PLAYHARD

A nice report as always Alain. Do take care with Krikri's pneumonia as Iceman said, extra bed rest seems to be as important as medicine to conquer it. 

Hoping Krikri is feeling better soon. Make sure she is getting lots of rest. The pneumonia can be tough if you don't take the time to rest and not try to do too much. 
Sorry to hear. 
Hang in there Alain and take good care of Krikri. 

Club Mauricie posted these photos of a few trouble spots, certainly there are more.....
TQ23 near St Alexis

Between Lac A Tortue and St Tite

 

Hey Bill,
You've been pretty quiet. Hoping you're hanging in there. 
If the doc says no go, that's what second opinions are for!

25 February 
ever seen the movie "Forest Gump?" 
Its kinda like that....
 

Agreed.  If you're introducing riders to Quebec, the day trips out of the Delta is the safer way to go.  You can pick your ride from a number of loops instead of committing to 23.  Plenty of fine riding up there to impress the freshmen.
Happy trails.
Jack & Sandi

So Ginger & I got an early start on our last trip to paradise. The miles were passing by quickly & we were on the 20 east bound just before the Madrid exit when Ginger (she was driving) said "oh no we have a flat tire" next thing we heard a pop & now we have two flats on the driver side. She quickly slowed & pulled to shoulder which saved the wheels & fender from damage.
The first thing I do is call AAA which goes to CAA. A very nice English speaking representative tells me the trailer isn't covered but she can still send a rollback. Ok great, she even stays on the line in case she has to translate. Translation is not necessary as the rollback person speaks English & says the truck will be there in 30 minutes. So as were waiting soon there's a woman at the drivers side door asking if we need help. We respond we're OK there's a rollback on the way. She then informs us she's from a trailer dealership less than 3 miles away. Then we notice there's 2 guys with here already verifying the tire size. I have them write their information down & when the rollback shows up I tell the driver take us here. For sure it's not very far & we realize we have seen this place the numerous times we have driven on the 20. Once there the rollback driver says he doesn't want to tilt the bed & risk the trailer falling off because the rollback is almost too narrow for the trailer. No problem since the dealership has a large fork lift for unloading trailers. In my mind I need two tires but Ginger says four, so four it is. The workers roll out the Quebec hospitality & soon we're enjoying some fresh coffee & snacks. Next thing we know they tell us it's all done & ready to go. We pay the bill & pull around to hook up the trailer. It's then we realize they also washed the trailer!!!
The screen shot of Google maps shows a red pin & a blue dot. The red pin is where we stopped & the blue dot is the dealership.
I've been towing trailers since I was 18 & this is the first time I've had one flat let alone two!!!
So if you're on the 20 near Madrid & need service for your trailer I can highly recommend Remorque LeBlanc.
 

I would think once you get past the river in St Raymond you will be fine, they have alot of snow over that way this year.

Hi Playhard.  I'd lean towards the Roquemont.  The new bridge gets you across the water and you only have 10 miles before you start in elevation. The only caveat like Ice said, if its early in the week, the groomer may not make his Monday pass to L'Etape.  That would make a long bumpy ride.
Jack & Sandi

We did the tour listed below last week and it turned out great, skirted the storm as planned/hoped. The base was big, and the dump on top should mean lots left after this week's warm-up. Also, we were pleasantly reminded that "white" on the grooming web updates sometimes means it just didn't need it. Don't miss the sled museum in the basement at Hotel Copper in Murdochville! We went over these miles by a bit each day, but all days were pretty easy:
  ...Weather forecasts from different sources varied throughout the week, so i made the move to drive a few more hours east of RDL Saturday and set ourselves up in Amqui, so we'll have more flexibility later in the week if we need it, and we’re looping around back west at the end of the week to catch a night at the original place we were going to launch from. Here’s our story, locked & loaded!...
 
