zeusand

More Tuesday pics...
 
 

Wednesday continues 
 
My phone starts ringing i see it’s Playhard by the time i dig it out of my tank bag he hung up. I turn back. As I ride back up it’s not long before they are heading down. John stops says yes stopped for picture and David’s sled would not start battery dead. They jumped it with booster pack its running. We ponder the possibilities. We can ride on further from anything into the mountains. We have booster cables and a jump pack. Or turn back to Mont St Pierre and get this checked out. It’s running now not throwing any codes. If it decides to not run. It could be a very long pull considering the plan is after Murdochville to go down 597 then on to Chandler. Hmmm. No brainer not going further away from anything without at least checking. 
 
Back to Mont St Pierre, for those here that do not know Pierre Coulombe was a Yamaha dealer for a long long time. But not anymore. But the shop continues to repair and sell parts All makes and models. But he knows Yamahas well. Lots of dirt bikes, quads and SXS too being fixed up by his team there all year. 
 
Right inside it goes. As Playhard put it. The scene looked like open heart surgery as to get to the batter the whole thing comes apart then off with the airbox to access the battery. 
 
Get battery out test it and its a goner. He has what we need. Change battery now we check charging sytem. Its charging at 13.5 he says should be 14.5 we cannot find any reason it only 13.5 but that’s charging. He found a missing clutch button on clutch. Put one in. Easy. But takes time. 
 
I know the trail to Murdochville is not great. Heard it from 2 different sources. Showing groomed last night all the way back the way we came in snow yesterday.
End uo canceling Chandler. Book Nanook. Still very short but whatever. 
 
Actually could see today and see the trail. All the rights were lefts and vice versa. But sticks very visible and most of all grooming. Flat all the way to Cap Chat saw maybe 10 sleds all day. 
 
Bonus ride to Village Grand Nature 5 miles up 5 back. Trail not nice. At all. 
 
Into Cap Chat gas then to Nanook. I have never been here. Mario is new owner since a few years. Speaks English and super nice helpful host. 3 other sleds here. Guys from Oka, QC. 
 
No dinner at Nanook tonight, but we will have breakfast here. Mario provides us transportation to Pizzeria 132. For a smorgasbord of deliciousness. Pizza with shrimp and bacom, smoked meat pizza, fish and chips and ribs. Enough to go around. Great conversation with Mario as he joined us for dinner. Fun to stay at the smaller places, like I said yesterday they appreciate you and will remember you. 
 
Motel Nanook go there.
 
 

Sounds good, have to remember this spot for next year.  I was there last week, wish I had known.

That picture right there should be on the cover of Tourism gaspe

You stalking me?

Tuesday Continues 
 
We arrive in Mont St Pierre and bee line it to visit with Pierre. This guy is a true ambassador for Mont St Pierre and the entire region here. Very proud of their trail and like it to be enjoyed. Our joy brings them joy. Ya feel me? We talk and talk finally its time to go to Motel Le Delice we tell him to join us there for a beer. We arrive and meet Julie the owner since 2020 her Grandfather built this place and now she and her husband Patrick have taken over. Super friendly welcome and the restaurant has a big new bar it’s nicely done they have been working hard. Great english and did I mention friendly and welcoming. The restaurant is called Les Boucaneres Smokehouse. God damn home run here. Sign says Welcome Carnivores, like they knew we were coming i tell you. We convene the meeting in restaurant just the three of us here tonight with our guest Pierre and Julie herself spoiling us. We order up some smoked chicken wings and while we wait for those and our smoked beef brisket burgers. She brings out a plate of smoked duck breast. Wow just delicious goodness. 
 
To be continued 

Not in trouble and things are ok...
Not in trouble and things are ok...
Not in trouble and things are ok...
Good thinking is mission-critical, and that's some good thinking right there!

Pierre of Garage Leon Coulombe & fils in Mont-St-Pierre shared they are proposing a new trail to the FCMQ from MSP to La Cache.

our last day had us eating room service delivered breakfast at Hotel-N-Cie...delivered at 7:30 am.....coffee and juice and....some kind of a breakfast rap.....kind of like sea rations....barely edible...did not go over so well after not getting dinner....people have to go back to work....this has to be embarrassing for these places....we are on the trail by 8:30 and they are groomed...starting to feel like the Quebec we know and love....but there is nothing you can do about the weather. We take turns leading and carving corners like Emerson  Fitipaldi 's formula 1 car, putting the miles down this morning.....kind of mundane though as all the unforeseen excitement is now behind us in the mountains.We arrive in Matane early afternoon and go to the Polaris dealer to get Terry some oil, then things really look up...we go to St Hubert for an indoor sit down meal!! 200 miles left to coast into RDL....of course we ride into the dark and arrive at 7:45 pm. The last 20 miles the snow is soft and brown at street crossings, the parking lot is bare at Universal....and it is down to the last 2 weeks here for sure....but another month in the mountains. We had a great trip and the sport is well in tact after nearly 2 seasons, Terry turned 70 on our trip.....you would never know it, rides like 50, and he brought a lot of common sense and talent to our ride, Stan sports 30 years in Quebec and we definitely relied on all that to get us thru where most everyone else stopped. Terry was on his first ride with a 2023 XCR 650 Indy...I got to ride it for quite some time....Polaris has raised the bar with this Matrix chassis and 650 engine, best handling sled I've ever ridden straight out of the factory...and it is incredibly easy on oil, less than half what my 850 uses and hold 1 more gallon of fuel.Only trouble on the whole trip was the reverse on the 1200 ski doo not wanting to work...big Suprise there....It was great to get back to what we all love and see old friends, lets hope it continues to reopen and we can all look forward to a great season next year, and for all those folks who let all this stuff prevent them from crossing the border....don't let it stop you....get yourself over the border and ride the best trails in the world, happy trails, Bob.

That picture right there should be on the cover of Tourism gaspe

Speaking of money I spend $800 on gas between the truck & the sled and we split the truck crazy but when you love something who cares about the money. 

20220314_135835_99.mp4

Speaking of money I spend $800 on gas between the truck & the sled and we split the truck crazy but when you love something who cares about the money. 

Brought back some Quebec junk food!

This is the half of million dollar solar system at Relais La Cashe mostly subsidized by the government. Because they are a much-needed gas stop/ emergency shelter.
Such a big system because of the gas pumps and their eventual expansion.

Note to self... 2 feet of snow w/50 mile an hour winds... stay at the bar and get drunk all day. 

Currently in Madawaska, Maine. Lots of snow, great grooming and midwinter conditions. Up to a foot of snow possible on Friday.
mike