Byrd
-
Posts
154 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
4
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Calendar
Posts posted by Byrd
-
-
1 hour ago, revct1 said:
I'm a day behind here.
Yesterday, Joe and I decide for a ride east on 83. We are going to meet some of the other QRs at the Auberge des Battures for lunch so we have to time this right. We are gassed up and off towards Chicoutimi. We be good and go slow thru the 20 kmh zone on 83. There are plenty of places we can run fast without getting the local people upset. The trail is good. We go by Bec-Scie and keep on cruising. Everything is fine. I get to the turn off for the Auberge and look at the time and the odometer. Its 9:30 and we are suppose to be at the Auberge for 11:30 for lunch. The loop we want to do is about 60 miles so this should work out just right. We continue on.
This part of 83 was groomed the night before. Just a little chatter in the corners. A little oncoming traffic but 83 is wide and everyone is behaving. We get to the 383 cutoff to L'Anse St Jean and the groomer had come out of there last night. The next stretch should be perfect. Joe asks me if I want to swap machines and try his 900 Turbo? Sure! I've been curious on how it would feel compared to the 850.
On we go. I'm a little unsure because it has the ETC, electronic throttle control, that was on Sandi's 1200's that I could never get accustomed to. It is a lighter push on the lever compared to the cable control on the 2 strokes. Not as twitchy as the 1200's were. OK. I'm getting comfortable with this. I'm in regular mode. Joe has a nice seat on this. Later he tells me its Ski-Doo's big soft seat. I could be sitting in my easy chair at home watching a game. This is comfy.
The 12 km go by fast. We turn right onto 383 by the relais. I refer to this relais as the one legged bird relais. A few years ago there was a little bird that had lost a leg some how. He would hang around here and wait for sleds to pull in. I remember the first time we met him. We had parked and this bird flies over and lands on my windshield. I had a package of crackers and opened them and when I looked back at the bird, I noticed one of his legs was missing. He would take pieces of crackers right out of your hand. So cute. So that is my story about the one legged bird. Maybe some of you have seen him too.
Back to the sleds. Joe tells to stay on the 900. He wants me to get used to it. We run up 383 to the first local trail, trail 22. 383 was groomed last night and there had been sleds on it. Very smooth. 22 was also groomed but no one on it yet. We are first. Yea. A couple of centimeters of fresh snow on the trail. Off we go. A little twisty in here. There is some logging going on but nothing interfering with the trail. Before we know it, we are back at the junction with 83. Here we swap back and get on our respective sleds. I want to ride the 850 again while the 900 is fresh in my mind.
Hmm? What happened to my nice soft seat? Oh yea, my sled. The 900 is a little heavier on the front end. It corners pretty close to the 850. I'm used to the 850 so I know exactly how it is going to respond. The 900 I didn't push as hard. Not my sled and again, I'm not used to it. Rear suspension, I didn't even feel it back there. It felt like a shorter track. Probably that big soft seat absorbed what the suspension doesn't. I could ride either sled. Its all snowmobiling.
While we were switching sleds, a group of about ten sleds go by heading in the same direction as we are going. We take off and we do catch up to them but they are rolling along at a good clip. No I'm not going to try and pass them. Ten sleds, no. It is only 8 km further to the turn. They go straight and we take the trail to the Auberge. I haven't been there before but Joe has and the others. Its about 5 miles down their trail. It does get groomed so it is in decent condition. We pull in and I see that the other guys are here. I look at my watch, 11:28. Perfect.
We go inside and Bill, JD, Daniel, Colette and the Gutz boys are here. Very nice place. It sits right on the bay. They are only open for lunch if someone calls with a group of 6 or more. We did and there are others that are coming that aren't with us.
A really good soup. It looks like carrot to me. Warm rolls. I get the trout and Joe gets the pork. This is really good. Then comes dessert. A white cake with a light maple syrup with whipped cream and two raspberries. Oh I could make a meal out of about five of these. Wow that is good.
To be continued.
There's nothing better than white cake😋
-
33 minutes ago, iceman said:
Like I said earlier it is surely a personal choice, to signal or not..
I am curious though, for those that do signal and want to see others signal them from the opposite direction. What does it change? Do you see the last one give you the fist and now you can use more of the trail? Do you ride differently after getting the all clear? I just don’t get it. The best offense is defense..
anyway
I say this with peace and love.
First of all I was lucky enough to be born into a snowmobile family, my father open A SKI-DOO dealership 1967 so I've been riding snowmobiles for 50+ years in Ontario, Quebec & N.B. Over those years if I wasn't riding alone I was usually leading the group and as everybody on this board that has been riding for years like me has probably had their fair share of close calls with people riding on the wrong side of the trail. I personally don't care if the oncoming person signals me as long as they're on their side of the trail. I, on the other hand, will always signal and the reason why I signal is because it's usually family and good friends behind me and if I can get some of these trail racers to slow down a little bit as they go by my group I feel my hand signal has worked.
-
-
12 hours ago, PLAYHARD said:
Can't trust the weather man, but can always trust Murphy!
Murphy had us on the ropes for a while but couldn't knock us down. 💪
- Florida Snowman, PLAYHARD and momojohnny
-
2
-
1
-
-
-
Woke up And talked to Martin from Relais 22, He was good enough to haul the sled down to Nautico, the BRP dealer in La Tuque. Martin was such a great help, he brought Relais 22 four years ago, has made great improvements and is continuously upgrading it. We will definitely stay there our next time through.
