Byrd

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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. 

A few more of the bridge🤪
 
 
 
 
 

Look’s like your having fun l can only hope I can ride 200 miles a day at 77 . 

Look’s like your having fun l can only hope I can ride 200 miles a day at 77 . 

Finished breakfast got squared up and geared up. Much warmer today not quite Aruba but not nortb pole anymore. Under Layers back to normal operations. 
 
There was a big group here also from Montana Adventure, Martine said they are out of St Alexiis des Monts they were 7 or 8 with the guide all french from France. Nice to see some big tourist groups. 
 
They were already outside almost ready to leave i had spoken to the guide they were doing stricty trails. Last night they were in La Tuque, to Windigo, and now to Gouin tonight. 
 
Long story short they beat us out the driveway as they are westbound too toward Wemo on TQ83. 5 minutes head start. 
 
We are good. I catch last guy in under 5km of the driveway from Windigo. Damn gonna be a long few KM. Cannot pass here way too much snow dust and not safe. Trees have been cut but they still are sticking close to trail not worth the risks. 
 
I know a good guide will be stopping at the junction with TQ83 and counting his ducklings. We will scoop them here. And we do without any drama. Westbound and hammer down. 4-6inches of cream cheese on trail. 4 others left Windigo early. They are obviously ahead as there are tracks here. 
 
Fast run into Wemo, os Snohorse said later it was one of the smothest runs through Wemo ever, for sure the fresh snow helped alot as did the new trail dropping into town up over the mountains with the Scenic lookout. This also reported earlier by Team Vermont. Thanks guys.
It’s this kind of intel i find the most helpful. When a trail changes and you kniw about it then when you get to ride there it’s nice to know before.
 
Leaving Wemo westbound immediately after the gas station you cross the first single lane road bridge then continuing on you come to a right turn onto another small single lane road bridge. 
It’s here we stop to pay our respects to my great friend and father in law Gaston. He died here Easter Monday in his beloved Mack semi doing what he loved. 
Emotional day as this has weighed on me the entire trip knowing if eventually this ride gave us it all….we would pass here today. 
Gaston’s memorial cross is covered by the snow, but its there in the woodline. 
Miss you everyday mon ami. 
Now we are off to investigate this plowed section of TQ83.
 
left Gaston a Team sticker 
 
 

More pics other days
 
 

Having some dinner and drinks  back at Haltaparche now. 
Have some more VERY interesting stories and pictures coming this evening 

Day 4, snowing pretty good when we are packing up to leave SADM. Decide to see what we can get. Hit 5 and head East, few inches of snow so far, winds not so bad. 20 miles out and it’s getting deeper, starting to push hard. We pass the St Paulin relay and like reported on here it’s closed so we push on. It started getting windy snowing hard now, we come into St. Adelme and top the gas. We pull into the relay and decide to have an early lunch and figure out where to go from here. A few of the locals express how bad the storm is getting, we decide to continue to Matane and quit for the day. We leave and the drifting is getting bad, time to quit, we made the right choice. Pull into the Riotel and it’s snowing sideways. Good to be done.