Byrd

Opps

Made it back to LeCabanon at 4:50 and was loaded and out at 5:15
513 miles for my 3 1/3 days riding. Was it the best Christmas week run ever? No, but I would do it again knowing what I know now. Yesterday was by far my best day. The problem was the sheer amount of traffic everywhere around the area. Plenty of snow but WAY too many people. No surprise I ride where I normally do. Got to meet the new owners of the LeCabanon and met some new friends too. Had a chance to run the new motor and get that shakedown run over. 
Looks like I got out of dodge just in time. Wouldn’t want to be up there after yesterday. This damn warmup is going WAY farther north than we all want it to so hope for continued cold and snow afterwards. 
Had a big smile on my face as I was washing the truck and doing stuff out in the garage today in 61 degree weather in a sweatshirt. 
Almost went in and got a T shirt

Great report as usual . I wonder how many of local 420 signs go missing each year.

So here it is Thursday morning.  A little snow last night and the forecast is for light snow for most of the day.
Lets not try riding around town again.  That wasn't fun yesterday.  The sleds are in the trailer and ready to go.  Sandi and I jump in the truck and head across the river to the north shore.  What do you think Sandi, should we truck to Valinouet or unload in St Honore?  The snow is a little deeper s we approach St Honore.  Not as much grass sticking up thru.  I pull into the Nutrinor gas station.  The old Sconic that the trail goes thru.
A few trucks already here.  Lets give this a try.  Unload the sleds and top them off with fuel.  A better price here than on the mountain.  More trucks pulling in as we head out on the trail.  The snow cover is better here but still there are bumps in the trail.  It sure feels good to be back on the sleds.  Some good trail some bad trail.  The woods are pretty bumpy but the more open areas that are probably on summer roads are better.
We get to the big junction of 93 and 328.  More snow here but the trail still has some bumps.  Keep heading up 93 Sandi.  When we get to the groomers garage a little ways before Valinouet, the groomer was out last night.  It is better.  Pick up speed and on we go.  A few miles before Vilanouet where the detour around the broken bridge has been, the trail branches to the left and crosses the road.  It picks up the power lines and bypasses Valinouet.  Where the trail comes out on the old 93, Valinouet is 0.5 km to the right.
Keep going Sandi.  Muscle out the bumps.  As we get further away from Valinouet, the trail improves a lot.  This is more like Quebec.  Good trail all the way to the La Chapelle.  Boy is this place packed.  Every mountain sled and trail sled must be here.
We order and the food comes out pretty quick.  Our go to lunch, we split a club sandwich.  Of course there are fries.  The food was good but trying to pay was slow.  The waitress took our order from the table but now everyone is standing in line placing orders and the customers that are finished like me, are trying to pay.  Suggestion:  Ask the waitress if you can pay when you place your order.
Back on the trail and we head down 93 the same way we came up.  Typical trail 93, it is always worse in the afternoon.  Today is no exception.  What was good on the way up is now bumpy heading  back.  There were a lot of sleds at lunch but not much traffic on the trail.
It snowed lightly all day.  A few more inches.  The rough sections are going to need a good dump to fill in all the holes.
The forecast is for above freezing Friday and Saturday here in town with some rain on Friday, tomorrow.  Not sure what we are going to do.  Here it is 5:30 pm and only one other trailer in the lot.  Is it too early or did everyone else head home?
We will talk tomorrow.
Jack & Sandi
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Today was a nice day. Not great for pictures being gray with snow flurries on and off. We rode from Hotel Pel Chat to Coronet in Sacre Couere.
from hotel first few km leaving town acceptable further up better it gets. Rode up past relais Bouleau Blanc did not take TQ3. Local all the way to TQ93. Super nice up there. Then from sawmill there on 93 is scratchy into Coronet. Needs more snow. Same leaving Coronet going down. Needs more snow. Closed to ferry not enough snow. Met a group at Coronet who we saw at Hotel Pel Chat they came on TQ3 from Escoumins and was not fun. 
They were super nice and actually lost as they were trying to get to La Chapelle but ended up at Coronet. First time in area. We talked with them and we waited for them to finish eating. Then off we went us 2 and all of them they were 3 two ups and one solo. So 7 strong that gang. We backtracked up and we showed them the back door to Escoumins and where TQ93 was and the Pel Chat trail so they could go for Chapelle tomorrow. 
We are done here for now. Black trail to Trois-Rivières tomorrow. We will see what happens with the coming rain. Mrs has another week off. We were hoping to go to Matane but not sure that will be until March for her. We will find somewhere to lay some tracks next week. 
Until next time

Great report as usual . I wonder how many of local 420 signs go missing each year.

I think we can tell he's all smiley in there?...
 

