GT Rider

Continued We passed Lu-Nic By the time I got to the black trail I was getting beat. We drove past Mont-Laurier looking at all the full motels. I did not want to deal with a packed parking lot. We continued to Lac-Saguay where we stopped at Ours Bleu. We are greeted by Marco and Nona the new owns of the motel. They had some personal obligations they needed to take care of and were not taking any clients for a few days. Nona took pity on me as I looked tired. They agreed to let us stay. Marco offer’s to drive us up the street to get dinner. Gemma and I decided over dinner to try to get the machine looked at before going home. We would have to wait until Monday but maybe we can salvage a few days and leave on a high note. We decide to go to a large dealer hoping they would have the all parts needed for repair. On Monday we drive to Contant Mirabel. Alex the service manager is very helpful. He takes in my machine and Steph does an evaluation on it. They find that many parts had been damaged and they had to place an order to get everything that was needed. Alex says it will be ready Wednesday. We drive back to Lac-Saguay for some down time. Marco and Nona advise us on some nice restaurants. They made us feel comfortable. They offer to setup a dog sled trip for us but I was in need of some down time. Tuesday night into Wednesday it snows heavy. There will be plenty of powder for Thursday’s Run. On Wednesday we go to pick up my machine. We arrive at 4:30 and wait until 6:20 for it to be finished. Alex and Steph thank you for getting it done. I can’t say enough how grateful I am for their efforts to get us back on the trail. The dealer closes at 6:00 and they were the only ones left. There was a lot to do and they got it done. Day 12 244 miles We have breakfast at the Lac-Saguay restaurant and get going at 9:00. We get on 63 to 53 south. The trail was not groomed and a bit bumpy. Going south on 53 we take the local to Kiamika for fuel. It is fresh groomed.

Continued We arrive at Clova about 7:00 I think. We see Doonali and company having dinner. They were concerned that we had not arrived. We were going to the same hotels 2/25, 2/26. We have dinner and chat with the guys that picked us up. They would not let me even buy them a drink. They were super nice people that were just happy to help us out. They were going to Balbuzard but changed up for Clova. I see Dominic and ask if I can rent a machine to retrieve mine. He agrees to let me use his expedition with the toboggan. He asks that I wait until after dinner service is over. At 9:15 we go to get the expedition. It was buried from a dump of snow. Dominic takes the groomer and pushes the expedition (from the drag that is connected) and I drive it out of the deep stuff. He hooks up the toboggan and off I go. It takes me about an hour to get to my machine. I am being super careful I am alone. There was some drifting between lakes do to the wind. I get my machine on the toboggan and tied down. I start back going 35kph. There are 3 bridges to cross. I get over the first 2 ok. Crossing the 3rd bridge I get stuck. My machine is like an anchor. The expedition track is spinning. The bridge has planks that are raised for cars. The track is on 4x4's in the center of these planks. I disconnect the toboggan and take the expedition across the bridge. I back it up staying on top of the left plank so I can have traction. I had to use a tow strap from my luggage and pull my machine across carefully one 4x4 at a time. My machine was teetering with the skis pointing up to the left over the plank and the track down in the grove between planks. I get it across and connect the toboggan back to the hitch and off to Clova. When I get to Clova I see the restaurant and think the school house is directly across. I make a left and start rolling up the road. When I pass the Tamerac it hits me I made a wrong turn. I am up on the rail bed. Now I am looking for a place to turn this rig around. I had to unhitch the toboggan again. My mistake cost me an hour. I got to bed at 3:00am. Dominic arranged to have his mechanic look at my chain case in the morning. The mechanic also drive’s the town plow to clear the roads so he was busy and said he could check it at 2:00pm. He agreed to let me use his shop to disassemble the chain case and get to the cause of the problem. I was hopeful that I could make a repair and continue on to Val-D'Or. Dominic had some spare parts he offered to let me use. After opening the chain case I knew I would not be continuing my trip. We bought a phone card and canceled the remainder of our reservations. Dominic had left to groom the trail so we went to our room to wait for his return. At 3:00 we got a knock on the door from Suzan. She was asked to interpret for us to find a way out of Clova. There was no way to transport my machine so Suzan and her husband drove us to Manawaki to get my truck and trailer. We left Clova at 3:30 and arrived at Manawaki 7:00. I am at a loss of words for the kindness we received. I will never forget the people who helped us. After dinner in Manawaki we start for Clova. It was one long drive back. I did not want to get stuck so I went slow and steady. We arrived at 5:45am. There is 167 miles of logging road to get from Mont-Saint-Michel to Clova. From Parent to Clova is about 60 miles and it was super slow. It had not been plowed yet. We get a few hours sleep and have breakfast. We load up the truck and say our good byes. We are back on the ice road again. Mrs. Gt on the IceRoad We stopped in Parent. The gas station that I had previously stopped at was closed and buried. We found the pizza shop Alain posted. Dave's Favorite Hotel. We found Alain's hotel.

