Blueblood

Day 6 to New Brunswick. I know this is a Quebec forum, so if this offends you skip ahead 5 or 6 days, but I know some Quebec Riders that do venture south, so this is for you.
This was only our 3rd trip into NB, so I'm no expert at all. We rode from RDL to Grand falls about 220 easy kms. We stopped for a lobster roll, passing by the casino in Edmonton (thanks slomo trail). We stayed at a Best Western, dinner at Tim's across the road, good free breakfast in the am.

We got to the Delta this year, mid January. We day rode for 4 or 5 days to remember which button did what. Plus I was sporting a 3 month old knee, and I was testing the water. It was fine. 
   We left on a northern loop on the 23rd. We were joined by Joel and Linda sledgirl,and Dawn and Keith. We had a great time with great people. They'd never yet made it to chibougmau. We slept in st. Felicien, chibougmau, Level, then we looped up to Matagami, (no one had been there) and slept in Amos. Slomo trail, thanks for the rodeway inn recommendation. The next day they headed south back towards the Delta, we headed west. They had other plans. We continued and stayed in Rouyn, then Temiscaming, then Pembroke. We usually cross at new lisk, but trails were not yet good in that area. We crossed at Rapids des Joachim's. After Pembroke we overnighted in Maniwaki, lac Taureau, then Latuque, where we had the pleasure of visiting with Andyman. Trails were mostly all good with exception of Ontario leg. In their defense it was a bumpy Sunday, and Ontario had limited riding areas open at that time. The other area that is often problematic is the area after crossing the border in the Ladysmith-danford lake area. Not knocking their area at all, but GPS is handy. There's a lot of cottage roads mixed in the trail mix, and not everything is signed perfectly. And in their defense, I don't think they get alot of tourists through there, and the locals, who have been very helpful to us in the past, know their way through
  

Posted on February 8, 2023
Since the beginning of winter, a traffic fee must now be paid at the entrance to Zec Martin-Valin. This new pricing has surprised many people, including snowmobilers who already pay an access fee for the trails.
Whether by car or snowmobile, it now costs $13.46 a day to travel on the territory of Zec Martin-Valin 12 months a year.
The controlled operating zone, located north of Saguenay, defends this new pricing by adding services in winter.
We are not present on the territory, it handicaps a little. We had patrol. More and more, it's becoming natural that we have to be on our territory to provide surveillance and protection. Also, we take care, we are responsible for the maintenance of the road, also, of the F200 , explained Marie-Josée Savard, general manager of the ZecMartin Valin.
Marie-Josée Savard is the general manager of ZEC Martin-Valin.
PHOTO: RADIO-CANADA / ANNIE-CLAUDE BRISSON
The collection of fees stems from the regulations of the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP).
So far, about thirty statements of offense have been issued. Offenders face a sum of approximately $400.
The assistant who is hired by the zec, he is accredited by the Ministry, therefore by the Protection of Wildlife directly. He writes his report and submits it to a responsible officer. At that time, it is the agent who deals with the offense as such , detailed Maxime Doré, operations assistant at ZecMartin Valin.
He acknowledged, however, that it is more advantageous for the zecto sell a right of way, while the amount of the fine ends up in the ministry's coffers.
Snowmobilers interviewed by Radio-Canada said they were unaware that they were facing a fine.
We have our snowmobile trail map but we didn't know we had to pay for access to the zec, replied a snowmobiler.
I was not aware, absolutely not , replied another.
If the ZecMartin-Valin admits that she must better inform visitors, the Fédération des clubs de motoneigistes du Québec (FCMQ) fears a drop in the number of members.
There are even members of the Caribou-Conscrit club who intend to no longer be members because of this situation. They consider that they are members and on a territory which gives right to 33,000 kilometers and why I am charged on a territory which is not maintained by the zec. We are the club that maintains it , said the president of the FCMQ, Stephane Desroches.
The parties involved will continue discussions to avoid additional fees for snowmobilers who use federated trails.
This type of agreement already exists for members of the Fédération québécoise des clubs de quad (FQCQ).
Based on a report by Annie-Claude Brisson

