RoadRunner

RR luckily that wasn't us but it is good to know you got our back by coming up behind us.
Jack & Sandi

Looks like he took a page out of the Gt Rider snowmobiling book.

No problem from St Raymond to Delta, we ran that today also, we must have been behind Jack and Sandi. All powder from 15 miles north of St Ray
Great going! 
RR

Did a 170 mile loop today, went west and came back a more southerly loop. Conditions are very good. One to four inches of new snow everywhere, no icy patches.
Several trees/branches down across the trail from high winds on Wednesday. Probably only thing from perfect were a few trails were quite hard under the snow so in some areas a little more muscle to steer.  All trails extremely smooth. Met three sleds all day although saw quite a few sleds parked at club houses.
mike

A missed curve and someone found lots of snow! 

This is a continuation of trip two from St Raymond.
We start up 23 and wow!  The groomer did just come down here.  The trail has had a little time to set up and it is smooooth with a dusting.  This is beautiful.  Now I have to pay attention otherwise Sandi is gone.  I like to look around a little but if I don't watch Sandi, she will be out of sight.  On a trail like this, sometimes she gets on a mission and goes.
This is snowmobiling at its best.  Nice temperature, clear sky, fresh groomed trail, no traffic.  What could be better?  We get to the intersection with 368 and turn right.  Oh this is even better.  Such a nice trail with the gentle curves and rolling terrain.  Keep on riding.  This trail keeps getting better and better.  As we get close to the RJL station, the groomer tracks are getting fresher.  No snowmobile tracks ahead of us now.  Yep.  There is the grooomer.  He is making a left towards the RJL.  We stay on 368.  Not quite as nice but we are happy with what we had.  This really isn't bad.  The groomer had probably come out this way this morning.  A little drifting here and there but pretty smooth.
We hit 83 turn left and run the last few miles to Chicoutimi.  What a nice day.  The ride just kept getting better and better.  We have three days of riding ahead of us.  Lets hope they turn out as good.
Jack & Sandi

A side bar for those who have an 850.
On our Christmas trip, the 850 seemed like it was getting decent gas mileage.  I know we don't buy these for mileage but I'm always curious how far will a tank bring me.  This year I purchased the BRP 15 liter aux Lynk tank.  So today I decided to ride until I ran out of gas.  The St Raymond to Chicoutimi is a good test area.  
This morning we topped off both sleds.  At Mt Apica with 118 miles so far, we put $30 (23 liters) in Sandi's 1200.  Nothing in mine.  I've got three bars on the gauge, 60 miles to the Sag in Chicoutimi and 15 liters for back up.
At 147 miles, the low gas light comes on.  OK, lets see how many miles the warning light gives me.  157 miles and still running.  167 still going.  We hit the intersection with 83 and there is now 170 miles on the tank.  8 clicks or 5 miles to Chicoutimi and the gas station.  Will the 850 make it.  I will admit I'm now a little light on the throttle.  I can see the Ultramar.  I pull in with 175 miles on the odometer.  Wow!  It made it.
I start pumping.  The liters are spinning away.  20 liters, 25, 30 pump pump click.  I squeeze in the last little bit to top it off.  35 liters at the pump.  There it is.  I never thought it would make it.
We weren't screaming by any means today but it was a typical day on Quebec trails.  Sleds and riding vary from day to day but this I feel is a decent benchmark.
Jack & Sandi

A missed curve and someone found lots of snow! 

What a great forum, We were riding the south shore starting tomorrow, but changed plans about 4pm is afternoon, due to rain and hardening up of the conditions in south shore, we are now leaving st Raymond area tomorrow mid AM, lac  st jean bound, than up into the valins , that report 40" of new snow. And from there we don't know, but it will be awesome. Hope to see a few of you along the trails or at check in with Bill at the Delta.
 
Keep up the great reports
 
RR

Wednesday was a couple hours of very light sprinkles. Today was very light rain off and on for most of the day. I just came out of a restaurant at 6;15 and there had been a dusting of snow. Few minutes later it turned to sleet.  Temp is dropping, now 32F.
Ate supper at the Hotel Levesque, Jack and Sandi once told me it was a really nice place and food was great. The hotel is classy and menu on line looked great. Arrived to find the restaurant a little too classy for what I was wearing, so I ate in the bar which has a separate menu. Fr Onion soup was very good, Chardonnay was best ever, and poutine with Jack Daniels sauce was awesome albeit a bit strong tasting. Will go again for sure.
mike

What a great forum, We were riding the south shore starting tomorrow, but changed plans about 4pm is afternoon, due to rain and hardening up of the conditions in south shore, we are now leaving st Raymond area tomorrow mid AM, lac  st jean bound, than up into the valins , that report 40" of new snow. And from there we don't know, but it will be awesome. Hope to see a few of you along the trails or at check in with Bill at the Delta.
 
