RoadRunner

First we got to get to Havre, hoping that goes well tomorrow, but after our escapades today, who knows lol, ( more to be posted on that) We plan to ride it snowmonkey, but we will see when we get there, it may be the carbide express if conditions requires it😉

Looks like you guys are hitting some great conditions, enjoy!

Rodmax, sounds like you had a perfect run up the white road, that is a gorgeous ride if there weather gods are working with you. Thank you for the updated report

QB Sounds like you headed back west on trail 3 to Forestville? You did not go to Havre St Pierre?

You will have a blast today once you get east of the Mosie river. Enjoy RR

We ran support for that race in 2012 and have a huge respect for the region and the racers that race. Truly an epic endurance run . It will be fun to hopefully connect with some of the racers in Lance au clair

Rodman, you made the right decision to truck to Kegaska on your first run. Enjoy the Villages and your ride, we hope to see you on your return Happy trails RR

We have a bunch of us from Maine, NH , Mass and Quebec Going up and staying in the region for that event Greg. Should be a great time RR

With our Adventure riding mentor , Team Maine’s , Early rider, getting ready for the 2000 mile Cain’s Quest Race in Labrador this week, we decided several months ago that we would return up the White Road and meet Rob at the check point in Lanse au clair. At this point he will be 1335 miles into the race and has a 12 hour layover in Lanse. We have a big crew of 9 making the run, including 3 QR members, 603, Trailblazer and yours truly. Several of of us are leaving Forestville for Sept Isle this coming Thursday, meeting a few more in Sept Isle, than making stops in Havre St Pierre, Chevery and onto Lanse au Clair Labrador. Weather and mechanical issues permitting 😋 This is a trip similar to last year with the exception, that we will be returning back down the White Road after the rendezvous. TB, 603 and I will update as our trip unfolds. Here are some links to the Cain’s Quest Race, they have a great tracking system to allow those interested, to follow the racers progress. Happy Trails RR http://www.cainsquest.com/

The fuel pick up issue seems to have been resolved. Prior to disassembly, I had been running out of fuel at about the 7.5 gallon mark, most of the time, Leaving an already smaller 9.4 gallon tank ...2 gallons shy. Not good when you are in the bush counting on every ounce😉. The brass pick up screen was missing from the end of the fuel line, this caused it to float around and get into unfavorable positions. The screen acts as a line weight as well. One mystery solved👍

The 2018 Freeride, Oh, what a difference a week makes, from powder and fun, to a 5400 mile , mid season, check up, which it did not pass very well😉 The clutches were in need of some TLC, fuel draw issues, and shock change in the skid, plus a few other odds and ends. Should be back on the snow soon.😁 Happy Trails RR

Looks like you made some great planning for this trip, it pays off in the long run for sure! To quote Team Maine’s Early Rider Proper Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance 😉. Great Run!

Very well written article Markus, great photos! Doo right, Gotta love it! Where is your next adventure ride?😁 Happy trails RR

Mike that’s great advice, some of those little side trails can be very nice and much less traveled.

Not sure I want to try that .....unless I have to Jean guy😁

We busted out of Dolbeau around 8:30, heading for 4 points Sheraton QC on a Saturday, we knew what to expect....... We think we encountered somewhere in the area of 750 sleds on our run down. That’s great for the snowmobile industry! Trails were remarkable good-as far as L’etape After that it was downgraded significantly. Had to to be 50 sleds at Mt Alicia and a long gas line😉 Into QC at 3pm a nice run with a variety of conditions. Trail 3 in from Saint Ann was a Goat Run, pick up the speed and try to just hit the tops! We split at l’etape with our two group members that Backcountry and I meet in St Raymond last Saturday night we have on 2060 for this trip with another 180 tomorrow back to Maine A fun ride, of 400 miles of adventure riding and 1800 plus of groomed trail riding. Our next big adventure will be the White Road on the first of March. Happy trails RR

