Fred

I have seen a dead wolf in the trail 3 years ago near Weymanachie right near the relais on the lake (I think it's closed now) but that sure doesn't look like a wolf to me. Wolves are abundant north of the river. The caretaker in Casey talks of wolves and black bear frequently. My neighbor studies wolves. Any time there is a suspected wolf sighting SOUTH of the St. Lawrence river she travels to get a sample of hair or poop whathave you and sends it for DNA analysis. Sounds corny but true. She claims wolves have interbred with coyotes and dogs in the last ten years. That sure is one big mean looking dog. I wouldn't have stopped either!

Nowa, One of the problems is the trails just north of the border are very lean. Not just snow wise but loss of trails in and around Sherbrooke, Coaticook, sawyerville. Once you get north of say Weedon things open up. I've done this trip several times from Morrisville (40 miles south of Derby) and it IS a fun time. From Derby it is ALWAYS quicker (time wise) to head through Thetford Mines and NOT through St-Georges. The good thing is if you need to make up time you can ride the old railbed 35 (the old 540) and really book thru. I have notes somewhere from 2004 but things have changed even since then. New sleds are easier to ride 300plus per day. The first time I did this trip was in 94 on a new Polaris XLT Special. Can you say 4 inches of ride on Fox Shocks???? OUCH I lived on Tylenol and Molson all week. Anyway from Morrisville: Day1) Montmagny-335 miles Day2) Rimouski-235 miles, short day. Day3) Chandler-300 miles. Day4) Chandler-Day trip to the rock and time with Dale & Patsy (NO Patsy this year though) 150 miles Day 5) Riviere-Du-Loupe-497 miles Day 6) Morrisville, VT.-493 miles. One can break this trip up any way they want and this one just happened to be a two day marathon on the return trip. USUALLY we figure on 1800 miles in 8 days comfortably. Around 250/day $550 dollars in gas money on 600 SDI sleds. (in 2004 I spent $1100 in gas money-Polaris 800 drEdge) Oh and we don't have great luck with Arctic Cat sleds. Usually figure on at least 1 breakdown even with a new sled. Last year a kid from town here rode up to Lac St. Jean from here BY HIMSELF. Very Cool! Someday we would like to try from the house here to Labrador City and back!

a} 355 is open and fine riding with the exception of a bit of logging between Lac Edouard and Lac Bouchette. Completely passable. Yes there is gas at Lac Edouard and place is under new management. Food was good. Also gas at Lac Bouchette at the mini-mart. If you ride the road out of the relay to the trail you must ride it down about a half mile. Might be better to double back across the lac to the trail. b} Around the lake is fine rode the whole thing last week. The 93 is exceptionally fast and well groomed. Last week there was a lack of snow around the Hebertville area across the 383 with some ploughed fields sticking up a bit. Again....plenty rideable and nothing to worry about. c} 83 down to Clermont was also fast and slippery! Stayed at the castle and the outdoor pool was 89 degrees! Alma down to the castle on the 83 was 160 miles approx. Easy ride. Hope you like my curly braces carried over from the EFIlive stuff! Gasoline is averaging 86 cents/liter this year. Cheap compared to last year.

Mirrors, along with speeding and a bunch of other stuff were enforced last year MUCH more so than I've ever seen. We had a guy with a strap-on (too funny :D ) and it was not legal but the tiny 1 inch stick-on he had on the sled that couldn't be utilized was. This was aroung 3 Pistols area on TQ5.

Not to hijack but does anyone remember THIS place? I can tell you it was seldom open and thank the good lord they only had 20 miles to groom because it almost never got taken care of. This place is long since bulldozed. A guess a good hint would be the Hotel Universal picture in that NH link. Oh and Mark...NICE first post. Many memories of riding in those photos!

We've postponed our trip for this week. Will try again next week. Thanks for the update my man! Pouring here in Vermont 40f degrees. Bumma! Glad you're having a fun holiday.

Has anyone heard any more?

Ya bruthaaaa Waaasssssssup?

I saw posted on another forum that he was in the hospital. We hope he is ok. he's a great guy.

Well it's a wonderful little clubhouse, sort of like most of them in Quebec. Always a friendly face to take your order and sell you a beer and a bowl of soup; and the same faces every year. One day we stopped for lunch and I sat at the bar, which is where you order food, I dropped a fin on the floor. Bent over to pick it up not seeing the glass bartop(about 1/2inch thick) and whacked my forehead on the top so blood went everywhere. It was funny. We've been riding this area for 15 years and most of these old clubhouses have been rebuilt like new. Does anyone remember the clubhouse (relais) at Three Pistols? It was rebuilt years ago across the street but I remember when it was just a shack in the woods. Funny how things change.

Hello Switchback, guys. Looking for an update for this weekend, after Xmas. Thinking about heading East from Montmagny or the Mines. How's it looking? Thanks All for the input, Fred Oh and LOVE your clubhouse Luc, it's one of my favorites except for the time I smashed my head on the glass bartop!!

One of my favorite areas to ride. Keep the updates coming. Good work Luc!

Looks like the one on TQ5 between Montmagny and Riviere-Du-Loup just by one of the many relais in that area. Looks like I might have to dig out a map!

Ok guys here is a new one> I'll give you a hint: This is NOT the tunnel of love! We've most likely all been here at one time or another. :sad:

Actually the reason synthetic blend is needed in the SDI's is because of where the fuel is injected into the cylinders. The gas has a tendency to wash the lube off the cylinder walls therefore causing a lack of oil at that spot. My SDI has just under 10,000 with no problems on the blend. A liter in 230 miles works for me. Not sure I'd try the straight mineral oil. You can droip a couple grand in Quebec for engine work in a heartbeat. I suppose if you don't ride too hard the straight mineral oil might be ok, but not for me.