snowfarmer

Here's Bobby , awesome chef at Gouin  ! 

One of our son and  his girlfriend had booked us a night at La Tuque as a Christmas gift and it was last weekend that we enjoyed it. Here is the path of 486miles that we traveled last Saturday and Sunday.



-22C under a cloudy sky at first, not so good for pics, but acceptable visibility to ride. We were going first to join our friend Snowcruiser who was leaving Champlain and we had agreed to join him for lunch a little past 1:00pm at Marineau in Trois-Rives. We had an ambitious ride to do before lunch, so we left home early a little past 8:00am. The trails were beautiful and freshly groomed for the most part. Here in the fields north of St-Gabriel de Brandon to St-Damien. The little white line up to the top of the mountain is the snowmobile trail ...



We crossed a bumpy section in the Zec des Nymphes which had not been re-surfaced due to a broken dozer, otherwise north of Réal Massé everything had been done and was beautiful.



The cold had frosted the top of the mountains



We passed by the Taureau dam reservoir whose level is already well lowered



We took the opportunity for a short pics break





The #360 was like a carpet and very fast. With the gray sky and the high cruising speed we have unfortunately not many good pics





Another little photo break at halte 440. We see that it has been cold this season because the river is frozen over most of its route leaving only the rapids to clear water. Usually high flow prevents it from freezing over a large portion





When exiting Zec Chapeau de Paille, the trail runs along the river about 1mile this year that give nice view on the river in this area



Here the beautiful classic view, and the trail takes the usual path from there



We had a surprising good timing and arrived as planned to lunch at Marineau with Snowcruiser at 1:05pm with 149 miles on the dreammeter.



Having arrived there a bit late we left around 2:30pm towards #355 north. A friend of Snowcruiser, Michel who had come to lunch with us accompanied us up to  #360 #355 junction and then continued south while we lined up to the north



Too dark sky for good  pics but beautiful scenery



The classic  pipeline. The trail was ruff in this part, especially the big hills. Enough snow just need a dozer run



The famous railway bridge la rivière du milieu. Always a nice spot to take a break



The next section was much better and we even met 2 dozers who were leaving from La Tuque to go down to groom the #355 we had just done and #73 to the east



We arrived at 5:30pm in La tuque to stay at Marineau hotel where we had our reservation. 


 
It's really a sledders place, almost just snowmobiles in the parking lot. We had quiet evening, lying down early to compensate for my abuse the day before and get in shape for
the next day ...
Sunday morning during breakfast, guess who had come to sit just behind us: Mr and Mrs Iceman! accompanied by their friends, world is small!!! Was very nice to meet them and chat a bit (with my bad frenglish) too bad my other crew members don't really speak english so we would had talk longer... Krikri english vocabulary is limited at yes, no, toaster, bumber and wiper! 
Then we got back on the trail toward St-Raymond. Another nice cold night, -22C when we leaved which already announces nice hard trails



 
And we were not disappointed. The #73 "La Jeannotte" as whe called it was freshly groomed by one of the dozer we had crossed the day before





We even had a few sun rays! We took the opportunity to take few pics, with the sun it makes all the difference for photos, looks almost as postcards with it





Un vrai tapis





We arrived just at noon for lunch at Roquemont. It has changed a lot since our last visit, which was already a few years ago. It may be my nostalgic side but personally I liked better before. The drink side is very large with a lot of choice of beer but the meal side for dinner is rather limited. It's certainly not everyone's opinion because the place was packed full.


We then pointed our skis south to return on home side. We still had a good distance to travel but most on fast fields trail which were very nice



Instead of taking the #3 trail all the way ,we went down further south a notch via trails #302/351 which are a little faster in my opinion. We ride along the #40 highway for several miles. Here on the Batiscan River just under the highway



We left our friend Snowcruiser just a little further so he got back home in Champlain area while we continued south alone. Following the advice of Snowcruiser we tried a new trail (for us) that goes to St-Louis de France but then newly  connect to the #3 trail (not on the map). The trail is not super wide but ride very well and represented for us a shortcut of several miles. We ended  up in the power lines just few miles from La Gabelle St-Maurice river crossing . I have approximated the route on the map on my first pic on this report  for those interested...



We did one last fuel up in St-Étienne just after crossing the St-Maurice river at around 4:00pm followed by a short break. It was then that it get worst...



The ice storm began as we started again. The visibility with the ice and night coming was really difficult. I managed to find a functional rhythm: my Nolan electric visor plugged + heated handles at maximum and wiping with my hot left mits at 10 seconds so the ice was wipable. And when my right hand was about to catch on fire (7-8 minutes) I stopped and cool it down in the Kristine visor so she can see something front again



As darkness set in, it became easier with the lights. It did not stop us from smiling, was just part of the adventure!



