im4snow
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Posts posted by im4snow
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I'm doing some preliminary planning for a Western QB trip.
Thinking of starting at or near Rabaska (or maybe it makes more sense to leave the truck in Mount Laurier???)
Leaving Rabaska (or Mount Laurier) we'd eventually work our way to 63 and take that northwest and then take 386 North towards Val-d'Or.
I'm hoping someone can help fill in the blanks:
1) Curious about fuel on 63 and also on 386??
2) My estimation is the door to door trip would be about 285 miles....does that sound about right??
Thanks, John
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Outstanding reporting, pictures, and conditions.
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Nice looking sled and glad you know you were happy with said dealer.
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Today we rode 200 miles, 90% of the trails were very good. Picture was taken from in side the ski lodge.
Gorgeous pic Bill. Hope your winter is going well.
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Imsnow , that's looks like a nice set up. Looks like you have a nice size screen also, I have the glove box ext. Already. Just trying to find the right gps, does yours have Bluetooth in it?. Can you plan a trip and have it do turn by turn like a car one does, is that possible? I like the idea of the big screen for easy to see when driveing. So that unit is able to download the canada maps and the new York trail system??,,thanks for your help
Todd
Not sure about bluetooth. Turn by turn......I guess you could but where's the adventure in that? Seriously though while I found the maps excellent there are variations from actual trails to what the map says (detours, etc). I use paper maps for rough trip planning and I always have the paper maps with me.
The unit came preloaded with US and Canadian roads. Then you simply buy whichever trail maps you want. There are several sources for online maps depending on the location you plan to ride in. In my case I bought Quebec maps on a micro SD card and just plugged that in the back of the GPS.
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What is the best gps to get for my 2016 ski doo blizzard 20th the gps glove box ext. Can we use one that you would get at best buy that was made for a car, or do we have to get some thing special because of the cold. I see that you can wire the gps right to the sled. Skidoo says the montana but it is 700.00. There must be something with a bigger screen that can be used,,, anybody have some good ideas.
What is the best gps to get for my 2016 ski doo blizzard 20th the gps glove box ext. Can we use one that you would get at best buy that was made for a car, or do we have to get some thing special because of the cold. I see that you can wire the gps right to the sled. Skidoo says the montana but it is 700.00. There must be something with a bigger screen that can be used,,, anybody have some good ideas.
Depends on your objective. I simply wanted one to help facilitate decisions on the trail....not necessarily for marking waypoints, etc....
I bought a Garmin Nuvi 66LM as it came with US and Canadian road maps, and I could make the size work on the sled. Also, I bought the Quebec Trails from Trakmaps. On our recent Gaspe journey it worked very well and helped save time (vs. getting a map out often) and a few intersections with no signage, it really helped. It will also log trip statistics and it will leave a trail so you can capture and save the trip for your files.
Note this is an automotive GPS so I added a bead of silicone around the exterior of the screen and used a good electrical tape to cover some areas on the back (speaker, microSD card slot, etc). Not sure how the screen will work in extreme cold but in moderate temps above 0F it worked fine. In moderate snowfall or worse, I expect to pull it and have it in my pocket in most cases.
I installed a RAM mount for 66LM to the glovebox extension. The GPS unit is a sufficiently sized screen and a great location to be useable while actually riding, imo.
Wiring was pretty straight forward and if you need details on that just let me know. Bottom line is I installed a dual USB port inside the glovebox that is hot when the sled is running. There are ways to tied directly into the battery so it could be always hot...but I did not do that.
Here's the Doo 12V plug AND the dual USB port wiring on the front side of the glove box. Access is easy and using Doo wiring harness shown below (available at Doo dealer) it was simple install.
Wiring part number:
I think I have roughly $250 into the entire set up (plus the Trakmaps). You could probably do it for less $$ if you're more patient in finding the right GPS at the right price.
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Great report. A bit adventurous but ended well.
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I have to go back to work every ten days just to dry out!
Some day there will be no more fossil fuel, but there will always be wine.
Next generation ski doo will run on wine....red or white.
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Im4snow made the Gaspe trip look so smooth and easy and stress free, I am starting to wonder about the rest of you all making it sound like a harrowing wild adventure.
mike
Thats cause you sent us off in the right direction....momentum took us from there.
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Northbound, have decided on your advise to push on to La Manoir Belle Plage in Carlton from Grand Vallee. Has anyone been on the orange trail this year between Murdochville and 595? I believe I saw a post fuel is still available at La Cache? I have been on these trails a few years back but I know things change. Thanks again for everyones help.
On another note, Bill I could not find my wig. I think I lent it to No Hair last year.
Yes, on the trail last week. Two thumbs up. And yes fuel in La Cache.
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So a quick search (and reading this thread) I'm finding 3 MFG's for said ski wheels.....
https://www.qualipieces.com/en-US/products
Edit: Note: I think the brand new BRP TS ski requires a different part number than conventional BRP skis.
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Our whole gang has those wheels installed. Been using them for many years. They are a godsend when crossing roads, especially when the trail is offset on the other side.
Also great when running down the pavement to get to a gas stop or rest stop. How many times have you gotten gas at a regular gas station then had to yank your sled around to get it out of the way while you paid and waited for the others? With the wheels, just point your skis and go. When your skis hit the snow again, they are spring loaded and they just pop up out of the way. They really are a must have.
