RoadRunner

Headed up on the 9th, thats what we did. Rented 2 cabins. Bring food and booze, cant go wrong!!!!!!!!!

It's better than nothing but one of the attractions of this whole sport is the hospitality of the outfitters and it's kind of nice being able to sit and eat with fellow like minded people every 150 miles...especially when it's -20 outside....going to hurt financially another winter....how's this going to work when 100 people show up at Repo for lunch....it will take 3 hours....and I feel sorry for them ...all the extra cost and labor to do this...on a moments notice when everything was starting to look so good

I agree with Bob. The social aspect of the sport is very important.  I  really enjoy the stops at the relais's for coffee and food and rest, as well as going out to dine at night and hitting the hotel bar at night.
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380 miles in a day translates to good conditions. 

The boys had a big run yesterday from Chandler to Edmunston NB via Moose Valley. Dinner at Moose valley than a 45 mile run into Edmunston capped off their 380 mile day.  With Quebec shutting down indoor dining today, it may be just a matter of time before the Borders are tightened.  The boys also reported some resistance from people concerned that they were travelers from the US.
Which, with the way our society is today, probably not totally unexpected.
 
The single shot Johnson vaccine card was not well accepted as proof of vaccination at many stops.  So note that , for anyone who has not been boosted. 
 
The boys are headed for the truck in Lac Etchemin today.  A 1400 mile plus or minus loop.  
 
Happy New Years

RR

The boys had a big run yesterday from Chandler to Edmunston NB via Moose Valley. Dinner at Moose valley than a 45 mile run into Edmunston capped off their 380 mile day.  With Quebec shutting down indoor dining today, it may be just a matter of time before the Borders are tightened.  The boys also reported some resistance from people concerned that they were travelers from the US.
Which, with the way our society is today, probably not totally unexpected.
 
The single shot Johnson vaccine card was not well accepted as proof of vaccination at many stops.  So note that , for anyone who has not been boosted. 
 
The boys are headed for the truck in Lac Etchemin today.  A 1400 mile plus or minus loop.  
 
Happy New Years

RR

The boys made a nice run into the Gaspe yesterday, leaving Matane and ending up in Chandler last night via Murdochillle.  They reported good going and snow conditions with a note that some of the sealevel villages along the north shore had just enough snow to pass. Once back up into the elevations, they were into great going again.
 
 
 
 

The boys made a nice run into the Gaspe yesterday, leaving Matane and ending up in Chandler last night via Murdochillle.  They reported good going and snow conditions with a note that some of the sealevel villages along the north shore had just enough snow to pass. Once back up into the elevations, they were into great going again.
 
 
 
 

The boys made a nice run into the Gaspe yesterday, leaving Matane and ending up in Chandler last night via Murdochillle.  They reported good going and snow conditions with a note that some of the sealevel villages along the north shore had just enough snow to pass. Once back up into the elevations, they were into great going again.
 
 
 
 

The boys made a nice run into the Gaspe yesterday, leaving Matane and ending up in Chandler last night via Murdochillle.  They reported good going and snow conditions with a note that some of the sealevel villages along the north shore had just enough snow to pass. Once back up into the elevations, they were into great going again.
 
 
 
 

The boys made a nice run into the Gaspe yesterday, leaving Matane and ending up in Chandler last night via Murdochillle.  They reported good going and snow conditions with a note that some of the sealevel villages along the north shore had just enough snow to pass. Once back up into the elevations, they were into great going again.
 
 
 
 

Good morning,
I have to get back into snowmobile mentality.  I forgot to check the grooming map yesterday and even the weather.  I have that bookmarked now on the new laptop.
Yesterday by chance we did hit many trails that were groomed within the past 36 hours.  There isn't a huge amount of snow to work with but there is enough especially as you get toward Mt Valin.  We saw one groomer over by Carcajou / St David with just the blade on the front.  He was riding the edge of the trail pulling in the snow from the side of the trail.  Thank you Mr. Groomer.
We are going to ride out of the Sag again today.  The trails around Jonquiere had their nightly grooming.   93 has been groomed from St Honore to La Chappelle.  Some f this may have been the groomer with just the blade.  Not for us but the Pelchat trail was groomed from the Les Escoumins side half way up.
For anyone on the south side, Riviere du Loup is grooming.  5, 35 and 55 saw a groomer last night all the way west to Beauceville.  It does show some open water though in places.  Keep the skis up and the throttle down.
The Sag is no longer giving out drink coupons at the front desk.  They said the restaurant stopped the practice last year.  That was a nice little bonus.  What am I going to do with all the coupons I squirreled away?
That's it for now.
Jack & Sandi

The boys made a nice run into the Gaspe yesterday, leaving Matane and ending up in Chandler last night via Murdochillle.  They reported good going and snow conditions with a note that some of the sealevel villages along the north shore had just enough snow to pass. Once back up into the elevations, they were into great going again.
 