At the dealership there were no parts plus they wouldn't be able to work on it till next week.
Got a ride into town with Pourvoirie Lac Dumoulin’s owner, Danny, to CarStar truck rentals and 2 McKenzies are on there way to Mt Laurier to pick up truck and trailer.
The remaining McKENZIE and 2 Moore’s towed in wounded sled from the night before with help from staff from https://www.lacdumoulin.com/
Small day trip to La Tuque for rum and fuel and around Lac Wayagamac. Back late afternoon for a drink and dinner when we received an update from the 2 McKenzies, who where pulling off at St Jerome for the night.
The following morning, Mr & Mrs Byrd continue on to La Tuque. Snowmobile Trip is over, load up sleds after a great, extended stay at Lac Dumoulin with our intended end of day destination being Cornwall.
Crossing the bridge in Beloeil, another gremlin popped up...axle trouble. Pulled into the gas station just off the highway. End of the road for this trailer! Not sure what to to so we found a place to spend the night.
Up in the morning and made a plan. We went trailer shopping, after making lots of phone calls and lots of driving around we finally found one. "You know that money you were saving for a rainy day, it's raining!" And that pocket of cash you are always suppose to carry is getting lower.
Shuffled sleds into new trailer, coordinated a tow of the crippled trailer to Andre at RemorquesMontreal.com in St-Michel.
If anyone is ever looking for a trailer or trailer services check out Attaches Chateauguey in Ste-Catherine off the 30.
After dealing with both new and old trailer, on our way to Cornwall in a snowstorm.
This sport isn't for the faint of heart. We'd like to thank everyone along the way that helped us out, we are incredibly greatful for everyone.
Back home to fix the sleds, and off on our next adventure in early March. Stay tuned
-
-
3 hours ago, snowmaster2112 said:
You ain’t kidding. After the crappy section the trail down to LeFer Cheval is one sweet ass trail.
is the beaver still dropping trees on the trail ?
Beavers are still cutting trees, we were going to stop and take a pic as we know you like beavers so much.
-
Day 3 started with warmer weather, a dusting of snow and sunny. After a great breakfast and a quick stop at the damn we hit the trails. After cruising through some great trails "FAST JAZZ'S" blizzard start developing a bit of a grumble. After cruising on to Wemotaci for fuel, chains adjustment and lube we crossed our fingers and cruised on. Trail lunch, everything running smoothly, off to Pourvoirie Windago, to say hi to Martine and a quick beverage then back on 83. 20 km in, Byrd's sled grinds to a stop! Tried a bush fix but it only moved three feet so v Tupperware lid off and under the track for tow mode. Headed 30 km to Relais 22, out with wrenches and ratchets with lots of help for owner Martin. Upper chain case barring TOAST! Relais 22 was full (no rooms available; however, Mrs Byrd & Fast Jazz got an offer from a couple of older gentlemen that reminded them of the hecklers on the Muppets) Quick dinner, new plans sets, on the trail by 9:30, Mr and Mrs Byrd riding double on a single seat. Cruising along under the full moon, 10 km out from Poirvoire Lac Dumoulin Mrs Byrd’s sled goes down. Same problem? To be announced. Shuffling saddle bags one more time. Two Moores two McKenzie doubled up looking for the finished line. Arrived just after midnight and greatest by Karine with bucket of ice and a warm cabin.
-
-
Woke to -29, last ones to leave as usual. Four KM north of Fer a Cheval, "shore cut to Clova". Great trail other than 10 KM sketchy trail. Into Clova for gas and rum for somebody, "FAST JAZZ" and t-shirts. Off to Parent to hotel central for lunch. On to Pourvoirie Barrage Gouin for a great Walleye dinner and lots of laughs with Corrine.
- Florida Snowman, MrsGTRider, MrGutz and 4 others
-
7
-
Left Oliphant Ontario in a snow storm. Arrived in Mt Laurier just after 7 p.m., stayed at the Confort Inn. Woke up to lots of sledders and -31, still going to send it. Unloaded the trailer, Father and Son both with new suits mother got jealous and "my zipper is broken, I better get a new suit" After the visit to the wallet lighting dealership, did the tourists thing... Went to Mount Diablo, then for a swim at Windigo Chutes. On to St Anne du Lac for lunch. Them to Pourboirie
Fer a Cheval for a great meal and great hospitality. Woke up to -29
-
The bars in town are a lot of fun but can make the next day long. 🍻🥃
-
-
Spent a week there one night back in 2000 it was one of those spots you had to stop at so much fun 😁
-
-
Maybe he made some new friends in wemo and is at somebody's hunt camp .
- PLAYHARD and Florida Snowman
-
2
-
Hills are north of the town you will hnow when you when you start in to them.
-
-
Pack some cheese and crackers and some cold meats. With nine guys it will be a long day. Fuelling up that many sleds adds time pretty quick .
-
-
-
Thanks for all the great reports sounds like you're having an epic season . There are very few people that would do what you do, all those miles alone. hats off to you or should I say helmets. I always wondered what the 2112 meant Since you are riding for Neil Now I know .
Team Iceman 2020 #3 Abitibi
in General Discussion
Posted
It is very unsettling when you see tracks like that on freshly groomed trail. One thing that really scares me is how they go over a blind hill in the middle or on your side of the trail I don't know how person can have that much nerve or be that stupid.