MrsGTRider

That indeed is mikerider in the stripes. 
Here is a picture from 2016 at the hotel formerly called the Hi. 🙂

Going through old pictures and found this classic. 

Thanks for reading along!

Then past clova onwards to Val dor. Trails just kept on giving with basically no traffic and fresh snow. They were tough to follow in some locations due to the snow and low light but the two guys who went through ahead of us made it easier (but less adventurous ha!). 

made it to Lac faillon - we both had to dump fuel in as pushing snow could t quite make it with the fun we were having   
 
passed up oil at fer a cheval to hopefully finding some before val dor but that didn’t happen so had to use the Arctic cat oil we bought at Lac faillon  (🙀)  
made it to Val dor - forestel just before 7 pm. Trails were awesome the whole trip with some moguls formed after the weekend rush near Val dor (but not elsewhere). 
 
1300 kms in three days and that wraps up the year - All in QC too!

Now that the 800 kms drive home is over I can finish the trip report. 
 
Woke up to 15 cms or more of fresh wet snow. And it snowed all day so mush so that we had to be plugged in and constantly wiping the visors. But not complaining as I’d rather see snow in the air than rain!
left fer a cheval as the third group out. the backcountry appreciated the extra snow to keep cool and made it more challenging. Eventually at the turn off to 83 west to clova we were just following a single two person group (who we’d follow all day). Made it to clova on epic fresh snowed trails for a lunch (clova poutine!). The debit machine was working today which was nice although it took 3 minutes to go through!

We waved good bye to Natalie at Pourvoirie La Vérendrye, we stayed in a cabin and pre made delicious meals were ready in fridge for us (Jazz cooked up a great breakfast). We were the first tracks up 396 to Louvicourt, gas & lunch at Hotel Royal; then across to Rouyn-Noranda for another great stay at Hotel Albert….a big day for us old riders, 420 km!  Thank goodness (and Groomer drivers) that the trails were 10 out of 10. 
 
the Moores had an early morning appointment at the BRP dealer, great service; changed the sock and fuel filter. Warned that the fuel pump was on its way out and to have a Plan B. Spent balance balance of day wondering around town and had a great dinner at Moulin Noir. 
 
Concerned about fuel pump, hoping our stars are aligned and as Austin Power says we also like to live dangerously. Headed north to Restaurant Le Poste for lunch, place was packed and the staff had a hard time keeping up. South to 93, across to Amos and the Atmosphere. Dinner at  joccivano Restaurant. Woke to 10 cm of snow fall over night.
Headed  north on 396 to Matagami and back down to Motel du Lac in Quévillon. Trails are still in excellent shape, light snow all day.
 
If you’re thinking about one last ride, don’t be afraid to come to this area.

After repos we kept going to pourvoir fer a cheval after pourvoir 100 lacs. Cheval is top notch. Food and service best in QC. They only have part of the rooms available to guests as a number are reserved for the mine workers. Dinner was four course: soup, app, steak and dessert. 

Gemma & Jim!  HUGE MERCI!  Everyone's QR ride reports are awesome & appreciated! 
Still, yours always have that extraordinary Goldilocks "juuussst right" element!
Way to go on capturing & sharing the conditions on: trails & weather, lodging & restos, 2 & 4 legger critters, smooth & rough sailing, even reporting on the (sometimes) elusive radar golfball!
It's truly about as close as one can get to riding along! 
Speaking of which, hats off to you two and the bond you share from all of that riding along together!
A funny thought on your plentiful pics along the way, a non-QR might scroll thru your report and say "Those all look the same, big deal, trees on both sides & snow up the middle", but we're all fortunate to know better! 
Thanks again!
Bon journay!

I put together this musical ride video from last sunday Joliette/Taureau reservoir loop ride. It was pretty much a copy/paste as for snow levels but had the chance to get a cold winter day that we enjoyed very much.
 
