schooter

Hotel has been sold to a couple who are from Parent. After 22 years owned by Sylvie. 
 

Shore how are you suppose to get it there if you are not suppose to start it??
 

👍👍👍👍👍

Don
Have a safe ride with Mini and train him well!
Teach him that you never know when a Sled/Deer or a hard left pops into his view . and he needs to be able to stop.
Also teach him he does not need to be a Speed Racer!
 
John

Don
Have a safe ride with Mini and train him well!
Teach him that you never know when a Sled/Deer or a hard left pops into his view . and he needs to be able to stop.
Also teach him he does not need to be a Speed Racer!
 
John

Don
Have a safe ride with Mini and train him well!
Teach him that you never know when a Sled/Deer or a hard left pops into his view . and he needs to be able to stop.
Also teach him he does not need to be a Speed Racer!
 
John

Don
Have a safe ride with Mini and train him well!
Teach him that you never know when a Sled/Deer or a hard left pops into his view . and he needs to be able to stop.
Also teach him he does not need to be a Speed Racer!
 
John

We had some great day of riding with some new and old friends

We had some great day of riding with some new and old friends

Delta to Mt Apica 83-23 and back to 383 to 83 ( trails were a 10! ) ( FarmerOld, Tammy, JAK, Long Hair and Myself ) 
https://www.relive.cc/view/vYvE5DQ17wv
Following day the trails had gotten beat-up and dropped to a 9!
Pat, Gary, Jeff, Sandy, John, Tracey, Long Hair and Myself.
https://www.relive.cc/view/v26MxgGWD3O
Then a short run to Onach' via Bras Louise.
https://www.relive.cc/view/v1vj1oY2jYq
Rain today!!! WTF??? 
Later
GutZ

We were due for a crazy day ride...



It's a 300+miles loop ride running on both side of the St-Laurence river via a ferry and bridge that get around the large Montreal city, this doable from the porch of my home. Having done it before we already knew it was an ambitious day ride, way more than doing a 300 miles in norther area. There are many roads and highways and rail road crossings+ the ferry and "the unexpected" that insure a very full day ride.

So we started from home at 8:00 am to catch the 9:00 ferry in St-Ignace de Loyola. Freshly groomed trail to warm up...



Arriving at the first river trail path, it was a bit scary



The St-Laurence river level got a bit higher in the night and cause water to rise on the ice on the sides. It is more scary than dangerous because the trail snow bank already cover the immediate side of the river where it can be dangerous and the small water pool we got is over the full river ice cover. It's been so cold since the beginning of the season that this ice is for sure thick enough to support the weight of a Yamaha so no worries we are on a BRP! 



We got at the ferry at 8:45



This ferry is one of the cheap option to cross the St-Laurence river: $7,60 for a sled and his driver and $11,35 in our case for an old married couple +sled



There is actually 2 ferries that offer crossings every 30 minutes on each sides during most of the day(see the web site for full schedule)



Our ferry had an hard time to accost because of the ice. It had to move back and forth many times to clear/crush all the ice along the dock and the 10 minutes crossing turn to over an half an hour one. We got back on the south shore trail at 9:45.
The first stretch along the river to get out of Sorel city was rough but we cross the groomer that was about to solve that



We quickly got on the #5 trail that we follow most of the path up the west of Montreal city. Not a lot snow but good conditions. We could feel few earth bumps in the skis on some very windy pass but the trails were overall very good  





You need to not be allergic to road crossing, especially highway crossings. I quickly counted and we cross the #30 highway 5 times, the #20 and #10 then the #15 2 times also the #640 and #25 and this on or under viaduct and even with a tunnel for the #640
We stopped there for a small break around 11:30



Here a first video(of three) that summarize this first part. you can always push the reader 4 arrows icon to pass in full screen
Continuing on the #5 trail we could saw St-Hilaire mountain that we usually view riding by car



Here after #20 highway crossing, good conditions



It began to get worse after the #15 highway crossing. Last Friday fluffy snow had been more generous there and with the very strong winds we had there was a lot snow blades/drifts in the trail. The visibility stayed good but the bumpy drifts slowed down us to keep in the safe and comfortable zone.



We even crossed a groomer that flatten our route for a few miles but the drifts were forming again quickly behind





We also had something I don't encounter often, a long train that gave us a 12 minutes break before clearing the way



We left the #5 trail in St-Michel area (west of Montreal) to cut toward St-Louis de Gonzague(bridge). We had few trail changes to make so I pointed my destination on the Gps to make it easy but a change between my map version and the real world trail glitched my gps that route us on the wrong side. I figured something was wrong by seeing directions for villages that we had already pass before. I got my cell phone out and made a check with Imotoneige that locate us and confirmed we were out of our route. We stepped back but it add some miles over an already busy ride.  


