Byrd

Woke up sunny skys, left Carleton headed for New Brunswick. Quick ride down to Pointe à la-croix called Mundles towing to take us across the bridge.
Had planned on staying in Campbellton but with a storm coming we thought we would get further south.
Got to Island Lake, no rooms. Then down to Governors, no rooms. So we decided to head to Bathurst and stayed at the Atlantic Host for the night. Checked in and have a great seafood dinner. 

Woke up sunny skys, left Carleton headed for New Brunswick. Quick ride down to Pointe à la-croix called Mundles towing to take us across the bridge.
Had planned on staying in Campbellton but with a storm coming we thought we would get further south.
Got to Island Lake, no rooms. Then down to Governors, no rooms. So we decided to head to Bathurst and stayed at the Atlantic Host for the night. Checked in and have a great seafood dinner. 

Woke up sunny skys, left Carleton headed for New Brunswick. Quick ride down to Pointe à la-croix called Mundles towing to take us across the bridge.
Had planned on staying in Campbellton but with a storm coming we thought we would get further south.
Got to Island Lake, no rooms. Then down to Governors, no rooms. So we decided to head to Bathurst and stayed at the Atlantic Host for the night. Checked in and have a great seafood dinner. 

Woke up sunny skys, left Carleton headed for New Brunswick. Quick ride down to Pointe à la-croix called Mundles towing to take us across the bridge.
Had planned on staying in Campbellton but with a storm coming we thought we would get further south.
Got to Island Lake, no rooms. Then down to Governors, no rooms. So we decided to head to Bathurst and stayed at the Atlantic Host for the night. Checked in and have a great seafood dinner. 

Woke up sunny skys, left Carleton headed for New Brunswick. Quick ride down to Pointe à la-croix called Mundles towing to take us across the bridge.
Had planned on staying in Campbellton but with a storm coming we thought we would get further south.
Got to Island Lake, no rooms. Then down to Governors, no rooms. So we decided to head to Bathurst and stayed at the Atlantic Host for the night. Checked in and have a great seafood dinner. 

This is the house we stayed at in Murdochville, sleeps 8 and newly renovated. 

By the time we went to breakfast, all the sleds from the night before where gone, packed up and off.  stopped outside of town to get young Murdoch McKenzie a picture in front of the Murdochville sign.
Over to La Cache for gas and some of the best homemade lasagna you'll ever have.
Snowed most of the day, 6 to 12 inches of sugar on the trail. Great ride with sun peaking through at times.
Continued on south to Carleton-de-Mer and checked into the Baie Blue and St Joseph's pub for dinner, lively little bar, Playhard's nephew would loved it, lots of young girls.
M&M Tours will be going dark for a couple days, be back Saturday afternoon for a report. 

Great stay at the Riotel Matane. Dinner was really good with lots of variety and if not overcast I bet the view would have been spectacular. Would highly recommend if in the area, well signed but a little sketchy getting there, lots of gas available near by. 
Checked grooming map, trail 5 groomed last night so we decided to go that way to  Murdochville.  Thought this would be the morning that we wouldn't be the last to leave but that didn't happen. On trail by 10:15. 
Does take long to reel in the first couple of guys, followed them for a bit and I think they thought it was their own private trail system as they were on the inside of every corner. Not wanting to be part of this we slowed the pace down with a short break then another stop for lunch at a Relais. 
Gassed up on the coast at Tourelle then continued on to Murdochville....Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Snow all day with 6 to 8 inches of powder on trials. Not many pictures due to weather.
Arrived at Hotel Copper and no rooms but when we called last week to make reservations Jacques promised we'd have a place to sleep. They took us over to a renovated duplex being converted into a big house with 6 rooms and 8 beds. Great spot. 
Hotel Copper for breakfast, every one from last night is already gone. Last to leave again! Off the the south shore. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. 