I'm liking the wheel idea. I'll try to find an older thread about it here on QR (in the General section) and bring it to the top to discuss the different brands. I know Bill has a preference that I think he noted in said thread.
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I'm from the albany, saratoga ny area and looking for someone to go to quebec with, I have clocked many thousand miles there but because the way life works, things have changed with people, all my riding buddys got old and sold sleds and go to myrtle Beach for winter. Lol. I have been all over quebec, all we ever did was leave truck and rode a big loop and hope truck was there three days later, I have new 2016 ski doo blizzard so it's a dependable sled,,,I hope,lol....anybody from around me and looking to ride, get into touch with me,
Thanks.
Todd
Cdscape1@aol.com
You have references and how about your FICO score?
(sarcasm)
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I used the BRP "glove box warmer". Plugs into heated shield plug (BRP sells a splitter if you're also using a heated shied). Then put the warmer in a tank bag, strapping the phone to the little 3W heater with a rubber band (high tech)....then wrap all that in a spare fleece neck warmer thingy inside the tank bag and it worked great.
Warmer and splitter weren't much more than $20 total.
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John, Great job telling about your trip. Something tells me you had this well planned. Sounds like the smoothest trip around the Gaspe ever.
Great meeting you, Hugh and Mark.
mike
Thx Mike. Nice meeting you too. It was planned with the help of folks here....and otherwise a heavy dose of dumb luck goes a long way.
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Yes that 20 can be quite a handful in bad weather, the wind is crazy and with a trailer in tow. An experience you won't soon forget.
Especially so from Montmagny on east. Just like the riding in Gaspe not easy with weather. Driving or Sledding.
On the way up we hit lots of wind in the US (NY State) that made for slower going....but once we turned eastbound from 15N onto 20E it was much better. Coming home we had no wind....what a difference wind can make with a tall 3 place in-line enclosed behind a 1/2 ton pick up.
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Way to get it done guys! Nice trip for sure. Excellent job reporting John! Thanks for taking the time to share with us. It's wonderful when you get a few sunny days as the views of the ocean & mountains are spectacular.
It's a long ride in the trucks from PA to RDL eh? That's a lot of black trail for sure.
Tom
Hi Tom....thanks.
Yes, it's quite the drive for sure. We were fortunate to have dry roads up and back. And I have to say, route 20 from roughly the Montreal area all the way to RDL is a mostly gorgeous roadway (straight, smooth, and simple) for driving.
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Good info, we are heading up Saturday to do that. Starting in Levis though. Can you describe the hotels you stayed at good or bad. Where do we need to watch for gas and approxomite milage each day? We are safe around 120 miles between gas. Anyone else chime in. Thanks in advance.
If you're following the route I noted gas was a non-issue, plenty of options. I think that's generally true of the entire Gaspe. A GPS with Quebec maps was handy to have as it definitely helped us avoid a few wrong turns etc.....
1) First night (after a long drive) at Hotel Universel in RDL. Would recommend
2) Second night ...forget the name of the place, maybe Motel Interprovincial???? (same owner as The Select in Amqui, Qubec) right off trail into Pointe-a-la-Croix. Would recommend....restaurant onsite, gas close, easy access to trail
3) Third night at Hotel Copper in Murdochville. Only option that I know of, gas and main trail block or two away.
4) Fourth night at La Maree Haute in Grande Vallee. A bit of ride from the main trail...place was so-so. Restaurant on site.
5) Fifth night at Hotel Rimouski. Nice place but too far off main trail for me. A bear to get to with low snow conditions....unless you like buying carbides and watching your 2 stroke approach overheating.
Very nice John. Gaspe can be a roll of the dice sometimes with the drifting snow but you hit it perfect.
Jack & sandi
Thx Jack and Sandi
We REALLY got lucky with some sun and worst case overcast skies.
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Mark, Hugh, and I recently completed an 1100 mile loop of the Gaspe. My novice skills won't provide the same quality "trip report" we're used to here....but here are some pics and details.
- As other's have confirmed, trails ranged between very good and perfect.
- Some thin snow in the fields around Rimouski and a few thin but for only very short stretches elsewhere during the trip. I think I counted maybe 20 bumps....groomers were alive and well!!!
- Mostly clear skies and moderate temps.
- Stopped twice for permit check
- Very low traffic, other then Sunday between Rimouski and RDL.
1) Drove up from SE PA and said hello to Mikerider at Universal in RDL Tue evening.
2) Wed--from RDL to Point-a-la-Croix...stopping at Groomer's clubhouse along the way.
3) Thr--from P a la Croix to Murdochville
4) Fri--from Murdochville down to Perce to see The Rock, then up trail 5 to stay in Grande-Vallee.
5) Sat--Grand Valle to Rimouski (getting to Hotel Rimouski not fun due to low snow)
6) Sun--Rimouski to RDL, then home.
Random pics.....
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Look forward to saying hi.
mike
Great...will text you Tue evening.
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Looks great....thx for the pic. ETA Tue evening.
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Ok thank you jean-guy. And GREAT pics once again.
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Hi jean-guy.....thanks for the updates and the pics.
Some clubs on the north shore ( Matane, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, and Madeleine Centre) still show trails closed.
Do you know any more about these locations from the French forums?
Thanks, John
Rabaska region to Val-d'Or
in Abitibi-Temiscamingue
Posted
Great thanks guys. Sounds like we'll be fine with gas.