Byrd
-
Posts
154 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
4
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Calendar
Posts posted by Byrd
-
-
Woke up in Forestville at the Enconologe to a cold, sunny morning, this hotel can accommodate many and it right on the trail. Rode mostly local trails all day and they were AMAZING! Highly recommend the 2 dead end trails straight north of Forestville; the scenery was spectacular and one of the nicest rides we’ve done in northern Quebec. We would have never ridden on those trails had it not been for the lack of snow in most areas this year….it felt like we were the only ones on the trail; met less than a dozen sleds all day.
Absolutely fabulous day on the trails.
-
M&M Tours is off. Left Oliphant Sunday March 17th, pulled into the Best Western Premier Hotel Aristocrate in Quebec City around 8 and had a fabulous dinner at the in house restaurant, La Fenouillière. Off Monday morning and checked in to Complexe Hotelier Escoumins then spent 3 hours trying to find places to stay for them next 5-7 days.
Rode loops for the first 3 days in a variety of conditions…good, bad & ugly mostly due to the new, wet snow even though the groomers were out. Des Bouleaux Blanc clubhouse is a great stop 40 km from town. Thursday morning rode most the day through storm conditions to the ski village Valinouët and stayed at a local rental house, Auberge du Yeti. Rode up 373 as far as we could then spent the night in a cabin at Auberge 31. A quick lunch at Piste D’or was tasty and the owner was entertaining-he sort of reminded us of Bernard
Then back to truck and trailer, 93 did not disappoint-smooth, fast trails. Loaded up and drove to Forestville.
- mikerider, quebec bob, smclelan and 14 others
-
17
-
19 hours ago, snowmaster2112 said:
Had a little roadside celebration about 4 miles north of Repos on the side of the road
thats her first “15”
im taking her another 15
FOR SURE
That picture gives a whole new meaning to high miler 😁
-
We waved good bye to Natalie at Pourvoirie La Vérendrye, we stayed in a cabin and pre made delicious meals were ready in fridge for us (Jazz cooked up a great breakfast). We were the first tracks up 396 to Louvicourt, gas & lunch at Hotel Royal; then across to Rouyn-Noranda for another great stay at Hotel Albert….a big day for us old riders, 420 km! Thank goodness (and Groomer drivers) that the trails were 10 out of 10.
the Moores had an early morning appointment at the BRP dealer, great service; changed the sock and fuel filter. Warned that the fuel pump was on its way out and to have a Plan B. Spent balance balance of day wondering around town and had a great dinner at Moulin Noir.
Concerned about fuel pump, hoping our stars are aligned and as Austin Power says we also like to live dangerously. Headed north to Restaurant Le Poste for lunch, place was packed and the staff had a hard time keeping up. South to 93, across to Amos and the Atmosphere. Dinner at joccivano Restaurant. Woke to 10 cm of snow fall over night.
Headed north on 396 to Matagami and back down to Motel du Lac in Quévillon. Trails are still in excellent shape, light snow all day.
If you’re thinking about one last ride, don’t be afraid to come to this area.
-
And we’re back! M&M Tours are on the move again, trailered to La Bannik at Ville Marie. Restaurant was closed due renovations, local restaurants will deliver most days but Mondays…..good thing we always have trails snacks; snacks took a beating.
Woke to -10 and sunny, headed south on 63 to 43 and spent the night at Dumoine des Valley Guides. Lunch stop at Temiscaming, food great especially the poutine! Back out to Kipawa for gas ( there’s a restaurant that we did know about) hopped on the lake and ran it down to meet trail 43 and then onto Valley Guides…we were 1st tracks for over 100km. Good scenery on the trail, amazing waterfalls/rapids.
Etienne at Valley Guide, is fluently bilingual and “provides warm meals and comfortable beds to weary travellers”. Individual cabins and homemade (really good) food delivered hot to the cabin, dinner and breakfast!
