scdrider

I drive all the way to Western Massachusetts from Southern NJ to pick up a new sled and while waiting I look outside in the used sled lot and find this. Spotted that sticker from a good distance. 

A magazine that has new articles every couple days! 
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Did a mini saddlebag out of Drakkar . Arrived Sunday afternoon, out for a quick spin and a beer just to make sure everything was in working order. Trails were a little bouncy , esp the 3. But all normal for a Sunday afternoon.
Mon morn we had breakfast at the Drakkar(much improved), and the 4 of us headed west. Normally we go North or East, but based on reports of a flooded St Anne river in St Ray, and thin snow in the valley near Lac st.jean we decided to head west and do mini  loops.Headed west on 23, past Cabin on the Hill, and the ski area. Not a big fan of this trail. Its tight and twisty and not much to see. Did ride down to the Hotel Sacacomie. This place is worth a look if youve never been. Incredible Log building perched above a Lake. 
We spent 1 nite at Real Masse. This is a fun spot and the owners are super friendly and good english.  Went by the Cabanon, and wow,... I definitly would not go near that place on a weekend. On a tuesday there were at least 40 trucks in their parking lot and the trails in and out of there showed a little snirt with a few rocks to boot. Reminded me of Pittsburg NH. Spent tuesday night at the Central in St.Michel. Decent food, better Bar. Rode around Lac Taureau, and on the Lac as well. Visited the massive Auberge on the way up to the dam. Definitly a 1% er hangout. Also Canada Adventure....almost affordable, and what a spot overlooking the lake. 
Rode back to Shawini in steady snow wednsday . 23, 345, 360. 360 is gorgeous trail, as well as fast, though we were pushing 8 inches of freshie, and steering was a bit dicey.The trails were 90% good, but the constant lite snow kept our speed down.
The trails up there now will be near perfection, as ICE reported, there was a new foot of snow when we returned, and the trails were already good before this.
Reggie, Nancy and Pascal are doing a great job with the Drakkar, and it appeared full when we left fri morn. The next 6 days are going to be cold so the trails should get hard,flat and fast.  Pure Quebec.
And heres a flashback to the Old Safari days.............https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0novpU6MJXQ
 
 

Track length and lug depth are not the problem, disrespectful for private land or landowner wishes by 2% of the riders is our enemy. Whether is be tearing up a field or loud exhaust, the very few impact the majority of responsible riders.  

While most are thinking about swimming pools, boats, motorcycles and warm sunny weather, up here it’s never too early to get ready for next winter.
Spent my birthday and all day today (30 hours in two days for me) unloading a ship at the port in Becancour(south side of river from Trois Riveres). This is where they stockpile the road salt for most of Mauricie and beyond. This ship they tell me was the “petite one” only 42k ton of salt onboard. The larger ship will make one or two visits to unload before September is finished. It holds 78k tons. Thats gonna be alot of trucking. 
This one we started on Sunday morning at 8am. 4 tri axle semi-trailers and 2 big off road Dump Trucks. 3 loaders beside the ship loading the trucks. Another loader at the pile where we dump and an excavator on the pile to stack it up. Takes about 12-13 minutes round trip. Give or take. I made 67 trips Sunday and only 62 today. 24 hour operation until the ship is empty. They expect to finish this one off by midnight Tuesday. I’m back to my regular show tmmrw so I won’t be there to finish it off, I just went for Sunday and the Holiday Today here, Victoria Day. 
Thought you might enjoy to check it out. 


 

Here is a few pics of today’s ride. Left Saint Agatha Maine and headed for Fort Kent. Crossed border went into New Brunswick then into Quebec. Rode up to Lac Pohenegamook for gas and lunch. What an unbelievable run for April 14!!  The trails were 90 % Perfect. Some dirt and mud, but very little. Great Day. 190 Miles. How many are doing this today???  Lol!!

We've been invited this weekend by the girlfriend of one of our sons to spend a night at their family cottage on the shores of Taureau Lake in St-Michel des Saints. A great opportunity for us to do the reservoir loop in relax mode on 2 days. Here is the final trail path of 303 miles traveled  during the weekend.


Saturday morning, -9C under a clear sky and a beautiful sun when we left home in St-Thomas de Joliette . Finally it was not a so good idea to start from home, we were knowing that the 5 first miles were in Berthier snowmobile club that had closed during the week but still having the signage so we went for it. We got ice, ruts, and a plowed section but once in Joliette's snowmobile club, it was just groomed during the night and the fields trails were impeccable



We took the trail through St-Félix de Valois. The residential section was bare, no more snow but once crossed it was ok. Here in a maple grove tapped with buckets that we don't see often anymore



Every trails in the fields were still in very good condition, here on the old railway in St-Cléophas. All in all, we can say that the good reliable conditions began north of St-Gabriel de Brandon, souther than there, conditions were too uneven



So once in the mountains north of St-Damien the conditions were still winter, very good



The pourvoirie Réal Massé being closed, the Mandeville snowmobile club had groomed a shortcut of 1 mile which avoided us to go through there and saved us about 5 winding miles so very nice. In the 90 curve  with the wooden mirador, we then passed straight.





