snowfarmer

Hey guys enjoy yourselves ! It's cold out there already . Been out and started sleds already. Bundle up!

Ah the Gaspe ' showed her beautiful self today !  Cold and sunny with hard packed groomed to perfection trails. We lucked out the groomer reports look good leaving riviere au renard . We split into two groups. One group to the Rock in Perce and one group taking the fresh groomed orange trail towards 597 the new south to Chandler .  I was in the latter and have never taken the orange trail south of the town of Gaspe" or have never run the 5 from Chandler to the west.
Both groups were rewarded well for their choices. The scenery and trails (597and orange) were perfect . So perfect we arrived at the club house in Chandler by 11:30 for lunch . After having a leisurely lunch we headed towards our stop for the night which will be New Richmond. Again the clubs worked their magic even with less snow and a hard base things were smooth all the way in. The trails around Bonaventure were espically nice! Great relais! 
We have always taken the trail north to Murdochville and across to La Cache I glad today we went outside our box! 210 miles for the day.



 



 

 

Gonna start this post here then continue in the Saguenay LSJ forum tmmrw when we get up there. 
Its the beginning of the end and as all good things must come to an end, this season is no different. I've got 3 rides set up back to back to finish out my season. 
The first started this morning from Shawinigan and Chez Ice. This is a week i have bee waiting for as we got two QC rookies with myself and Playhard. We are 4 strong. My brother in law Al and our mutual friend Andy are with us for a 5 day ride. Both have minor sled experience but have experience on quads and streetbikes. They get it. Today was set up as a orientation day and easy 100 miles just to St Raymond. 
Cold as hell, did I mention that? Wind is wicked and these new guys gonna be baptized by fire and learn what January feels like usually even though its March. Was 5F with a biting wind most of the day. 
Dressed and sleds loaded. We left my house at 11:45. Guys got in late last night as My brother in law flew up from Florida to NY yesterday landed at 1:15pm then they had a stop in Mass to grab gear and up to Auberge Drakkar at 12:00am. 9am they are at my house and we go to pick up the toy box at Moto Thibault. No hurry we got all day. Grab trailer and kick some tires in the Showroom. We are back in truck northbound back to my house. We unload sleds and head inside the guys need to pack their saddlebags. This is done now we gear up and load sleds. Mrs Ice gets home just in time to say farewell as we cruise out the driveway and onto TQ3. Frozen just as suspected but no scratchers needed enough dust to keep things cool. 
Some corners are rubbed off and it is slippery without the iceripper or studs it's borderline dangerous. 
Playhard will set the pace for the new guys i will run tail gunner. Better this way. He is much more patient than me and has a way of teaching the basics. It's perfect. We are moving great these guys are quick studies. TQ3 to m-something to 23 then 351. All same rock frozen hard. With some loose dust on it. Some places glare ice, road sides hurting, gas stations, resto's, and motels bare pavement. So far. 
351 thru St Tite to 302. Cold but we are plugging along. 302 to St Adelphe. River is frozen but just bare ice. We cross and up through town on some bare sides of the road. 
302 and back to TQ23 we run this up to 353. We go to St Ubalde for lunch. Much needed warm up break its 2pm. Halfway to St Raymond. Out of lunch at 3pm. Ready for the sprint up to Roquemont. 353 to 73 nice trail. Everything flat some corners icy and wiped clean but its Saturday and we are seein more traffic closer we get to St Raymond. Down Railbed TQ73 its real nice. Not far out of St Raymond the guys see their first groomer. He is heading up. He pulls over and i watch as the guys squeeze on through. We sail on into Roquemont gassed up the guys with wheels (all of them) not me. Wheel on into the sled Corral i grind my way in as its bare in the lot and the Corral. Packed with trucks and trailers here. Unbelievable how many. 
Nice dinner and some micro brews and we will call it day one. We lose that hour tonight and we have 7am breakfast. 
TQ23 to L'Etape then up to Chicoutimi for Tmmrw.

