iceman

Closed means Closed Amusez vous be prepared to pay up. If caught and if so don’t post here you been informed. “Under section 70 of the Act respecting off-highway vehicles, anyone riding on a closed trail (red trail) may be subject to penalties ranging from $350 to $700. To avoid this penalty, please check the status of our trails at all times.” if you were pointed at your truck they sometimes give exceptions to reach home if on a voyage. Here locally they have asked to respect all red closed trails as this is another way we lose rights of passage. Riding thru with not enough snow. The road in a storm might go unnoticed, dry riad on the 138 through there. Catch the wrong SQ officer or Controler Routiere(truck police) and your trip could be over. We are all adults here so by no means am I trying to tell anyone what to do. Make smart choices is all.

Team Gutz was the first to use it here. That is where i found out about it. thanks Gutz

Its not hard. Mrs Ice uses it every ride and for paddle board and x country ski. she has a subscription it gives you more

Definitely in reverse.

Exactly this

Sea of red on trail closures.

Black wet trail to Trois Rivieres today. Rain most of way on and off from Near RDL all the way. Hotel had over 50 cancellations for last night. regroup and reload

Saw that. Specifically it said no more grooming until at least receiving 20cm more snow. people traveling may pass to return to home or their trucks. locals told to stay off trails to try to save as much of base as possible it’s on life support in many regions. Others will bouce back but conditions are not gonna hold without new snow.

11 February +1c now Returned from RDL to a lot of snow loss. Was +4c when we got here. looks bad. Riding from home is not happening for me. It’s a horror scene from what i see. Need snow. Cold is returning but need snow. Sun much higher in sky much stronger each day. Brown spots of dirt showing or bare asphalt accelerates snow melting more each day. Start snow dancing. Please

Horror show in Shawinigan just what i have seen from road. Snow massacre.

Apocalypse Now

l’Etape 369 Friday night

I do not see extreme cold being an issue. Well built equipment. So far very happy.

We will find snow.

Love your thinking. I am all for it. We shall see.

We need positive thinking

Burning gas is burning gas. Rip it Wes. Keep the faith boys.

Saturday Feb 10 Rain and freezing rain overnight. Got up to survey situation 7:30. Not raining, radar showing worst is past so, off to breakfast then we will make a go out to check things out. Its warm though. Dressed down best we could, first damn helmet I had that doesn’t leak air. Solid and warm. Mrs Ice has to do class work for monday so we are going out and around back early. The plan was perfectly timed as we returned to Univerel it began to rain again an still gray and sprinkling on and off. Left hotel and another first this trip, I neglected to mention yesterday it was the first time for Mrs to negotiate through a pack of 5 two up sleds as we passed. I will let her tell you. Nicely done. Cleanly safely and politely. As could be. Today the first is over the bridge right here to the orange trail. Hey it’s the little milestones that keep me going. This is a new trail for me as was the 518 yesterday. Still nice here but we are sweating, Jackets open and snow soft. Too warm to enjoy. But not raining. Orange local along the 20 to St Andre here to 559 boney along roads and crossings. It is what it is. Otherwise very nice. Greens and orange. Everyone touring running TQ 5 and it shows. 559 to TQ 5 east to 561 the to Club house for a break there. The 526 is next it was showing some use. Too warm but starting to get more cloudy and windy. One two up and a single holding us up a bit. The two up leading is one you have those dreams about. The one where you are in you lane minding your business and round next turn comes this guy keeping cemter left. Wow. Caro was leading us and she said I am so afraid watching this guy. Afraid I am going to see something I don’t want to. She gets it. Very proud of her progress she soaks it all in. The force is strong in this one. Finally they go left on orange to join TQ5 we continue 526 up to TQ85 railbed bike path holdind up great, after relay at TQ5/85 here its got some ugly looking spots by peat moss bogs. Bad. Into town not worst i seen. Asphalt all bare basically everywhere. back with whopping 75 miles but Wife had fun and so did we, too warm now starting to rain again. This adventure is being called. Until next time RDL We will return will it be this year? Who knows Mrs Ice gets all credit for photography

Friday Ride continues From St Fabien sur mer we return up local orange all beautiful trail here. Roads less traveled. Back to the 518 and to TQ5. The TQ5 is a 7/10 from 518 all the way to RDL. Showing wear many corners. We roll on in back to Universel 305 km. Dinner at Restaurant 7:30 reservation in and seated boom. Not as busy as night before but busy. Not full. They seem to have it running smoothly tonight and they do just that. Delicious dinner

Some very good still, however some bad real bad spots . It will not be done by any means get out of town. Late Late Season Conditions Feb 10. Need Snow period. keep right

Thanks for all the detailed reports each day, I know what goes into putting it together and taking time to post. Much appreciated

Up a couple star now.