 
HQ, Sat 2/11) 11hr-10min/677mi from Hinsdale, MA
Sélectôtel, 340 Saint-Benoît Boul O, Amqui, QC G5J 2G2 www.selectotelamqui.com  418-629-2241
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?unit=mi&lat=49.126876&lng=-66.933766&zoom=7&force=1&ewaypoints=4847549,-6742737,-51108,16413,1552,33206,12206,81353,14652,-961,3114,42380,37645,-45538,30992,66439,-57824,97532,13340,30445,31654,-26930,17144,8789,21304,-141045,-10573,-68219,-27575,-103091,-38188,-97627,-63921,-106507,5827,84754,54424,92285,4919,30487&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 1, Sun 2/12) 180mi, Trails: 5e, 587se, gas in Matapedia, 5e
HOSTELLERIE BAIE BLEUE, 482 boulevard Perron, Carleton-sur-Mer G0C 1J0 http://baiebleue.com/hostellerie/  (800) 463-9099 (418) 364-3355 
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?unit=mi&lat=48.304211&lng=-66.770302&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4847173,-6743784,-48342,14164,-471,35540,11609,82247,963,-1579&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 2, Mon 2/13) 180mi, Trails: Local to tour windmills, 5e, 595n, gas @ Relais De La Cache, local e, 597s
Hôtel Copper, 700 5e Rue, Murdochville, QC G0E 1W0 www.hotel-copper.ca  418-784-2566
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?unit=mi&lat=48.661889&lng=-65.956970&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4810928,-6613388,13192,-230,1846,44673,39826,-46704,30100,66532&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 3, Tues 2/14) 190mi, Trails: 597s, gas in Grande-Rivière, 5e, local to Perce Rock, gas in Gaspe, 5ne
Auberge Le Caribou, 82 Boul Renard O, Gaspé, QC G4X5H1  www.aubergelecaribou.ca  (877) 260-3344
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=&unit=mi&lat=48.791914&lng=-64.811012&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4897492,-6549609,-58668,97626,13198,30430,48453,-18275&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 4, Wed 2/15) 180mi, Trails: 5w, gas in Mont-Saint-Pierre
Hôtel & Cie, 90 Boulevard Sainte Anne O, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC G4V 1R3  www.hoteletcie.com 418-763-3321
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=&unit=mi&lat=49.407878&lng=-65.533762&zoom=8&force=1&ewaypoints=4900686,-6439622,21916,-138954,-10714,-70473,541,205&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 5, Thurs 2/16) 250mi, Trails: 5w, gas in Matane & Rimouski
Hôtel Universel, 311 Boulevard de l'hôtel de ville O, Rivière-du-Loup, QC G5R 5S4 www.hoteluniverselrdl.com  418-862-9520
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=H&unit=mi&lat=48.702718&lng=-68.003481&zoom=8&force=1&ewaypoints=4911818,-6648816,-27830,-103464,-38151,-97355,-63828,-106324&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 6, Fri 2/17)  190mi, Trails: 576se, 85se, local to 544se, 571se, gas in Squatec, 546, 35ne, 5e, 579se, gas in Saint Gabriel, 579se to 587se Radar/Mummies in La Redemption/Ste Irene
Sélectôtel, 340 Saint-Benoît Boul O, Amqui, QC G5J 2G2www.selectotelamqui.com  418-629-2241
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=&unit=km&lat=48.419208&lng=-68.480255&zoom=8&force=1&ewaypoints=4781976,-6956066,7059,84241,53122,55660,-234,36447,5307,35805&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 

We did the tour listed below last week and it turned out great, skirted the storm as planned/hoped. The base was big, and the dump on top should mean lots left after this week's warm-up. Also, we were pleasantly reminded that "white" on the grooming web updates sometimes means it just didn't need it. Don't miss the sled museum in the basement at Hotel Copper in Murdochville! We went over these miles by a bit each day, but all days were pretty easy:
  ...Weather forecasts from different sources varied throughout the week, so i made the move to drive a few more hours east of RDL Saturday and set ourselves up in Amqui, so we'll have more flexibility later in the week if we need it, and we’re looping around back west at the end of the week to catch a night at the original place we were going to launch from. Here’s our story, locked & loaded!...
 