We finally been home around 6:30pm. We started to be crusted a lot! and snowmobiling too ...




 
A very good ride, it gave us a total of 246miles for the day and 486 miles gps for the 2 days. The ice storm has not damaged the  trail network and has instead added compact stuff the dozers used to give us beautiful solid trails ... We are really in the best of the season and time flies quickly so it is the time or never to go for it!
Alain
 

Can't wait to see everyone.  We are going to be at the Delta, gone a few days and then back again.  Hope to see as many people as we can.
We just received an e-mail that Sandi's 1200 is ready to go.  Yea! 
Jack & Sandi

Caught up with Alain and Kri Kri at breakfast this AM always great to see them. 
Nice ride back to Chez Ice. Trails all good from La Tuque to Shawingan quick ride back the wife is really getting the hang of it. Smooth sailing and she enjoyed having the Sena radio to communicate. Worked out excellent. Home to get some things done here before the snow. Off to meet Playhard and his gang tonight for dinner at Le Trou Diable. Good times. 
Really proud of my wife Caro, she is excited to get out again. Gonna have to take her out during her school break coming up here in March. 
4 days of work then off to Matane. Back Sunday night. Then 3 more work days before flying off to Indianapolis. 
Time flies. 

Say hi to David & Company.  I saw his trailer today at 11:00am when I pulled out with mine.   Sitting at the bar in RDL.  Everything staged & ready to begin Gaspe run tomorrow morning!

Funny!

Yesterday we had great going in the Abitibi region. Running down to Sennetierre over to Amos and than the boys continued on up to Matagami for a good 275 mile run. The 93 out of Lebel was flat, fast and fun, we skipped in on some of the green and orange trails on our way into Amos for lunch.  We had a few gremlins developing that caused some replanning
.603 Backcountry had the engine light come on in his 650,sled ran fine,  but the light was on so we figured we would pull into Accent Plein air, the brp dealer in Amos and have them check it out.  Well as we are rolling into Amos at a nice clip,  I started noticing In the RR 850 a vibration at the higher end. Thinking maybe the track had loosened up a bit, I  figure to take up a couple of turns on the track at lunch.
 
At lunch, upon further inspection, I got that sinking feeling that Trailblazer had earlier in the week, noticed several lugs and sheets of rubber missing, hum, looks like the operator might have failed to deploy.... any .....of those 4 scratchers that he had on the sled to keep the heat of the track reduced at times of high speed low lube running😉.  Note to self, you put scratchers on , use them!
Meanwhile 603s engine light had cured itself but we had another issue to deal with, run this track another 1000 miles back to Maine or find a new one. The dealer, right across the street now from lunch, was all over it. He did not have a track but there was a 2.5 in la Sarre, he will send a pick up over or get it, have a mechanic stay last night to cut the lugs down to 1.75, install the track and Be ready in the morning. Let’s hope all went well last night.  Your truly got a room at the Amosphere, 603 and the gang headed north to Matagami, with a return back to Amos for mid day reconnect.
Steve, the service manager was exceptional , the sales manager dropped me at the hotel, and was heading to pick up the track. Can’t beat that service!
its always an adventure heading towards lac Fallon tonight, further east on Thursday 
RR

And now, we are working on live video! We had a great day on the TQ5! Working on his YouTube account as well! 
Videos are coming along. 
Thanks for all your encouragement!
linda sled girl reporting from the Matapedia 
Valley!

Well, we had a great Super bowl meeting at Barrage Gouin with Trailblazer, 603 Backcountry and Yours truly. Many of the White road crew were in attendance.  Today we separated, TB headed south limping home on a bad track. While RR and 603 headed north. The Backcountry single track ride to sawmill 54 was an awesome 80 mile ride on single track non groomed riding . Than we rode groomed trail from the sawmill54 to Lebel sur quevillion. a nice 330 mile ride of ...off and ...on trail going.  Which , after all, ..  is what 603 and I love the most. A great combo day of riding.
lots of snow in northwestern Quebec and the trails were to perfection!
gotta love it
 