We heard it was on trail 85 in St Honore.  Poor guy.  It was the first time he was leading the pack.   He was so far ahead of the other guys, they were able to make believe they didn't know the him.
Jack & Sandi

Perspective:
Me and Mark I rolled up on the scene about an hour after the event. I saw red tape strung across the trail just before the downhill, slowed, and passed under the tape to slow roll forward to see why the trail was “closed” so close to town.
Just over the crest I saw a groomer and a bunch of people on the right of it. I assumed it was just a groomer that broke down mid-slope and riders were simply trying to get by it in the woods to its right…..in the fluff at the treeline.
There were a lot of people standing around. 
But then i noticed sleds in orientations that were not normal, as in the rubber side was not down, one front was facing the wrong way, or on their side wedged into the tractor track or drag here and there.  
Closer, I could see a bunch of people in the “V” where the tractor and drag appeared sort of jack-knived. They were working on a person on a stretcher. There was the groomer driver, paramedics, and others in the riding party.  I could see an ATV and a side by side, thats how the first responders got there before Mark and I.
Was a confusing scene, even being right there, hard to figure out, even now.
The hill was loose show….sloppy mashed potatoes….poor traction for sure, no wonder no one could stop in a downhill “surprise” situation. Mark went up the hill to park his sled by the one strip of red tape across was was kind of hard to see and we didn’t want to be piled onto.
I first talked to Chris since he was at the rear sitting on his Enduro.  Introductions made and he said we were the first sleds to come up behind them from our direction (Squatec) in an hour. He then explained the situation. We waited for Police to arrive to document the scene before anything could be moved. Once that happened everyone involved was ferried away and firemen began to clear the damaged sleds.
While we were there, 2 other NH riders approached and eventually we all fired up and passed in the ditch on the left of the groomer.
 
We had leap frogged Chris’s group several times between Murdochville and La Cache.
All I can say is they were lucky, could have been much worse or further from a road, or 30 below, etc. just bad planetary alignment of timing, location, conditions, etc.
And a speedy recovery to Jeffrey!

I'm sitting in the back seat of a Subaru with Andre and Ronnie leaving Degelis with a fireman who is taking us 2.5 hours back to St Pamphile to get the truck 
Jeffrey is in the hospital in RDL
Long story short is Andre is leading then Ronnie,  Jeffrey and I in the back which is rare. Straight flat section of 571 outside Degelis heading south but some rollers and blind straights. When Andre crested the hill approximately 100-150 ft away is a groomer BROADSIDE in the trail as he was sliding and couldn't make the hill. His dragg kicked sideways and took up the whole trail.
One guy...the newbie Ronnie was the only one who with his sled walked away unscathed. 
Mon Ami Andre is fine but his sled is totalled twice over. I have a knot the size of a tennis ball on my thigh from the handlebar and the 1200 is gonna be OK with a thousand bucks
Jeffrey's sled looks OK but he running board is curled pretty bad
Point is its nothing short of a BIG miracle someone didn't get killed
There's a LOT more to this story that I will get into later.
THANKS for everyone's well wishes and I'll get back with more info when I have it

Everything is all peaches and creme until it's not.....
Will probably go down as one of my worst snowmobile days ever
They are taking my friend JEFFREY to the hospital with what appears to be non life threatening injuries 
The rest of us are just banged up  ad and what looks like 3 totalled sleds
I'll report back when I can
Might tomorrow 

Two OLD dudes (I'm 57 toda)
At Albertville 

Hard flat and FAST this morning 

3545km nice ride!

bonjour blueblood !!!
 
no....friend of mine posted that ...from a trucking fb group !!!
just back from a drive in the back roads...lots of trees down ....tons of work to come !!!
 
jean-guy

you watched it go over?