Here a list of relays that have ended their season in St-Zenon/St-Michel area on last monday march 20, 2023
Auberge la Glacière (gaz open)
Pourvoirie la Barriere
Domaine Bazinet
Repos (gaz open)
Kanawata (gaz open)
 
Those other one below are still opened:
 
Auberge le Cabanon
Pourvoirie du lac blanc
Koubec
And all St-Michel village restaurant
 

And we’re back!  M&M Tours are on the move again, trailered to La Bannik at Ville Marie. Restaurant was closed due renovations, local restaurants will deliver most days but Mondays…..good thing we always have trails snacks; snacks took a beating. 
 
Woke to -10 and sunny, headed south  on 63 to 43 and spent the night at Dumoine des Valley Guides. Lunch stop at Temiscaming, food great especially  the poutine! Back out to Kipawa for gas ( there’s a restaurant that we did know about)  hopped on the lake and ran it down to meet trail 43 and then onto Valley Guides…we were 1st tracks for over 100km.  Good scenery on the trail, amazing waterfalls/rapids. 
Etienne at Valley Guide, is fluently bilingual and “provides warm meals and comfortable beds to weary travellers”. Individual cabins and homemade (really  good) food delivered hot to the cabin, dinner and breakfast!
Late start, to the town of Swisha for gas where we were the true definition of being a Canadians was defined: we love winter but others are anxious for summer to start.  Up to Pourvoire Pavillon La Vérendry for the night.  Trails have been perfect, 11 out of 10, hard to find a bump; actually meet 2 groomers today. Spoke to Gilbert, 1 of the groomer drivers, he groomes 180 km stretch of trail 43. He did tell us that they are only allow to groom during the day; the reason for this is because there is no longer support for groomers during the night if something happens. He actually has a nice construction trailer, with satellite tv, mid way up the trail where he spends the nights.
Getting ready for a big ride to Rouyn-Noranda tomorrow, we have an appointment at BRP for 9 a.m. For Jazz’s sled as it has been having fuel problems.
 






IMG_0330.MOV

One more from Mont Apica.

Well it sucks that my season is over.  But can't complain.  Little over 3000 km which is average for me.  This last trip was just shy of 1300 km.  Disappointed that 373 was closed on us the day before leaving which changed our plans significantly.  Portions of TQ83 and TQ93 more than made up for it though.  
 
Couple highlights / things I learned
- investing in some ski wheels is a good idea.  Maybe next year
- not many places to eat or sleep open in Tadoussac in the winter.  Rode into town at 7 pm with no plans.  We ended up staying at the youth hostile.  Laughable now, but it was the best option.  $30 a head.  Beer at the bar was only $3 a piece and this was the only way to get fed (restaurantsall closed and no where to cook anything at the motel).  Bought frozen pizzas from the convenience store ($33 total for 3 of us) and cooked them ourselves. The hostile gave us full access to the kitchen.  No showers.  Great people there.  Just had to do our own dishes and put our sheets down the laundry chute when we left.  Our group was a 25 year old, 39 year old and a 58 year old.  They didn't seem to mind.  I'd seriously consider staying there again.  
- mid week riding is the key to good trails around Quebec City.  Had a bad experience in the past.  They were perfect this time through
- I can't decide which is my favorite.  TQ 23, 83 or 93.  All are gorgeous super highways.  Probably 83 if I had to pick 
- if attempting a ride late season in the future I'm going to pull out a topo map to help plan it.  Staying on high ground made a huge difference.
- neat history on Mont Apica.  Part of the pine tree line.  Enjoyed reading the history board posted there.
- I have to go back to Saguenay to ride trail 373 next winter.  Darn that's gonna be tough.
- not sure what causes this but our group was 25, 39 and 58 years old.  25 year old riding a 2018, 39 year old riding a 2016 and the 58 year old riding a 2007.  Not sure if that makes perfect sense or if it's ass backwards.  Lol
Time to get back to work building our new house.  Will hopefully help to fend of the SSAD (snowmobile separation anxiety disorder) by staying busy.  To those that are still riding I'm jealous.  Can't wait for next season.

Playhard,     rest and stay home, have a good recovery.   Is the Aruba house key still under the front door mat?

Playhard aka Terminator 
he’ll be Baaaaackkkkkk