MrsGTRider

bonjour !!!
 
great visit today ...went to vist mcstar + wife + frank  and mrs and mr gt rider at the clubhouse !!!
great to see all of you again...+ 2 more from upstate ny !!!
and very sorry , i forgot to say merci for the lunch !!!
on my way grooming soon.....local trails
-14c.... light snow !!!
 
jean-guy

Many of you have commented on the Western side, and as you can see the eastern region we have run so far had a much more dense snow pack in many places.  We will be working our way down the Western side later this week,  We hope to have good weather for the scenery and strong backs for the powder!
Here are a couple of drone shots , one in Harbor Deep and one in the highlands of the Long Range mountains.
Also Norm from Boughwiffin lodge dropped us off some 2000 year plus iceberg ice last night. That made the Crown Royal taste very special!

 

Pas du problem! 
Sometimes my ADHD gets outrun by my OCD and I play deep!
Disclaimer: Errors on gas in Godbout, etc, can be blamed on "the voices".
With so many POI's missing from the latest version of ViaExplora I'll go side by side with Google Maps to see what's really there:

hi ckf !!!
i keep having the same message all the time !!!
 
'' your grosse poutine extra fromage is on the way !!!
your grosse poutine extra fromage is on the way !!!
your grosse poutine extra fromage is on the way !!!
 
😜😛😛
 
jean-guy

good morning !!!
back from local trails !!!
great night....for pics !!!
 
jean-guy

Awesome video as usual! Funny story, about 15 years ago my buddy from Vermont and I got on the river by Grand mere and we saw open water to the left by the dam which we have seen before but going under that big bridge there was the Shadow from the bridge on the River Plus the dirt from the roadway that was plowed and sprayed on to the river ice and we thought we saw Open Water. We both looked at each other doing about 50 miles an hour thinking we can't stop now  not enough time and hit the gas up to about 70 thinking that we were crossing water but it was just a shadow and the dirt from the snow plow spray coming off the bridge LOL

After the teaser video, here a more complete version from the first half of our last week ride 9 february between Joliette and Marineau. 
Best viewed in 1080p with the sound on!
Alain

GKW and I have rode yesterday and today, the first two days after the storm, and I don't remember the groomers getting the trails back to normal so quick after a big storm. Both days we saw most everything freshly groomed and riding has been fantastic, not to mention all the trees laden thick with snow
mike
 

Another nice looking morning.  93 was groomed last night from St Honore to La Chapelle.  Lets take that.  93 is usually pretty beat but being a Tuesday it should stay good.
Across the two bridges and right on 134 to 93.  134 was groomed too.  93 to St Honore is perfect.  Up the mountain we go.  There is a fluff to the snow up here.  Down below the snow is more sugar snow.  Even around Valinuet 93 is fine.  This is just a few miles past the ski area.  The blue Canadian sky is gorgeous!

Just keep on rolling Sandi.
We pull into La Chapelle.  More sleds here than at Mt Apica.  It looks like all Quebec plates.  We go inside for lunch.  I think this is under new ownership this year.  The interior has been changed.  There is a bar where the kitchen was.  The kitchen is to the right.  The old seating area is the same.

Pea soup, hot dog and a cheeseburger will do.  The pea soup must be homemade.  There is some onion and bay leaves in it besides the peas and ham.  Very tasty.  This could be a meal on its own.
Early in the year there are 3 or 4 steps coming out of that entrance.  Now the snow is up to the entrance.  Hi Sandi.

After lunch we run back down 93.  Bras Louis wasn't groomed so lets stay on 93.  We wind our way down the mountain.  It is getting overcast this afternoon ahead of the storm that is coming in overnight.  At the 328 intersection it looks good to the right.  This was groomed last night too.  Sandi turns right and off we go.  Nice riding here.  Just before the 134 junction there are many signs saying permission fragile, stay on the trail.  I remember someone posting a facebook clip about this landowner being very upset.  Sleds are not staying on the trail and running thru his property.  We behave.
Turn left on 134 and run back to the Delta like we did the other day.
Another nice ride today, very little traffic.  Tomorrow we will wait and see how much snow we get.  It will make the conditions better than they are now even though they are already great.
Jack & Sandi

bonjour !!!
back from a pirouette on the back roads....wooOoOOOOOOOOOOO ...windy !!!
i ll take your advice in consideration gutz !!!..ahaha
 