Myself and two friends completed a Clockwise Gaspe loop this past week. The three of us first did this trip in 1997. Hard to believe it's been 26 years. 300 mile days were the norm then, 200 is appropriate now. We unloaded in Monticello, Maine Tuesday the 7th, and rode to Fort Kent. Wednesday morning we crossed the border into New Brunswick and headed West until we grabbed the Quebec 561. This trail hadn't been done in a while, but was good going. We hit the 35 and made our way to Mont Joli, and stayed at the Quality Inn. Good trails and weather  all day. The next day we continued East  and stayed in Mont St Pierre at Le Delice. Good trails all day.  This place seems to have declined a bit  over the years. I never stayed at the other hotel, but I have understood that the Delice is nicer. Friday we continued East in light snow, trails were great , but the weather blocked some of the most beautiful scenery of  the peninsula .As we got out to the end of the peninsula, the snow became heavier, and visibility was poor. The snow became deeper in the trail. We headed into Riviere Au Renaud for fuel. The trail  through the long field is not staked and was invisible. Fortunately I had been there before, and my GPS showed us the trail. The trail into the gas station was completely drifted in. We decided not to risk that, and took the stump trail to the Caribou Inn. We were able to get a room, so we stopped there for a short day. We took the road up to the gas station for fuel and essencianial beverages. The food at the Caribou is very good, rooms are just ok. The next morning it was still snowing. It appeared that a total of pretty near a foot had fallen.  We hoped that the crew  of big sleds would break trail back out to  trail 5 for us, but they weren't moving. We decided to try it around 0900. We got out of there without issue, and trail 5 had been broken. We quickly rode out of the snow into Sunshine, and the trails were great. When we reached Chandler, my 2021 Viper threw a "C1600" alarm. We pulled into the Motel Chandler. It looked deserted. Beatrice came to the door, and I asked if I could use the wifi. A quick google search revealed the code had to do with an open circuit for the thumb warmer. Everything else worked , and all fuses were good. I was satisfied I could just run it. In the meantime, Beatrice called the dealer, who was closed on that Saturday afternoon. She was making other calls for us. By this time it was after three O'Clock. We had already determined that there were no rooms at two hotels we called in New Richmond. We decided to stay there. While we were enjoying a "Pepsi" in the room, Beatrice came to the room with information from one of her call backs regarding the thumb warmer, and to run it. The restaurant at the hotel was closed. Beatrice drove us to and from the Dixie Lee for supper. Very nice lady that went out of her way to help. We tipped her well. One other note about that Saturday. We rode into the Skidoo dealer in Gaspe around 10:30 to find it closed. No store hours were listed on the door, and three vehicles pulled into the parking lot apparently expecting it to be open. This suggests  that this is not the norm, but it wasn't very convenient either. We were able to get some Skidoo oil at the fuel stop in Grand Riviere. Sunday was breakfast on the trail at a club house, and spectacular trails all the way to Pointe-A-la-Croix. There is a poorly marked intersection just East of the city that can easily put you on the orange trail bypassing the city. We had a nice room and meal at the Interprovincial, and fell asleep with the Stupid Bowl tied at 35. Mundles towing took across the bridge after breakfast. New Brunswick 17 was  perfect for an hour or so. 37 Klick East of Kedgewick , the trails turned to junk for a couple hours. Disappointing after a nice week in Quebec. Probably just bad luck, but New Brunswick never seems to fail to disappoint. We crossed the border at Van Buran Maine, and zipped down to the Hampton Inn Presque Isle on good trails.  An Hour flat to the truck Tuesday morning . Stopped at the Yamaha dealer in Topsam, a Tech came out and separated the plug in the center of the handle bars, and determined no power going to the thumb warmer from the switch. This makes the switch suspect, with all fuses good. If anybody has ideas on that, I would appreciate it. Overall great trip. I don't get tired of that region. Some photos at the link below.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZV7t71fobf8xD1r89
 