RR

Day 4 Tuesday 
  Yes a cold one this morning in Abitibi. Not easy leaving the comfort of the Motel. Must move on. We leave and commence our “trail bingo” or Pacman if you will of the maze of Orange trails and the loop of 93 up over the top of La Sarre. Bingo takes time up and around back and across. Then back to grab another section. We bang it out. Spectacular conditions except the wicked cold. Trail is incredible everywhere here near La Sarre. Groomer is out grooming a perfect trail. Fine with me everyone got a job to do. We see a few locals out braving the arctic air. Very uneventful day, tough to really love it except for the conditions. Iceman was cold. If you took your gloves off for a minute it was tough to warm your hands back up. We wrap up our game of bingo and now its 3pm. Time to make tracks east on 93 to Amos. 93 does not disappoint. Fresh groom and really the best I ever seen it. We fly. Into Amos on perfect trail at 4:30. Into Hotel Eskers, two happy riders. Looking forward to a great meal here at the pub and enjoying our happy hour now. Tomorrow our time out here comes to an end as we return east on 83 direction Clova. Not a giant mile day but lot’s of fun. 225 miles. Wicked cold. Gps says moving average of 42 mph. The cold is inspiring.    Until next time. 

Day 3 Monday
 
Late start, beds way too comfy at Forestel. Ah no big deal. We will hammer it out. Today really had no plan as to where. For me it’s definitely not the norm. I like to have a destination and then plot a route. We pull out of Val D’or deciding we will follow the best looking trail at each intersection. Near Val D’Or all the feeder trails near town were in need of grooming. The 83 was good so 83 west it is. We go and it’s private trail no one to be seen anywhere. Gas in Cadillac. Cause we had none since Louvincourt last night. Then onward 83 west. Friggin cold out here. Trail is between an 8 to a 10 depending on where. Surely they are low on snow compared to other years but the base is great and they are managing what they got. I have seen it much better for sure. Near Royun Noranda we see 2 sleds. Then near town a couple more all locals out for a ride. We arrive outside Royun and decide we go toward Ville Marie. We go that way and give it about 60km its not as nice here. Very choppy and I got no time for it no more. Time is short out here this run and no wasting it on mediocre. Uturn and back toward Royun. We decide La Sarre it is. We hammer north. Much better trail from Royun north. Real nice. We had discussed and concluded its been 3 years since our last run out here. Time flies. Between the logging and the long time since I last was here. It’s like being a virgin here all over. Many spots are unrecognizable from memory and it’s like all new trail. Cool. Great run up 93 to La Sarre. Getting colder this afternoon. Into La Sarre and Villa mon Repos at 5:10pm. 247 miles. Gassed up taking the JACK. Tomorrow’s plan? It’s time for “trail bingo” lots of orange trail here just calling our name. 
Until next time.

We were up at Lac St Jean last weekend, Jan 25th thru the 29th.  It turned out to be a little hectic and I didn't get a chance to post.  So here is a quick overview.
We planned on trucking to St Raymond, riding up to the Lac for a few days and then back to St Raymond.  Reservations were made and we are good to go, we thought.  We stop at Valcourt to get the trailer and sleds, that's where they live for the season, and Sandi's 1200 antifreeze leak isn't fixed.  We managed to "borrow" a sled for Sandi for the weekend.  Thursday afternoon and we are off to St Raymond.
Now I don't want to have the truck in St Ray and us at the Lac in case something happens to my sled or to the borrowed sled.  Change of plans and we truck to the Lac Friday morning.  Make some changes with the hotel reservations.
Friday we take a short ride in the afternoon to Relais du Lac.  Friday night we see Bill, FarmerOld, Daniel, Snobeeler, and many others.  Its good to see everyone.
Saturday we ride to Milot for lunch with FarmerOld and Tammy.  The trails are great.  Sunday we run down 83 to L'Anse St Jean.  83 is perfect.  Monday the map shows 93 has been groomed to La Chappel.  I haven't seen 93 this good in a long time.  Tuesday off to the blueberry fields.  This area I really like.  A nice variety of riding and not much traffic.  Wednesday we drive back to CT.
Below is a pic of the sled Sandi managed to get her hands on.  This is the third year on her 1200 and we only keep them for three years so it is her time to get a new one.  This may be the one.  Is she going back to a two stroke?  She really likes the feel of the sled.  Pic near La Chappel.

Pic behind the Delta.

Time will tell but this one is at the top of her list today.
Jack & Sandi
 

I really rusty. Having troubles entering more pics. 