Ah the Gaspe ' showed her beautiful self today !  Cold and sunny with hard packed groomed to perfection trails. We lucked out the groomer reports look good leaving riviere au renard . We split into two groups. One group to the Rock in Perce and one group taking the fresh groomed orange trail towards 597 the new south to Chandler .  I was in the latter and have never taken the orange trail south of the town of Gaspe" or have never run the 5 from Chandler to the west.
Both groups were rewarded well for their choices. The scenery and trails (597and orange) were perfect . So perfect we arrived at the club house in Chandler by 11:30 for lunch . After having a leisurely lunch we headed towards our stop for the night which will be New Richmond. Again the clubs worked their magic even with less snow and a hard base things were smooth all the way in. The trails around Bonaventure were espically nice! Great relais! 
We have always taken the trail north to Murdochville and across to La Cache I glad today we went outside our box! 210 miles for the day.



 



 

 

Ah the Gaspe ' showed her beautiful self today !  Cold and sunny with hard packed groomed to perfection trails. We lucked out the groomer reports look good leaving riviere au renard . We split into two groups. One group to the Rock in Perce and one group taking the fresh groomed orange trail towards 597 the new south to Chandler .  I was in the latter and have never taken the orange trail south of the town of Gaspe" or have never run the 5 from Chandler to the west.
Both groups were rewarded well for their choices. The scenery and trails (597and orange) were perfect . So perfect we arrived at the club house in Chandler by 11:30 for lunch . After having a leisurely lunch we headed towards our stop for the night which will be New Richmond. Again the clubs worked their magic even with less snow and a hard base things were smooth all the way in. The trails around Bonaventure were espically nice! Great relais! 
We have always taken the trail north to Murdochville and across to La Cache I glad today we went outside our box! 210 miles for the day.



 



 

 

Ah the Gaspe ' showed her beautiful self today !  Cold and sunny with hard packed groomed to perfection trails. We lucked out the groomer reports look good leaving riviere au renard . We split into two groups. One group to the Rock in Perce and one group taking the fresh groomed orange trail towards 597 the new south to Chandler .  I was in the latter and have never taken the orange trail south of the town of Gaspe" or have never run the 5 from Chandler to the west.
Both groups were rewarded well for their choices. The scenery and trails (597and orange) were perfect . So perfect we arrived at the club house in Chandler by 11:30 for lunch . After having a leisurely lunch we headed towards our stop for the night which will be New Richmond. Again the clubs worked their magic even with less snow and a hard base things were smooth all the way in. The trails around Bonaventure were espically nice! Great relais! 
We have always taken the trail north to Murdochville and across to La Cache I glad today we went outside our box! 210 miles for the day.



 



 

 

Pete - That is what I have and if you are moving from the 800 e-tec to the 850 like I did, you will love it.  It does everything the 800 did but better.  Mine pushed a little in the turns when it was new.  Once I got a few miles on it and the suspension settled down and I got use to the machine, it goes wherever I point it.  Enjoy the ride everyone.
Jack & Sandi

Just an update about the Pete( guy with blown motor) that's his new ride.
The dealer in RDL came and picked him up out in the sticks in Rimouski. Hauled him back and took a look at the cylinders and as the the Groomer would say "Kaput"
options rent, 1000$ for the week or buy because he was going to do it next year so... buy it was. They gave him a fair trade and , charged him the Ontario sales tax and moved the trail sticker. Arrange for him to be trucked up to to meet us in the Chic -Chocs and was there for dinner all in the same day!
Great ski -doo dealership !

He got an 850 renegade. There was a end of season discount and with the trade he saved a few thousand over a new 18. Loves it so far!

Just an update about the Pete( guy with blown motor) that's his new ride.
The dealer in RDL came and picked him up out in the sticks in Rimouski. Hauled him back and took a look at the cylinders and as the the Groomer would say "Kaput"
options rent, 1000$ for the week or buy because he was going to do it next year so... buy it was. They gave him a fair trade and , charged him the Ontario sales tax and moved the trail sticker. Arrange for him to be trucked up to to meet us in the Chic -Chocs and was there for dinner all in the same day!
Great ski -doo dealership !