 
 
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This 6+ miles has been plowed to some extent most of the season.  It's far from life or death, rock on 😉
 

A few more of the bridge🤪
 
 
 
 
 

We are heading back home to CT this morning.  Padragon and I rode the past two days in the Artic vortex.  Sandi stayed at the Universal.  I was wondering if we should have too.
Friday was a ride to Squatec.  We stayed on what was groomed as much as we could.  Trail 5, 565, 540 and 571 into Squatec.  This route is mostly in the woods but the fields were drifted and blowing snow pretty good.  Not many sleds out.  I wonder why?  🥶
We were too early for lunch so we had to stand on the porch for 10 minutes.  The shades were pulled down so we couldn't see in.  A few minutes before 11:00 am the door opens.  Boy does that heat feel good.
Planning our ride back, I was thinking about the way we came in and Padragon asked about trail 35?  I said it is over the mountain and a little further but shows groomed.  So we decide on 35.  I'm leading and about halfway up, I miss a right turn.  One of those spots where the "road" goes straight and you see the cut thru the trees but the trail goes to the right.  I ran past the turn by 20'.  A little tugging and pulling and the sled backs out.  Pay attention Jack.  Too cold to be making mistakes today.
Other than my little missed turn, it was a good choice.  It was cold at the top of the mountain but all wooded and the trail is like concrete.  With less wind than in the fields, it was good.  We turn right on 85 and cruise back to the Universal.  Not a long ride but we did ride.
Saturday it is warmer but not by much.  Padragon and I head out.  Again we look for the groomed trails. 
So 5 west to the little connector over to 526 and back to 85.  526 is a nice trail thru the woods.  If we time this right, we will be at Cabano around 11:00 for pizza.
85 going thru the construction is the worst of it today.  It is pretty open and the wind is blowing the snow around.  We take our time and make it thru.  Top the sleds off at the Shell station in Cabano and over to pizza.  Perfect, 11:00 am and the doors are unlocked.  We are the only ones here.  I thought there maybe a few locals coming in via car or truck but nope.  Just us two.
A couple of pepperoni pizzas and back on 85 north.  The wind has finally calmed down and it must be a balmy -20 C out here.  The sun is out and that makes it feel even warmer.  We turn left on 544.  This trail is perfect.  Not much traffic on it this year due to the logging going on local 40.  Saturday there are no logging trucks and the wind has blown in enough snow to cover up the sand on 40.  The last mile on 40 is old school rough.  This isn't getting groomed this season due to the logging.  We get to 526 and it is sweet looking.  We go straight on 526 to Explorer and then right on 561.  The trails are set up so good from the cold and no traffic makes it a perfect ride.  At trail 5 we turn right and finish the day into the Universal.
It was a cold two days but it is still snowmobiling in Quebec.  There is plenty of snow up here and the groomers are out every night.  After a late start with the snow in January, February should turn out to be a good month.  Pack up and head north.  The trails are waiting for you.
Jack & Sandi

Last sunday we did a ride at St-Côme ice sculptures festival. I would have prefered a sunny day for pics but we got a gray and snowy day with comfortable winter temperature.
We did the ride from home which  finally looks like that

We had just got few very deep cold days and the trail base was hard as a rock very nice

snow had continue to accumulate

There is a small trail section shared with ATVs and they don't groom their trail, they plow!

The Sculpture festival was just started and most ice art works were not completed, more work in progress but the festival continue for the 2 next weekend so those who will have the chance to go will see even an better exposition than us. Again the gray day gave deceiving pics but it give an idea of what it looks like


In the middle of the village there is a large life-size fresco in construction under the western theme


this boat is quite impressive

This festival is always a great snowmobile destination in Lanaudière, trail #343 crosses right in the middle of the village so you can't miss them. you still have until February 19 if you pass in this area.
We looped back home by getting on the #63 trail and went south.


