NHRider

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27 March Sunday 
West bound from RDL light flurries all night probably almost 2” new snow. Black trail is wet but not slick. Back to Quebec City over the bridge and east to 73/175 Direction Saguenay LSJ. Smooth ride uo through L’etape and across 169 by Mont Apica and then west again to St Felicien. Colder up here wind biting cold. Much colder than any day over in Gaspe. Lunch St Hubert in Roberval. We leave there last short leg to St Felicien. Taking it easy as wind is pushing the trailer around here a bit. My phone is ringing. It’s a text. Audio message. It’s Mrs. Ice telling me to hit the gas as I am holding up traffic. We have her back. She is with us for 2 days to knock the cobwebs off and embed some solid memories to get her through the long off season. Ankle not 100% but we will adjust to her level of comfort. Into hotel the convoy rolls. Mrs and I suit up we drop sleds and her and I are off to see how this ankle is doing. Full February like trails except for parking lots and by road. Hard packed but still enough lube for slides. White asphalt all the way to Relais Buttes. She is adjusting. She is not fully recovered but she is doing well. Saw 2 other sleds. Trail mint entire way. I think it’s gonna be better here as far as smooth flat trail than it was in Gaspe. 
Tomorrow we will see more. 
Very quiet here at hotel might be 2-3 other guests here besides us. 
Just the way we like it. 

Always top notch service at Andre Halle Skidoo, Friday afternoon no exception. They are much bigger than days of old, and a small chain now, went above and beyond. Many thanks!
I borrowed Icemans spare Sena S20 helmet radio for this trip, makes it much easier to make good time without needing to stop each time a simple communication is needed. 
Shell gas at Cabano is a mess, there is no longer a “trail”, you have to run the road from the Metro supermarket parking down to the Shell. Wheels down, no problem. Seems each time I deploy the wheels I say in my head…these thing pay for themselves each time you use them 👍
 
Overall another great day, no whooped out sections, no bare spots, a few dark spots here and there but all still snow/ice covered.
Even into RDL Universal, the recent snow created a layer of white all the way in.
It will deteriorate fast starting with a paved areas and South facing hills, but for now it’s still extremely rideable, even at low elevations. Of course once the grooming stops, that will be the end as well.
Today we were hauling, no stops for scenery photos so you get pics of when we were stopped trailside pit stops:
 
 

25 March Friday continues 
 
We are going. John takes off to stay on beat to make the 1pm rendezvous. David is with him I finish paying for the gas and I am sweeping things up now. John can run to dealer ahead I am behind David just in case. In case came quick we could not have been 5km from Albertville. I round corner David is stopped John there pulling side cover. I arrive and tell John to beat feet. He been riding 2 days plus with poched shock he needs to make it for 1pm. Playhard aint going nowhere yet. Its stone cold dead. Out comes the tow equipment. Nice setup Playhard had. Around ski loops then two basically tie strap buckles that loop around bumper of towing service. I have done my share of towing. I been pulled into Clova once but we were close. Nonetheless thanks to NHmoose he towed my 2008 Apex into town. This is my first pull of a fellow Apex an XTX. Lincoln Town Car. We get it hooked. I pulled the belt. We go short distance then readjust our straps so they are equal lenghth. I don’t like that we are really close. One wrong move he is on top of my rear tunnel extension. But it works well. Teamwork. We are ready, its snowing and almost mixed with some rain now. We ease off. I got a serious load on. We go well but it’s apparent it will be tough in this fresh wet snow. Frozen trail February. No problems. Towing through this hmmm. Tough going. First Road we come to we stop. Playhard is instantly Navigating. Ski Doo Amqui to the right 3.2 crow miles. Road is snowy its a secondary road we decide to go for it. I know full well we can get close but for sure it means running up the 132 through town towing in taffic. No real issues on snowy road. One hill I underestimated and did not get my speed up to get a run at it but we make up.
Next one I am ready for no worries. Sure enough we arrive to fully plowed blacktop RT195 we need to go up 195 then hit 132. To reach Ski Doo. I am not a happy camper being on the 132. But we are getting there. We had wheels down now and going is nice and smooth. We blend into traffic like we belong and cruise on up had to wait in traffic at one red light. But just ahead is destination. In we roll 2:15. John being service. Stephan and Jeremy speak english in service and Playhard is already on it talking with these boys to see who they can find to truck him and tge Apex to RDL tonight or Tomorrow. John sled is all buttoned up. And jeremy is waiting for some calls back to confirm this transport. He comes out and he has Roger ready to go Sat 9am. They will load apex into Rogers truck tonight at Ski Doo and scheduled pick up is 9am for David at Selectotel. Awsome. 
 
Raining out now not pouring but steady wet. John and I bee line to Hotel shocks he said feel great. Too wet to play. Bags soaked time to get inside. 
 
Great trails really all day. Happy. We will overcome. We always do. 
 