 
HQ, Sat 2/11) 11hr-10min/677mi from Hinsdale, MA
Sélectôtel, 340 Saint-Benoît Boul O, Amqui, QC G5J 2G2 www.selectotelamqui.com  418-629-2241
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?unit=mi&lat=49.126876&lng=-66.933766&zoom=7&force=1&ewaypoints=4847549,-6742737,-51108,16413,1552,33206,12206,81353,14652,-961,3114,42380,37645,-45538,30992,66439,-57824,97532,13340,30445,31654,-26930,17144,8789,21304,-141045,-10573,-68219,-27575,-103091,-38188,-97627,-63921,-106507,5827,84754,54424,92285,4919,30487&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 1, Sun 2/12) 180mi, Trails: 5e, 587se, gas in Matapedia, 5e
HOSTELLERIE BAIE BLEUE, 482 boulevard Perron, Carleton-sur-Mer G0C 1J0 http://baiebleue.com/hostellerie/  (800) 463-9099 (418) 364-3355 
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?unit=mi&lat=48.304211&lng=-66.770302&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4847173,-6743784,-48342,14164,-471,35540,11609,82247,963,-1579&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 2, Mon 2/13) 180mi, Trails: Local to tour windmills, 5e, 595n, gas @ Relais De La Cache, local e, 597s
Hôtel Copper, 700 5e Rue, Murdochville, QC G0E 1W0 www.hotel-copper.ca  418-784-2566
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?unit=mi&lat=48.661889&lng=-65.956970&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4810928,-6613388,13192,-230,1846,44673,39826,-46704,30100,66532&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 3, Tues 2/14) 190mi, Trails: 597s, gas in Grande-Rivière, 5e, local to Perce Rock, gas in Gaspe, 5ne
Auberge Le Caribou, 82 Boul Renard O, Gaspé, QC G4X5H1  www.aubergelecaribou.ca  (877) 260-3344
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=&unit=mi&lat=48.791914&lng=-64.811012&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4897492,-6549609,-58668,97626,13198,30430,48453,-18275&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 4, Wed 2/15) 180mi, Trails: 5w, gas in Mont-Saint-Pierre
Hôtel & Cie, 90 Boulevard Sainte Anne O, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC G4V 1R3  www.hoteletcie.com 418-763-3321
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=&unit=mi&lat=49.407878&lng=-65.533762&zoom=8&force=1&ewaypoints=4900686,-6439622,21916,-138954,-10714,-70473,541,205&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 5, Thurs 2/16) 250mi, Trails: 5w, gas in Matane & Rimouski
Hôtel Universel, 311 Boulevard de l'hôtel de ville O, Rivière-du-Loup, QC G5R 5S4 www.hoteluniverselrdl.com  418-862-9520
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=H&unit=mi&lat=48.702718&lng=-68.003481&zoom=8&force=1&ewaypoints=4911818,-6648816,-27830,-103464,-38151,-97355,-63828,-106324&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 6, Fri 2/17)  190mi, Trails: 576se, 85se, local to 544se, 571se, gas in Squatec, 546, 35ne, 5e, 579se, gas in Saint Gabriel, 579se to 587se Radar/Mummies in La Redemption/Ste Irene
Sélectôtel, 340 Saint-Benoît Boul O, Amqui, QC G5J 2G2www.selectotelamqui.com  418-629-2241
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=&unit=km&lat=48.419208&lng=-68.480255&zoom=8&force=1&ewaypoints=4781976,-6956066,7059,84241,53122,55660,-234,36447,5307,35805&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 

We did the tour listed below last week and it turned out great, skirted the storm as planned/hoped. The base was big, and the dump on top should mean lots left after this week's warm-up. Also, we were pleasantly reminded that "white" on the grooming web updates sometimes means it just didn't need it. Don't miss the sled museum in the basement at Hotel Copper in Murdochville! We went over these miles by a bit each day, but all days were pretty easy:
  ...Weather forecasts from different sources varied throughout the week, so i made the move to drive a few more hours east of RDL Saturday and set ourselves up in Amqui, so we'll have more flexibility later in the week if we need it, and we’re looping around back west at the end of the week to catch a night at the original place we were going to launch from. Here’s our story, locked & loaded!...
 