Keep up the great reports
 
RR

I'm very surprised you didn't take the express to Relais 22 from Gouin, 65 Klms.
Would've saved you a whole lot of huff'n and puff'n breaking trail.
From Windigo if the reservoir is good you can cross it to the south then cross Lac Flambant going through camping Coukachi on the north side then from the south end you'll land on the 345 east of Lac du Repos, comes out on the dog leg just before the little dam. I'm sure the guide in house can fill in the rest of the blanks.
Good luck and keep it going.

I asked about Ice was told is safe bit is some water spots here and there they said. I'll leave that for you guys, have at it. 

Hi RR,       Hope to ride tomorrow, see what the weather dishes out. Really doesn't look like any snow was lost or very little. Would be great to see you and your riding buddies.
mike; 

We are there now.
red dot is Parent 
green is Barrage Gouin
83 East and you will see trail to Gouin on Left 45 km up to Barrage Gouin from 83
map shows two trails up to Gouin. I believe only Eastern spur is open. Like shown on my map here
 
 

After going over Early riders notes on this trip and talking with him on the phone this week, our plans are in late February, once we all ride into Port Cartier, we are to leave PC and ride to Havre St Pierre, the second day we plan to ride from Havre St Pierre to Chevery, 3 Rd day is Chevery to Blanc Sablon . This may be a long day according to Early rider.  Than onto Mary's Harbor vicinity in Lab, than Cartwright, than potential up to  Postville on the north Lab Sea, than back down to Goose Bay, than onto Churchill falls, than Lab city, than back to Port Carter or Beau Comeau depending on our route selection that day.
We have a large crew lined up for this trip, all coming in from different provinces and States, but we all know each other and have ridden together so that helps. 
As everyone has mentioned on here, this is a trip that needs knowledge, safety considerations and team work. On top of that you have good old Mother Nature who likes to corporate sometimes and challenge you other times, and mechanical issues that pop up invariably.
Early rider sets the bar for trips like this , his knowledge, experience and capability make it more doable. 
Everyone has given Miles long good feed back, so ride smart, ride safe and enjoy the journey, and share some pics!
 
Think Snow
RR
 

RR, Early Rider and their gang definitely fall into the 1% ers.  Cheers to them and the posts and pics they give us - so we don't have to.
Jack & Sandi

Hi Fredsleds.  There are many trails / routes to get you to the tower.  You can check the groomer map the morning of the ride and see what was groomed.
Jack & Sandi

Well today started out good . We left Montmagny under clear -20 degree day . 5 was fresh groom south for most sections down to the warming hut just south of Saint Lambert de Lauzon. Pictures will follow and for those of you who travel this often know this hut. Coffee , hot chocolate instant hot water , and bathrooms . Quebec knows how to do it right. After this break not to far up the trail Richard cat blew a belt but did some damage to a rad hose . We couldn't find the leak and lost a lot of fluid . After a brief discussion we got it to town and left Richard at a diner and booked it back to the truck. We took 537 to 35 and then 533 back to the hotel . All those trails have great scenery and the grooming was spot on. We managed to put in 500 miles and I'm not all hunched over! This is a great area and hope to get back with Nora later in the season.

This is really a nice area. Love the sugarbush riding and the terrain changes are nice. The local club houses are great too! Thanks for the info ! 

Thanks Mike for the suggestions. Since we have awoke the weather forcast for home shows snow Monday / Tuesday ( we snow plow couple of us) so we won't make it to RDL to stay . We are heading up 55 into Baie St. Laurnt but will turn around and stay back in Monteganey tonight. My plan is to head back to this area in a couple of weeks with my wife.

Snow farmer, I would run 25 east out of lac William to 55 east all the way to tourville. Grab the 35 railbed in tourville to st Eugene, the 526 to RDL.  A nice 250/ 260 mile day. Lunch either at the club house in St  Sabine or a later lunch at the club house in St Pamphile.  Get gas at St Pamphile! That would be a great days ride!  Than, what do you do for day 2 lol?   Enjoy. Happy trails. RR

We left this morning from Lac Etchemin. We found great mid season riding conditions for 90 percent of the ride to RDL.  Can't believe it is Dec 26.  Club houses are open, ,any local sleds out and we met a couple from Maine on the trails.  Trail 55 to 35 to 526 to 5.  All great going!!
 
think snow!  RR

I'll be at the Universal in RDL Jan 11-20.  Would be great to see any of you if you come that way.
Mike
BTW   The median age of Quebecriders is getting up there. Maybe we need a contest when the site becomes Quebecdrinkers.com !

Randy,  just doesn't get any better.  That sure was fun yesterday. Hope to see you guys on the trail again this winter!
A few of our boys got to get some excersise on a bundle of snowdrifts yesterday😁
Happy New Years!
 
RR