We then continued the #23 to the Cabanon. No spring's signs there





We stopped early to refuel and eat at Cabanon and then went right toward the Taureau Dam



conditions were impeccable in the best of the season





We took a good break at the dam, chatted with people who were there and took some pictures of the place





By taking our time a bit too much we were starting to be a little tight for being on time for the appointement with our son near the Auberge du lac Taureau so I opened up the throttle which was easy enough with these perfect conditions





several wide and fast trails sections in this area





A little before arriving at the Auberge, the trail passes right on the shore beach and you can see how low the water is, a good 50 feet lower than the summer level



We finally joined our son and his girlfriend at the agreed time. We went on the emptied lake with them before returning to his girlfriend's family cottage. They also ride a venture, 2 decades older than mine!



It's been a long time since I went outside the regular trail on the lake, you must always be very careful while riding on the emptied reservoir ice but it's impressive, very special like this dune normally submerged in summer in the middle of lake.





The view from the cottage on the reservoir is absolutely beautiful and there are many deers in the yard !!!



Kristine took beautiful shots


 
We had a great evening and a great time with our hosts. It seems to me that just a few years ago my boy was still playing with his toys at home and now we are received like distinguished guests by him and his girlfriend in a beautiful cottage ... time flies it is incredible!!!
Sunday morning we took it easy, Kristine was very proud to having snap those blue jay great shots







We then start our return and took back the usual trail on the reservoir



Although it is tempting it is not a good spot for speed runs because the ice is far from being even everywhere



We refueled at St-Michel and took the trail #63 to the Cabanon. There are some dirt spots that are starting to come out especially in the big south facing hills near the village but nothing serious yet.



The rest is still beautiful



We passed near the Cabanon and went north on the #23 trail to ride the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve. Still a lot of snow there...



The trail was nice with a bit of ripple in some curves but very nice overall



good snow and fast trails





We arrived at the pourvoirie Koubec a little before 2:00 pm and eat there. 



We then left on #350 trail to the west



And have taken the #23 on the same path from the day before but south. Here the diverted trail to the shortcut to avoid  Massé pourvoirie



the shortcut



We took a short break at the small snowmobile club's shack just up the big hill in St-Damien. Kristine took this amazing afternoon close-up of the moon 



 We then retraced our steps down to St. Gabriel.


 
As written earlier the good conditions were north from St-Gabriel and south from there the difference was noticeable on the conditions compared to Saturday morning with some dirt that was beginning to appear. To avoid the village of St-Felix we passed by St-Cuthbert/St-Norbert which at final had too bare and dirty spots and was no better than the saturday route. We had just enought water holes to cleanup the skid after  the dirt runs!!! We finally arrived home around 5:30 pm with 303 miles on the dreammeter for the 2 days.
In summary, the season is over near home but still a lot of snow north in the mountains and Mauricie side seems pretty good too. The temperature and precipitation in the next days will be decisive to know when the clubs will be grooming again. I suggest you to follow the developments here on the trails conditions website: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
Good season ending!
 
Alain

At least buckle your helmet, that takes only a little skill. No?

Mini Day 4
St Anne des Monts to truck in Matane. Out at 7am. Up the hill to TQ5 at least the mud and gravel were frozen this morning. On 5 not terrible but not the perfection we rode yesterday. Still good. Quick zoom and after Cap Chat is groomed to perfection no tracks all the way to just outside Matane. We were flying. Saw 8 other sleds going east this morning. I did not get to pass one sled this trip besides Alain. Great run back to truck. 135km in 2 hrs 10 minutes. Loaded up, changed and down the black trail for Trois Riveres at 9:30am. Tres bonne. Great ride and overall a super season be it much lighter for me than usual. Sled is all power washed and will clean up both rides come the warmer weather before storing them. Warm at home and it will be done near here sooner than later. Sure there will still be riding in places but I am finished. Good luck to those still out there or those aspiring to ride some more. 
7655 km on the new sled this year a small year for me but hey it’s ok. 4756 miles. 
this trip just over 1000km. 
Peace and Love
ice out.

Conditions are still so good ! 
Day 2
https://www.relive.cc/view/1469816178
Day 1
https://www.relive.cc/view/1467864570