Here the 2nd video that summarize that part of the ride
 
We finally reached our ticket to the north shore at St-Louis de Gonzague around 4:00pm. It's a 3/4 miles long car bridge over Beauharnois canal were snowmobiles are allowed to cross for free. The bridge is also almost snow free so I did as usual and throw some dish wash soap on my track slides before starting the crossing to help our mule to move our 2 ass on the other side of the bridge without overheating too much. It went very well.



After crossing the Beauharnois canal we were needing next to cross the other half of the St-Laurence river that is done directly on ice. Even not groomed it ride nicely



We then continued to catch the #33 trail, The day was already well advanced



We got on the long Deux-Montages lake a bit past 5:30pm. A bit bumpy but it was ok and was riding good. We missed our target to cross it at daylight... here brief turn to admire the sky behind us 



We stopped for a real supper break at Île Bizard snowmobile relay around 6:00pm. We were near alone there but the people who operate the place told us they were crazy busy from the morning up to the end of afternoon and had depleted most of their food stocks. I took a good club sandwich with a cheese slice in place of the tomatoes and it was delicious! Nice authentic people there, I recommend it! 
We got back in saddle a bit before 7:00pm to do the remaining 90miles to get home
The sony flash was in strike



The trails in this area were pretty worn out and I adjusted the beat to go forward but safe given our day fatigue and the conditions. Our way home went well and we also got the chance to hit some freshly groomed trails on some sectors
Here the 3rd and last video that summarize this last stretch 
 
We finally got home at 10:15PM with 340miles in our butts for the day. The small 900 ace did it flawlessly even if my old venture/expert-x miss missed us in the rough sections. We didn't needed to get rocked to sleep that night!
Another nice good big ride for us !
Alain

 

Seems like they came out of a Jim Jones camp.

Dead GroundHogs tell no tales.... Eternal Winter!! 
At least till Summer!
GutZ

I did not hear that BUT if I would have know I would have gladly share several of those fine creatures from my place !

Magic 8-Ball says YES.🤔🤔🤔

Here the trail path of my last ride 29January22 going to LaTuque from Trois-Rivières round trip



My friend Snowcruiser had invited me to join his group that were going to LaTuque for the lunch round trip. I bring another partner with me to start the ride from Trois-Rivières airport parking when Snowcruiser was starting from his home with his crew. We planned to team up at Lac a la Tortue.
It was the first time that I was starting from Three Rivers airport. The parking is very wide with easy acces by the road by car and to the trail by sled. Our old sony have not appreciate the -21C at start of the ride and misfired a bit like on this pic of the airport.



Freshly groomed trail to start around 8:20


We quickly arrive at St-Etienne des Gres



The St-Maurice river crossing at la Gabelle was ok and gave us a quick drive on the other shore of the river


East side also freshly groomed



And we quickly were at our meeting spot at Lac a la Tortue Ultramar's and Snowcruiser team arrived with a near perfect timing 2 minutes later than us!



The completed team then went for the 20miles run on the St-Maurice river. The river ice is frozen nicely flat but there are very hard snow drifts and bumbs that make the ride pretty rough on the first 2/3 of the river path. My partners riding solo were able to push and fly over but I had to slow down to keep Kristine with me on the sled.


 
Back on the shore the #360 was perfect





The first #355 Gazoduc section was lightly bumpy but the snow is good and the riding was fine. Past the #351 junction going north conditions came back perfect
Here the tall ferry bridge of rivière du Milieu



I put together a video showing the ride from Grand-Mere to LaTuque

Put the sound on and enjoy the virtual ride
(You can click the 4arrows icon on the reader to pass in full screen mode)
Here along the LaTuque airport at 30km/h



And the legendary LaTuque snowmobile traffic light


 
I won't detailed our lunch time but just tell that we found our way to not being cold on this last restricted weekend for the restaurants. From today 31january22 the dining rooms can finally re-open! It will really improve the trips and ride time.
We then returned under a gray sky on the same path up to the #351 that we took through the Tawachiche Zec. It's a more narrow and twisty trail but it was in perfect conditions with a nice snowy scenery





The sun found is way under the clouds at the end of the day





And leave us an outstanding sky after leaving the horizon with this colorful view





We took a last break at relais de la Station in St-Severin



And we then quit the Snowcruiser team to returned at our morning drop spot with our partner. I was expecting to "pay" a bit our nice day when coming back on the #3 trail that got the day traffic in but it was not bad at all and we were even more lucky to cross the groomer few minutes after having leave our buddies



Even more lucky on the west side of the St-Maurice river to also left the first track on freshly groomed snow on most of our return path  



We got back at the trailer around 6:45 PM with 234 miles on the dream meter, a bit tired but very happy with our day ride. A special thanks to Snowcruiser for the invitation and to all those ride buddies that share this day with us.
We are in full winter conditions and with the reopening of the restaurants dining rooms it is really the perfect timing to get the best of Quebec trails riding.
Alain
 

I believe it was the words of our great philosopher ScorpionBowl:
"You can't drink all day, unless you start in the morning"

Seems like they came out of a Jim Jones camp.

