Triggerhappy

Yup the winter carnival.  lol  yes it was around the tour boats in the village.  They keep bubblers going so not to freeze around the boats.  a lot of people run those water spots.  75' distances are actually very easy with just normal momentum.  Doing 50mph and just keeping your throttle consistent (maybe a little more) and just slide your butt back a little bit on the seat you will be across the water almost as if you were riding on ice.    The deeper the lug track the easier it is.  Light sled with a good paddle track and water not easily able to get to the belt and you can ride for miles on water.  But at night.....  that could be a whole different game.  Glad I have gained some intelligence over the last few years.  ;)

Rolled back into St-Jean-de-Matha at 5:30 yesterday from Parent. Never passed another sled on trail till after Giraldo dam some 170 miles from Parent.
Finished up the 5.5 day solo ride with 1522 pristine miles. Going back up with "the band" (my usual riding partners) on saturday for another week of riding.
Probably wont have a "thread" for that trip as I get all the entertainment I need when i'm riding with my buddies.
Trails are all superb. My best recommendation from last trip would be do the 83 from Parent all the way west to Senneterre. Beyond insane conditions.

Here is the path of our Saturday February 1, 2020 ride



We started directly from the home in St-Thomas (near Joliette) by sled with the primary objective of going to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. It was around -8C at the start with a layer of fog that the sun was chasing away



We went through Joliette. Slightly past Lapointe Sport, the trail runs along the railway that we used to follow up to St-Félix de Valois in the past but we must now, almost at the beginning, turn left and make a detour. The trail that goes straight is the ATV trail only that takes the road further.



The interactive map is up to date and I put a screenshot on which I wrote the old approximate route with red x and an arrow shows the intersection from where I took the pic above



We connect back along the railway a little north of Notre-Dame de Lourdes



The snowstorm from the previous weekend did a great improvement and the snow cover is now very good even in the south of my area. Here a little north of St-Félix de Valois. Note I have different pic size on this report,  some come from the camera of my sweetheart and others from my Gopro headset





North from St-Jean de Matha, just past the BRP  dealer Gero, the Black River is marked and solid



As we go up from the river, the trail that used to take the wood now runs along the road. A good path that ride very well



A little further at the junctio we took on the left towards St-Côme



The snowcover is excellent and the decor is beautiful





Note that the trail run on a road bridge instead of an ice bridge this year. Here when approaching St-Côme




 
The "St-Côme en glace" festival  was just started we were on the first day of it on February 1st, and it run 3 weekends up to the February 16, so you still have a lot of time if you want to come and see. As we expected, the ice sculptures were not yet very advanced and we were rather in the construction phase where we see the artists working on them. Unfortunately as almost every time we go there to take pictures, the sun hides as soon as we set foot in St-Côme! We laugh about it now it happens almost every time but we take pics anyway. Here is a sample of what we saw:
Some sculptures are small ...



And others bigger like this plane which is about to have an other wing 



Several sculptures are well started and will be completely finished  in the next days.



Several are real life size so always impressive to see



This one is under realization and will surely be impressive to see when finished, a good one for the dogs lover like me!



As usual they push the ice concept and go from cute to usefull!


 
It was already past noon, so we went to La Marguerite restaurant at the entrance of the village. With the festival, they were obviously a bit overloaded and the restaurant was already quite full when we arrived but I have to emphasize the exemplary service they gave.  We got there around 12:25 and at 13:10 we had already eaten very well, bill paid  and ready to go! I stop eating in many places but efficient like them it's not common and it was the same there last year: my hat to them!
Being near to leave St-Côme, the sun started to show up! so we took the opportunity to go see a couple of other sculptures at the entrance of the village.
Here, the fox and the crow ...



Not sure there was squirrels in this story but they are cute!



and this fireplace with a lot of details, so realistic that it smelled like a log fire next to it ( it is funny buy was really true !!!)



We then took back the venture and rode north on #343 trail



There has been logging in this area in the past years because of the power line construction but it is over and we are now taking advantage of the forest road path they left us. Very nice to ride, wide and clear view.



We made the detour to go and fuel up at Coin Lavigne





We then took #33 trail north. The river along the trail offers several beautiful views





We then took the local trail which brings us on the #63 further east





We passed La Glacière and took #350 trail





And then forked on #23 trail to go down south. The trail started to be worn due to the traffic of the day but it was really better than I expected 


We passed the Pourvoirie du renard Bleu



And took a break at the #63 junction





We then continued and passed St-Gabriel de Brandon where the 2 dozers were just leaving to do each their their own runs





To shape up the ride a bit, we went through Berthierville where we also met the dozer at the height of St-Cuthbert.



