ODog

C-N in wind and snow is nuthin when compared to posting pics of said  adventure...

8Epic adventure in the books. 2325 mi in 10 days. 965 mi during first 4 days in Abitibi, (Fontbrune, Club Trout, Lac Fallion, 100 Lacs, Fontbrune) then trailered to Baie St Paul . Rode east with  nights in Forestville,  Port Cartier and Harve St Pierre -both up and back.  With  exception of the last few mi returning to BSP on Sunday afternoon, conditions were fantastic for 1360 mi. IMO this region competes with the North shore of Gaspe for variety of trails and scenery but with less traffic. As I said we lucked out with sun and fresh snow the entire trip....however...the last 100 miles heading into HSP -knowing what i do now- i wouldnt attempt in a snowstorm or heavy wind. Miles and miles of elevation with no vegetation,  navigating stake to stake through the drifting snow and sharp, off-canter turns. 
If you like Gaspe (and who doesn't???) you should put Cote Nord on the list... Now if I can only figure how to post pics 

8Epic adventure in the books. 2325 mi in 10 days. 965 mi during first 4 days in Abitibi, (Fontbrune, Club Trout, Lac Fallion, 100 Lacs, Fontbrune) then trailered to Baie St Paul . Rode east with  nights in Forestville,  Port Cartier and Harve St Pierre -both up and back.  With  exception of the last few mi returning to BSP on Sunday afternoon, conditions were fantastic for 1360 mi. IMO this region competes with the North shore of Gaspe for variety of trails and scenery but with less traffic. As I said we lucked out with sun and fresh snow the entire trip....however...the last 100 miles heading into HSP -knowing what i do now- i wouldnt attempt in a snowstorm or heavy wind. Miles and miles of elevation with no vegetation,  navigating stake to stake through the drifting snow and sharp, off-canter turns. 
If you like Gaspe (and who doesn't???) you should put Cote Nord on the list... Now if I can only figure how to post pics 

Day 2 -255 mi Forestville to Port Cartier, resting with a Blue (or 3) at L'Artier hotel with the truckers. Lots of snow, some groomed, some fluff, but all wonderful white gold. Much of the first half of this leg reminded me of riding the north coast of Gaspe, narrow and curvy with sharp elevation changes and many, switchbacks. Further north are long straight runs helping us make up time as the sun began to set. 
If you're considering Cote Nord, there's no reason to wait. Conditions are great, weather is good (20 deg today) and minimal traffic. Just BYB to L'Artier, as they're a dry hotel... 
Havre St Pierre tomorrow...the adventure continues...
 

Livin large in Havre St Pierre! Ken and Owen's excellent adventure continues with a 202 mi run today finishing at Hotel du Harve in light snow. Some of the nicest terrain and views we've ever ridden in Quebec. Why don't more people ride Cote Nord???  Conditions and weather have been mostly ideal since we left Baie St Paul 3 days ago, warm and sunny with lots of snow. However, north of Sept Isles is nowhere I'd want to ride in weather or wind. Wide open mostly,  following stake to stake across a moonlike landscape working feverishly to keep the sled in the center of the trail. Failure left or right  means certain digging out of a ditch -or worse (and if your riding buddies are anything like mine, you won't be allowed to forget:). 
Of course this means we have to do it all again starting tomorrow. Havre St Pierre to Port Cartier to Forestville to Baie St Paul, and did I say its snowing?? The adventure continues.....

Livin large in Havre St Pierre! Ken and Owen's excellent adventure continues with a 202 mi run today finishing at Hotel du Harve in light snow. Some of the nicest terrain and views we've ever ridden in Quebec. Why don't more people ride Cote Nord???  Conditions and weather have been mostly ideal since we left Baie St Paul 3 days ago, warm and sunny with lots of snow. However, north of Sept Isles is nowhere I'd want to ride in weather or wind. Wide open mostly,  following stake to stake across a moonlike landscape working feverishly to keep the sled in the center of the trail. Failure left or right  means certain digging out of a ditch -or worse (and if your riding buddies are anything like mine, you won't be allowed to forget:). 
Of course this means we have to do it all again starting tomorrow. Havre St Pierre to Port Cartier to Forestville to Baie St Paul, and did I say its snowing?? The adventure continues.....

Livin large in Havre St Pierre! Ken and Owen's excellent adventure continues with a 202 mi run today finishing at Hotel du Harve in light snow. Some of the nicest terrain and views we've ever ridden in Quebec. Why don't more people ride Cote Nord???  Conditions and weather have been mostly ideal since we left Baie St Paul 3 days ago, warm and sunny with lots of snow. However, north of Sept Isles is nowhere I'd want to ride in weather or wind. Wide open mostly,  following stake to stake across a moonlike landscape working feverishly to keep the sled in the center of the trail. Failure left or right  means certain digging out of a ditch -or worse (and if your riding buddies are anything like mine, you won't be allowed to forget:). 
Of course this means we have to do it all again starting tomorrow. Havre St Pierre to Port Cartier to Forestville to Baie St Paul, and did I say its snowing?? The adventure continues.....