Late start, to the town of Swisha for gas where we were the true definition of being a Canadians was defined: we love winter but others are anxious for summer to start. Up to Pourvoire Pavillon La Vérendry for the night. Trails have been perfect, 11 out of 10, hard to find a bump; actually meet 2 groomers today. Spoke to Gilbert, 1 of the groomer drivers, he groomes 180 km stretch of trail 43. He did tell us that they are only allow to groom during the day; the reason for this is because there is no longer support for groomers during the night if something happens. He actually has a nice construction trailer, with satellite tv, mid way up the trail where he spends the nights.
Getting ready for a big ride to Rouyn-Noranda tomorrow, we have an appointment at BRP for 9 a.m. For Jazz’s sled as it has been having fuel problems.
-
Pub royal bar grill across the street is a great spot . Stayed way to long one night.
-
Had this happen a couple of times one fix was done by a sheet metal screw the other time we threaded a bolt in and covered with jb weld both worked for over a 1000 km . Very little pressure in the cooling system. Pack extra antifreeze just in case.
-
Thoughts and prayers snowmobiles can be replaced people can’t. I hope everyone is going to be alright.
-
Woke to -23, left at 9:30 after another good stay at windigo. Beautiful morning for a run down the reservoir to the local trail then to trail 73. Great run down till we hit the 355, rough trails all the way until the 23. Starting snowing heavy, back to see Reggie by 4:30. Great trips, great friends and met a few new friends along the way.
-
Woke to -26 felt like -36. Good breakfast and on the trails by 10. Took the east Y of the local trail, broke trail all the way, lots of fun. In to Wemo for gas. Came across our second rescue this trip, another person fail to negotiate the corner. Lots of manpower out in no time. Off to relay 22 for lunch. Good soup, poutine and chicken strips. Back to Windigo for the evening. All trails good, really good and great. Beautiful sunny day. Lots of snow in this area.
-
Temperature she go down, woke up to -33. In no hurry to leave this morning. Decide to change route and head straight up to Barrage Gouin….to old to ride in the cold. Trails good all the way to the bridge on 13. Trails rough all the way to the turn off to Barrage Gouin. Stop for gas at Parent, had to dodge a few snow boulders but all and all a good day. Arrived a little early, had to put on the auxiliary heat, all good now.
- Florida Snowman, GT Rider, MrsGTRider and 7 others
-
9
-
1
-
The temperature she go up, the temperature she go down.
We are a few days into the tour, neglected to write. Left Oliphant on the 15th, 2 McKenzies 2 Moores, 10hr drive to Mont Laurier temperature +9. drove through rain and fog. Woke up to -6 headed north to 100 lacs. Trails choppy and icy to Ferme-nerve. Stoped at Mount Diablo, only three sleds there on February 16, hard to believe. North to 100 lacs perfect, stopped for lunch St Anne du Lacs for lunch and fuel. Somebody got stuck, not mentioning any names (mrs).
Woke up -17, she go down, 25 cm of snow. Great service from the folks at 100 Lacs, machines dusted off for us. Headed south towards Rabaska lodge, but no reservations, OOPS. Ended up getting a spot at Club Fontbrune, nice place excellent staff. Woke up to -24, headed back to Mont Laurier. Scott shut off his machine before crossing river, would not restart, starter problems we think. Towed back to dealership, only 2 Km, new battery no luck. Down to rental office, Expedition available, sans turbo. Back to trailer loaded up and off to Iceland to see Reggie at Drakkar to meet up with the boy from Nova Scotia.
Just over freezing in the morning, unloaded and headed to Camp Taureau. Made a few wrong turns around Shawinigan, lots of traffic but trails were surprisingly good. Ran out of gas just before Carbanon on the boy’s sled. Somebody forgot to fill it up, someone about my size, also gas caddy empty, another OOPS(not me, Scott’s doing).+2 this morning ride back up to 100 lacs, light traffic, trails 10 out of 10. We were going to take the lakes up, good thing we didn’t snowing very heavy. Sun came out, and got starting to get cold, -15 come dark. Temperature she go down.
-
Great restaurant short cab ride if the restaurant at the hotel isn’t openhttp://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2022_11/C4C92A30-842D-4F4A-81EB-B0D2BCB1D276.thumb.jpeg.fc9f96713db84e47bf3c4933fe2bf576.jpeg
-
Look’s like your having fun l can only hope I can ride 200 miles a day at 77 .
