MrsGTRider

bonjour !!!
not the greatest weekend for pics...
traffic jam 1.5 miles from my camp last night ...pics with bull....almost darkness last night while taking pics of sunset / t-storm ...it was very windy ....he was scratching his head where to go !!!
brought back 4w in town....light problem ....did last 2 miles last night with no lights....just a little headlight to put on my head....lucky moon was big !!!
 
jean-guy

bonjour !!!
 
few pics....went to falls friday night and back to rocky pool yesterday night !!!.....north branch yesterday morning !!!
went i left camp yesterday morning ...about 2 miles into my ride....saw that someone tried to make an imitation of '' king kenny ''...different skills i guess...forgot to put his knee down...haha
35 c right now here !!!
 
jean-guy

story about the deer with tag....
went to warden office...on my way there ...met a friend of mine ..he s a warden...landed at the office....closed again...door locked....vroooom ...turned around...
met my friend at gas station ....did nt remember ...he retired a year ago ...don t see him too often...
so,he told me ....its a female....she s been caught in a collar for coyotes ,in town...so, they took a needle...put her on the '' snoring '' mode while removing collar...
then...put tag ....there s another too in town with  a tag ...i could have more info if i could meet the guy who put the tag....happened 2 years ago !!!
still awesome weather....blue sky ...no clouds in sight ....-16c at 7 am !!!
mom + kid....kid need a rear brakes adjustment !!!...ahaha....pic from 09 !!!
 
jean-guy

We've been invited this weekend by the girlfriend of one of our sons to spend a night at their family cottage on the shores of Taureau Lake in St-Michel des Saints. A great opportunity for us to do the reservoir loop in relax mode on 2 days. Here is the final trail path of 303 miles traveled  during the weekend.


Saturday morning, -9C under a clear sky and a beautiful sun when we left home in St-Thomas de Joliette . Finally it was not a so good idea to start from home, we were knowing that the 5 first miles were in Berthier snowmobile club that had closed during the week but still having the signage so we went for it. We got ice, ruts, and a plowed section but once in Joliette's snowmobile club, it was just groomed during the night and the fields trails were impeccable



We took the trail through St-Félix de Valois. The residential section was bare, no more snow but once crossed it was ok. Here in a maple grove tapped with buckets that we don't see often anymore



Every trails in the fields were still in very good condition, here on the old railway in St-Cléophas. All in all, we can say that the good reliable conditions began north of St-Gabriel de Brandon, souther than there, conditions were too uneven



So once in the mountains north of St-Damien the conditions were still winter, very good



The pourvoirie Réal Massé being closed, the Mandeville snowmobile club had groomed a shortcut of 1 mile which avoided us to go through there and saved us about 5 winding miles so very nice. In the 90 curve  with the wooden mirador, we then passed straight.





We then continued the #23 to the Cabanon. No spring's signs there





We stopped early to refuel and eat at Cabanon and then went right toward the Taureau Dam



conditions were impeccable in the best of the season





We took a good break at the dam, chatted with people who were there and took some pictures of the place





By taking our time a bit too much we were starting to be a little tight for being on time for the appointement with our son near the Auberge du lac Taureau so I opened up the throttle which was easy enough with these perfect conditions





several wide and fast trails sections in this area





A little before arriving at the Auberge, the trail passes right on the shore beach and you can see how low the water is, a good 50 feet lower than the summer level



We finally joined our son and his girlfriend at the agreed time. We went on the emptied lake with them before returning to his girlfriend's family cottage. They also ride a venture, 2 decades older than mine!



It's been a long time since I went outside the regular trail on the lake, you must always be very careful while riding on the emptied reservoir ice but it's impressive, very special like this dune normally submerged in summer in the middle of lake.





The view from the cottage on the reservoir is absolutely beautiful and there are many deers in the yard !!!



Kristine took beautiful shots


 
We had a great evening and a great time with our hosts. It seems to me that just a few years ago my boy was still playing with his toys at home and now we are received like distinguished guests by him and his girlfriend in a beautiful cottage ... time flies it is incredible!!!
Sunday morning we took it easy, Kristine was very proud to having snap those blue jay great shots







We then start our return and took back the usual trail on the reservoir



Although it is tempting it is not a good spot for speed runs because the ice is far from being even everywhere



We refueled at St-Michel and took the trail #63 to the Cabanon. There are some dirt spots that are starting to come out especially in the big south facing hills near the village but nothing serious yet.



The rest is still beautiful



We passed near the Cabanon and went north on the #23 trail to ride the Mastigouche Wildlife Reserve. Still a lot of snow there...



The trail was nice with a bit of ripple in some curves but very nice overall



good snow and fast trails





We arrived at the pourvoirie Koubec a little before 2:00 pm and eat there. 



We then left on #350 trail to the west



And have taken the #23 on the same path from the day before but south. Here the diverted trail to the shortcut to avoid  Massé pourvoirie



the shortcut



We took a short break at the small snowmobile club's shack just up the big hill in St-Damien. Kristine took this amazing afternoon close-up of the moon 



 We then retraced our steps down to St. Gabriel.


 
As written earlier the good conditions were north from St-Gabriel and south from there the difference was noticeable on the conditions compared to Saturday morning with some dirt that was beginning to appear. To avoid the village of St-Felix we passed by St-Cuthbert/St-Norbert which at final had too bare and dirty spots and was no better than the saturday route. We had just enought water holes to cleanup the skid after  the dirt runs!!! We finally arrived home around 5:30 pm with 303 miles on the dreammeter for the 2 days.
In summary, the season is over near home but still a lot of snow north in the mountains and Mauricie side seems pretty good too. The temperature and precipitation in the next days will be decisive to know when the clubs will be grooming again. I suggest you to follow the developments here on the trails conditions website: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
Good season ending!
 