Day 2 -255 mi Forestville to Port Cartier, resting with a Blue (or 3) at L'Artier hotel with the truckers. Lots of snow, some groomed, some fluff, but all wonderful white gold. Much of the first half of this leg reminded me of riding the north coast of Gaspe, narrow and curvy with sharp elevation changes and many, switchbacks. Further north are long straight runs helping us make up time as the sun began to set. 
If you're considering Cote Nord, there's no reason to wait. Conditions are great, weather is good (20 deg today) and minimal traffic. Just BYB to L'Artier, as they're a dry hotel... 
Havre St Pierre tomorrow...the adventure continues...
 

Livin large in Havre St Pierre! Ken and Owen's excellent adventure continues with a 202 mi run today finishing at Hotel du Harve in light snow. Some of the nicest terrain and views we've ever ridden in Quebec. Why don't more people ride Cote Nord???  Conditions and weather have been mostly ideal since we left Baie St Paul 3 days ago, warm and sunny with lots of snow. However, north of Sept Isles is nowhere I'd want to ride in weather or wind. Wide open mostly,  following stake to stake across a moonlike landscape working feverishly to keep the sled in the center of the trail. Failure left or right  means certain digging out of a ditch -or worse (and if your riding buddies are anything like mine, you won't be allowed to forget:). 
Of course this means we have to do it all again starting tomorrow. Havre St Pierre to Port Cartier to Forestville to Baie St Paul, and did I say its snowing?? The adventure continues.....

Livin large in Havre St Pierre! Ken and Owen's excellent adventure continues with a 202 mi run today finishing at Hotel du Harve in light snow. Some of the nicest terrain and views we've ever ridden in Quebec. Why don't more people ride Cote Nord???  Conditions and weather have been mostly ideal since we left Baie St Paul 3 days ago, warm and sunny with lots of snow. However, north of Sept Isles is nowhere I'd want to ride in weather or wind. Wide open mostly,  following stake to stake across a moonlike landscape working feverishly to keep the sled in the center of the trail. Failure left or right  means certain digging out of a ditch -or worse (and if your riding buddies are anything like mine, you won't be allowed to forget:). 
Of course this means we have to do it all again starting tomorrow. Havre St Pierre to Port Cartier to Forestville to Baie St Paul, and did I say its snowing?? The adventure continues.....

Day 1 in the books.  Bay St Paul to Forestville. 230 mi. Trail conditions a mixed bag some good, some bad but still tons better than working on a Tuesday. Blue skies and 15 deg. There's plenty of snow, just need the groomers to do their magic on 378 and Q3 tadousac to the 93 split.  North from there 6.5 out of 10. Tomorrow's plan is a 240 mi run up to Port Cartier. Weather forecast is favorable for a following day attempt at the -FIN of Q3- east of Havre St Pierre ..stay tuned!

Day 1 in the books.  Bay St Paul to Forestville. 230 mi. Trail conditions a mixed bag some good, some bad but still tons better than working on a Tuesday. Blue skies and 15 deg. There's plenty of snow, just need the groomers to do their magic on 378 and Q3 tadousac to the 93 split.  North from there 6.5 out of 10. Tomorrow's plan is a 240 mi run up to Port Cartier. Weather forecast is favorable for a following day attempt at the -FIN of Q3- east of Havre St Pierre ..stay tuned!

Day 1 in the books.  Bay St Paul to Forestville. 230 mi. Trail conditions a mixed bag some good, some bad but still tons better than working on a Tuesday. Blue skies and 15 deg. There's plenty of snow, just need the groomers to do their magic on 378 and Q3 tadousac to the 93 split.  North from there 6.5 out of 10. Tomorrow's plan is a 240 mi run up to Port Cartier. Weather forecast is favorable for a following day attempt at the -FIN of Q3- east of Havre St Pierre ..stay tuned!

Day 1 in the books.  Bay St Paul to Forestville. 230 mi. Trail conditions a mixed bag some good, some bad but still tons better than working on a Tuesday. Blue skies and 15 deg. There's plenty of snow, just need the groomers to do their magic on 378 and Q3 tadousac to the 93 split.  North from there 6.5 out of 10. Tomorrow's plan is a 240 mi run up to Port Cartier. Weather forecast is favorable for a following day attempt at the -FIN of Q3- east of Havre St Pierre ..stay tuned!