jean-guy

So true, pretty sure Iceman is writing in his head while riding, makes for a flowing story in the end, and not easy writing on an ipad either.
Not many pictures Sunday, just a couple in the morning light at Windigo, and the 900 Ace trip odometer once back on the trailer after 8 trail days. Nice ratio of 3.6 sled miles per trailering mile to/from NH. Anything over 2:1 is fantastic in my book!
Great crew, no BS!  Gas, pee, ride, eat, snore, repeat.  Pleasure and honor to ride with Iceman, Snohorse and Kwik Nick. Glad we recalculated back to Windigo for wing and smoked meat night, best in the province, and nicest hosts possible.
Carman, sorry no Doo oil reports, maybe just carry a couple quarts in reserve, and resupply ahead when you see it. Personally i would carry much more and be done with the concern. Dual jerry can setup worked great for Snohorse and Kwik Nick.
Until next trip, Moose out

We did yesterday our classic big tour Joliette/Shawinigan/Mattawin/St-Zenon/Joliette 287miles. Here a small sample, best view on large screen at 1080p and crank up^the sound! 
Alain

With the beautiful sun forecasted and the fast trail conditions, we chose to do one of our classics: The Joliette/Mattawin River big loop



We were a little uncertain after Friday's rain on whether the trails would be icy or not so on Saturday morning we took a look at the interactive map to see the latest grooming and the majority of the trails had been done during the night so we went for the big loop

It is a ride that we make every year (once in each direction!) And that we particularly appreciate for its fast and rolling trails for being so south. The ride gave us 287 miles which when we have good conditions can be done quite easily in the same day. Having no riding partner we did it quite intensive without taking many breaks: We left home at 9:00 in the morning and came back home for supper at 7:00pm

So it's under a beautiful sun and -12C  that we start from home by sled on Saturday morning. The trail was very hard so I dropped the 2 scratchers from the start




It was a stunning sunny day but the wind was very strong. We just rode a bit in the field with the wind sideways and a good draft had made its way in the face of my sweetheart making her a cold spot just between the two eyes and she was feeling like she had just eaten a half-pot of ice cream too fast!!! I took out a sticky hot-pad kit and tinkered her a solution ... not very cute but effective!





Top notch riding apart from the side wind that wants to throw us down the Yam from time to time. My sweethearth no longer complains of the cold, not sure if her brain unfroze... or completely froze!




The more we rode on the #3 to the east and the more new snow we saw after the rain that turned to blowing snow










East of Ste-Ursule, I switched on local trails between #3 and #63 to keep a more direct route. Perfect trail conditions










We did a pit stop in St-Étienne to refuel and then continue to the east. Here crossing la Gabelle dam reservoir ...




On the way up on the other side of the river, some snowmobilers in the group in front of us had been trapped on an ice strip in the hill. I really love my Iceripper track, had not even free spinned





And we go back on the St-Maurice in Grand-Mère




The short stretch up to the junction with the #23 was pretty bumpy. Next was better but being two-up on the Yam, it been up to the height of Grandes Piles before I could open the throttle comfortably 





The St-Maurice river scenery is always as beautiful ...







We then ride to get the #360








And we arrived for lunch at Marineau in Rivière Mattawin around 1:00 pm with about 130miles on the dreammeter





Alot people there but as always a good nice and fast service 




Barely an hour later we left, all 3 full (Kristine, the Yammy and me) on # 360 in St-Zénon direction. Just after the bridge the trail connection has changed place  and the first portion is on a new, more direct and less twisty path. I like it much better for sure.




The classic Mattawin River view





The #360 was like a carpet, beautiful and fast.





We took a break at the summer rest area 440




It's a picnic area, if you want to use the table plan to bring a shovel!





Then back for a lazy-boy ride on the beautiful #360








I chose to cross the river on the dam instead of the bridge, like in old time!




The reservoir level is already considerably lowered ...






 
The #345 was nice and fast too. As we expected we met a dozer who was starting his run from Cabanon







A last fuel-up for the venture at the l'auberge le Cabanon 





The #23 south was as good, even in front of the dozer that we passed
 




The only less good section that was bumpy was few miles each side of Réal Massé where #23 and #350 share the same trail, then it was ok and once in the St- Gabriel trails even better. We also crossed their dozer who was leaving for his run too



 
We finally came back for supper at home at 7:00 pm with 287 miles on the dreammeter. The trails near home had enough loose snow with the day's traffic to ride easily without scratchers.
Once again the big tour did not disappoint us. Even with some rain last week, the trail network is still fully operational and nice: the best of the season is now! where ever you want to ride, do it now.. time flies really fast!!

