wng-2

Enjoy!!I am looking forward to seeing how you make out, and how the trails survive the heat wave, and weekend traffic. I am hoping to be in the Bas St-Laurent next week. I will be riding out of Northern Maine, so I can head to Riviere Du Loup, or further East if the Riviere Du Loup area is too beat up.

Yes indeed, I misspoke there. I will edit that. Thank you.

Thank you. Good information. We are retired, so no time limit. Just need everything else to fall into place.....

Good morning guys, My riding partner is now available to leave. I reserved the last room at the hotel in Fort Kent, Maine for this coming Monday the 12th. We plan to cross into the Lower St Lawrence region of Quebec on Tuesday. I have no reservations made yet. My initial thought was to take the ferry at Matane, and ride the North Shore. Perhaps head West from there to get to the Mountain elevations. But I fear there will be a lot of people hitting that area for the same reason? Where would we stay? There is also a heat wave predicted for the weekend, and there is a section between Mont Joli and Matane showing yellow now... I realize the app is not the tell all, that's why I am looking for advice here from folks who are on these trails. I am leaning toward reserving in Riviere Du Loup for a couple days and play on the green trails. If it turns to crap, we can just come home. I appreciate any input. It's been pretty near two decades since I have done anything on the North Shore.

Yup. Exactly. Just as for everything in life. Society seems to be moving in the opposite direction...Anyhow, it's just something else going against the sport we love.

They are getting more time on the trails than I am this year...

I am tired of staying home.It seems like most areas are experiencing some good, and some bad areas. Here in Southern Maine, there are no storms in sight, and warm weather predicted for the end of the week. Thinking about leaving from Northern Maine, and crossing the river at Matane, and try to play on the North side of the river for a while. It's been a long time since I have sledded up there. What's a preferred hotel in Baie-Comeau? Just considering factors such as trail access, and on site, or walking distance restaurants. Probably try to move West from there and gain some elevation. Any info appreciated. Thanks.

Another factor putting the squeeze on us, along with changing weather patterns, and high cost.

Regarding insurance, have you purchased your Quebec trail pass yet? It's available online only, and includes liability insurance. Check with your insurance provider to be sure you are covered in Canada. Theft is nowhere near the issue it was years ago, however as mentioned above, take precautions to protect your equipment. Sorry I can't help with lodging. I have not ridden North of the river in a couple decades. Quebec Trail Pass

Indeed, I saw yesterday that La Chapelle posted on the zuckerforum that 56 sleds were heading their way from Escoumins.

Trust me, the "Ballet" in Parent was not quite like those in the big city.......🤐😀

Perhaps it's part of the ongoing transition to complete dependance on electronics. It seems (to me) that (some) people tend to rely completely on electronics/technology and pay no attention to the real world around them. Sad part is it seems there is no interest in learning things like simple navigation. A GPS is a nice tool, but I always say one should have, and know how to use an M*A*P. How many young(er) folks could parallel park a vehicle with a standard transmission? And then there are self-driving vehicles. Perhaps it's just the old school, old fashioned, or just old in me, but I cannot wrap my head around why it is not clear that this is a bad idea, but that is another story. Fingers crossed that winter, and full blown snowmobile season will arrive in La Belle Province and elsewhere soon. Be safe out there.

Hate it when that happens. Been there.

I remember coming through there in 1998 in the dark. My chain case was clunking, and my friend's clutch was stuck pretty near fully engaged. As it turned out, they were out of gaz. They got a good laugh when I lifted the rear of my friend's sled while he started it and hopped on, and then I dropped him and off he went. Luckily for us some riders at the South end told us to be sure and get fuel at saw mill 54. As we approached Chibougamau, there was a big open area with lots of signs. I did not want to make a wrong turn, and run out of fuel. As I was trying to read the signs, there was a group of guys that I approached to ask directions. I spoke in French as best I could. Turned out they were from Maryland. We got to Chibougamau, got gaz and hotel, and both sleds fixed the next day, only to immediately break the swing arm on my new Grand Touring. We got that replaced under warranty with what they said was a used one from an MXZ. Made it to Chapais. The next day we went to Parent. Still my biggest day on a sled. 438 miles as I recall. And there were dancers in town that night.... Some fast running in that part of the Province. We had some time to make up. Good times.

Yes indeed. Two guys could have a nice hotel room for about $20 each U.S. Also at that time, if you saved your receipts, U.S. citizens could subit a form and get the Federal and Provincial taxes refunded on goods and services.

Indeed they were the Good old Days! I would start the day after Christmas. A nice room was $70 Canadian, gaz and oil were about a quarter of what they are now, and were more available. Sleds were about a third of the co$t. I am glad I got some 5k-7k mile seasons in then. Not giving up yet though.😀

Yes. There was also a Relais further North with a fuel truck that was hit or miss as whether they had fuel. It's been a quarter of a century since I have been up there. I would like to do it again before I get to the finish line.

Indeed. $6.05-$8.13 at today's exchange rate. Even more expensive than milk. 😀Happy to have it when we need it. Unfortunate that it is not as available as it was in the old days. I wish there was something on the stretch going up to Chibougamau.

Yup. Nothing new. We are just paying more and more it seems.😀

Per Liter? 😬That's $8.14-$10.94 per gallon.......

Yes Indeed. I take the pledge.

Very nice. Merci. It certaily looked busy at that stop. Funny you mention Doucet. That is my name.. Not that many here in the states. More with the spelling Doucette. Can't wait to get back to Quebec on my Sled! Thanks for the excellent report!

Encore... 😯

Thanks very much Dooright.

I recall back in the day, somewhere in the Western part of the province, an older lady and her husband in a Chevette apparently missed the sign with arrows that said:" Skidoos/Autos". We pushed them out. The lady was driving, I recall her not being pleased with the instructions the husband was providing regarding steering wheel input.