snowfarmer

Sorry to hear that. RIP fellow sledder. 

Definetly a different trail riding back.

In summary:
Saturday Night - Mont Laurier - Quality Inn
Sunday Night - Somewhere in the Woods - Pourvoirie Kanawata
Monday Night - St. Felicien - Hotel du Jardin
Tuesday Night - Chibougamau - Hotel Chibougamau
Wednesday Night - Amos - Hotel des Eskers
Thursday Night - Somewhere in the Woods - Pourvoirie La Verendre
Friday Afternoon - Mont Laurier - load up and get out of Dodge
The team was greeted with wonderful Quebecois hospitality and humour.  Thanks to Evolution X Sports in St. Felicien and Accent Plein Air BRP dealer in Amos for helping out the boys.  Lots of good food.  Dick and Sam spread their gospel of sledding fun, stickering lots of things and folks.  They were recognized and saluted in the most surprising places, and plan to up their game for next year's expedition.  North Shore?  Gaspe?
Trails were predictably well groomed and fast.  In particular, Day 2 between Pouvoirie Kanawata and St. Felicien was a blast.  Day 4 between Chibougamau and Amos was a bit of a trial, more due to the break-down (clutch spring) and duration (490 kilometres, including about 40 km towing).  The boys didn't go out dancing that night.  Sam and Steve were spreading their cold where-ever they went.  Steve discovered the delights of uncontrolled sneezing in a BRP helmet with snorkel on.  Sam thought it was raining, wrong, just sneezed inside his full-face visor. 
If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  Sorry for the delay in following up, all team members now back in good health.  Also, advise if you want a sticker sent to you!!!

After their epic ride, team members recuperate in varying fashions.  Our youngest member holidays in Cleveland this weekend, enjoying such cultural highlights as The Christmas Story (movie) House.  Is he turning on the famous Leg Lamp, or ?????
 

I thought maybe you stutter. 😁
Ride safe.

Last night we are eating in the restaurant and see the groomer making a pass.  This is a good sign!
This morning  its overcast, -20C and very windy.  The calendar says March 4th but the conditions say February 4th.  The groomers were out in force last night.  A lot of green on the map.  We decide to take 5 east and then circle back on 35 to 85.
Sandi and I head out and the trail is nice.  We get to trail 5 and turn left.  The open fields are pretty windy.  Its trying to blow us right off the trail.  No drifting, just a lot of wind.  We get into the woods and its much better.  The trail is really good.  We book along and get to Relais Trois Pistoles.  It must be race day here.  The lot is full, there is an excavator out on the drag strip and a lot of people and sleds around.  No time to stop here.  We keep on running.  A few sleds coming towards us.  Maybe going to the races.  The power lines weren't groomed last night but the trail is still good.  Just a little character in the trail, no big bumps.  Time to warm up at Relais L'Etang.  Only a few sleds here.  We like to take a stop here even if it is just to have a coffee / chocolate.  A few sleds pull in while we are here.  A couple of guys grabbing beers at the bar.  Its 10:00 AM?  No beer for us.  That can wait until we are back in the hotel.
Back on the sleds and keep heading east.  We get to 35 and this looks good too.  Now we are away from the St Lawrence and more in the woods.  The wind only kicks up a little when we get into a field.  No drifts.  The snow is quite a bit fluffier here than it was back in RDL.  This area looks like they got 8-10 inches where RDL was more like 4-6.  We haven't come across too many sleds today.  This 35 is such a nice trail.  We are running along the section that parallels the little river.  Nice rolling hills and gentle curves.  Good trail.
Heading towards Squatec and we get to where 546 goes straight and 35 goes left.  Last trip we took 35, this time its 546.  A few twisties in the woods and then the trail opens up and its a nice trail.  I haven't been on this in a long time.  A very pleasant surprise.  We get to Squatec and have lunch at the small diner in town.  Two two-uppers here.  We have lunch and warm up a bit.  Its a nice little lunch stop.
We are back on the sleds and still on 35 heading west.  This is still in good shape.  As we get up in elevation, the wind picks up again.  Still in the woods so its not too bad.  We cruise on into St Louis du Ha! Ha!  What a name for a town.  We turn right on 85 and start the final leg back to the Universal.  As always this is nice.  Not fresh groomed but smooth with a bunch of tracks on it.  We go by Relais Adventurer and notice a lot of sleds here.  The drag strip was just manicured today.  I'll bet they are having a big event tomorrow.
Back home at the Universal.  Another nice ride in RDL land.  Hoping to meet a few other QuebecRider folks tonight.  Have a great night and we hope you can get one more trip in.  The riding is still great here, Gaspe and up at Lac St Jean.
Jack & Sandi

Yep!! Another great ride with Mikerider and JAK. Thanks for the fun boys!! Here is a taste of what we found out there. 280-300 miles. Mint!!