 
HQ, Sat 2/11) 11hr-10min/677mi from Hinsdale, MA
Sélectôtel, 340 Saint-Benoît Boul O, Amqui, QC G5J 2G2 www.selectotelamqui.com  418-629-2241
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?unit=mi&lat=49.126876&lng=-66.933766&zoom=7&force=1&ewaypoints=4847549,-6742737,-51108,16413,1552,33206,12206,81353,14652,-961,3114,42380,37645,-45538,30992,66439,-57824,97532,13340,30445,31654,-26930,17144,8789,21304,-141045,-10573,-68219,-27575,-103091,-38188,-97627,-63921,-106507,5827,84754,54424,92285,4919,30487&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 1, Sun 2/12) 180mi, Trails: 5e, 587se, gas in Matapedia, 5e
HOSTELLERIE BAIE BLEUE, 482 boulevard Perron, Carleton-sur-Mer G0C 1J0 http://baiebleue.com/hostellerie/  (800) 463-9099 (418) 364-3355 
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?unit=mi&lat=48.304211&lng=-66.770302&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4847173,-6743784,-48342,14164,-471,35540,11609,82247,963,-1579&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 2, Mon 2/13) 180mi, Trails: Local to tour windmills, 5e, 595n, gas @ Relais De La Cache, local e, 597s
Hôtel Copper, 700 5e Rue, Murdochville, QC G0E 1W0 www.hotel-copper.ca  418-784-2566
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?unit=mi&lat=48.661889&lng=-65.956970&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4810928,-6613388,13192,-230,1846,44673,39826,-46704,30100,66532&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 3, Tues 2/14) 190mi, Trails: 597s, gas in Grande-Rivière, 5e, local to Perce Rock, gas in Gaspe, 5ne
Auberge Le Caribou, 82 Boul Renard O, Gaspé, QC G4X5H1  www.aubergelecaribou.ca  (877) 260-3344
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=&unit=mi&lat=48.791914&lng=-64.811012&zoom=9&force=1&ewaypoints=4897492,-6549609,-58668,97626,13198,30430,48453,-18275&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 4, Wed 2/15) 180mi, Trails: 5w, gas in Mont-Saint-Pierre
Hôtel & Cie, 90 Boulevard Sainte Anne O, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, QC G4V 1R3  www.hoteletcie.com 418-763-3321
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=&unit=mi&lat=49.407878&lng=-65.533762&zoom=8&force=1&ewaypoints=4900686,-6439622,21916,-138954,-10714,-70473,541,205&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 5, Thurs 2/16) 250mi, Trails: 5w, gas in Matane & Rimouski
Hôtel Universel, 311 Boulevard de l'hôtel de ville O, Rivière-du-Loup, QC G5R 5S4 www.hoteluniverselrdl.com  418-862-9520
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=H&unit=mi&lat=48.702718&lng=-68.003481&zoom=8&force=1&ewaypoints=4911818,-6648816,-27830,-103464,-38151,-97355,-63828,-106324&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 
Day 6, Fri 2/17)  190mi, Trails: 576se, 85se, local to 544se, 571se, gas in Squatec, 546, 35ne, 5e, 579se, gas in Saint Gabriel, 579se to 587se Radar/Mummies in La Redemption/Ste Irene
Sélectôtel, 340 Saint-Benoît Boul O, Amqui, QC G5J 2G2www.selectotelamqui.com  418-629-2241
http://www.viaexplora.com/snowmobile/index.html?attraits=&unit=km&lat=48.419208&lng=-68.480255&zoom=8&force=1&ewaypoints=4781976,-6956066,7059,84241,53122,55660,-234,36447,5307,35805&cst=1.0,1.01,1.05&csts=1.0&cstr=1.01&spd=50000,50000,50000
 

Day 4 Thursday
Cloudy but not raining as we leave La Tuque. We put some extra oil into the gas and it's out of our hands. qui sera sera. We are off. Met a gang of 4 from Ontario, they got trucked to Perce and left from there to ride back to Ontario. They were not very chatty as I would not have been either knowing where they were trying to get back to. Gonna be a wet few days for them. Oh well. Part of the game. Down to 355 and trail is very nice not shabby at all. We cruise on down and to pipeline section. Rougher here and showing some issues, waterholes opening up big. Lots of sinkholes.  Nick is chugging on. We easily make it to St Joseph and might as well be my house cause this is my back yard. As far as i'm concerned we made it. We scrape through and down 360 to 23 surprisingly not rough but getting thin. Lije this on the big hill on the new section of 360

we run 23 through St Tite and very nice trail here. To M-5 and all good to Lac a Tortue. Still going the old MXZ 600. Gas and down to TQ3 of course here my club has abandoned the ship. Rough is complimentary. It was like a bomb went off. Worst shit almost of the week. Yeah, welcome home Iceman, Junk. We beat our way through Shawinigan Sud and on to Mont Carmel. I'm urinating blood now but we made it. That bad. Doctor says its temporary. Into driveway at 12:00. KwikNick made it 240 miles it ran on 1 cylinder. As i back my sled up to put it in garage the skies opened up. We made just in time. We get situated, changed and got both Doo's loaded in trailer. Time to see tge doctor. Off to Clement Moto in Louiseville. We head on in and i Chat with Clement the owner. Explsin our issues and he says been seeing lots of reverse issues like we have with the enduro. Problems with servo getting hot because of burs on reverse gear. Won't go in reverse heats up servo motor and repeat. We leave both sleds for surgery and back to Relais Ice in a full blown deluge. Relaxing now and soon its off to watch Mrs. Ice and her team kick some ass at dek hockey. 
All in all a good 4 days saw all and then some rode 950 miles and though it was cut short judging by the weather things happen for a reason. I do not need to ride in the rain. No merci. 
Nick had a great time and will be back. He gained the most import thing some real experience. 
950 miles in 3.5 days actually. 

