Shore1066

Warranty doesn't mean shit. Two years ago I had a ramp in my ski doo primary clutch break. Took out spider assembly. That was costly. Took it to the dealer and service guy said should be under warranty. Went to pick it up and received a invoice for 700 plus dollars. Wasn't under warranty. It was a wear part. Gets better. They had a hard time finding a ramp? So only the broken one was replaced. Didn't understand that. Sims the other 2 should be be ready to break you would think. I called ski doo warranty department and was told it was up to the dealer and ask them to send them a letter to the warranty department who who then contact their engineering department. I than gave up hope with the dealer and ski doo. Ended up contacting a company out of the mid west and purchasing a clutch kit with new ramps, spring and all needed components. I did have a long conversation with this companies engineer and he explained to me how the clutch works and how each component works. I've rode two years with the new parts and got over 3000 miles on them and my clutch guy doesn't see any wear. So I guess it's time for a new dealer and take the discount instead of the extended warranty. As I said warranty doesn't mean shit. Oh yes I'm 74 and don't ride my sled hard.

Covid was a bad experience for all of us. I personally thought about selling my sled and just resting all winter. It was so depressing coming home and not wanting to ride a snowmobile in Quebec . That went on for three years. Well I started this year thinking this is it. My first ride we spent a week in LSJ area riding some good trails and some really good trails. The best were the green and local trails hidden on the north end of the lake. We went to a couple outfitters for lunch and breakfast. Rode a lot miles and slept really well. Reminded me of years ago. Got home from that ride and one of my boys best friend tells me he wants to go back. This boy has had some health issues in the last couple years and couldn't make any trips with us. So off the two of us go. We started in Swisha and headed north. Got to the 43- 386 intersection and what came out of nowhere except the groomer coming from 386. This really gets better. From there we met four sleds going to LA Verendrye. Had lunch and met a gentleman that came from Val-Dor and he said it was perfect. While we were there 4 more riders showed up and they came from the west on 63 and they said that was pretty great too. Off we went heading for Val-Dor and no one lied. The trail going north there was only 1 track all the way to the little Indian village. From there to Louvicourt it was only our tracks. We went on to Val-Dor and the 83 was perfect. We went on to Ville Marie on Saturday for the night. Trails were great except about 20 miles but it was fine. Sunday had a great ride back to Swisha and was home by 9 pm. After 3 days we clicked off 700 miles. Easy miles. The best ride in years. Got home and 3 days later was making plans for one more ride. Last ride out of Mont Laurie to the Lepine Rd. Then to Clova for the night. Hadn't been there in years. Saturday headed east on 83 to 13. Trails were very acceptable. Slept at Pourvoirie club Notawissi and what a great experience. Great dinner and the cabin was first class. Had breakfast and headed south to Mont Laurie and the truck. It was the best ride I have ever had on 13. Got back to the truck and home by 5 30. Another great ride in 2025. Back to thinking about quiting riding my snowmobile. When i got home I was not tired and I was trying to figure out how to get another trip in. I guess what I am trying to get at is it maybe it took me 3 years to get over this covid thing. We are already planning for next year and hopefully I can feel as good at the end of the year as I did this year. One other thing I would like to say thanks to all the different people who Rode with me and made it just one great year. Thanks guys.

More young and I agree. Maybe the manufacturers should try to put regular gauges in the sled and sell for less the young people could afford to buy a new sled. Every one think about how much your first sled cost. Mine was less than a thousand. First Elan was less than 700. The Artic Cat pumas were 12 to 13 hundred. It was a long time ago but I think I got paid 2.50 an hour. There's got to some way to lower costs. And maybe not.

Sir you differently had a adventure. I totally agree about the signage problems you had. I think people just steal them. Only thing I would have done would be is get a GPS with the biggest screen they that will talk to you. Best if you heard a voice once in a while. Lol Good job doing what you did..

Nick where's the moose?

I agree also. 25 dollars a year isn't nothing for the information we get. Just asking this. What about sponsors like snowmobile dealers in the states that we all buy from. Hotels in Quebec we stay at. Etc. Also let's make sure that 25 is enough. That's just a small tip from a group of 3 for the waitress where we eat at. Let Gary tell us what is fair for his service. Just my opinion.

The secondary roads are scary for me. Last year I watched the boys ahead of me go through a area that just looked like a snow bank. It was dark and I popped through and I was on black top. There was a car coming and luckily it was a long way from me but it was still too close. The snow banks were high and I didn't realize that it was a road. The people ahead of me were a field length ahead of me. Thought about it all year. Hope Dave can get the best care possible. Good luck to him.

I want to be frank about what I say. First I truly appreciate the person and persons that have kept me informed of trails, trail conditions, where to stay and best of all stories of everyones experiences riding these trails. The frankness, what is the reason for the problems the site is going though. Is it financial, lack of help or maybe we need to try to get more sponsors for the site. I think and hope it can be fixed. Thanks for doing all that has been done over so many years.

Well we are home. The trail 355 was fine mainly because of the snow from the night before. This was all the way to Lac Edward. At the gas pumps there the sleds were backed up atleast double 20 sleds deep. Got a little choppy and pushy in the corners but normal on a busy Saturday. Got to 73 and headed south. The railroad bed was fine but met lots of traffic. That's went I realized where all the sleds at the gas pump came from. Now the bad. From where the rail bed ended it was terrible. I was told it was groomed that morning but I don't know if I believe it. Got gas and a drink at the first gas station about 20 miles north of St Raymond and the trail went from bad to really quite nice. It's OK because that's the last thing I will remember about the trip. All and all it was a good advantage, found some really nice trails and places and I'm keeping them as my secret. Lol. Only my opinion is I think there is more sleds in the LSJ area than before and probably because of the lack of snow in the other areas that usually have snow. I'm going back in a couple weeks to the west part of Quebec and maybe in beginning of March to Gaspie. That's my plan. Oh yes I have been plowing snow at home this morning. Got 6 inches and I don't mind doing it. It's winter and it's suppose to snow. Be safe all. Thanks Don for your advice about taking 355. Got us home and that what matters. Thanks.

Thanks all.

Going to St. RAYMOND. THANKS DON.

Has anyone traveled 355 between 83 and 73 in the last couple days? Reason is we want to go down it tomorrow and someone here in Roberval said a section was closed and then was some logging going on and some gravel involved. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

We went by the new bridge yesterday also. Definitely not a small project. Going to great when done. Like Don said trails are alright but seen them with more snow. I'm picky too.

Don't feel lonely Chris. Heading up to north end of LSJ and one of our boys is stopped and over heating. Determined the water pump has a problem. Luckily short tow to a gas station and arctic Cat dealer nearby. They sent a truck right over and picked up the sled and Jimmy and went to their shop. So two of the guys ride over the dealer to check on the fixing of the beast. Now this is where it gets amazing. They Determined it's the water pump. Take it apart and the impeller shit the bed. Next They didn't have a impeller. One of the mechanics says wait. Goes out back and comes back with a blowed up engine with a complete water pump on it. Charged the pumps, tested, and jimmy is back on the trail to catch the other two boys. One other thing. They gave him the pump, stayed late and got him back on the trail. And yes them mechanics did get a very large tip. They were happy. So we all stayed in the same hotel, had a great meal and basically got drunk. There will be a post put up about the dealer, service and how amazing they were. There is great people in the world. Be safe all.

Is this project finished.