Continued We head to Ferme-Neuve for fuel. Then we pass the closed Windigo. Then I take a ride on the wrong trail after a false detour. Back on 322 to local 236 passed Rabaska. We get to the bridge for the Gatineau River and a group is taking photos. We wait a few minutes and we are off. The wood runners has plenty of powder. We find 3 three guys pulling a machine out of a ditch. I ask if they need help. They have a tow strap and are good. They get the machine out and tell us they are taking a break. We go to Pensive for fuel. The guys pull up as we are leaving. We get to Evasion and start hearing a bearing noise. The GPS says 50 miles to Clova. I slow down. We get 20 miles and the bearing go's out. I get the Sat Phone out and the guys pull up. They offer to take us to Clover. We are lucky. A big Shout out to Steve, Brad and Andrew from NY. To be continued.

Day 5 243 miles We had some snow and ice overnight. We got off to a late start. We went to Devils Mountain for lunch. It's not the famous Bacon Pizza from the Gaspe but it will have to do. Some day.... Pick up the red ball and you have a friend for life.

Continued The trail condition was super. We arrived at Auberge Draveur 3:41 an early one for once. We met up with Doonali at the hotel. Its always nice to bump into other Quebecriders out on vacation.

Day 4 220 Miles It was 7f at the start. The groomer from the Val D'Or club was at La Verendrye. The trails north were good to go. We skipped gas at Domaine and went to The Classic. After fuelling up we came across some guys having lunch trail side. Off to Ours Blanc trails. It started to snow as we went on 322

We got fuel in RDJ and met 2 guys that informed us the trail would not get better. Yea. I think the trail was changed up from the last time we came through. I went the way I took 2014 and saw no tracks. The sign for La Verendrye was there. we did get on traveled trail eventually. 9 miles to La Verendyre the trail was good again. Thank you Lord.

Day 3 227 miles It was -4F at the start. The hotel had been full with contractors. They left early. We were on the unofficial trail in 2014. Now it is 43. There was 5 miles of plowed road. We jumped up on the shoulder a time or two. Then 200k of spring killer bumps. The photos don't really show it.

The trails around Ville Marie were in great condition. As we went south to Temiscaming it was a little rougher.

Continued

Day 2 242 miles We woke to a -17F morning at Trout Lake. We had a great stay. The trail was super hard. It was super soft the day before. Along 83 going south. The over look off 63 going to 303

Continued No fooling around I got to work on day one with my Warn advertisement. A slow-motion powder slide. Stay right but keep the ski's on the trail. After a small interlude we were back on the trail. I was running a little off schedule so picture time was reduced for the remainder of the day . I am having trouble posting photos. Here go's another try.

A few Photos from the trip. Day 1 231 miles It was 31F after some freezing rain. The horse drawn sled sign. The snow was a powder with an ice crust.

Its not the first time I have screwed up. When we got back on 322 I could see the trail looked good in both directions. I took a right when I saw the sign. I knew I messed up when the trail was not groomed and had no tracks.

You guys are quick on your feet. That was some regroup and turn around. I think its super how you guys attacked that trip. Mother nature can be unpredictable for sure. Thankfully we have not hit snow conditions like that yet. Thanks for the terrific read. Jim & Gemma

420! Amazing riding Tom. You had time to watch a parade? Trail report with Photos. You guys are getting it done. Thanks, Jim & Gemma

Thanks to all who posted kind words of concern. I apologize for not responding yet. We have been running for a few days. The iPhone is not my preferred internet tool. I use a camera so when we get back we will post some photos. Jim & Gemma

Hi Tom, On the road back from Clova I was beat. We landed at Lac Saguay 30k south of Mont-Laurier. It has been snowing continually for 3 days. Probably 16 - 18 inches. It's snowing now in Mont-Laurier. I thought the chain case lower bearing went but it was the top one. It made a mess of a lot of parts. The dealer says Wednesday. We are going with a rental tomorrow. Time to get back on the trail.

Just a quick update. We decided to wait for Monday to see if a dealer could get us going. We are waiting for the evaluation at Mirabel Contant. The machine is under warranty. Maybe we can get a few more days in.

We stopped for gas at the AXCO 418-465-2920 in Rivière-au-Tonnerre as well. If you need it there is a depanneur with gas in Longue- pointe-de-Mingan 418-949-2923. It's next to Motel Poseidon. Have a great run guys.

No gps necessary, best groomed trails, best restaurants, good times. Can't beat riding with Bill.

Snowing in St. Donat. From the road the trail to Black Mountain looks good.

I have to show this to the other half of the team. We got to the beach in mingan. Have a blast guys.

Jeff and Sandy, Looks like your having a great trip. Your on the trail report is super. We know all about a heavy machine as well. Thanks, Jim & Gemma

We got a ride to Maniwaki at 3:30 in the afternoon. We had dinner in Maniwaki and drove back to Clova with my truck and trailer. We arrived at 5:40 am. Iceman is right you would have to be insane to trailer to Clova. It's time to get my machine from the garage and point to NY. I am looking forward to the nice drive to the black trail. It's snowing here. The groomer left here on 83 yesterday. Dominic groomed the wood runners yesterday as well.