Sitting at the Central in St Michele right now
looped the reservoir today
almost 200 miles so far On the old “boat anchor”
new motor is smooth

Great report as usual . I wonder how many of local 420 signs go missing each year.

Great report as usual . I wonder how many of local 420 signs go missing each year.

Great report as usual . I wonder how many of local 420 signs go missing each year.

Another great restaurant is this one short cab ride from the atmosphere.

Another great restaurant is this one short cab ride from the atmosphere.

Barrage Gouin & Windigo,  dosen't get any better in my needs  🙂

31 March Thursday 
 
Woke to a dusting of snow still snowing at 6am. Knew this was not going to last. We dis breakfast and after 8am its now snow rain ice all of it. We head out to give it a try. Up 373 to Relais Buttes. Here Playhard has seen enough, well not seen enough actually as the weather is playing havoc on his Helmet shield. We split the team he is gonna meander back and NHmoose and I push on. Up 373 then local across river just past relais. Orange local up past Chute de l’ours and rejoin 93. Up we go its rain now but we push on. Orange trail up to just near Lac a Jim. Then back left on 93 back down the bump out as we call out of 93. Now a bit of freezing rain up here. Getting encapsulated by the minute. Trails still unbelievable and despite the westher we are having a blast. Back south and just rain now again. We had planned to head to Resto du Chef then loop back through La Dore but that mission was scuttled as we are really getting rained on now. The novelty has worn off. We agreed it was time to bee line it back to hotel. Back in around 11am. 88 miles. We were glad to ride a bit. 
Got gear drying in room. We regroup and decide to take truck to Du Chef for lunch. Rest of afternoon is a lazy day. We are plotting are next ride tomorrow as long as rain has gone. It will be warm here until tomorrow night so surely no purple lines tomorrow to see. But we will manage. 
 
Some riding better than none. Already talk of riding through Monday or Tuesday it’s been that good we don’t want to leave. 
 
Until next time

28 March Monday 
 
Started the morning off with a car ride to get breakfast from Mc Donald’s. No breakfast at hotel on Mondays. At the same time I decided to scout out a bit of trail. I have used the trail that goes behind Du Jardin to get to the gas station and depanneur right near Mc Donalds. I do not remember it going any further. However I Motoneige is showing it crossing the bridge and winding through the neighborhood and out into the woods joining the other local trai, I am very familiar with. It also shows at the bridge in St Felicien just near Mc Donalds the trail also goes on river and goes back toward St Prime. The gate is closed to enter the river. So no problem but there is plenty of signage and sticks to follow the other trail it crosses on bridge(unplowed) sidewalk. Then left around through neighborhood and back across main road through more neighborhood then off into a field to the woods. Surely much easier with snow on pavement but with wheels was not an issue as we left the hotel this way this morning 3 strong. We will come back for Mrs Ice around noon. Stupid nice trail everywhere. Yes wind has been blowing nonstop so in the ooen areas a bit of drifts but they are soft like pillows. Just like my breakfast “i’m loving it”
I dont think I am the only one as Playhard and NHMoose are smiling big too. We debated over whether to even leave RDL or just stay there another week. We stuck to our original plan and bailed out. No regrets. Did not see one trail like any of these are here. Yes rode groomed trails in Gaspe. But not like here. Snow there is soft and not frozen even after its groomed still soft. Does not take many sleds to make it seem like it was not even groomed. Not the same here. Rock hard base with cream cheese on top. Ripping fast. Just how I like it. Orange trails to Normandin full 10/10 gas in Normandin then onward. Quick run up to 373 then short spin to the “middle orange” as we call it. We rode this trail twice today once up in morning and once back down this afternoon. One of my man Snohorse’s top runs. That was for you Philly. Up to 93 and its all been a stunner. Delicious trails and we are eating it up. To Lac a Jim quick hello and down 93 to orange again this time back to 93 then to 373 and backtrack to Du Jardin through Relais Buttes. All 10+ trails. All of it. Playhard is taking care of things this afternoon with Canadian Tire and NHmoose, Mrs Ice and I head out. No need to complicate things. We ride exactly the same route but backwards now the lefts are rights. We know it’s fantastic. We put Mrs Ice in rocking chair and we are in group chat so all three of us connected on the radio. Very cool. Destination Lac a Jim. We make a slight change by taking what we refer to as the 93 bump out. Makes the run up to Lac a Jim a bit longer but why not. This trail great also but the end is a bit bumpy up some of the big hills. This is easily forgotten and forgiven with the conditions on the other 99% we rode today. Into lac jim we have now seen 5 sleds today all locals for sure. Late lunch at Lac a Jim. Private relais to go with private trails. Mrs Ice’s first time on Sled in LSJ so its all new for her. i Love showing her around. Lac Jim across 93 middle orange it is down to Normandin gas it again. Back down orange to trail, to Relais Buttes. Not showing closed river must be good still, it is good we cross no issues. Even smooth here on river it’s crazy. Back to 373 and back to Hotel just after 5pm. 
Great unbelievable day. 