Day 1 Saturday Put me in coach I’m ready to play. Time for another jaunt. After a long week of work, Snohorse arrived right as planned at Chez Ice. Unfortunately, I was not home yet. However the Mrs. was home and provided the needed Budweiser. Soon after I arrived to get this party really started. Well not so fast, I had to stock the firewood for my bride for the week so she and the cats won’t freeze to death. Firewood finished and got showered up. Time to head out get some food. We got all the errands done and back at home. Next affair is to install Snohorse’s new communicator on his helmet. Trying out some new Sena 20s radios this run. Not to big a job and before you know it its now after midnight. Time to sleep a bit. We are in no big rush but have a big day ahead. 
  Up at 7:30 get organized finish packing. We unload Snohorse’s backcountry and load up. Dressed and helmets on just before 9am. Typical for us.    Right out the gate I can see the trail has improved greatly from last weekend, cold and a few CM new snow really helped alot. TQ3 through Shawingan and its not too shabby. Cold this morning-22c. Up to Grand Mere and the river all good to Junction with TQ23. TQ23 direction Cabanon. Yes 2 weeks in a row I’m headed for St Michel on a Saturday. I must need my head examined. Anyone who knows me Knows that I hate weekends but it’s a necessary evil in today’s world. Is what it is. I’m expecting traffic but surprisingly it’s not bad, maybe it’s the cold. 23 is great just after Cabane Chez Natalie I’m seeing some snow dust ahead. First traffic. Unfortunately trail is way to small to burn them down. Even worse there’s 8 of them. Not good. Fortunately we arrive at a spot I know well. The trail veers off the road into the woods. If you know then you just follow the road and it comes back to 23. Plenty of snow on road and we scoop all 8 no problem. Smooth sailing up to Cabanon. i take $20 in gas just to get to the real gas in St Michel. In and out at Cabanon. Arrive in St Michel at Noon. Gas in town next to Ski Doo, then off across the road and to 63/33 to Head for Lac Repos. Near St Michel was the usual conditions. Just after on 63/33 was awesome all the way to Repos. No stop at Repos it’s Kanawata express. Arrive into Kanawata just about 3:30. Gas and go. 345 well just stay away(really) you will hate it. This trail seldom disappoints and today was no exception. A superhighway and we run. Up and to Casey then on to 83 west all spectacular 10/10. Unbelievable. Tabletop flat and fast. Kanawata to Barrage Gouin in 1 hr 30 minutes. 145 km.  I think the trail was good.    Into Barrage Gouin said hello to Carol who was on her way out and enjoyec a great Roast Beef dinner with a side of Chicken Wings of Course. Served by the wonderful Louise. Happy to be here. All good first day.  New radios work sweet and trails were immaculate. 302 miles. Big discussions on where to head next. Talked to some guys who came in from Lac Fallon. i think decision is Made. Go west young man. After all west is best.  Stay tuned 6 more days to come. 

My wife loves that place. Nothing like the breakfast at the Vieux Moulin (dinner too!) Thick cut Texas toast done on a hot stove top, magic! Nice trip.

Saturday 
We leave the house and jump on the river. Not one of my favorites. Boring. But is fast and brings us up quick. It’s not terrible and temp is great. Off the river and up to 360. Nice trail here surely a good sign. The wife is doing well she is taking her time and we are making good time. The group is awesome. We stop and switch places in line. My girl is a rider. She listens to what I tell her. She is on the right all the time. 360 to Mattawin is excellent. And hardly no traffic yet. Gas at Mattawin and off into the Parc. 360 again does not disappoint. Dreamy. Hard for me to hold back but it’s not that kind of ride this weekend. Need to keep an eye on my chargee. I know tge others are fine, just feeling extra protective of my woman and want to keep her safe. She likes to be last so I let her have the Tailgunner spot for now, but I’m doing purposely minimal mach speed to keep her in my mirror. It’s all good and trail is A1. Up and onto 345 not before stopping to help a guy back on trail with a skandic. He was teetering on the edge. Turns out was My bosses friend and he used to own that skandic. Small world indeed. 345 is magical as well. I’m now where I want to be. Cause if I’m not first, I’m last. My happy place. From here I can watch it all. Mrs Iceman is getting her ski legs now and is getting more comfortable on her Apex. It’s quite a sled if you don’t ride much. Got a bit of a learning curve for sure. She is a fast learner. Maybe 10 km from Cabanon it’s what I expected being saturday. Bit rough but I seen much worse here. Into Cabanon at 1pm lots of sleds but not packed. Surprised plenty of tables. We take lunch and we are good to go. From here it’s only 20km to Vieux Moulin Scie for the night. As we are leaving I see one of the few guys, that make me feel small, it’s Triggerhappy coming out the bar. Asked him if he was lost, we say hello to his gang and exchange intel. They are headed back to Drakkar the way we came. I said you will not be disappointed. He says 23 was perfect. We will go that way back tomorrow. 
From Cabanon to St. Michel the usual snirt and some rocks but they are doing what they can with what they got. I’ve seen it much worse. The Mrs handles it well. Over the mountain into town, gas and snacks for happy hour and off to the Motel. Police at intersection before hotel but they are busy and wave us through.
nice fun day. My first time at Vieux Moulin Scie and I will return. Nice room nothing fancy but clean and great restaurant. Great happy hour with the gang. Everyone is having fun. 
 