John and I will ride to RDL thru Cabano 
Join David in RDL and keep this going. 

bonjour snohorse !!!
 
happy for john !!! 
felix and phil are my nephews....
sons of my youngest sister and the oldest of my brother
 
jean-guy

Day-Four Relive!...
https://www.relive.cc/view/vPv4eGP3PRO
 

24 March Thursday 
 
Breakfast at 7am in motel. Out and running just after 8am. Up out of town very hard trail frozen overnight. Near the 5 junction NHmoose says on radio he is smelling my hy-fax I stop and deploy the scratchers problem solved. 5 is groomed we head west for the 595. Racetrack down to 595. Slotcar handling it is wonderful and we are eating it up. Very fresh groom headed up 595 we have a discussion and decide this groomer is not far ahead. Sure thing. Beautiful trail but we soon catch the machine. We slide on by. It’s still fantastic he is grooming a very nicely groomed trail. We push on. No Moose sightings. Up further in the areas more open or recently logged we see why the groomer is headed this way. All blown in and one sled wide through 3-4’ drifts in places. This must be a full time job as the wind alone is filling the trail. Just the open areas are affected. The rest is super duper. Smooth run into La Cache. Gas and some quick small talk with Keeve and the ladies inside. 4 other sleds just left from Murdochville we talked to them said all good to Murdochville. No dice for us we are headed south down the 595. Two other sleds arrive from the south they say 12/10 headed to New Richmond. Really? We shall see. Trail from La Cache to junction with Murdoch trail best I ever seen it. We are loving it. It is excellent this trail. However not 12/10 as it has some drifted sections too but much less than the other side. I give it a solid 8 on 10 overall. Nice rip down to New Richmond like I said no moose but lots of Bambi as usual near New Richmond. Saw about 5 there along tge run into town. Trail has changed since I was last at Francis. Dedicated trail to Francis and trail to gas is further west on 5. Gas and go still headed west on 5. Nice trail here too definitely more icy than up in mountains and we cruise oer toward Carelton. We pass through Carelton and continue to junction with Local loop. We stop and make a call to verify shocks for NHmoose have landed in Amqui they are ready for us and will install them tomorrow when we arrive. Off we go up the beautiful local groomed this morning it’s swell. Icy but big wide and fast. Run up then trail to lookout. This trail not groomed in a few days for sure but we go anyway. First time i been up here. Pretty sweet view. Back down and we continue up to the top of the orange loop all Beautiful grromed. Loop down and back to the 5. Gas there Neuvllle(probably spelled wrong) long time since I been this way but suspended bridge by the gas is gone reroute of 5 all new to me. Gas it up and rocket back down to Carelton lots of Bambi near Carelton easily saw a dozen near turn to cross tracks to hotel.
Into Baie Blue. Saw a red fox too earlier. After 3 practice days we finally played a complete match. Solid miles today but it’s not about that at all. 
 
Nice dinner at the new improved and much bigger Pub St Joseph here. Been a few years since I stayed here. All good. Snowing nicely here.
 
Until next time

What a difference a day makes when snowmobiling. All are good, all are different.
Welcomed the clear blue sky and sunshine to enjoy the awesome scenery here. And a change of visual and mental focus from just trying to find and stay on the trail in a blizzard to having fresh groomed trails with a bit of fluff on top, railing turns like being on an asphalt track the very next day.
The Skidoos stiffened rear spring settings working much better today, even with the bad center shock. Emptied the jerry can to reduce weight from the rear yesterday, and the chosen freshly groomed trails today also helped. Figured out a combination of throttle management to unload torque squat just before bigger bumps (or a small bump at speed that feels like a bigger bump :<) and sticking the right ski in the higher fluff to ride the left edge of the track adds a lot more more cushion when needed, working the suspension less. Good to go until we meet up with the new shock arriving in Amqui.
During supper, Mario (owner of Nanook) said the recent winds blew out the sea ice from where the boats are so crabbing season will commence about 2 weeks earlier than usual this year, focused off Isle De La Madelaine. Followed by Lobster.

Tuesday night 
 
We spent the evening Catching up with Pierre and getting to know Julie our server/chef and gracious host we talked and talked it’s been way too long since we spent time with Pierre. We took the beers and chatted. Next course was smoked chicken wings that are smoked for 24 hours then deep-fried let me tell you they got it right. Some real good food coming out of that kitchen. Julie and Patrick obviously know there stuff. Their new smokehouse style restaurant is unique and not a huge menu with good reason they focus on what they do well and keep it easy to manage as the preparation is very time consuming. Pierre tell us he is working on getting a new trail open from Mont St Pierre it will join with the trail from La Cache to Murdochville. It will use a road that is not plowed in winter and he has secured the ok of the director of the regional Park Chic Chocs to use it. Interesting. Now its time for the main course. Smoked beef brisket cheeseburgers with bacon and their homemade barbecue sauce and fries. You aint getting anything like this anywhere else in Gaspe. Good Luck. It was unreal. So tasty. We could have sat there all night and we almost did Julie joined us and had a beer with us. They have had a rough go with Covid like alot of other businesses. 2020 not the ideal year to takeover this place but here they are. We need to encourage places like this where they remember you and appreciate you as much as we appreciate them. The vibe is right here. We wrapped up the evening and meeting adjourned. Said goodnight to Julie ans Goodbye to Pierre. Looking forward to seeing him next trip through here. Turns out we would see him much sooner than expected.
 