By the time we went to breakfast, all the sleds from the night before where gone, packed up and off.  stopped outside of town to get young Murdoch McKenzie a picture in front of the Murdochville sign.
Over to La Cache for gas and some of the best homemade lasagna you'll ever have.
Snowed most of the day, 6 to 12 inches of sugar on the trail. Great ride with sun peaking through at times.
Continued on south to Carleton-de-Mer and checked into the Baie Blue and St Joseph's pub for dinner, lively little bar, Playhard's nephew would loved it, lots of young girls.
M&M Tours will be going dark for a couple days, be back Saturday afternoon for a report. 

Great stay at the Riotel Matane. Dinner was really good with lots of variety and if not overcast I bet the view would have been spectacular. Would highly recommend if in the area, well signed but a little sketchy getting there, lots of gas available near by. 
Checked grooming map, trail 5 groomed last night so we decided to go that way to  Murdochville.  Thought this would be the morning that we wouldn't be the last to leave but that didn't happen. On trail by 10:15. 
Does take long to reel in the first couple of guys, followed them for a bit and I think they thought it was their own private trail system as they were on the inside of every corner. Not wanting to be part of this we slowed the pace down with a short break then another stop for lunch at a Relais. 
Gassed up on the coast at Tourelle then continued on to Murdochville....Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Snow all day with 6 to 8 inches of powder on trials. Not many pictures due to weather.
Arrived at Hotel Copper and no rooms but when we called last week to make reservations Jacques promised we'd have a place to sleep. They took us over to a renovated duplex being converted into a big house with 6 rooms and 8 beds. Great spot. 
Hotel Copper for breakfast, every one from last night is already gone. Last to leave again! Off the the south shore. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. 

By the time we went to breakfast, all the sleds from the night before where gone, packed up and off.  stopped outside of town to get young Murdoch McKenzie a picture in front of the Murdochville sign.
Over to La Cache for gas and some of the best homemade lasagna you'll ever have.
Snowed most of the day, 6 to 12 inches of sugar on the trail. Great ride with sun peaking through at times.
Continued on south to Carleton-de-Mer and checked into the Baie Blue and St Joseph's pub for dinner, lively little bar, Playhard's nephew would loved it, lots of young girls.
M&M Tours will be going dark for a couple days, be back Saturday afternoon for a report. 

Great stay at the Riotel Matane. Dinner was really good with lots of variety and if not overcast I bet the view would have been spectacular. Would highly recommend if in the area, well signed but a little sketchy getting there, lots of gas available near by. 
Checked grooming map, trail 5 groomed last night so we decided to go that way to  Murdochville.  Thought this would be the morning that we wouldn't be the last to leave but that didn't happen. On trail by 10:15. 
Does take long to reel in the first couple of guys, followed them for a bit and I think they thought it was their own private trail system as they were on the inside of every corner. Not wanting to be part of this we slowed the pace down with a short break then another stop for lunch at a Relais. 
Gassed up on the coast at Tourelle then continued on to Murdochville....Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Snow all day with 6 to 8 inches of powder on trials. Not many pictures due to weather.
Arrived at Hotel Copper and no rooms but when we called last week to make reservations Jacques promised we'd have a place to sleep. They took us over to a renovated duplex being converted into a big house with 6 rooms and 8 beds. Great spot. 
Hotel Copper for breakfast, every one from last night is already gone. Last to leave again! Off the the south shore. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. 

This is the house we stayed at in Murdochville, sleeps 8 and newly renovated. 

Stumbled across the original toy hauler, the boys from jersey out did themselves, the only thing missing is an Ice man sticker 

By the time we went to breakfast, all the sleds from the night before where gone, packed up and off.  stopped outside of town to get young Murdoch McKenzie a picture in front of the Murdochville sign.
Over to La Cache for gas and some of the best homemade lasagna you'll ever have.
Snowed most of the day, 6 to 12 inches of sugar on the trail. Great ride with sun peaking through at times.
Continued on south to Carleton-de-Mer and checked into the Baie Blue and St Joseph's pub for dinner, lively little bar, Playhard's nephew would loved it, lots of young girls.
M&M Tours will be going dark for a couple days, be back Saturday afternoon for a report. 

