PLAYHARD

True dat Blaz'ER! The NH McGuyvers (bless their souls) amputated the first gator and discussed playing Rubic's wheels. Then I went about 10-15 miles into the Copper and integrity degraded beaucoup. No need to risk serious carnage to an otherwise perfect (20k mi) machine. And no need to mess with Murphy and imminent deep woods extrication. I have WORLDS of respect for you expedition riders! But my tool bag's all about duct tape, zip ties & snacks! 8:30 & RDL coming into view! Say bon nuit to the Apex's. Say salud to the Vectors!...

No Ripper for Black in stock, not "feeling it" on field service of Blue's secondary slider puck. So, out of the short haul and into the long (RDL) haul. Anybody around Tuesday for breakfast @ Universel?! Still beauteous by black trail: Can't roll by MSP without stopping to say hey to the legendary Pierre Colombe! These guacs are gone by the way. "Pour Une Duree Limitee" is OVER. Damn. Just remnants here n there...

Every summer I say I'm going to learn to speak Québecoise. So... I figured when Steve @ 4 Saisons Yammi in Gaspe asked about my slides he was being thorough. We did discuss "ICE RIPPER 144" TRACK" and "JACKSHAFT & DRIVE SHAFT BEARINGS" and I did hear the words "IN STOCK". Oh well. I'll yield to Iceman's narrative for the day when he gets to it later. In the meantime, while he's wheeling us both in the U-Haul (spanking her like the rented mule she is), here's today's eye-candy: Under semi-protest, Blue no like box trucks where there's perfectly rideable trails right outside.

Thanks RR! A Yammi dealer out here has the 144" Ripper & bearings/etc in stock! Calling his camion driver now. Looking promising to rejoin the train @ Caribu in Riv Renard tonight! The museum is in the basement of the Copper, totally casual entry, they just need to flip on the lights. Can't say enough good about these guys, offered their truck, or a loan of Jacque's personal sled to keep us rolling:

Mint 595 to LaCache for gaz: Good timing for us! Our friend at the pump was working both sides:

We couldn't get the sleds out on the Carlton wharf, but we did get a tour of the snow sculpture on the beach:

Brothers Jacques & Bernard are OBSESSED (Jacques says "passionate") about vintage. Beside the 100 downstairs in the museum, they have another 250 stored in a warehouse. Very cool, not normal, but very cool.

Before: After: Souvenier! Jacques here @ Copper in Murdochville is super nice and super generous! Exploring options in the morning.

I got 20,142 miles out of this 2013 Ice Ripper. So do you think it's out of warranty?!

Now THAT sound delicious! Where do I get me some'a'dat!!

PLEASE don't tell anyone about the orange trail over Carlton! Seriously, this loop bounces our fav (the 587) down to JV... Keep on truckin up to La Cache if you like!... You could land a plane up in here. We did our best to take flight (cue NHmoose video)...

Ah hah!

Sketchy Bridge: Who dat?...

No bad choices leaving L'alverne clubhouse after lunch with the Ray's: No need for these guys today. No Merci. Not today: "Main" trails can be skinny too ya know:

Frickin' AWESOME sign at the Matepedia gas:

Great video, and FLAWLESS keeping right! Bravo! Encore! More, more, more!

I'll let ya know Monday! If the trail to Perce's is rough I'm commandeering Blue Thunder to run a Gaspésie Freshman in for the photo of the rock!

What else did we learn today: Orange "local" trails don't necessarily mean they're small!... Cut across the 5 to Club Mont Arctique in L'Alverne. WAY more fun with blue skies vs seadooing in a 3' blizzard eh?

What did we learn today: White trails on the FCMQ updates might mean they just don't need grooming!...

Chemical/Biological Warfare courtesy of the hockey team kids? No Merci!

Radar lookout to spot Radar golf ball? Too overcast... On the hill behind Ski St Irene?... Uh huh!... Getting closer!... Ah hah!... Actually, it's less like a golf ball & more like a soccer ball... Been a while since this was taken... Check the box!

Picture perfect trails:

NHmark, not just an experienced Groomer... He fixes 'em! NHmoose (MacGuyver) etc: Thinking, thinking, thinking... Yeah OK, whatever, let's RIDE!

Natural beauty doesn't need a thing: But man-made beauty can always be enhanced by an Iceman sticker:

Only one thing could make this better: Longer stretches between gas stops! Wait a minute. What's this?... These Maine'ers fixed up some serious range for their "unconventional" riding. Nice plumbing 1500HD!...