You can always keep an eye here for trail conditions and more: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
Have fun and ride safe!
Alain

For sure everyone appreciates the live updates from the trail. For those who don't realize it, they aren't the easiest thing to do after you've been on the trail all day, then you need gas up, unload, check-in, shower, have dinner, catch up on what you've missed during the day, plan the next days ride and you're tired as hell and need to get up early the next day.

hi mcstar !!!
great to hear from you.....yaaa...the wind down...just back from taking pics....crazy ...worse than this morning !!!
while i was around '' school bus '' ...25-30 sleds !!!
friend of mine posted that the roof of the school in st simon...outside rimouski...kaputt ...gone with the wind !!! whoooooooooooppss !!!
no problem , i ll the date in mind !!!
just talked with eddie a few mins ago !!!on my way to meet them !!!
 
jean-guy

Day 5- Leave LaSarre still pretty cold -7F and 4” of fresh snow. Head down 93 and cut over to the Western loop. Heading to Duparquette to warm up and get breakfast, no deal both restaurants closed. Continue on to Rouyon Noranda gas up and get some breakfast, trails not too bad so far just some loose snow on top. Take the local cutoff to 83 heading east all groomed up until about 1/2 way to Preissac then gets a little rough and in need of grooming. From there take the local to the Manior des Rapides gas up and take a break, good food nice spot. Continue on the local to 307 for just a short section then back on the local to LaMotte and through to 309. This section of local trail was pretty rough back on the 309 all good again. Took the 309 into Val-D’Or for the night at the Forestel. Been here before great place to stay but the dinner takes way too long call St. Hubert lol

Québec clubs currently enjoy a fair degree of autonomy, but rely on the FCMQ, comprising their elected volunteer representatives, as well as a staff of paid specialists,  for technical support and to coordinate their activities provincially.  If a club fails, or ceases to exist (and that does happen from time to time for various reasons), the remaining neighbouring clubs may work with the FCMQ to reestablish lost trail links.   I know of one instance where the Federation actually stepped in to temporarily manage a club which had fallen into disarray and needed to re-group.
In the case of Les Panaches of Lac du Cerf, a depressed local economy and aging population simply led that club to fold.  It's probably the availability of local volunteer resources that will dictate whether or not that area gets up and running again.  I suspect that it will once the dust has settled.
The FCMQ is currently studying various models whereby the individual clubs surrender a measure of their autonomy so that resources can be more evenly distributed throughout the province, and the trail network, the product offered to snowmobilers, becomes more consistent province-wide.  This process, known as Vision 20/20, is currently being formulated through discussions at the regional level.  We've been a party to some of the early discussions and, trust me, there's still a long way to go.  Still,  a lot has been accomplished over the past 45 years, and Quebecers have plenty to be proud of.  And it shows in the way folks plunk down $325 to $400 each year for a trail pass with nary a complaint.

Day 3 actually Day 4 since we did ride Sunday in the Lanaudiere and Maurice area that I posted in the regional section. Today we left Senneterre and took 93 West.  Very cold this morning-16F no restaurant at the Senabi so we head to Barraute for breakfast and a much needed warm up. We continue on 93 to Amos where we top the gas and bump into Iceman at the pumps. After a nice chat we move on and find a warming hut with smoke in the chimney just after the Berry local trail. We warm up and make the final run into LaSarre to the Villa Mon Repos for the night. 93 did not disappoint today was smooth and fast and low traffic. Was cold cold today and with snow starting early afternoon we welcomed an early quit into the hotel at 3:00 and time to relax