Just an update about the Pete( guy with blown motor) that's his new ride.
The dealer in RDL came and picked him up out in the sticks in Rimouski. Hauled him back and took a look at the cylinders and as the the Groomer would say "Kaput"
options rent, 1000$ for the week or buy because he was going to do it next year so... buy it was. They gave him a fair trade and , charged him the Ontario sales tax and moved the trail sticker. Arrange for him to be trucked up to to meet us in the Chic -Chocs and was there for dinner all in the same day!
Great ski -doo dealership !

after grooming around 5 pm...went up to clubhouse to meet whaler + friends !!!!
great to meet again rob !!!
-20c  right...trails are going to be '' stiff '' in the morning !!!
 
jean-guy

took a tour of the back roads around 10am....huge snow clouds time to time....
still warm....-3c...
then landed at clubhouse around 11 am.....just too bad...missed a qr member by less than 3-5 mins according to waitress !!!
while waitress was calling me...cell was in my truck , while in the house for a few mins !!
very windy in the fields on my way back !!!
 
jean-guy

hi  steven !!!
 
yaa...not bad...well , the roof of the firewood shed started to have a '' u '' shape !!! hahhaa
snowed til late afternoon ..then back to light rain supper time...quiet now...foggy !!!
 
jean-guy

few pics from last sunday riding with linda and others from ontario !!!
a mix of groomed trails and off the trail riding at my camp !!!
stopped at clubhouse a few mins in the morning  and lucky to meet wulsock and shore 1066 !!!
 
 
jean-guy

So Dad and I probably had one of if not the best year so far in Quebec!
Starting from the begining we drove to Montmagney from Northern NY the first week of February. Our goal was to make it out to the Gaspe' Pinninsula and make it around the whole loop after trying two other years and not making it one due to not enough time and the other was due to snow storms. well this year we made it. And I have to say it was a great experience! It was everything I have heard. I'm sure there was a bump or two along the way but I just can't seem to remember them! At one point Dad asked me why we would even think about going anywhere else. At that time we had been riding on the best trails we had ever been on in our lives! And that says a lot because we have riden somewhere around 12 or 13 thousand miles in Quebec by that point. A seven day trip and we put on 1521 miles.
Next trip, after a few short talks about where to go for our March trip, which included Dad and I and my three best freinds, it was no doubt we were headed back to Gaspe'. So for me a 13 hour ride from North Carolina to NY then a few hours of sleep and a 9 hour ride in the truck we are in RDL on Friday march 3. Leave RDL Saturday morning and off to Amqui. A little windy but trails a 10 for sure. Sunday a ride south and meet Groomer and Linda and company at the club house. An honor for sure! Leave club house and make the loop on 587 through Metepidia and back up 5 through Amqui up to the Sugar shack in St Paul. At this point we learn that we can stay an extra day!!! WOO HOO! So off to Murdocville via La Cache. Call ahead and learn the Copper only has one room,BUT, they have a house avallible! So we march on across the Chic Chocs. Trail had been groomed the day before and was spectacular! I think we set a time record! Get to the house in Murdocville ans it is very nice! I highly recomend it for a group. I think it had 8 beds. A very nice bathroom and shower. And of course a full kitchen. Next day we are off to Rimouski. A little bit of a long day across 5 through Mt St Piere because of the up and down and turs. And a little bit of freezing rain getting in to Rimouski. Next day back to the truck. Rain,freezing rain,sleet,snow just about everything mother nature could send our way. But every face still had a smile on it! Like Dad likes to say its going to be an Adventure! And that it was. Back to the truck by 11:30 load up and some lunch and home we go! Some where between 950 and 980 miles depending on which sled you went by! Dad and I tallied up 2470 for the year. Well at least I did he was lucky enough to get an early 2 day ride in in January for around 600 miles. Not sure how I feel about my riding partner going without me but he is my dad so I guess it's ok.
Thursday morning in NY (Clayton) dad and I decide its time to go see the dealer. A short talk with the salesmen and our 2015 800 etecs are of the trailer and in the dealers barn and the new 850s will be here in the fall! 
Now I am back in NC after another 13 hours in the truck (Broke it up into two days. Stayed in PA last night) I am sitting here writing this and thinking how great life is and how great it is to have a Dad and friends that love to to do this as much as I do! Next year is TOO far away!