We finally came back home around 6:15 pm with about 170miles on the dreammeter, another wonderful day for us. The suspension of the venture worked well because the sugar pie we had put in the Givi rearcase in St-Côme arrived home in not so bad shape ... and the taste completely intact !!!


 
In summary, we are in the heart of the slead season and the conditions are great everywhere. If you want to make beautiful rides let go, it's time!
For those interested, the St-Côme en Glace festival continues until mid-February and leaves you another 2 nice weekends to go if you don't have time during the week. The trail passes through the village so super accessible and the experience is as beautiful day and evening as most of the sculptures are illuminated. For more details: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/
Otherwise for more details on the trails and snowmobile in Lanaudière/Mauricie: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
I managed to capture quite a few good video scenes and I should be able to put you a montage here later this week ...
Bye!
Alain

When in RDL I love going out to eat at various places, occasionally enjoy La Cage, love the food at the Levesque, and perhaps my favorite, Symposium Restaurant in the downtown.
RoadRunner had suggested La Imtiminet Bar in the downtown, he really liked it. I got a second opinion from a young lady at the front desk of the hotel. She loves the place and highly recommended it.
So off I goes, downtown RDL. First, if you haven't been to downtown RDL, it is kind of neat, a little of the old world. No ice sculptures lining the street this year. Better yet, huge snow sculptures. I need to get there during daylight and get some pics for sure.
So I find the place and go inside. Luckily a quiet Monday night, only about a third full.
I am immediately taken with the decor. This place covers all the check marks The atmosphere covers all the occasions. It is REALLY nice inside.
Romantic evening with the wife:  check     get a window seat.
Night to pound beers with buddies:  check
TVs to watch sports:  check
Quiet enough to carry on a conversation without shouting: check
Would the mayor entertain Prime Minister Trudeau here:  You bet!
Food is a big selection of pub food and some higher end food.  The Pub food is at the highest end of the spectrum, yes, that good.
The beer!!!!  Lots of tap beer. Tons and tons of beer from so many countries. And countless beers, and I mean countless, from microbreweries from all over Quebec.
 
I won't mention the waitresses. I want all of you to go for the food!
mike

Absolutely.  Would I choose to do it anymore, no, but I have been known to run open water before in my younger and less intelligent years.  I have run across open water for nearly a mile late into the snowmobile season.  But not at night.  Dark adds a whole different level of risk.  The sleds today (mine particularly being a 4 stroke) are not lovers of open water like my 2 stroke ZR's used to be.  So given your scenario and we are moving along and I see water or people braking hard and dropping in, but I see land or lights not that far across I just ride it out.  I feel that would be the safest thing given the circumstances.  not to mention if I get across I have a house to get help.  Just my choice,  Others may feel different.

Absolutely.  Would I choose to do it anymore, no, but I have been known to run open water before in my younger and less intelligent years.  I have run across open water for nearly a mile late into the snowmobile season.  But not at night.  Dark adds a whole different level of risk.  The sleds today (mine particularly being a 4 stroke) are not lovers of open water like my 2 stroke ZR's used to be.  So given your scenario and we are moving along and I see water or people braking hard and dropping in, but I see land or lights not that far across I just ride it out.  I feel that would be the safest thing given the circumstances.  not to mention if I get across I have a house to get help.  Just my choice,  Others may feel different.

Absolutely.  Would I choose to do it anymore, no, but I have been known to run open water before in my younger and less intelligent years.  I have run across open water for nearly a mile late into the snowmobile season.  But not at night.  Dark adds a whole different level of risk.  The sleds today (mine particularly being a 4 stroke) are not lovers of open water like my 2 stroke ZR's used to be.  So given your scenario and we are moving along and I see water or people braking hard and dropping in, but I see land or lights not that far across I just ride it out.  I feel that would be the safest thing given the circumstances.  not to mention if I get across I have a house to get help.  Just my choice,  Others may feel different.

We stopped in Hotel central in Parent, had dinner with slyvia's cousin, he said she is at home and doing well, her eye is going to be OK and is now open. The idiot that did this is most likely going to jail, as far as I council tell he should consider that protective custody, he is not welcome in this area and it would be quite wise for him find a new place to be if he would like to stay whole. We left a 100$ donation for her fund on behalf of Quebec rider, these folks are very nice people and have been very good to our community for decades, support them when you are in this area.