-
Thanks for the info. Saw that sign last time l was up that way. Will definitely pay him a visit. Always great reports from the master.
-
Do you ride the the trail to it or do run the ice?
-
-
High windshields and ice scratches are a must on that trail when it’s that cold.
-
-
-
-
Woke up to 4 inches of greasy wet snow. Headed south on 83 to 303 to 63 into La Bannik, good groomed, flat, trails. As we got closer to our final destination the snow turned to rain—fitting for the last ride of the year.
Surprise of the day: came around a corner to a moose sleeping on the trail, it got up and trotted down the trail for 1/2 km then went into the bush.
Loaded up the trailer and unhooked it to go shopping in town….the local cheese factory and chocolate factory.Best new finds on Spring trip, both in Nouyn-Rouanda, Hotel ALBERT and just around the corner MOULIN NOIR steak house (best meal)
overall best accommodations in 2022, Auberge la Seigneurie des Monts in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts
Hope you enjoyed our adventures we enjoy reading everyone else’s. Heading home to regroup and off to Mexico for some off shore fishing
- GT Rider, Blueblood, MrsGTRider and 5 others
-
8
-
-
Finally back to finish off our write up of our Gaspésie tour and our Abitibi trip.
March 1st left Amqui, quick ride back to Rivière du Loup, missed the gas stop….2 sleds ran out of gas but the remaining 3 made it 262km to the gas station. Trails were hard and fast. Sent the boy back to Nova Scotia and M&Ms were on road by 4pm but only made it it Lévi as bad weather set in.
Back home, a few minor repairs and off to Ville Marie on March 17th. Unable to book our usual haunts so spent night at Motel Louise (rooms were average but food was great) spent some time sitting outside the room having cocktails.
Next morning we parked truck & trailer at La Bannick and hit the trails. We originally planned to ride to La Serre but with our 2022 moto: “NO RESERVATIONS” we had our first obstacle place was booked so decided to take our time and ride to Robyn-Noranda. Warm and sunny, +7 and good trails.
While gassing up we started up a conversation with a fellow rider, found out he was Clark Wilson, the owner of Bergstrom Skegs, we had great chats and he highly recommended Motel Albert in R-N. we took him up on his suggestion and glad we did.
Accessibility is easy, although iMotoneige shows that there’s water crossing but there’s actually a causeway. Snowmobile pack is great and wonderful restaurants nearby.
SATURDAY, stayed ahead of the rain, rode local trails then off to Amos. Little sketchy getting across the River. Checked in to Atmosphere, rooms were great as usual but unfortunately their restaurant is not open in the evenings. Taxi into Joccivano, great meal for only a $10 taxi ride.
SUNDAY, woke up to 3 inches of snow, off to La Serre. Arrive just in time to catch the begging of the NASCAR race, warm ride, no wind. Beautiful sunny day.
MONDAY, left La Serre headed North travelling lots of local trails checked back in to Atmosphere.
TUESDAY, work commitment took priority and a Zoom meeting delayed our departure. Off to Senneterre for a late lunch and tried to make reservation for Val d’Or, no rooms anywhere (where the MRSs would consider staying at)….left just after 3 and rode to Rouyn-Noranda. Arrived at Hotel Albert at 7.
WEDNESDAY, work took priority again today. Some walk around the town, there’s lot to see & do
Excellent spring time riding definite worth the price of a new set of carbides we will definitely getting in touch with Bergstrom Skegs.
Here’s a collage of pictures from the end of our Gaspésie trip and our Ender Bender Spring tour
Better late than never…
in General Discussion
Posted
Packed an overnight bag and hit the freshly groomed trails, headed east to Baie Comeau. First 60 km to bridge was perfect, crossed bridge then good with the exception of 1 km that had been ploughed. Rode local, scenic trails around Baie Comeau then checked in Le Manoir for the evening had another great meal at the in house restaurant. One of the day’s Highlight was the suspension bridge. Heading back to the truck & trailer for our long journey home.
Thanks to all the groomer drivers and volunteers for making all the trials in Quebec the best in the world! Hope you enjoyed our voyage, thanks for following along…. We keep doing it because we personally enjoy reading about other riders adventures.