Sounds like you’re having a wonderful spring fling with only a few minor problems.Good to read mrs-ice is back in the saddle.

Sounds like you’re having a wonderful spring fling with only a few minor problems.Good to read mrs-ice is back in the saddle.

Sounds like you’re having a wonderful spring fling with only a few minor problems.Good to read mrs-ice is back in the saddle.

27 March Sunday 
West bound from RDL light flurries all night probably almost 2” new snow. Black trail is wet but not slick. Back to Quebec City over the bridge and east to 73/175 Direction Saguenay LSJ. Smooth ride uo through L’etape and across 169 by Mont Apica and then west again to St Felicien. Colder up here wind biting cold. Much colder than any day over in Gaspe. Lunch St Hubert in Roberval. We leave there last short leg to St Felicien. Taking it easy as wind is pushing the trailer around here a bit. My phone is ringing. It’s a text. Audio message. It’s Mrs. Ice telling me to hit the gas as I am holding up traffic. We have her back. She is with us for 2 days to knock the cobwebs off and embed some solid memories to get her through the long off season. Ankle not 100% but we will adjust to her level of comfort. Into hotel the convoy rolls. Mrs and I suit up we drop sleds and her and I are off to see how this ankle is doing. Full February like trails except for parking lots and by road. Hard packed but still enough lube for slides. White asphalt all the way to Relais Buttes. She is adjusting. She is not fully recovered but she is doing well. Saw 2 other sleds. Trail mint entire way. I think it’s gonna be better here as far as smooth flat trail than it was in Gaspe. 
Tomorrow we will see more. 
Very quiet here at hotel might be 2-3 other guests here besides us. 
Just the way we like it. 

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  

 
 

25 March Friday continues 
 
We are going. John takes off to stay on beat to make the 1pm rendezvous. David is with him I finish paying for the gas and I am sweeping things up now. John can run to dealer ahead I am behind David just in case. In case came quick we could not have been 5km from Albertville. I round corner David is stopped John there pulling side cover. I arrive and tell John to beat feet. He been riding 2 days plus with poched shock he needs to make it for 1pm. Playhard aint going nowhere yet. Its stone cold dead. Out comes the tow equipment. Nice setup Playhard had. Around ski loops then two basically tie strap buckles that loop around bumper of towing service. I have done my share of towing. I been pulled into Clova once but we were close. Nonetheless thanks to NHmoose he towed my 2008 Apex into town. This is my first pull of a fellow Apex an XTX. Lincoln Town Car. We get it hooked. I pulled the belt. We go short distance then readjust our straps so they are equal lenghth. I don’t like that we are really close. One wrong move he is on top of my rear tunnel extension. But it works well. Teamwork. We are ready, its snowing and almost mixed with some rain now. We ease off. I got a serious load on. We go well but it’s apparent it will be tough in this fresh wet snow. Frozen trail February. No problems. Towing through this hmmm. Tough going. First Road we come to we stop. Playhard is instantly Navigating. Ski Doo Amqui to the right 3.2 crow miles. Road is snowy its a secondary road we decide to go for it. I know full well we can get close but for sure it means running up the 132 through town towing in taffic. No real issues on snowy road. One hill I underestimated and did not get my speed up to get a run at it but we make up.
Next one I am ready for no worries. Sure enough we arrive to fully plowed blacktop RT195 we need to go up 195 then hit 132. To reach Ski Doo. I am not a happy camper being on the 132. But we are getting there. We had wheels down now and going is nice and smooth. We blend into traffic like we belong and cruise on up had to wait in traffic at one red light. But just ahead is destination. In we roll 2:15. John being service. Stephan and Jeremy speak english in service and Playhard is already on it talking with these boys to see who they can find to truck him and tge Apex to RDL tonight or Tomorrow. John sled is all buttoned up. And jeremy is waiting for some calls back to confirm this transport. He comes out and he has Roger ready to go Sat 9am. They will load apex into Rogers truck tonight at Ski Doo and scheduled pick up is 9am for David at Selectotel. Awsome. 
 
Raining out now not pouring but steady wet. John and I bee line to Hotel shocks he said feel great. Too wet to play. Bags soaked time to get inside. 
 
Great trails really all day. Happy. We will overcome. We always do. 
 
John and I will ride to RDL thru Cabano 
Join David in RDL and keep this going. 

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  

 
 

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  

 
 

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