Here is a pic of the inside of the main building at Haltaparache

Been promising the mrs more seat time this season, should not be hard to beat as last season she had none. 
She is a very good rider and excellent student. She handles that Apex like its nothing. 
She took me by car this AM to liberate my patient from the hospital aka Moto Thibault. Had no time to get there earlier in the week. 
Now keep this between us because,  I am not supposed to be out goofing off, I am on call running the show at work as boss Marc is in Hawaii. Boss man Alain was in RDL this weekend at Universal for a couple day loops out and back. I decided to take a chance and go riding on this nice blue sky day. Worst that could happen? I get a call and have to beat feet back ASAP. Well my middle name is danger so that’s how I live dangerously. 
Anyway the wife drops me at the shop I dress up and hit the trail for home to join her. Sled is in top shape no worries but I am gonna push her just to make sure. Trails about a 7-8 on 10 seen much worse and seen much better. For Saturday I will take it. Quick run up to house, she is dressed and ready to go. I pull her sled out.(well my spare sled) she is ready to run. Plan is to run to St Anne de la Perade to eat at her friends new resto there. Up 3 through Shawinigan not alot of traffic for a Saturday and the blue sky day. Fine with me. 3 it is all the way to St Narcisse I give her some fresh gas here and a bathroom break at Petro T. Few more sleds around here. I was going to take local through St Luc Vincennes but is closed with big sign saying so. Wife says she saw on FB they are having big dogsledding races there all weekend and must be using part of the trails for this. Says closed until monday. No biggie. Stay on 3 all the way through St Stanislas. Have not been this way at all last year some changes here. We end up at the abandoned Roger’s Cabin. Hard to look at. Down another local trail and join with 351 into St Anne de la Perade. Joint is jumping at the fish shacks,  tout le monde est la today. We cruise on through and up into town to her friends new resto next to Esso station. Nice place normal good lunch stuff nothing fancy but real good. Just how we like it. Took our time relaxed a bit and headed out for home. Straight shot 351 to Cap de Madeline then local back up through St Louis de France and back to TQ3 and home. This last part being the second time up this one today for me. Decent trails not terrible for a Saturday. What matters is the wife is happy and we all know what they say....Happy Wife? Happy Life. 
Great relaxing day. Much different riding with the Mrs than the boys. A different ride. 
Until next time.

I can't say that they are good from being on them, but as I was driving home from Shawinigan last Sunday afternoon, between Montreal and the border (closer to the border) we watched a small group of sleds running the trails (south) that run along the side of Rt15.  The trails looked covered and they were moving at a very good speed.  Where they started and where they were heading is unknown, but the trails were rideable and "appeared" to be ok.  that's all I know.

When we stopped on the river at the ribboned off junction you could see the heavily ridden track still going up the river.  Just then a couple sleds were coming down from there so I flagged them over and they said they were just staying at a place a couple km’s Up the river and they were told there was a “pond of water” on the ice further up from where they were staying. They also said they were told you could still make it up the river but they weren’t going to try it.  So we didn’t either and took 23 to 360 up to LaTuque.  It snowed hard Saturday night and we took a quick ride Sunday morning before heading home.  Nice powder day of riding.  I had a few first timers in Quebec with me so I was showing them around.  They are already booking a return trip in a few weeks. Lol. They loved Reggie.  

Rolled in today at Reggie’s (Drakkar) and headed out for a ride.  Trails were in great shape.  A little thinner the more south you go but going east was in great shape.  A little warm but still a great ride.  Passed a groomer this afternoon on trail 3.  

I can't say that they are good from being on them, but as I was driving home from Shawinigan last Sunday afternoon, between Montreal and the border (closer to the border) we watched a small group of sleds running the trails (south) that run along the side of Rt15.  The trails looked covered and they were moving at a very good speed.  Where they started and where they were heading is unknown, but the trails were rideable and "appeared" to be ok.  that's all I know.

When we stopped on the river at the ribboned off junction you could see the heavily ridden track still going up the river.  Just then a couple sleds were coming down from there so I flagged them over and they said they were just staying at a place a couple km’s Up the river and they were told there was a “pond of water” on the ice further up from where they were staying. They also said they were told you could still make it up the river but they weren’t going to try it.  So we didn’t either and took 23 to 360 up to LaTuque.  It snowed hard Saturday night and we took a quick ride Sunday morning before heading home.  Nice powder day of riding.  I had a few first timers in Quebec with me so I was showing them around.  They are already booking a return trip in a few weeks. Lol. They loved Reggie.  

Day5
Todays plan was to completely wing it. After a stop at the ski doo dealer in the morning to replace the wire for momo’s oxygen helmet that got sucked into his track it was TQ 93 south. Freshly groomed last night, passed the groomer headed back from his 2nd pass. Perfectly set up! Sweet! Quick stop at the sawmill for fuel. No food there anymore. South of the mill not recently groomed but still in great shape. Continued up to Lac au Jim. Thought you could stay there but a no go. Quick map check and Giradville has 2 places about 25 miles out. Into town there for fuel and ask. Motel 1km away, Perfect! Small place with 6 rms. You check in at the supermarket next door which also has a SAQ which was even better! Restaurant across the st. Tomorrow up around the lake on the 373 which is an awesome new trail. 225 miles for the day.

