shawinigan. Overall some great trails some not so much but still a great time with a great riding partner! Hopefully more snow and cold in the forecast. 

Check out the chocolate bar at Forestel
 

Today 1/31 Matagami to Val-d’or Forestel. To warm 34f. Trails around Amos are hanging on by a thread in places much better towards Valdor but anything near town sucks.  
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Oh , Rolled this moon rock out of the center of trail  !

" 355 sucked"
 
All better on the 5th , but definitely could feel still that it must have been whooped up bad  before the recent groom 

Today 2/3 final day. We left Relais 22 this morning and arrived back in Shawinigan safe and sound after 8 days and zero issues thankfully. 73 south was good , 355 sucked ,351 so so and a police check with radar near Shawinigan. Overall some great trails some not so much but still a great time with a great riding partner! Hopefully more snow and cold in the forecast. 

Today we left Clova heading to Relais 22, good for about 15 miles then pretty much a shit show until 15 miles past Wemotaci. The bridge is finished past Parent. No grooming until the Gouin trail meets the 83 and even that was just ok. There was talk that the groomers from the east and west groomed up to the bridge that is NOT the case. Single wide and lots of stubble for about 30 miles after the bridge.
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2/1 we left Forestel headed to Clova. The 83 all the way to Clova was mint!! There is one section past the warming hut outside Senneterre that is a mess due to the fires , logging. About 10 km of shit but not a biggie. 

Today we left Clova heading to Relais 22, good for about 15 miles then pretty much a shit show until 15 miles past Wemotaci. The bridge is finished past Parent. No grooming until the Gouin trail meets the 83 and even that was just ok. There was talk that the groomers from the east and west groomed up to the bridge that is NOT the case. Single wide and lots of stubble for about 30 miles after the bridge.
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2/1 we left Forestel headed to Clova. The 83 all the way to Clova was mint!! There is one section past the warming hut outside Senneterre that is a mess due to the fires , logging. About 10 km of shit but not a biggie. 

93 from Chibougamau to Matagami was damn near mint the whole way. We passed at least three groomers. As always, Chapais had the best trails. Staying at a Gite in Matagami tonight $$$ and no supper just breakfast.          

Yep. And the owner just returned with super in jugs so we used that. Not sure exactly how much they charge per gallon it was on our bill. 

Tonight we are at the Nordic in Chibougamau, marina was full…bummer. The trail up was good and fresh groomed but if a little 80’s style bush scares you then wait because some sections had stubble sticking up. http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2024_01/IMG_1528.thumb.jpeg.d810bf296a865540d6e11f8d177bf471.jpeg