Today's trip to St Pamphille was excellent trails and mostly sunny. Lots of wind and cold. Started out on 526 along the St. Lawrence. View across the river was beautiful with all the snowy mountains. Got to St Pam too early for lunch so continued on. Found a new place 20 miles further up 571 called de Lac Est, restaurant on a remote lake that turned out to be wonderful, nice find.  Got back around to Explorateurs Club House and looked like it would be a 210 mile day. Not good enough for JAK and Oilmnan, so off to the south we went. Second coffee stop at the Chevelliers Club and back to the hotel, didn't get final mileage but probably close to 300 miles. Great day and JAK and Oilman have been awesome riding buddies.
mike

Day 3 
ok tout le monde, here we go....
Had a super dinner last night at Restaurant Julie just in back of Hotel du Havre. Up this Am and went to check the continental breakfast included with the hotel room. Not inspiring. Or fulfilling either. Toast, cofee, juice? Iceman need substance. Is what it is we decided not to go to Tim Hortons and to just head on out. Nice and cold this AM. -5F they say. Suit up and roll quick stop at the gas and we need to do a quick ice removal on the Steering Boots on the Sidewinder as its got ice built up in there and steering is binding up. I break out my rubber mallet and that along with a bucket of hot water makes short work of this job. Great teamwork tipping sled up and working together to solve the issue albeit a small one. 
We bid farewell to Havre St Pierre and head west on a beautiful groomed trail under cold but clear skies. Big sun. This is gonna be a much different day than the grey flat light of the past two days together. 30 miles is all you get of this groomed trail. Over finished see ya bye. Now we have about 30 more miles to gas and this trail is not terrible. We did all the heavy lifting yesterday and today will not be like that. With trail broken and drifts knocked down its much easier navigating and we make it to the gas in Rivere Tonerre in half the time as yesterday. Stomachs are rumbling so its into the grocery store for a quick defrost and some snacks to fuel up. Too early for lunch that will be later today. Nice break and some nourishment and we head out. This is the 40 miles that will make or break your run. Again its a whole new game today as we opened the trail yesterday. Much easier to follow the GPS track and no drifts to navigate like yesterday. We really make awesome time and now it seems almost easy this trail. Don't be fooled. Its got no real marking and yes our tracks are there but now its Saturday and there's been some local's out here and tracks are going many different ways. Good luck. Our navigation team is on it. They got their ducks in a row. No slackers on this team, We pass 2 sleds headed east big Expeditions. Yeah i know you did not need our help but you're welcome, trails packed down for you no big drifts left to pass through. Again super time here and we cut our time in half through this section. Two more locals on mountain sleds with funny pipes. Making lots of noise. No cops out here to bust them that's for sure. On down and across the Moise River. Excellent its 1:30pm unbelievable time today. Here, well what do you know, fresh groomed, in fact groomer is turning around to head back to Sept Isles now. 
At the road crossing is a group of 6 locals out for a ride they are headed east. We head for Sept Isles on groomed frozen white Asphalt, however, wherever there is open areas the wind is fierce and blowing like crazy drifting up fast. Groomer just passed and yet it is drifted right back over. Mad wind. 
We are headed for gas in Sept Isles and some lunch. I'm thinking hmmmm,.....saturday? Yes ok, near town? Yes ok, Police out? You betcha. Well Dooright is dooing it, I find myself second in the mix. I'm pedaling it hard to try to reel him in. i come over a hill and well hello Police. Hey Now! What you doing? Oh shit, there are two of course. One has taken an interest in dooright and so much so he is making a U-turn to go chase him. Right in front of me. I back it on down, it was a surprise to see him turning around in fromt of me on a hill in a bad spot but I had my "spider senses" tingling telling me to watch it. The other cop throws up his hand and puts on his lights. Yeah I know. I'm prepared for a real issue as I was practically not touching the ground over the hill in pursuit. I greet him as he comes over to me "salut, ca va?" He smiles says in english where are you from? By now everyone else is lined up behind me. I tell him i am from Shawinigan he asks if we are all together i say yes. Some from USA. He asks where we are coming from and is surprised to hear Havre St Pierre. He says I just am checking for trail pass stickers. Hey no problems. Mark comes up to point out (and very true) that he was holding us in a dangerous place as anyone coming behind us over that hill would surely hit us. The officer looks at my sticker then says go ahead its ok. See ya. Down by the road. Randy is there with the Police. I stop to see if I can do anything. This cop speaks some English too, so i am no help. I see him writing but he is just taking Randy's info to put in his daily activities report. No tickets. We are out. One more group of 3 we pass  (it is saturday) and down to the gas on groomed trail. Gas and next door to the mall and the St Hubert for a real lunch and a defrosting. Great break here and well deserved. Out of there its close to 3:30. Time to sprint to Port Cartier. 
Out of town and not far from town at a road crossing, Greg du Vermont says here...points to his Sidewinder. Yeah buddy I will pilot that girl. He hops on my Apex and is gone. I'm thinking....hmmm lets see what this baby got. Well tabernac it took me a mile or two to get used to the steering, just different than mine obviously. Wicked smooth power. Quiet and all the punch of the Apex but stealthy. Damn I like this thing. I can not believe it but they say don't knock it till you try it. I don't believe "it's once you go cat you never go back" as this thing is alot Yamaha. I'm smitten with it and not missing my sled by the third or fourth mile. I've got it figured out more now, Need to watch it cause she is so fast. Quiet and fast. You look down you are barely giving it and it's doing 80mph. Please sir can I have some more? This one has the fox floats and though it was not rough I am told by Greg that it's not the best shock package. I would need to ride it a bit more but my first Impression is I need one of these. 
So thanks Greg now I will spend all day in my helmet tomorrow. Trying to figure out how to break it to mrs Iceman that i need to expand the stable to 3. Maybe i'll letter up the white 13XTX with Mrs Iceman Decals so she thinks its her's? I need to figure this out. 
Seriously big thanks to Greg and damn you. 
Into Port Cartier at 4:36pm. Trails were perfect from Sept Isles to here and groomer was headed out when we got here. 
Taxi to a great restaurant and another awesome day comes to a close. Great crew and great trails. 
Life is good. 
Back to Forestville tomorrow and then home to Chez Iceman. Gonna be a late night getting back to Shawinigan tomorrow. 
Until next time....
 