Only a couple more days left on this adventure run, yesterday was a blue sky day and a retrace of our 85 mile ride to sawmill54 on single track trails, than groomed over to Dolbeau. A coupe of long cuts and we were in to Auberge la difference with 230 on. A visit to the Skidoo dealer for some hi fax on our new recruits sled and a drive belt purchase. A very nice seafood dinner last night at la difference. Very nice stop here. onto to Quebec City tonight Happy trails RR

On our adventure ride yesterday, Once we got thru the old logging road, where the snow was deep, we got into a burn and fresh logging area, where the road system opened up and the going was good. A full variety of riding for us yesterday put smiles on our faces we brought new “younger” recruit with us this trip, and he has done awesome, we have been testing him out front on both the trail and adventure riding with the GPS, he has passed the test with flying colors!

Today, we had a fun day of groomed trail and breaking open 30 miles of trails and another 30 of single track trail. A total of 250. Leaving lac faillon and arriving at Barrage Gouin .. again, we love this place! A chewed up belt and lots of powder made for a fun day onto lac St jean tomorrow, on and off trail😉

Fozzy, we have pretty good luck generally, many of us run the 2” lug on the 154 Freeride. Our riding style is both on and off trail so a combo track works great for us, however , we should change the tracks, because of the combo riding style, after 7 or 8 thousand miles or you will begin to increase your odds of track delamination. that’s just our opinion😉 Happy on and off trail riding RR

Tb, the new sneakers worked out nicely, , great meal tonight at the Faillon. Get your new sneaker on and those Dupont’s, you will be ready for the white road😉

The boys found me 25 miles north of Amos today, the track came out awesome, new Good year sneakers under the Freeride! We now turn and burn for a downtown tour of Val d or, than onto Lac Faillon lodge. Great going, the boys that did the matagami run logged in 280 for the day. Once we landed at faillon, we were pleased to find iceman stickers and a round of beers for all. Thank you Ice! Still discussing destination tomorrow, on or off trail??? Happy trails RR

Yesterday we had great going in the Abitibi region. Running down to Sennetierre over to Amos and than the boys continued on up to Matagami for a good 275 mile run. The 93 out of Lebel was flat, fast and fun, we skipped in on some of the green and orange trails on our way into Amos for lunch. We had a few gremlins developing that caused some replanning .603 Backcountry had the engine light come on in his 650,sled ran fine, but the light was on so we figured we would pull into Accent Plein air, the brp dealer in Amos and have them check it out. Well as we are rolling into Amos at a nice clip, I started noticing In the RR 850 a vibration at the higher end. Thinking maybe the track had loosened up a bit, I figure to take up a couple of turns on the track at lunch. At lunch, upon further inspection, I got that sinking feeling that Trailblazer had earlier in the week, noticed several lugs and sheets of rubber missing, hum, looks like the operator might have failed to deploy.... any .....of those 4 scratchers that he had on the sled to keep the heat of the track reduced at times of high speed low lube running😉. Note to self, you put scratchers on , use them! Meanwhile 603s engine light had cured itself but we had another issue to deal with, run this track another 1000 miles back to Maine or find a new one. The dealer, right across the street now from lunch, was all over it. He did not have a track but there was a 2.5 in la Sarre, he will send a pick up over or get it, have a mechanic stay last night to cut the lugs down to 1.75, install the track and Be ready in the morning. Let’s hope all went well last night. Your truly got a room at the Amosphere, 603 and the gang headed north to Matagami, with a return back to Amos for mid day reconnect. Steve, the service manager was exceptional , the sales manager dropped me at the hotel, and was heading to pick up the track. Can’t beat that service! its always an adventure heading towards lac Fallon tonight, further east on Thursday RR

Iceman, is the Tamarac where you stay in Clova?

We have 4 in the crew Ice, I had changed the stock 2.5 track to a 2” track, purchased that track last year mid season and ran it on my 17 Freeride for 3k. Put it on this years and have 4500 on this years free ride, so track has got 7500 on it. A few hot suppers included. Live and learn 😉. Happy trails RR