Motel Le Delice
Go There 

Day-Two in review!...
https://www.relive.cc/view/vQvxnBZdp96

Tuesday Continues 
 
We arrive in Mont St Pierre and bee line it to visit with Pierre. This guy is a true ambassador for Mont St Pierre and the entire region here. Very proud of their trail and like it to be enjoyed. Our joy brings them joy. Ya feel me? We talk and talk finally its time to go to Motel Le Delice we tell him to join us there for a beer. We arrive and meet Julie the owner since 2020 her Grandfather built this place and now she and her husband Patrick have taken over. Super friendly welcome and the restaurant has a big new bar it’s nicely done they have been working hard. Great english and did I mention friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is called Les Boucaneres Smokehouse. God damn home run here. Sign says Welcome Carnivores, like they knew we were coming i tell you. We convene the meeting in restaurant just the three of us here tonight with our guest Pierre and Julie herself spoiling us. We order up some smoked chicken wings and while we wait for those and our smoked beef brisket burgers. She brings out a plate of smoked duck breast. Wow just delicious goodness. 
 
To be continued 

Kwik Nick installing a Canadian Tire stick on mirror to be legal. Im sure he didnt want to, but beats a fine.
Kit Kat really needs to bring the great flavors to the states, I love the 70% dark, but these new Tiramisu are even better, and the espresso are great too!  Will be hunting down some bulk packs on my drive south.

Bombardier coach pulling a small drag drove through the Le Chef parking lot.
 
Update on Kwik Nicks track, losing a lot of lugs, just not made for trail ripping. Up the middle are all fine, its the ones on the edge taking it hard, probably from flexing since there is a lot or track sticking out the side, easy to fold over.  Maybe some from tunnel ice too.
 
Big winds at the saw mill, and farm fields...2 videos






DB5F85C1-AF5B-4320-9287-255E4AFD9673.MOV A9855403-13E6-43C5-B592-244960CDD4B5.MOV

So true, pretty sure Iceman is writing in his head while riding, makes for a flowing story in the end, and not easy writing on an ipad either.
Not many pictures Sunday, just a couple in the morning light at Windigo, and the 900 Ace trip odometer once back on the trailer after 8 trail days. Nice ratio of 3.6 sled miles per trailering mile to/from NH. Anything over 2:1 is fantastic in my book!
Great crew, no BS!  Gas, pee, ride, eat, snore, repeat.  Pleasure and honor to ride with Iceman, Snohorse and Kwik Nick. Glad we recalculated back to Windigo for wing and smoked meat night, best in the province, and nicest hosts possible.
Carman, sorry no Doo oil reports, maybe just carry a couple quarts in reserve, and resupply ahead when you see it. Personally i would carry much more and be done with the concern. Dual jerry can setup worked great for Snohorse and Kwik Nick.
Until next trip, Moose out

That monkey took a beating!

Big snow. True story. 
Pushed 12-18" between kanawata & weymo, then cheated to odanak. 

Well the time has arrived. We got the band back together and tomorrow we hit the trails. Myself along with Snohorse, kwiknick and NHmoose are northbound. Sleds are all tucked away in the garage at Chez Ice. Gear is sorted and now we are just enjoying the evening catching up. We have a general direction and no set plan after monday. Tomorrow to Windigo and then Lac Faillon after that we shall see. Feels good to be switched off and getting ready to put on my snowmobile with the Team. 
Cannot wait to get going.

Warm up hut with the fire burning
 

Trail Day #2) Tues 2/13 destination: Auberge du Ravage & Pourvoirie du Lac Moreau, set out on Trail 3 under BLUE SKIES.





 
Is this your favorite sign or what?!...

 
Beauteous Charlvoix

 

Trail Day #1) Mon 2/12: Depart Moto Thibault destination: Lunch @ Roquemont St Raymond. Frozen crust over the fresh few inches. Partly cloudy. Well behaved traffic.


The weight of the freezing rain left LOTS of frozen hang-over/head-banger/face-slappers across the trail.

Took 3 & 23 to the bunny trail up thru this place.

Stopped in to Chez Ice for a little Tennessee pre-game/anti-gel. And arrived at a decent hour in Shawinigan-Sud for the always warm welcome from Reggie @ www.aubergemoteldrakkar.com  Then over to The Devil’s Hole with Mr. & Mrs. Iceman. The Mrs. is so very tolerant of hearing our same old stories over and over again!
 

Back to the Auberge to charge up ourselves and our insurance.