Day 5 
 
February 7
 
After a great breakfast at Hotel Maagami, really an awesome restaurant here always great food. Met the owner of Hotel Stephane and chatted quite a while with him, very nice conversation and surely a nice guy. Once again no rush for us. Same old. We are on sleds and leave there at 10am. I like these bankers hours. Another big group left before us, no surprise there. Talking to them last night they were headed fir Seneterre down the Eastern leg of 396. We pull out and head down toward Lebel sur Quellvion as well. Great trail really love this run. Cruise down and trail is in great shape. Stop at new (to me since I last been here) warming hut, add the necessary stickers as required. Then mount up and continue on. All good headed down. 20km from Lebel, as we we flying too low. I come upon a tree down totally across trail. This is gonna sting a bit for sure. Way to late to lock it down, its a pretty good size pine. Solid 8” round and so I hit a tree. Never good when my Apex is airborne. I lifted skiis best I could and it was quite a jolt going over. Luckily I stayed on sled. My hat flew off dashboard and I jammed my shoulder back from the shot i took. We stop to make inspections. Got away with it. Lucky. Even got my hat back, double bonus. Onward. Down in Lebel at 12:30 gas and candy bar. We cruise out of town and grab 93 direction Demarisville. Hammer down, nice groomed trail here. It’s been quite a few seasons since I been on this trail. 
 
It’s really awesome and we bang out no stop the 100km to Demarisville. What a run. We saw two sleds headed other direction near Lebel otherwise have seen no one. Into Demarisville 2:00 we break here again, hang out for a bit. I took 17 liters. The 900 Ace the same, two 850 doo had 40 liters but not sure, probably Kwiknick took more than Snohorse. 
 
Back on trail like I said been many years last run here. Did not realize that they put in all the new bridges. Starting to like this trail again. Left store at 2:20, cruising, Love the section that leaves old railbed and then comes back to it. Not far from Chapais maybe 30km trail is fresh groomed. I can tell he is not far ahead of me. Turns out he was further then I though but here he was. Making a great trail great again. Down and into clubhouse at 3:15. 116km no stop. Another break here. Then we decide it’s time to “get this over with”. Down to gas in Chapais and into Motel Le Routier at 4pm. 
 
Great day again. Gotta love it. 
 
378km
234miles
 
St Felicien tomorrow is the plan. 
 
Until next time.
 
Ice out

This weekend, a small ride to see the ice sculptures of St-Côme in Lanaudière. We then had continue north to St-Zénon and returned a little further east on #23 trail. Here is the trail path we did.



Saturday morning -17C with snow, difficult conditions for the photo/video but I wanted to do this report at the beginning of the festival to give you a chance to go if you pass in the area. Here while starting the ride near home



I chose to ride the #43 trail that we use less often because more twisty but the scenery is beautiful. Here at the intersection with the club hut at St-Ambroise de Kildare



Here just north of St-Alphonse de Rodriguez



rer view with our friend Snowcruiser that was riding with us



There is a lot of snow this year throughout the territory but particularly in the north as we can see ...



Here arriving by the west side of the village. We can see the big slide made of blocks of ice



We parked the snowmobiles to walk a little in the village and admire the sculptures. The festival just started and the carvers are at realizing their works.



Some are completed ...



And others still work in progress





The photos don't do them just under this dark sky but this is a real size scene of the Flintstones with Fred and Arthur in their car, Delima standing behind and Dino looking out  by the window of the house!





This one is fine art work with alot details, surely even more beautiful with the sun or the colored lights at night ...



Another great scene very impressive here, always real size



imagine the talent required for carving the wagon wheels



Here a beautiful piece, one of my favorite



And here a beautiful windmill well surrounded you can admire at the entrance of the village



I did not show you half of what is there, to see everything you will have to go for a ride!

This good walk having opened our appetite so we stopped to eat at the Marguerite restaurant also located at the entrance of the village



After a good meal we continued our way up to the north via #43 trail



We then took the local trail and joined #33 trail continuing north. Here with the small stream and waterfall along the trail. Notice how snow-laden trees are



We had ride up to the next junction and took the local trail to reach #63 trail and then went down to La Glacière. From there we took the #350 to join the #23 south. Trail was bumpy by there and for a good reason, we saw the dozer down on the side of the trail



We took a break at Real Masse, a lot of sledders there ...



When we came out to continue the sky was starting to clear out and we saw our first sun rays of the day



We continued south. The quality of the trail was significantly improved by entering the territory maintained by the St-Gabriel de Brandon  snowmobile club and it's on mint trails that we went for a short break at the St-Gabriel belvedere.