Day 1 in the books.  Bay St Paul to Forestville. 230 mi. Trail conditions a mixed bag some good, some bad but still tons better than working on a Tuesday. Blue skies and 15 deg. There's plenty of snow, just need the groomers to do their magic on 378 and Q3 tadousac to the 93 split.  North from there 6.5 out of 10. Tomorrow's plan is a 240 mi run up to Port Cartier. Weather forecast is favorable for a following day attempt at the -FIN of Q3- east of Havre St Pierre ..stay tuned!

6 of us departing from Baie St Paul on Feb 12 with destination -planned- as the end Q3. (Give or take 50 mi east of Havre St Pierre). Keeping our schedule flexible -to say the least. Should be an adventure!
Plans are to stay in Forestville,  Port Cartier and Harve St Pierry in both directions.
I'll provide conditions best I can during or soon after.
O

6 of us departing from Baie St Paul on Feb 12 with destination -planned- as the end Q3. (Give or take 50 mi east of Havre St Pierre). Keeping our schedule flexible -to say the least. Should be an adventure!
Plans are to stay in Forestville,  Port Cartier and Harve St Pierry in both directions.
I'll provide conditions best I can during or soon after.
O

6 of us departing from Baie St Paul on Feb 12 with destination -planned- as the end Q3. (Give or take 50 mi east of Havre St Pierre). Keeping our schedule flexible -to say the least. Should be an adventure!
Plans are to stay in Forestville,  Port Cartier and Harve St Pierry in both directions.
I'll provide conditions best I can during or soon after.
O

6 of us departing from Baie St Paul on Feb 12 with destination -planned- as the end Q3. (Give or take 50 mi east of Havre St Pierre). Keeping our schedule flexible -to say the least. Should be an adventure!
Plans are to stay in Forestville,  Port Cartier and Harve St Pierry in both directions.
I'll provide conditions best I can during or soon after.
O

According to the local Port Cartier club, Club de Mononeigistes Odanak, this is no longer an issue. The trail is open from Tadousac to Sept Iles, "and further'.    
 

No need to drive to Sagunay. Try hotel Marineau Matawin. Short drive north of Trois Riveries, clean, safe, reasonably priced. Then ride north and west.

Here's a time saver but requires a little math  (some may already do this) - our group is 6, we all ride roughly the same sled, eat about the same, and drink about the same. I'm the "Banker". ONE bill for everyone, and I pay for everything.  When the bank is out of money, everyone throws in $100, and on we go. Pull into the gas pump 2 by 2 on each side of the pump. Fill one, and while you're moving it out of the way be filling the next, and so on. Again, one pump (you can use 2 or 3 to speed things up), one bill, one guy cashing out and we're out of there. Lunch, the bar, the rooms, etc. it all works for us. Want to see an outfitter's eyes light up with joy - tell them one check for EVERYTHING - all the rooms, the bar tab, the gas, etc. 6 individual guys checking out of an outfitter trying to figure out who had 2 beers and who had 3 could take you an hour. It usually takes us 10 minutes. Watch 6 or 9 guys fill up and pay individually at the gas pump - you might be there a while. At the end of the trip we divvy up any money left in the bank. One year we had 5 1200's and 1 E Tec. I figured out the total miles, gas mileage, and the E Tec got a gas credit back from the bank. Anyway, over the years we've learned that it all works out in the end for us, and saves a ton of time.  You have to have a good group though .  If you can't do all 9 on one, at least make partners (roommates, or similar sleds, or something). Anytime you can cut down on the number of transactions, you'll be much better off. Good luck!

We were hoping to ride the reservoir west from Barraige Gouin last February, but woke up to this. . . no thank you. 
On the other hand our ride back out the access trail was about as good as it gets.  Love that place.

We were hoping to ride the reservoir west from Barraige Gouin last February, but woke up to this. . . no thank you. 
On the other hand our ride back out the access trail was about as good as it gets.  Love that place.

Phil 1 said it best. But I'll add and reaffirm just a couple things.
2nd credit card in case Visa didnt' get the msg you were traveling in canada
I 2nd the gauntlets.   If it's -10 and you still have 110 mi to go. I've used them more often than not and can make or break your enjoyment.
Take a picture of your passport, credit cards, drivers license and registrations (car and sled) and send to your wife or email yourself. Now you always have a copy -even if you lose your phone too.
Ability to charge your phone while riding. Your phone is a lifesaver, but only if it'll turn on. I keep mine plugged into the power outlet with the cord running to my tank bag. 
Small first aide kit
Last but not least -a headlamp. This is the only tool I carry aside from the toolkit that comes with the sled and a swiss army knife. I carry no other flashlight and it's always pointed where I want it -not where your riding partner wants to point it. Extra tools are heavy and 99% of the time unnecessary (if you have a newer sled) and take up lots of room.