Great stay at the Riotel Matane. Dinner was really good with lots of variety and if not overcast I bet the view would have been spectacular. Would highly recommend if in the area, well signed but a little sketchy getting there, lots of gas available near by. 
Checked grooming map, trail 5 groomed last night so we decided to go that way to  Murdochville.  Thought this would be the morning that we wouldn't be the last to leave but that didn't happen. On trail by 10:15. 
Does take long to reel in the first couple of guys, followed them for a bit and I think they thought it was their own private trail system as they were on the inside of every corner. Not wanting to be part of this we slowed the pace down with a short break then another stop for lunch at a Relais. 
Gassed up on the coast at Tourelle then continued on to Murdochville....Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Snow all day with 6 to 8 inches of powder on trials. Not many pictures due to weather.
Arrived at Hotel Copper and no rooms but when we called last week to make reservations Jacques promised we'd have a place to sleep. They took us over to a renovated duplex being converted into a big house with 6 rooms and 8 beds. Great spot. 
Hotel Copper for breakfast, every one from last night is already gone. Last to leave again! Off the the south shore. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. 

Gonna be a great day!
Of course we're gonna send it!...
 

 

Jack, Sandy and Gary headed home this morning. Jak also decided to leave. I will head Maine bound tomorrow morning, but wanted one day to chill. Had a fantastic time riding with the crew, Sandy was an awesome leader of the pack, keeping a fun and brisk pace day in and day out.
The past two days it has snowed almost continuously except a few hours yesterday afternoon when we got freezing rain.
The groomer report this morning looked really weak. Not much overnight. 
Late morning today the sun came out and after seeing sled after sled head out, I couldn't stand it. Suited up and rode south for a year end final Hamburger Chevalier at Chevelier Frontier club house. Sun and snow all the way down, snowing all the way back. Trails were hard packed, a couple groomed,, most smooth and those with a few bumps were small bumps absorbed nicely by the suspension.
13,140 miles on the '19 Renegade 900. Same bearings, pretty much same everything. Never had a failed start. Love this sled. Might it be time to trade? Not sure. Dream would be to keep this for solo riding and get a new Polaris Matryx 650 Legacy for when I ride with groups. Something kind a fun to drive.  Probably not in the cards, certainly not in the bank, but fun to dream.
mike
 

Great stay at the Riotel Matane. Dinner was really good with lots of variety and if not overcast I bet the view would have been spectacular. Would highly recommend if in the area, well signed but a little sketchy getting there, lots of gas available near by. 
Checked grooming map, trail 5 groomed last night so we decided to go that way to  Murdochville.  Thought this would be the morning that we wouldn't be the last to leave but that didn't happen. On trail by 10:15. 
Does take long to reel in the first couple of guys, followed them for a bit and I think they thought it was their own private trail system as they were on the inside of every corner. Not wanting to be part of this we slowed the pace down with a short break then another stop for lunch at a Relais. 
Gassed up on the coast at Tourelle then continued on to Murdochville....Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Snow all day with 6 to 8 inches of powder on trials. Not many pictures due to weather.
Arrived at Hotel Copper and no rooms but when we called last week to make reservations Jacques promised we'd have a place to sleep. They took us over to a renovated duplex being converted into a big house with 6 rooms and 8 beds. Great spot. 
Hotel Copper for breakfast, every one from last night is already gone. Last to leave again! Off the the south shore. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. 