Sunday 
breakfast 7:30 then out of there at 9am. Police are at the intersection again. This time we are checked. He runs all the plate numbers. I give them some Team Iceman stickers, (which they loved by the way) and we were off. Everything here was groomed last night. Amazing the difference. Actually had to put one scratcher down on each Apex just to be sure, it was frozen nice. Back to Cabanon. Watching the wife today made me proud. One day and she is got it. She is railing the corner lifting one ski on exit, it was something to see. I was smiling ear to ear in my helmet. Bathroom break for the ladies at Cabanon and then down a perfect 23 awesome trail. Lunch a Cabane Chez Natalie. From there things start to get rough. Closer to Shawinigan the worse it got. I’m embarrassed by the bullshit they are trying to pass off as trails near here, its crap. Back to Alain’s house to say bye to the gang, Caro and I head for home. 25km of pure hell. Sorry excuse for a trail. Osti trail de Vache. Arrive home apologize to the sleds. This club here better step up. Or i will buy my passes elsewhere cause they are a constant disappointment near here. Nice welcome home. Great weekend, cannot wait to take her out again. She can ride for sure. She is not ready for next weeks 8 day run but she will get there in time. I want her to enjoy it, not ruin her by running her 400km. The boss Alain, Josee, Line and Danny, awesome gang. We will ride again. Boss is already plotting him an I in Gaspe in March. Hey gotta do what the boss says right? Until next time.
T-minus 5 days till next run. 8 days to who know where? Time will tell.
 
 

Sitting at Groomer's clubhouse, here are some pics from yesterday. Not sure why the need for crossing guards at the road bridge in Cascapedia but they are not much help lol

Day 4
No breaky today I say to the boys, pack a muffin and we’re off to the trucks. 7 am departure and who do I meet at check out? Wulsock and his dad, Réal nice meeting you guys, we’ll be seeing each other again in the near future. Off to Rimouski for gas and a Timmy snack. Afterwards we hit a mini snow storm for about 40 k,  visibility in the field crossings we’re almost close to nil, power through it to the power lines, trail is full of studders and whoops in the corners on and off pending on the clubs grooming. In RDL at 1, load up pack up hugs’n kisses and its the black trail.
Great trip for a short 4 day Gaspe tour. ‘Till next time boyz.

Got into Drakkar yesterday and did a quick 115 mile ride east.  Trails were in great shape plenty of snow. Passed a groomer around 4pm on trail 3.  Cold but beautiful day.  

Day 3 part deux
We gas last night in Grand Riviere drive 50 k to Perce, camp out take no gas cuz there’s none there. Before breakfast hour we take a tour de Ville and bank our profits. 
Breakfast pow wow, we decide to boycott the peninsula tour in favour of riding to Gaspe taking the local up to 597 then up to Murdockville and on to Saint Anne du Lac for our evening destination. We head out and the decision is a good one, just to give you an idea of how hard and flat the trails were, we rode into Murdockville (all 4 of us) with 226 klms on the dream meter with a 33 litre fill up, I’ll take that!!
Afterwards up to Mont St.Pierre for some sight seeing but not before making some more trail side decisions in Mont Louis. Originally our 400 klm scheduled day was now reduced to a 300 klm day this morning then Necksledr throws in a wrench and suggests we move on to Matane for the night thus shortening our day to RDL ride demain. Well that brings on an extra 200 klm to the latest revised agenda. Okay I’m game so some accommodation modifications are in order. A few phone calls and we’re on our way.
West of MSP up in the hills we are in a full blown blizzard conditions, snowing blowing and trail closing in quickly with drifts and snow, let’s get out of Dodge boyz, hammer down and we’re in Relais St.Paulin sucking back a few Bunny energizes. Push on and we land in Matane for the night, where? Well I can tell you they Qualify in hotelerie.

Day 3
Off to a beautiful start, up before the sunrise and profited from it.
Changed up our scheduled route today for a shorter trek, given our location on the peninsula I figure some sight seeing will get in the way of riding and lengthen the day more than we like.
Stay tuned for part deux.

For all those thinking about it but not saying anything.....a 10 person group! Terrifying!!  LOL
I hope you guys have a phenomenal trip.