 
Back then through St-Norbert, rather rought in the fields because alot new snow drifts but i won't complain about new snow! We finally got home around 5:30 pm with 173miles on the dreammeter
For the St-Côme in Ice 2019 festival, it is until February 17 and maybe a bit longer just to see the sculptures then so if you are in the area stop to see that, I have not shown half of what is there and if the festival itself interests you all the details are here: https://festivalstcomeenglace.com/

It was a beautiful winter day as we dream in summer! The snow conditions are exceptionally good everywhere this year so go out to enjoy it,  the great of the season is happening now!
Have  a good safe ride !!!
Alain

hi gutz !!!
 
merci...right in town behind church...wanted to go deeper in the plantation ....but too much snow...hate when my boots are full of snow when i come back inside the machine..
back from clubhouse...very crowded...full !!!....snowing lightly...warmer...- 17 c !!
sunset last night ...and pic at the '' school bus '' last monday on my way back !!!
 
jean-guy

Here a must-see if you are in Lanaudière area from now to the 17th february 2019 (and maybe a bit longer): the ice sculpture festival from St-Côme
I did this small video yesterday, sorry for the snow in my lens in some sequences, conditions were not the best for filming but i'm pretty sure you will enjoy the results anyway
Alain

There are some awesome people in Quebec.
Had a helmet situation on a bag trip on the Gaspe. At the time I was using a LS2 modular which wasn’t  very popular. Stopped at the clubhouse in chandler to get something to eat and rig my helmet.Got to talking to a woman behind the bar, next thing I know she says to me your ride is here and come with me.I hop in a waiting truck, end up at the Skidoo dealer in chandler on a Sunday!!!!
The owner opens the dealership up and says helmets are over there and buy what you like with a discount and furthermore will send my old helmet to my house in Pa without charging me shipping.
All on a SUNDAY!!!!!!!
snowmobilers take care of snowmobilers no matter what the situation is. PERIOD!!!!!!!

It is still windy and cold.  We dress up and head out.  In the pen it feels like the windy city of Chicago.
We are off and cross the two bridges.  Then we turn right on 134 (Pickle Park).  Fresh groomed and no tracks.  Go Sandi.  Perfection all the way to 93 and we turn right.  The big long straightaways here are fun but cold.  Brrr!  A stop in St Honore and top off the tanks.  Back on 93 and it has been a few days since this was groomed.  We get to the groomer's house and the groomer had headed up the mountain last night.  Back to zoom zoom.  A left onto Bras Louis.  This wasn't groomed last night but it doesn't get the abuse 93 does.  Sandi is trucking right along.
Oh oh!  My sled doesn't sound right.  The exhaust has a funny sound to it.  Not its normal Singer sewing machine sound.  Not misfiring.  Still plenty of power.  Oh, the temp gauge is almost full bars.  I don't want to be stuck on the mountain in this wind.  I change the display to engine temp.  It is at 158 ̊ F.  I back off and the temp starts dropping.  Sandi is gone.  I take it easy and she is waiting at the junction with 477 to Onatchiway.  Hold on Sandi.  the sled is getting hot.  I look under the tunnel and yep there is a bridge of ice blocking the heat exchanger.  Sandi smiles and says "I got a hammer."  Really?  Where has she hid this.
I take the hammer and whack the side of the tunnel a dozen times.  I hear and see the chunks of ice fall.  OK.  This might work.
We are on the trail again and the engine temp is dropping.  Much better.  Only one set of tracks ahead of Sandi on the fresh groomed 477.  Fifteen more miles and we pull into Onatchiway.  Only a few sleds here but a half a dozen truck trailer rigs.
Time for lunch and a well needed warm up.  We take our time.  No hurry today.  We are making it a short day.
After lunch we take off and head down 476 along Lac La Mothe.  The groomer map showed a groomed second trail cutting off of 476 to the west before St David.  We get to the intersection and lets try it and see where it goes.  We bear to the right and no one has been on this yet.  A mile in and the trail crosses a road.  Another mile and it "Ts" with another road.  Looks like the groomer came from the left Sandi.  We run the road for a short distance and the trail goes across a dam.  There is an arrow pointing to the left.  Ah a sign that says trail 134.  A few red stakes.  We are golden.  Lets go.  About 8 miles later we come to an intersection with 328.  Perfect.
If you look on the trail map it doesn't show this trail.  This new section of 134 hits 328 a few miles east of the intersection of 328 and 367.  The trail was here years ago and then closed.  Now its back.
We take 367 toward St Ambroise.  Boy is it windy in the big potato fields.  We get across the two bridges and head back to the hotel.  We are in early but we don't mind with the cold and the wind.
The trails were fine except for a short section of 93.  The new trail was fun.  Its pretty easy to follow. 
Getting near the end of this trip.  One more day to ride and then it is back home.
Jack & Sandi