GT Rider

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.

Thursday 2/25 Maniwaki to Clova. We take 13 toward Mont- Laurier. After the snow, freezing rain event there is a hard crust over 6 inches of powder. We take local 225 to local 228 to Devils Mountain. After lunch we then take the local 228 to 13 and gas up at Ferme-Neuve 76 miles. We take 13 to local 226 past the closed Windigo to local 228 to 322. Going north on 322 I see a sign for a detour. We go down a plowed road for several miles we see no signs. I se a vtt trail and jump on. We a breaking trail for several miles when we see that there is logging going on. No workers were there so I continue I can see on the gps we are close to 322. Back on 322 to local 236 past Rabaska. We cross the Gatineau River and get on the wood runners trail. We come across 3 guys trying to get a sled out of a ditch. I offer to help. They were good. We gas up at pensive 79 miles. The 3 guys pull up as we go. The trail has tons of snow single line up the middle. As we pass Evasion I hear the sound of a bearing going. I reduce speed 50 miles out from Clova. I get 20 miles and something lets go. Just then the 3 guys pull up. We hitch a ride to Clova. Dominic lets me use his Expediton with a toboggan I go get my machine. 3:00am sleep time. 2/26 Friday I open the chain case and find pieces of seal from the track shaft bearing. It's black trail time. Working on transport back to Maniwaki. Always an adventure.

Tons of snow on the wood runner trail to Clova.

From the 3rd floor view cars covered with snow. Nothing coming down at 3:50. It looks like it rained a bit. It looks like the snow held up well. We are off to Clova.

Wednesday 2/24 La Verandrye to Maniwaki We leave La Verandrye north on 386 and it is perfect. We then take 63 east. The heavy powder we saw Sunday is now transformed into a perfect white carpet. Going south on 63 just after the first crossing of route 117 we spot another wolf. We bypass gas at Domaine and head for Classic. 63 is perfect all the way to Classic 111 miles we gas up. We continue south on 63 and spot two guys cooking hot dogs and buns over a trail side fire. Iceman this tops the trail side chats you've posted about. We take 322 south from 63. It is perfect. It starts to snow about 10 miles down. We then take the orange local to Blackrollaway. We get on 308 to 13 to 63. All but a small section of 308 was perfect. Hats off to the Ours Blancs club for the perfect trails. 220 miles today.

It's snowing in Maniwaki as of 6:50 pm. Standby for updates.