I think Road Road runner this would be a great trip to write about plus the pictures would be great in Snow Goer magazine! It would be one of the best stories in a while for the magazine ! I think a lot of other people would enjoy reading about this other than QR readers! 

Anytime, anywhere. Will gladly take in role of team scribe, in trade for an Expedition so i can go along. Have your people call my people we can work this out. 

Down by the sea 20 miles out of HSP......

I think Road Road runner this would be a great trip to write about plus the pictures would be great in Snow Goer magazine! It would be one of the best stories in a while for the magazine ! I think a lot of other people would enjoy reading about this other than QR readers! 

Green craziness on the grooming site? Some of those amazing clubs are scraping the bottom of the barrel.
 

This where the adventure begins

A lot of this going on today


I have to officially rate this portion of the 3 EXPERT. 

Timing is everthing, Luck plays the biggest part as we cannot control the weather. 
If it has not snowed recently and there are some tracks to follow, You could stand a chance. Trust me it aint easy to follow this trail. When you got up to Havre or beyond if it were to snow any significant amout. You are screwed. Some much open space and wind just piles up the snow. Now I know why i've been in Sept Isles several times and seen many groups arriving back to Sept Isles from the east by Flatbed. 
You need four people minimum. Just to be sure you can get out of what you might get into. Just my 2 cents. 

RDL is back to its glory!
We rode east today to Rimouski and then southwest to Squatec and back to below RDL. Packed powder, groomed and beautiful snow packed trees along with lots of sunshine.
We then made a quick loop west of RDL, still good but they did not get as much new snow. Some places today looked like they had gotten more than ten inches. 275 mile day, Oilman, JAK and I were smiling the whole way.
Now in Room 209. (Remember still zip for any type of cell service).
mike

Just re-read my posting.  Hope not to discourage anyone from taking the trail to RDL.  Even if you park at the new Club du Golf hotel, you can still leave from there and ride awesome trails all the way through Lac Etchemin, St Magliore, St Pamphile, over the mountain on 557, etc.  Those trails are all mint!  Much more fun that riding in the truck!!

Yeah boys what an adventure! 