 
 
 

Wake up Sandi.  It's later than we usually sleep.  We are on vacation Jack.  Remember, vacation.  A time to relax.  Oh yea.
A little breakfast.  Get the machines out of the garage.  How do I get dressed?  Which layer goes on next?  Oh, two years is such a long time.  Maybe I should put numbers on my clothes so I know which one goes on next.
OK.  We are good to go.  We are dressed and the gear is on the snowmobiles.  We head out of the parking lot.  The spur from the Sag is not groomed yet.  Other sleds have gone in and out from here.  Following the sled tracks but some are dead ends at a gulley.  We make our way thru the parking lots and the edge of the woods to the Ultramar station.  Both sleds are empty.  We fill up both sleds and the caddy.  $124 Canadian.  A Frenchman walks up to me and speaks in French, of course.  I don't know what he is saying but with a little sign language and some guessing, he is going to be our caboose.
From the Ultramar out to trail 83 is fine.  Ahh, the groomer has made a pass on 83.  We turn right and we are on our way.  To where?  I don't know.  We are just going to poke along today.
Some grass in the corners and some rocks here and there.  Early riding is better than no riding.  A few changes in trail 83.  Its easy enough to follow.  We get to the "T" where 83 goes left to Jonquiere and right is 367 to the two dams.  The front desk said trail 367 may not be open but it looks like the groomer has made a pass.  A couple that we see at the Sag every Christmas trip is stopped at the intersection.  I point towards 367.  They turn right and now there are five us in our group.
This is pretty good.   A little ways before we get to the aluminum bridge, there is a "T".  Left is marked to Jonquiere and right is marked to Shipshaw.  This is before the old junction that was at the top of the hill where the trail crosses the road to the aluminum bridge.  Lets go right and about 2 km later we drop down into the little parking lot at the aluminum bridge.  This is on the opposite side of the road that we used to come down.
This is a nice change.  It eliminates that bumpy rock climbing section.  Off we go.  Good trail.  The groomer has made a pass between the bridges.  We turn right on 134.   A little beat up here.  At the water tower. the trail still turns right away from pickle park.  There is more snow on this side of the river.  Good riding.  The fast stretches before St Honore are just as fine as ever.  We stop at the gas station in St Honore and the ladies take a break.
Back on the sleds and off to the airport.  All really good riding for December.  We get to the big junction of 83 and 328 at the base of the mountain.  We are not going to make this a big day so we turn left on 328.  The trail is still pretty good.  Thru St David and up to the junction with 134.  Turn left here.  I really like this section of trail.  Nice and flat, pretty straight and not much traffic.  It is a good place to let the horses run.
The cold air, the snow dust in the air and the smell of gasoline.  What could be better!  The five of us just cruisin' along.  At the junction with 93 and 134 in the field with the big power lines above, a check point is set up.  They have ten sleds already pulled over and it looks like they are checking everything.  We slow down but the security is busy with what they already have.  Security doesn't even look at us.  We slow down and look around.  Nobody is asking us to stop so we carefully go around and continue on our way.  All of us have our trail passes.
Back to the two bridges and the trail gets a little rougher.  A few more miles and we are at the Ultramar in Chicoutimi tanking up.
Not a huge day but it sure did feel good to be back on the sleds.
I haven't looked at the groomer site yet or even watched the weather.  I have to get back into all this other stuff.
Time for supper and some rest.  Boy is it good to be back in Quebec! 🤗
Jack & Sandi

Yeti, we talked of giving them the first night destination, as thats where you will need to do the random test if you get it.  After that they will contact you via cell or email with test results. Nobody will care unless you throw a positive on the random test.  We are still wondering how thats going to work if you do?😜

They said plenty of snow and generally really good going

The boys had a good run to Matane, 240 miles via the route they took. Sm , They did confirm  Monday night the restaurant was open but not the bar at the Universal. Last night at the Quality inn in Matane they were given paperwork and an id to get into the restaurant there. They are heading east  into the Gaspe today.
 

I do not know for sure, but they did talk last night about a beer from the vending machine and than going to get a bite to eat.  Not sure if that was at the restaurant on site or downtown. 
 
Back country and Early rider saddlebagged today from RDL thru squatec and amqui and are in Matane tonight.  Should-have a trail report tonight.
 