Great stay at the Riotel Matane. Dinner was really good with lots of variety and if not overcast I bet the view would have been spectacular. Would highly recommend if in the area, well signed but a little sketchy getting there, lots of gas available near by. 
Checked grooming map, trail 5 groomed last night so we decided to go that way to  Murdochville.  Thought this would be the morning that we wouldn't be the last to leave but that didn't happen. On trail by 10:15. 
Does take long to reel in the first couple of guys, followed them for a bit and I think they thought it was their own private trail system as they were on the inside of every corner. Not wanting to be part of this we slowed the pace down with a short break then another stop for lunch at a Relais. 
Gassed up on the coast at Tourelle then continued on to Murdochville....Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Snow all day with 6 to 8 inches of powder on trials. Not many pictures due to weather.
Arrived at Hotel Copper and no rooms but when we called last week to make reservations Jacques promised we'd have a place to sleep. They took us over to a renovated duplex being converted into a big house with 6 rooms and 8 beds. Great spot. 
Hotel Copper for breakfast, every one from last night is already gone. Last to leave again! Off the the south shore. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. 

Great stay at the Riotel Matane. Dinner was really good with lots of variety and if not overcast I bet the view would have been spectacular. Would highly recommend if in the area, well signed but a little sketchy getting there, lots of gas available near by. 
Checked grooming map, trail 5 groomed last night so we decided to go that way to  Murdochville.  Thought this would be the morning that we wouldn't be the last to leave but that didn't happen. On trail by 10:15. 
Does take long to reel in the first couple of guys, followed them for a bit and I think they thought it was their own private trail system as they were on the inside of every corner. Not wanting to be part of this we slowed the pace down with a short break then another stop for lunch at a Relais. 
Gassed up on the coast at Tourelle then continued on to Murdochville....Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Snow all day with 6 to 8 inches of powder on trials. Not many pictures due to weather.
Arrived at Hotel Copper and no rooms but when we called last week to make reservations Jacques promised we'd have a place to sleep. They took us over to a renovated duplex being converted into a big house with 6 rooms and 8 beds. Great spot. 
Hotel Copper for breakfast, every one from last night is already gone. Last to leave again! Off the the south shore. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. 

Great stay at the Riotel Matane. Dinner was really good with lots of variety and if not overcast I bet the view would have been spectacular. Would highly recommend if in the area, well signed but a little sketchy getting there, lots of gas available near by. 
Checked grooming map, trail 5 groomed last night so we decided to go that way to  Murdochville.  Thought this would be the morning that we wouldn't be the last to leave but that didn't happen. On trail by 10:15. 
Does take long to reel in the first couple of guys, followed them for a bit and I think they thought it was their own private trail system as they were on the inside of every corner. Not wanting to be part of this we slowed the pace down with a short break then another stop for lunch at a Relais. 
Gassed up on the coast at Tourelle then continued on to Murdochville....Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. Snow all day with 6 to 8 inches of powder on trials. Not many pictures due to weather.
Arrived at Hotel Copper and no rooms but when we called last week to make reservations Jacques promised we'd have a place to sleep. They took us over to a renovated duplex being converted into a big house with 6 rooms and 8 beds. Great spot. 
Hotel Copper for breakfast, every one from last night is already gone. Last to leave again! Off the the south shore. Up the Mountain. Down the Mountain. 

Stumbled across the original toy hauler, the boys from jersey out did themselves, the only thing missing is an Ice man sticker 

Left Oliphant on Sunday, 7am. New trailer with some modifications, short 1200km jaunt to the Universal in Rivere de Loup.
Woke up Monday morning to snow and wind. Checked radar said it should starting clearing around 11.  Leisurely breakfast and unload, hit the trails 10 after 11 ( 10 o'clock old time).  
Trails a little choppy to Rimouski, to be expected for a Monday morning after a warm Sunday. Had to follow a bunch of throttle jockeys for a while, you know those guys that have to have a hand full of throttle and a hand full of brake with the track spinning all the time. The guys that haven't figured out it all about the flow.
Stopped for lunch and gas in Rimouski, took a picture of the clubhouse for Snowmaster. Back on trails sun came out, trails were groomed all the way to Matane. 10 out of 10. Into town for gas and arrived at Riôtel around 6:00.
Tried to meet up with Mike the Mayor of RDL but our schedules didn't work out. 
 
Check out the new red tickle trunk!
 

Stumbled across the original toy hauler, the boys from jersey out did themselves, the only thing missing is an Ice man sticker