It was -15F this morning in Churchill with a stiff northwest wind, putting wind chill numbers way down. We dressed accordingly and headed out. It was 120 miles up the Esker road from Churchill to Esker siding.  This road was built back when Churchill dam was constructed in the late 1960s. At that time no 500 road existed, so the only way to get construction equipment into the dam site was over this 100 mile road to Churchill. The Schefferville Sept Isle train unloaded the trucks, turbines,  trailers and construction equipment to be hauled in over this road.
In Churchill , which is a company town, for the power station,  the town center is like Mall village. The grocery store, school, hotel and restaurant and shops are all located in this company facility. Kind of neat.
 Today, It is not groomed but was fun to ride and imagine the activity 50 years ago. One of the structures for water control is pictured below. We stopped at Esker siding and got a fire going in the warming hut. Spent an hour thawing out gear than off to Lab City where Rob's wife Tina cooked us all an awesome home cooked meal of Baked ham, Mac and cheese, potatoes, green beans and muitiple types of salads and Rolls and deserts.  Wow that was awesome after ten days on the trail. A down day to tomorrow with minor sled adjustments and than off bright and early Sunday for Gabriel Quebec, near Manicougan reservoir.

Day 2 
Left Sept Isles at 8am. Had nice breakfast at Comfort Inn. Loaded up and off we go. Trail much like we left it yesterday no grooming and fresh snow, No tracks headed east. We will change that. We make good time to River Moise as expected. From here the adventure really just is beginning. The snow is deep and Randy and Mark are taking turns finding the way for us. This day was quite challenging. Perhaps the most challenging day I ever spent on a sled in Quebec. 
They say "you learn something new everyday" well today I learned alot. Several things in fact. 
1 This Team from VT don't play and they are pro's. Big respect for the teamwork and the skill showed today. Words here will not duly do justice to what we achieved today. I can tell you but unless you lived it, You just won't understand. Big thanks to them Mark, Randy, Greg and Dave. Would not be here without them. 
2 I know now why the amount of people who have actually been to Havre St. Pierre by snowmobile is not very many. The trail is not a trail, its there, but not really. Especially now after 12" plus of snow and winds that created drifts throughout the powelines(which is the main route for most of the way) the size of Peterbilt trucks. Hairy shit. 
3 My sled is quite capable of making its way in deep snow. just don't hesitate. 
Ok now seriously you may want to go to Havre St Pierre. Great. Think again. Cause unless you got a GPS track and a solid crew of at least 4 experts. You are being foolish. There is no sticks, not many signs and you are on your own for more than 40 miles. Thats alot of decisions to make is it up there to the left? Down to the right? Up thst hill? Choose carefully cause your  life depends on it. There are cliffs and drop offs that are so beautifully hidden with the drifts it's not for beginners. 
Today was a long long day. I have never worked so hard for 100 miles ever. 8am-2:30pm to get to Rivere Tonnerre for gas and snacks. Yeah, check that moving average. Do the math. Not easy. Did I mention bring strong guys to help you out? Cause when you get stuck it's deep. I rode 5 or 6 today. Best place for me. We got 4 Doo's 3 1200's and one 900, one Sidewinder and my XTX. I needed to back down one big hill one cause the others dug such a trench they left me nothing to work with. One other time saw me just thrown too far right on a big climb.  But just a pull on my ski loops and i was out. The same can not be said for our leaders they are making decisions on the fly and encountering drits that are incredible. We did alot of digging and studying to find where was the best way to get through. After Rivere Tonnerre there was more sticks to guide us, trail was in woods, but still powerlines here and there. Still drifted bad, but we make better time. 25 miles from Havre St Pierre we find fresh groom trail we are delighted. We exploit this for all it's worth and hammer down. Into Hotel Havre at 6:15. 
Thanks to The Team Vermont and Trailblazer. I made it to Havre St Pierre. Mission Accomplished "failure was not an option"
Talks are aleady in the works for next years ride. Probably starting in Baie Comeau and shooting east of here as far as trail will let us go. I can't wait.
We were hoping to go 50 miles east of here then back but time will leave that as unfinished business for another time. But the objective has been reached. 
Tomorrow back west to Port Cartier. Should be a different game now that we broke a trail through "no mans land" 
in Rivere Tonnerre we chatted with some guys in the store they said last group to come through was last week. Thinking for sure was none other than Roadrunner. So no one else been through since them last week. 
Big respect also to GT Rider who I know made this run 2 up with Mrs GT. You are so lucky it was not drifted like this was today my friend. 
Tired. 



 
I need to make a withdrawl. Ice needs a new Apex....

 

 
Wanna get to Havre St Pierre? Look for these and good luck!

 
 

Don't ever ask Iceman to do a snowdance before a ride, you will be sorry 😀 And yes, this is the trail, we were not playing in the snow 😏

In Havre St Pierre at 6pm. Have I got alot to tell you. We made it. I will be back. To be Continued. I need a drink or 3.