Some our gang headed north yesterday, unloaded in Lac Etchemin area in the Chaudierre region, just North of Jackman Me, and rode to the Universal-in RDL for the night.  They logged in 180 miles of good solid, flat going. One of the members got the random rest again and it will be picked up at the universal today as they are saddlebagging. Another member pcr tested on Dec 23, got a positive result back on the 25th...Merry Christmas😜,..... and will not make this run but is feeling good health wise.
 
 Also he is happy with the fact that with a positive test, after 10 days, soon the change to 7, he will be ok to pass the border without testing for the next 6 months!
The boys also like the beer vending machine at the Universal!
 
To summarize, these guys are saddlebag riding for,the week  just as many others are posting on QR now! it just a bit different, lets hope restrictions stay the same or get easier thru this season.
RR
 
 

They said plenty of snow and generally really good going

Yeti, we talked of giving them the first night destination, as thats where you will need to do the random test if you get it.  After that they will contact you via cell or email with test results. Nobody will care unless you throw a positive on the random test.  We are still wondering how thats going to work if you do?😜

The boys had a good run to Matane, 240 miles via the route they took. Sm , They did confirm  Monday night the restaurant was open but not the bar at the Universal. Last night at the Quality inn in Matane they were given paperwork and an id to get into the restaurant there. They are heading east  into the Gaspe today.
 

They said plenty of snow and generally really good going

This is good that I'm posting this late.  It means we made it thru the border.  😅
We were asked for our passports.  The agent scans them and I'm sure all of our history comes up on his screen.  It probably includes what we ate at the Brown Cow restaurant in Derby, VT a half hour before.  Then we were asked for the ArivCan confirmation sheet.  He asked us if we were feeling well, no covid symptoms.  He asked where we were going and the purpose of our trip.  Remember to answer this according to what you put on the ArrivCan website / app.  The agent is looking at it.
We first go to Valcourt to pick up the trailer and snowmobiles but I didn't go into to that.  I just answered that we were going to Chicoutmi.
The rest of the questions were typical from previous years such as, weapons, knives, pepper spray, cannabis.  Are we leaving anything in Quebec?
It didn't take any longer than before.  I'm still a little gun shy from being turned away on my first attempt on Dec 1st.  I'm slowly getting over that.
A little background on the trip up.  No snow on the ground until we got 50 miles or so into VT.  Pretty good snow banks above St Johnsbury going over Sheffield Mountain.  In Quebec, the Eastern Townships had snow cover but not enough to ride on.  After Drummondville the snow got better all the way to Quebec City.  Motel Bernieres had snow but only one trailer in the lot.  L'Etape had many snowmobiles, cars and trailers.  Looked like a typical day at L'Etape.  Snow on the ground all the way up to Lac St Jean.
It was freezing rain a little overnight in CT.  From VT on up we were in and out of the snow.  Nothing terrible heavy.  Just nice winter snow.  Thank you Mother Nature.  Gas around Quebec was $1.47.  Here in Chicoutimi its around $1.35.
There are sleds here at the Sag.  Not packed but a dozen or so trailers.  I spoke with someone that just came in on their sled and asked them about the spur going out to trail 83.  He said it isn't broke but you can get to 83.  It goes thru the parking lot behind the stores instead of way back at the edge of the woods.  The groomer hasn't come thru yet.
I spoke with the lady at the front desk.  She said what she has heard from other snowmobilers is trail 368 south is OK.  There are a couple of thin spots but it is passable.  You can't get thru La Baie on 83.  It sounded like there isn't enough snow there yet.  There is snow in the forecast though.  She said it is better to trailer to St Honore and then ride to Mt Valin if we want to ride on the north side.
You have to wear a mask everywhere and also show your vaccination card for entry like at a restaurant.
If you are planning on Quebec this year, I would recommend doing a dry run on everything you can.  Get a Covid test.  I like the NAAT test by Walgreen's  Our results came back in two hours this time.  I think the test is free everywhere in the U.S.  See how far ahead booking an appointment takes.  See  how long it takes to get the test results back.
Get on the ArrivCan website or app.  Step 1, create an account for yourself.  Step 2, take a look at the itinerary part of ArrivCan.  It says not to complete it if you travel isn't within 72 hours.  I think you can still go thru it and then delete it at the end.  Do as much as you can to get familiar with all the steps.  I only had to create an account for myself.  Then I could put Sandi on as a traveler in my "group".
Ask me any questions you have.  I may not have the answers but someone else may or I will try to get an answer for you.
So that is what we know so far. 
Be safe.
Jack & Sandi

They said plenty of snow and generally really good going