Seems like they came out of a Jim Jones camp.

MONTREAL -- Quebec will allow small gatherings and restaurants can open at half capacity as of Monday as COVID-19 restrictions begin to ease.

Premier Francois Legault said Tuesday that the new loosening of measures still comes with some restrictions: a maximum of four people or two bubbles will be permitted to dine together, so long as they have proof of vaccination.

I'll say today was a fine day of riding.  Cool temps, great trails, no traffic and fantastic company, JAK and two of the GutZ guys.
We went west on 5 then took the connector to 526 and to Relais Explorateurs (single arch).  The trail was firm and smooth.  We got on 35 west and this was even better.  The railbed went by quick and before we know it we are at the junction with 557 that goes over the mountain.
You know guys, 35 is good but look, 557 was groomed last night and there isn't a track on it yet.  557 it is and off we go.  The first 20 miles is a nice mountain trail with gentle twists and turns as you climb in elevation.  Beautiful!  Then the trail is on a road for 15 miles.  It doesn't get much better than this.  Just cruising along, blue sky and sunshine.  We can feel the heat from the sun thru the shield.  Snow dust in the air behind us.
The relais in St Pamphile is closed like most of the others.  We continue on into town and gas up.  U-turn back to the relais and left on 55.  Another trail that was groomed last night.  Wow.  Perfect all the way up to 35.  Turn right on and it is still groomed.  We are making time now.  The kilometers are ticking away.
About 15 miles in and we are at the little connector that takes us up to 5.  Off we go on the connector and then right on 5.  A little choppy here but that is comparing 5 to what we were just on.  5 is still fine.  We stay on 5 the rest of the way back to RDL.
Quebec really knows how to take care of the trails.  Thanks!
Jack

Here the trail path we ride yesterday saturday 22January2022 starting from home near Joliette




The new snow drops from last week enable the opening of almost all the trails of our trail network, most already ready to use. So we had the chance to start our ride from our porch and let the trailer aside. With the polar weather we had (-33C last night and still -25C at our late start) all trails were from good to mint! 
here on #43 trail near home



And here on #3 trail along the railway


I seen on snowmobile interactive map that the Sorel/St-Ignace ferry trail was opened. It's a very important link for the trail network between north and south shore of the st-Laurence river that have been closed for the last 2 seasons but come back functional this season so I decided to go there to take a look at it.
The woody section toward Berthierville was particularly snowy and nice





At Berthierville we switched on the ferry trail



All the rivers arms are nicely frozen and safe with the staking done up to the ferry gate. I have been told that the Sorel side(south shore) sled access to ferry was ready too but to be confirmed...
Here some interesting details for our north shore ferry trail:
-The last St-Laurence river arm have to be crossed by sled on the car bridge.
-All other rivers are crossed on ice. They are staked but not groomed
-The islands are groomed but the acces by the road is difficult/complicated for the groomer so it's not groomed as frequently as the rest of the trails
I filmed some footage on my return from the ferry gate to Berthierville and put this short video together. It give a good picture of the ride in between
 

We then returned on #3 trail in east direction



At St-Cuthbert on the #3 trail side is this interesting new relay creperie/pizzeria that made a nice setup for snowmobilers with wood stove,tables and chairs



There is also a bit farther the Valrémi sugar shack that also offer take-outs and offer a similar exterior set-up with fire and tables for the sledders and also a wide car parking for trailers



It was too early for lunch so we continued on #3 trail



Hard and fast trails





The very cold weather surely help but I felt almost no earth bumps in the skis even in the large windy field sections, maybe a total of 150feets splitted in 2 spots. Very good for a season beginning there.

We then took the #63 toward Ste-Ursule. It's always impressive to see those 3' tall big birds in the trail... last week ones were way smaller! I had not even tried to feed those ones in my hand 😄 


We had continue up to Charette where we stopped at Magnan falls





Without having much relais option near we ate a brief lunch there while taking some pictures of this nice spot







We then continued on the #63 trail and loop back using a local trail in St-Severe/St-Leon area. We also looped on #63 in St-Justin area that had mint conditions as the rest of the trails there



We finally took St-Nortbert local trail to complete the loop home. Again very few trail wear with the deep cold that help keeping the trail in shape and surely discourage a couple sledders from putting a toe outside!



All in all, a nice 145miles loop for us. With the last week snow we are now getting a very near fully operational trail network that give alot ride options. The best of the season is just beginning, if you want to ride this season it's now the moment: good sledding season!
More details on trail opening and condition here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
Alain
 

Mrs. Ice 
How did you hurt your foot??
You gave Mr. Ice a good Kick!
 
 

Mrs. Ice 
How did you hurt your foot??
You gave Mr. Ice a good Kick!
 
 

Sorry to hear of your bad luck