Rolled in today at Reggie’s (Drakkar) and headed out for a ride.  Trails were in great shape.  A little thinner the more south you go but going east was in great shape.  A little warm but still a great ride.  Passed a groomer this afternoon on trail 3.  

When we stopped on the river at the ribboned off junction you could see the heavily ridden track still going up the river.  Just then a couple sleds were coming down from there so I flagged them over and they said they were just staying at a place a couple km’s Up the river and they were told there was a “pond of water” on the ice further up from where they were staying. They also said they were told you could still make it up the river but they weren’t going to try it.  So we didn’t either and took 23 to 360 up to LaTuque.  It snowed hard Saturday night and we took a quick ride Sunday morning before heading home.  Nice powder day of riding.  I had a few first timers in Quebec with me so I was showing them around.  They are already booking a return trip in a few weeks. Lol. They loved Reggie.  

When we stopped on the river at the ribboned off junction you could see the heavily ridden track still going up the river.  Just then a couple sleds were coming down from there so I flagged them over and they said they were just staying at a place a couple km’s Up the river and they were told there was a “pond of water” on the ice further up from where they were staying. They also said they were told you could still make it up the river but they weren’t going to try it.  So we didn’t either and took 23 to 360 up to LaTuque.  It snowed hard Saturday night and we took a quick ride Sunday morning before heading home.  Nice powder day of riding.  I had a few first timers in Quebec with me so I was showing them around.  They are already booking a return trip in a few weeks. Lol. They loved Reggie.  

Two of us arrived Tuesday noontime got our room then headed out for lunch and a quick spin. It was fairly cold about 10F, and the trails were terrific. Hard, flat , fast. Pretty much the way I like em.
After a bite and brew at the Relay Station on 351, we headed east  to the ice fishing village (city) at st anne de la parade. Then looped back on 351 where it parallels Hwy 40 heading west towards trois rivieres. Again all trails were hard hwy like surfaces. Back in to Drakkar after gas up at station just down the street from the motel.
Wednesdays plan was to do a 1 nite saddle bag over to st raymond via Latuque, then down 73 into st ray. Before shoving off I said to Reggie, keep my truck keys here in case it snows, or you want to move it , whatever. As it turned out, it was a good decision.
It was milder wednesday, snow cover was terrific, but softer. Did the 351,360 to St Joseph, then 355 pipeline into Latuque, all good. 3 ft of snow on the ground up there vs 2 ft in Shawinigan. We had lunch in Latuque, then down 73 we went. About 25 miles into it my buddy wasnt in my mirrors. Uh oh. Pulled over, waited,...he aint coming. 3 point turn , back I go. Hes back a mile or so, looks like hes changing a belt. Big problem, secondary spins in his hand, not good. So now its drag it around, hook up rope, off we go back to Latuque we hope. Fun, fun.
We get to where the rail bed(flat trail) ends just west of a big lake. from here on its billy goat hills into Latuque. But, sitting right where the 1st hill starts sits an older gentleman. He speaks in french first, we reply in english, and then he switches to perfect english. He says hes been waiting for us to show up there and he tells us to follow him. He takes us on nearly flat dirt roads and unmarked local trails, stops traffic for us,  right to the Hotel Marineau at the lights on the main drag near the airport. Once again the Quebecers drop everything to baby sit us when things go wrong.  Amazing.
So from the  Marineau Hotel I call Reggie back at the Drakkar asking him if he knows of a driver that might be able to come get our sorry asses. He says sure Ill come get you right now. He drops everything and drives my truck with trailer 90 miles up to Latuque. we load up both sleds and back to Drakkar we go. 
All I can say is we sledders need to support the Reggies of the Motel/Inn world. These folks go way beyond the ordinary to help you any way they can. Can you imagine anyone from a Hotel chain helping you like this?? Wont happen. Need to support these kind of folks whenever possible.

Rolled in today at Reggie’s (Drakkar) and headed out for a ride.  Trails were in great shape.  A little thinner the more south you go but going east was in great shape.  A little warm but still a great ride.  Passed a groomer this afternoon on trail 3.  

A nice 265 mile day.  Mostly good some garbage.  Up to LaTuque.   The river is roped off going north past the trail 23 crossing. They said there is a section of water up the river.  

A nice 265 mile day.  Mostly good some garbage.  Up to LaTuque.   The river is roped off going north past the trail 23 crossing. They said there is a section of water up the river.  

Rolled in today at Reggie’s (Drakkar) and headed out for a ride.  Trails were in great shape.  A little thinner the more south you go but going east was in great shape.  A little warm but still a great ride.  Passed a groomer this afternoon on trail 3.  

I am here with Reggie right now.  Had a few of his shots.  Sitting in these comfy recliners.  Reggie is the best.  It’s like being at home.