Alain

NYC, that is a good reason to escape to Quebec as much as possible!!

Cheers

Classic!  Glad no serious pain other than in the ear!
I can live just fine never making it to Blac Sablon & beyond, but I NEEDS to chow down @ Havre!
We turned & burned at Sept Iles due to heavy weather on my last attempt a while ago, but Chez Julie is definitely "on the list".

I want to give an update on the advertising situation regarding the Universel Hotel to all QR members.  But again, I don't want this to divide us as members, but just want to keep all in the loop as to what has transpired.
First, I donated the money for the advertising of the hotel to QR,  feeling this might make it an easier decision for the hotel to get on board, and if the hotel was happy with the results they would become a yearly member.
Secondly, I told the QR administrator that should the hotel not sign up, the money I paid would turn into a donation to QuebecRider.
Third, I met with the VP of the hotel. She was very nice and seemed interested. Afterwards, I let the QR administrator know that he should contact the hotel VP as it would appear it might be she is interested and knows that an anonymous member has paid the first year of advertising for the hotel.
The last I have heard, the QR administrator was having problems with his e-mail and thus was not able to contact the hotel VP. I have heard nothing since,  but I assume he has been working on this issue and will eventually have some news, one way or the other.
Thanks,
mike
 

Faux Seal.... wink wink, nudge nudge..
GutZ

Wasn't expecting this.  Dropped them a quick thank you note and they put it in their news letter.  Thought that was pretty cool.

The huge  moonscape power-line with no stakes. Just little orange ribbons , if you could fine them.

Yes sir.
#Winter is Coming
#the North remembers

Wow!  Better than a Stephen King novel............

There is a gas station on TQ5. It is "Multi Gaz". Traveling toward Perce just out of Gaspe.

We rode from Perce to New Richmond today and at times I thought I would sell my sleds when I get home and do something else during the Winter. I'm hoping tomorrow there will be some trails worth riding but I'm afraid they may have parked the groomers till I load my sleds and go home. I have looked foreward to this trip for a long time and unfortunately the timing must be bad. I can ride trails like this much closer to home at a much cheaper rate. Oh well you win some and you lose some.

Today Ginger and I are doing the tour du fjord 
currently eating dinner in L Anse St Jean at the L' Est Anse Ciel another great place 

This past week my father and I spent a week riding around the Lanaudière & Mauricie regions.  We have been regulars of the area for a good amount of time but life got in our way and we haven't been back until now.  We stayed at Real Masse as this has been our home away from home for a good amount of time.  We haven't been to Real in roughly 10 years so it was freshing to walk in and have everyone remember us as we were there yesterday.  I can't say how amazing this place is, no matter what they will help you with whatever you may need.  So lets get onto the import part of the trip the riding....
Day 1: 2/4/17 
We arrived at Real around 2:30pm, checked in, changed and took a quick ride. My father had to break in his new sled for the first time so we though why not.  The ride wasn't long but we rode out to La Glaciere then up to the intersection of 23 and 350 then back to Real.  Trails were good, bumpy in the corners but that is what you would expect for a Saturday.  

Day 2: 2/5/17
Sunday's ride was a relaxing 175 miles.  Left Real around 8AM headed up towards the dam and then over towards Lac Taureau.  After that rode the reserver down to Saint-Michel-des-Saints and then over to Koubek for a nice ride.  Trails were great even by the afternoon they were smooth and didn't pass much traffic for a Sunday.  Also dinner at Real I believe we were the only people there for about 2 hours until another couple showed up.



Day 3: 2/6/17
Monday's ride was a nice trip of to St. Donat and then south from there.  Trails were fully groomed the night before and were flat and fast.  Another 175 miles done for the day with passing maybe 8-10 sleds all day.


Stopped for a rest before heading towards St. Donat at Coin Lavigne

Stopped for a little rest in Entrelacs.
Video from the day.
Day 4: 2/7/17
Tuesday's ride is a familiar one with almost anyone who rides the area.  We took the trip up to Riviere-Matawin and then back since the trails were so smooth.

Took a little break at the river crossing.  

As you can see the trails were smooth.

Video from the day.
Day 5: 2/8/17
Tuesday into Wednesday they were calling for snow and ice, we received way more snow then ice.  Received about 6-8 inches with a very thin layer of ice on top.  Decided to head into the Maurice region and down to Lac Blanc then head up towards Saint-Alexis-des-Monts.

Took the 23 that comes out above Le Cabanon back.  Trail was good, needed to have the fresh snow packed but passed 2 groups of sleds.


Enjoying the fresh snow on top of the great trails.
Day 6: 2/9/17
Thursday we took a look at the grooming delay and realized everything was bright green so we took the best run possible back up the river again.


Woke up to an amazing view from Real

Stopped at Le Cabanon for a break in the afternoon and got to watch a plan take off on the lake.
Day 7: 2/10/17
Friday was our last day, we covered over 1,000 miles already so we decided to have a nice ride and take in some different area.  We headed south towards Saint-Gabriel to view the look out and run through the fields.



 
 
Overall what can I say, my dad and I had an amazing time again and we look forward to heading back.  Thanks for taking the time to read this, and I will continue to post videos from the week.

Father on the left (Mike), mrgrumpers on the right (Kyle)