Hope trails shape up some! We're getting ready to begin drive up tonight. It would be great if we cross paths at some point! Have a safe trip can't wait to see what's in store. Hopefully the storm this coming Wednesday there calling for backs off!

Well if anybody has any doubt about running the North Shore no need to worry. 
5 is almost back in shape! The areas that have been showing no good these past couple of days have been groomed up or we passed groomers heading in those directions. We only had about 10 miles of crap just past Cloridorme  but passed the groomer and should be good  Tommorow. Hats off to the grooming staff! We are at Rivière-au-Renard. 190 miles of smiles ! What a difference a day makes!
 

Well if anybody has any doubt about running the North Shore no need to worry. 
5 is almost back in shape! The areas that have been showing no good these past couple of days have been groomed up or we passed groomers heading in those directions. We only had about 10 miles of crap just past Cloridorme  but passed the groomer and should be good  Tommorow. Hats off to the grooming staff! We are at Rivière-au-Renard. 190 miles of smiles ! What a difference a day makes!
 

Just arrived in Mont St Pierre for a little lunch at the Le Delice. Trails to here have been all top notch . Will continue on 5 and see how things are on the top side

Well we put it off a few times because of the weather and finally pulled the trigger and landed in RDL at the Universal Thursday night . By looking at the the grooming map  we should of waited one more day lol! Any way the 8  us of loaded up and headed out on 5 distination Cap Chat and the Grande nature Chic-Chocs.  
The trail was a mixed bag and that was to be expected with the near freezing mark and the traffic. The power lines where great with about 3 inches of new snow . Just before we reached Rimouski we lost a ski doo 800 to a blown engine( more on this later! )  It was windy with some blown drifts in fields but not bad. We took 578 to Mont Joli and hit 5 to Saint Damase . Well we got to the river and a club member was just putting up the tape to close the trail across it . The edge on the east side opened up about 4 feet . They had some wood pallets they had used but it had open up to much to be trusted . The water was about 4 foot deep he showed us . Well he said he would float them one more time for us . Nora was unsure but went along and made the crossing . We were the last , but with the cold it might tighten up in the next couple of days. In St Damase we met up with Mcstar and his crew for a nice little visit at the club house . The rest of the way was a mix of groomed and chop to Cap Chat. 252 miles and the crew was glad for the end of the day . COLD and windy this morning!

The third picture is surreal.  The sleds in the foreground are crisp and very black and white while the background of the bluff and the river is almost grayed out.  It  looks as if they are posing in front of a Hollywood set.  Perfect shot David!
Jack & Sandi

Just arrived in Mont St Pierre for a little lunch at the Le Delice. Trails to here have been all top notch . Will continue on 5 and see how things are on the top side

Just arrived in Mont St Pierre for a little lunch at the Le Delice. Trails to here have been all top notch . Will continue on 5 and see how things are on the top side

Well we put it off a few times because of the weather and finally pulled the trigger and landed in RDL at the Universal Thursday night . By looking at the the grooming map  we should of waited one more day lol! Any way the 8  us of loaded up and headed out on 5 distination Cap Chat and the Grande nature Chic-Chocs.  
The trail was a mixed bag and that was to be expected with the near freezing mark and the traffic. The power lines where great with about 3 inches of new snow . Just before we reached Rimouski we lost a ski doo 800 to a blown engine( more on this later! )  It was windy with some blown drifts in fields but not bad. We took 578 to Mont Joli and hit 5 to Saint Damase . Well we got to the river and a club member was just putting up the tape to close the trail across it . The edge on the east side opened up about 4 feet . They had some wood pallets they had used but it had open up to much to be trusted . The water was about 4 foot deep he showed us . Well he said he would float them one more time for us . Nora was unsure but went along and made the crossing . We were the last , but with the cold it might tighten up in the next couple of days. In St Damase we met up with Mcstar and his crew for a nice little visit at the club house . The rest of the way was a mix of groomed and chop to Cap Chat. 252 miles and the crew was glad for the end of the day . COLD and windy this morning!