The trail over Riviere Noire in St-Jean de Matha wasn't safe yet and we had to pass on the road bridge. I was scared a bit by looking at those slushy sled's tracks but I heard from non officials sources that they had staked the river this week.

 We finally got back home at the end of afternoon with another 232kms of good sledding in my neck of the wood!
After few days in arctic cold the temperature seems to stay warmer than usual but it is not the snow that is missing! still snowing actually, may have a bit of rain tonight but not an issue for sure. It's  the best time of the season to enjoy!
Alain

Several years ago I was having a problem with a sled they let us use the garage that is part of the store so it could warm up 
GREAT PEOPLE.  the hospitality of the Quebec people keep me coming back!!!!

Yeah every two weeks isn't cutting it. That's the point. Even with a fresh groom the mogul memory will be there and it'll be rough by Friday if it isnt already.  I experienced the same thing when we were up there 3 weeks ago.  I found they weren't getting 83 back flat either.  Seems like they do 83 weekly and 345 down to Casey every other week.  I get these are long difficult groomer runs.  They're probably 20 hrs to leave Parent, go the Wemotaci, go to Casey and return to Parent.  Then something similar to go to Clova and back in the other direction.  It does come back to a management issue though I'm sure.  The unit will run 24 hrs if you can staff it.  Either that or the brand new groomer is causing them lots of headaches.  I'm not one to complain as it's a thankless job and I've done it.  But sure would be nice if they could get the grooming frequency on these sections up.  The clubs other groomer out of Fer a Cheval has no issues keeping up with traffic.

Windigo never disappoints. Solid operation here. Lazy Morning today. We talked about 7:45 breakfast last night, oh well that was then, this is now and its closer to 8:45. NHmoose made a special request last night. He wanted smoked meat with his breakfast. Martine would make it so. 
 
 

Imotoneige is using same software as photo uploading on QR 

Day 3: We left LeCabanon at 8:30 and took 23 East to 345 and continued to the Barrage. After crossing the Dam we took 360 to Mattawin. We arrived by 11 and gassed the sleds and took an Earl lunch at the Marinou. We decided not to continue the loop to Grand Mere because 360 hadn’t been groomed in quite some time so we headed back up 360 and this time at the Dam took 360 around the top of the lake. It was perfect and we met up with 33 where we continued towards SMDS then jumped on the lake to town. Gassed up and took 63 to LeCabanon. 63 was beat but was to be expected especially with the warmer temps and sun. Got back at 4 pm with 200 miles on

Got home from the Gaspe trip Monday January 30th, Decided Tuesday gonna head right back up Sunday the 5th for a week at LeCabanon. Just 3 of us on this trip, my 77 year old Dad will be leading this trip. He has been staying here since the mid 80’s and LaGlaciere before that. We leave at the crack of 9AM 😂 not as chipper as he used to be, it’s ok we will ride at his pace, he will lead. We head out on 23 in the East direction. Take that down to 345 and go check if Koubek’s is open, they are not on Monday’s apparently. We roll up 23 to 350 towards Lac Blanc. We take the gas there then continue up 349 through Lac au Clare back up to 23. We still head East and have a late lunch at the old Cabane Chez Hill. Forget the new name. After lunch double back on 23 to Sacacomie for gas then back 23 all the way to 345 and into LeCabanon. 200 miles for the day, trails ok not great, not terrible. They had an accumulating snow yesterday and the trails that were not groomed last night were a little loose and some bumpy, not bad

It’s 120 miles Moose Valley to Pointe e le Croix. 
Last year we started in Edmunston which is 40 miles from Moose Valley. Did the couple loops north west of Moose Valley which are real nice rides then up to Pointe e Le Croix. Real easy day ride. Doing the same trip in a couple weeks. Will do a three day loop in the Gaspe then back into NB for 2 days to finish up.