viper2

I agree with Gizz,and think they all have their pros and cons and there are not enough of us sledders to fight with each other.I am interested though Rob on what the outcome was with your sled and how you made out?I do have freinds who ride Doo's and it would be nice to know the goods and bads,but if it's none of my business don't feel obligated to respond.

I agree you will always hit some rough spots but when it is always the same stretch it gets old.Val dÓr club may say they are grooming it but they are not.I personally think that is too much for them anyway,too far away and they have enough trails to groom.

Glad to hear you had a great trip!ours was great and as i said the only crappy trail 63 between Jonca and Domaine.Glad to hear you guys stayed at Chateuvert they really cleaned the place up since the new people took over.The woman and her husband used to work at Repos before and i hope they get enough traffic to make it go.The Lanaudiere is a great place to go if you want to ride out of the same motel for the week.There are endless possibilities and alot of groomed trails that are not even on the map.Now with a little luck maybe you will still get a couple weekends in PA. Hey Bill were you lucky to steal a ride on one of those Apex's?

Just returned yesterday from a 6 day ride.Left last Sun Feb. 22nd got back to truck Fri. 27th. Day 1 left St. Zenon at 7:30 and went up to St. Michel and across lake Toro.We picked up 33 just past Canadaventure up to Repos.Gassed at Repos then up 369 to Casey where we gassed up and had lunch.From there we continued on to 83 and took it east to Wemotaci where we gassed and went on to Relay 22 miles.It was a total of 245 miles and we got to relay 22 at 4:30.The trails were mostly 9/10 especially 369. Day 2 took 83 east from relay 22 toward Roberval.trail was good for 1st 30 miles or so until we crossed the narrow bridge and got into the trails of the Lake St. Jean club.This trail was bad and just no excuse.This trail has the potential to be excellent but i don't think it had been groomed for over a week.when we got to St. Hedgewich we took the local trail to St. Felician and then the local trail to La Dore where we gassed up. The trail up to the lumber mill (Scicerie 54)could also have used a good grooming but not as bad as 83.From the mill up to Chibougamau was really nice,smooth and mostly flat.Got into chibougamau about 5:30 after 290 miles.There we bumped into Gizz and friends who also had a good ride. Day 3 Cold this morning made for a frigid run down piston alley.Gassed at Miquelon and then topped off at Lebel sur Quevillion before heading up 396 to Matagami.396 was smooth enough but very twisty and narrow.the road was looking very attractive was snow covered and unsanded but we stuck to the trail and hit Matagami around 4:00 p.m. 252 miles for the day. Day 4 planned on staying on 396 all the way toward the western border at Villebois,but our leader missed the trail on the powerline and the second man followed.There were 4 of us and me and the last guy stopped but after 10 minutes we figured they were too far now to turn back and we pressed on.That may have been a stroke of luck because these trails ended up being the best of the week. When we hit the gas station we took another local trail west and south and met the 93 west toward LaSarre.We went all the wat to Lasarre then south to 83 then east to Val'd Or these trails were all excellent,wide smooth,flat and groomed to perfection.The clubs in this area of Quebec can take great pride in what they do and the groomer operators are some of the best.Many of the corners are even intentionally banked and have divided lanes.......Awesome Abitibi!We rolled into the Forestel around 5:30 with 360 miles for the day. Day 5 Took 83 east to Louvicourt then south on the local trail that runs through the indian reservation.This trail was good and actually the part in the reservation was excellent 10/10.When we hit the 63 things took a turn for the worst.This is probably the worst section of national trail in Quebec.As far as i am concerned it is the laughing stock of Canada.this trail has the potential to be a 10 but whoever is responsible for grooming it just doesn't do it.It hadn't been groomed for weeks and i would guess just once this year.This strech of trail has a bad reputation and i have been on it a few times in the last 15 years and i have never seen it good.Personally i think it should be closed and removed from the maps so people don't even plan on using it,it is a disgrace.Once we got to Le Domaine the groomer had been at work from there to Lytton at Le Classic.That part of the trail was really windy but at least it was smooth.We went from the Classic over to Grand Remous and then on to Mont Laurier.275 tough miles not to mention that it got really warm that afternoon.We didn't know it then but we would soon wish we made a run to the truck. Day 6 woke up at 6:30 to RAIN.One thing we try not to do is ride in the rain.We sat in the motel room all morning and into the afternoon.We decided we would wait till about 3 or 4 p.m. and then we would have to go.Luck was on our side as it got very windy and then turned to snow at 2:00 p.m.By 2:30 we were strapping the bags on and leaving for St. Zenon.We took the railbed south and gassed at A'nnunction then took 63 through parc Mont Tremblant toward St. Zenon.Got back to the house about 6:30 after only 150 miles for the day. All in all we had a great trip with about 1570 miles for 5 1/2 days and all 4 Yammies worked flawlessly.Once again the Quebecois were very friendly and we met some great people.

Actually Lac Du Repos is not as isolated as it seems.It is located on a plowed road and is less than 60 miles from St Michel Des Saints.

Thanks for the reply.That is pretty close to what we were thinking.Not sure where we are leaving from yet because a few of the guys are going to stay for the second week and base out of St. Zenon.That is why we are kinda leaning toward there so they don't have to drive from Temiscaming or Manawaki by truck at the end of the first week.We were thinking that if we leave from Zenon we may even do the trip in reverse (kinda like you Gizz)and go from Zenon the first day to maybe relay 22,then on to Chibougamau then west to Matagami down and around.One thing we never do is pre-plan our stops for the night.We ride until it's time to quit then get a motel. Have fun Gizz and remember 4 apex's and a vector.