 

Some one sent me this ad for a skidoo, I am unsure if they did because I like Alpines and have an old one, or as a public awareness notice that not everyone selling something is dealing with a full bag of marbles.😄
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-snowmobile/peterborough/1994-ski-doo-alpine-ii-snowmobile/1241320810?siteLocale=en_CA

Makes you want to believe in heaven & hell, so there'll be a special place for them in the latter.
Last week we had RIDICULOUS LOTS of babies on the 587 in Gaspesie, and we respected that we were in "their house".

Hey, sorry, I just can't "like" the snirt shot!  You understand!
 

Makes you want to believe in heaven & hell, so there'll be a special place for them in the latter.
Last week we had RIDICULOUS LOTS of babies on the 587 in Gaspesie, and we respected that we were in "their house".

It's all par for the course for the young squire! Different trail conditions. Different weather conditions. Different numb-nuts traffic conditions. Different mechanical conditions. Yep! Sounds like a perfect primer! Well done!

Day 3 continues 
we fire it back up and its rough. Running but not hitting on both jugs. Oh well it's gonna run till it won't no more. We are 50 miles from Relais 22. So 75 give or take to Windigo(scheduled stop). We head back toward 22. Now it starts the full on smorgasbord of weather. Just lovely. Did I mention the trail is a 10/10. Besides the flat light and weather mix. Slowly but surely we head on back, the weather finally quits and we are moving along. into Relais 22 its 5pm. Decision time 
We all get gas. We decide to pull the plugs again to check. Same thing. PTO side leaned out. Buy two new plugs. Nick puts em in. Owner of 22 is looking at it with us. Says maybe he can bring it to La Tuque with his truck tmmrw. Well we know it's gonna rain. We are not going to Windigo. Not going 25 miles further from any road. 
Its running so it shall. We decide we are going to La Tuque. Its warm and not raining and from there we can sort things out tmmrw. Back down 73 we go. Its 5:30pm. Trail not bad near 22 but farther we go south worse it gets, not the worst but amazing what a few hours and some groups of sleds did to it. Its rough. She has been used and abused. 
We take it a section at a time and don't stop. Its running let's keep moving. The KM click on by and we are back in La Tuque at the gas at 8pm. It made it. Shaking and all but its here. To Hotel Marineau and quick change and some dinner. 
We take stock and a meeting of the minds was called and it has been decided. We will make for Home and it will either make it or we will tow it to where we can come get it by truck if need be. We will load both Ski Doo's and take them to a trusted shop here in Louiseville for proper repairs. Nicks First Quebec run ends Tomorrow. 
He will be back. 
Good news he is in the 300 club with his 368 miles today. 
Demain est un autre jour.
bonne nuit
 
 
 
 