Heading up that week to hit western and northern Quebec. Val D'Or,Matagami,Chibougamau,Parent. Probably leaving from St. Zenon or Temiscaming.

Whenever i have bought my trail pass it was always filled out by the person selling it to me.I would assume they are putting in the info. from my registration card as that is what they ask for.

When he said he was looking for a plate did he mean a Quebec plate?It is my understanding they are for Quebec residents only.I don't have a "plate" on my sled either as PA doesn't issue them.However they do have a sticker that is issued with the number on that is on my reg. card.Please keep us updated,i am going up in 2 weeks and don't need that headache. :wacko:

Planning a trip for the last week of Feb., can anyone tell me how the trail from Rapides-des Joachims north to Lac Joncas is?Also the local trail just east of Joncas that heads north toward 386 and Louvicourt how is that trail and is it opened and groomed?

That is some funny S#@t there i like your sense of humor.

I think i have the record for running out furthest from the pump.Back in about '95 or '96 we left Parent heading east on 83.There was 5 or 6 fresh inches on the ground from the night before so our "fearless leader" decided to take trail R until he saw the sign for outfitter Haltiparche,except he missed the sign! 20 miles after the sign he stops and says i think we missed the turn? A couple of us say hell yes 20 miles ago. So he says well this road has to go somewhere............famous last words.He and i were on Vmax 4's 1 -750 1-800 which normally got about 95 to 100 miles on a tank, but with these conditions and these speeds he ran out at about 80 miles..........just in sight of a tarped in gas pump of a summertime fishing outfitter.At the time we didn't know it but we were still 70 miles from the gas station! A couple of the guys in the group split a 6 gal can they got from a CN RR truck heading to Parent.They made it to the gas station..........better known as Relay 22!In the meantime we did manage to buy a couple gallons that we siphoned from a pickup truck,the guy was heading to Parent for his 10 day shift,so this got us a little closer.In doing so we passed 2 abandoned snowmobiles from our group of six.When our "leader" ran out of gas for like the third time we stopped and waited and pretty soon here comes a pickup truck.So we start flagging this guy down,get this it was one of our guys!Four of them made it in on 2 sleds and the guy that ran relay 22 gave them his truck to come and get us.We filled three of the sleds with enough gas to get in and loaded the last one on the truck.Only in Quebec would someone loan a total stranger their truck.We got in and filled the sleds,his truck, and our bellies.The really good part is as we were leaving to head towards Roberval a group that was getting ready to leave Parent that morning pulled in.They took the trail and it took them that long.That was probably the dumbest thing we ever did in Quebec,but you know what i will never forget it. :wacko:

I think your in the wrong region.

Check out my post in the regional section under Lanaudiere. And yes Rob this is the first place i posted.

Just returned from a great week based out of Le Cabanon in St. Zenon. We rode Mon. thru Fri. with most trails being excellent, and very little traffic. Day1 Started a little late because we wanted to stop at the bank and exchange some money.We rode out to the cafeteria and took 63 west to LÁnunncition (spelling) on the railbed.We ate lunch there and basically backtracked,the trail is on the road again this year through Mont Tremblant Parc and was sweet. Day2 Down to SMDS and across Lac Toro to 33 north to Repos then took the road out to Kanawata.It was a little early for lunch so we ran out to Casey then 16 miles past on the road where it meets the main road to Wemotaci. I got pics there of a wheel loader from Wemotaci buried in the swamp i will try to post pics later.Then back to Kanawata to eat lunch and see Mario.Went down past Lac Chateuvert and back to repos for gas before taking the 345 back to Le Cabanon 330 miles for the day.All trails exc. but for about 8 miles on the way back from Chateuvert to river rats road where we had to share with logging trucks. Day 3 345 to 360 down to River Mattawin,from there to Grand Mere to 318 and back to Le Cabanon. With some side trips mixed in it was 240 miles. It had started to snow around lunch and by the time we got back had a good 4 or 5 inches.Ened up with 6 or 8 in the end. Day 4 Since the parc Mont Tremblant was so good we made the run to Mont Laurier and on to Devil's mountain.We broke trail through the park in the morning and it got just a little choppy in the afternoon but nothing our Apex's and vector could't handle. 325 miles for the day. Day 5 We decided on an easy day today and went South to St Come via SMDS and mont tremblant.We got some pics of the ice sculptures then headed over toward St. Gabriel then up to 63 past Bazinet and back to St. Zenon Loaded up with only about 160 for the day but a 5 day trip of about 1250. The riding is great and with a good exchange and gas about .85/liter now is the time to ride! I will try to post some pics when i can (need help from my daughter)

Leaving Sunday morning for Le Cabanon.We will be riding Mon. thru Fri., will post daily if they have wireless internet if not i will post when i return.

I know there were some posts about problems there, but i have filled there a few times in the past and never had any trouble.Just to be safe put a bottle of dry gas in when you fill up there.

Thanks for the replies.

do you guys go to quebec to ride snowmobile or dig em' out? Good pics looks like you had fun i'll be there sunday.

A few years ago i was told when i bought my permit that there was insurance coverage with this.What does this cover?Some people have asked me if they still need insurance on their sled in Canada or need the Canadian ins. card. I know i carry insurance and can't imagine that is what the permit ins. is for.

Nice pics.how many miles did you have total?

What kind of 4 stroke?

You just need the right eqipment,gauntlets,high windsheild,modular helmet and good layered clothing.there is usually little traffic and the trails are nice and hard.

Yes "cabin on the hill"was still there last year.This is the place where alot of cross country skiers go.

:D Ahhh i can see the ice crystals hanging on the branches and the snowdust in the air.Just remember try not to blink or your eyelashes will freeze together!Sounds like heaven i'll be there in 10 days.