Day 3 Wednesday 
pulled out of Roquemont at 9am. 73 north direction La Tuque. Trail is flat and was groomed last night. Seeing some tracks ahead so we got some out ahead of us. Not easy to tell cause like most everyone they seem to be riding right down the center. But I am pretty sure they are headed north. We hammer on. Nick is doing just fine all is good. Maybe 10km from Rivere a Pierre I see a little snow dust. Hello dere, i squeeze her just a bit, just around a sweeper right and there is the first two. They are a group of 4 sleds i see two more further up. The first two get with the program right quick. I'm going so it can be your way or mine. We all get by. The next one fairly simple its the last one that loves the middle. He is clueless that I am on him like white on rice. I swear there is almost enough room to take him on the right. He would not be the first I've passed like that. But not today. I don't want Nick following me past him on the right. Finally he realizes i'm not his group. We get on up. Trail is still showing track headed north. We shall see. 
Trail is really super groomed and very fast. We bang it out and just before the rail line crossing I smelled them before I could see them. We come upon a big gang of locals heading to chalet or something with a bunch of two ups and a few singles. They are no problem and easily wave us by. Then another we pass him too. Now I got fresh trail not a mark on it. Hammer down we cruise on this perfect trail and take it smooth right into Gas in La Tuque. I must say the sides of the roads, gas stops, hotels, and road crossings all are more like late March than late February. Very melty. Ugly. We got lots of places taking a big hit from the meltdown. 
We suffer a casualty at the Gas. The Enduro has lost reverse again. Was serviced specifically for no reverse and they changed relay said it should be good. Well that was a lie. It's not. Not the end but frustrating. We can do without it. 
Couple of candy bars and a gatorade and up 73 we go. Melty as hell through town. Trail to Odanak and beyond just awesome.
We would be amazed how quickly this would change 6 hrs later as we are headed back to La Tuque. (More on that after)
traffic has been light not many headed south yet. It's early they are coming. We encounter a few here and there headed south. At Rapid Blanc it's bare road all the way to bridge and over it. Not crazy far but sucks. I hate getting my sled dirty. Just aint right.
we are running here after Rapid Blanc on the super highway there. And around the corner comes a group of yamaha's. Those of you familiar with this section know its easily 2 groomers wide here. These guys are on the left and pushing it. I aint having it. I move right at em fricking jack asses probably fresh off the beer from relais 22. Morons. Nick goes up the snowbank practically this is ridiculous. I almost turned around to ask them what the issue was. Just stupid. I am all for riding fast but if you need the whole trail to do it, then you suck. 
Ok closer to Relais 22 we see two big groups southbound. Wow some big gangs. Up and into Relais 22 at around 2:30pm. 
Plan was to take the gas and go up 83 for 50 miles then burn it back. Leaving 22 it starts Raining/Snowing/Sleeting all of the above. Oh well. We push on and it's starting then stopping. Trail is big and beautiful. Quebec perfection. We click it off like butter. 
We swing around at a big road to head back. We take a quick break. Phil and I shut down our sleds and right off we hear the 600 SDI is not well. Shaking like crazy and just not right. Now we knew it was rolling the dice taking this "old iron" out on tour. We purposely kept most nights withing easy pickings for the rescue vehicle from Chez Iceman. (Always on standby). We knew this was our farthest point out and sure enough we were gonna pay for our gamble. The boy pulls the plugs and sure seems as PTO side is way lean. Not good. We change plugs as it's all we couId do seeing as I left the spare bomb making materials back at home silly me. Tick Tock. Ok the boy rode close to 700 miles so far to this point. Sled was fully serviced and tge compression was 145/150 respectively. Brand new intake boots and all. You just can only do so much. It's rolling the dice 🎲. Simple as that. 
......to be Continued 

Go nick the Quick!

Left Real Masse at 8:30am. 
Fresh groomed and white asphalt. Today was gonna be much different than yesterday. The clubs have had time to catch up from the weekend onslaught. They are catching up on the grooming and things are shaping up. 
We head up and take a perfect 350 east its love. And then to 349 just as sweet. And to 23 again just great. This is awesome. 23 is great all the way to the River in Shawinigan. We cross the River and continue on 23 up and into St. Tite. All good. We cruise on into Lac Aux Sables and stop for a quick top off of gas. We continue on and after Lac Aux Sables 23 is rerouted this year and thus part is bad. Really rough, not groomed in a long time. We soldier on to join the 302/23. It is much better now. We run the 302/23 to 353. 353 is just dreamy. Really nice. We run it up and then right turn down 23 and surprise its perfect. Down to join 3 and go 3 east. Its also in great shape. Been awhile since i been on 3 this far east. Near here. Its looking good and we go. We continue on and take 73 up and to St Raymond. This 73 is in need of some love. Not too great compared to what we saw elsewhere. Up to Gas on 23 next to Roquemont. It's 4:30 too early to stop now. Up 23 and this trail is good too. We go to the Relais and take the Local Orange trail back up toward Rivere a Pierre. This is a real gem. Fresh groomed. I'm thinking the groomer is up here he has to be in front of me. Sure enough just over halfway up he is here taking a break. We sneak on by. Thus trail is in great shape. He is grooming a perfect trail. Hey no problem. We head on up and join 73 then down to Rivere a Pierre. At the road crossing is some action. Flashing lights....SQ and Tansport Quebec directing traffic. Uh oh...
on closer inspection we got a bad accident here. At the road crossing to go to Rivere a Pierre. Car vs Sled. Mazda 3 vs an Apex or Venture, hard to tell from what was left. Car smashed and into the snowbank, sled mangled and in the right lane several hundred feet from crossing, this was some impact. I have learned there were 2 on the sled a man 75 years old has survived, his wife i believe was 80 years old and did not survive. RIP. The SQ were doing the accident reconstruction. We took this opportunity to show Nick the consequences of what can happen. Sad. 
Onward we take a fast 73 railbed back and into Roquemont at 6:15. 
No 300 for the boy again he needs to settle for 260.
Windigo Tomorrow.