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From 182Ray Today:

Congrats Bill !!!

Pics from Ray182:

Toll Booth and Selfie Station will be on Route 83!!
"The William M Saguenay Memorial Trailway?", "Someone go back and get a $h1t load of Dimes!!" (Blazing Saddles)
LOL
GutZ
 
 

Non turbo.  I no longer need horsepower to attract the ladies, I have a puppy to do that.

Summer spent having fun in the great outdoors, mostly in Rangeley, Maine. Lots of kayaking and fishing.
Andyman was right, retirement is the best job ever!
 mike

Annual inspection time and oil change 

Ginger & I dropped in to visit Erik185 & VT_bluyamaha54 this past Thursday.
 

Sandi and I are back on the trail again.  We trucked to the Delta Tuesday.  I've been looking for a pair of those big furry mitts and Bill said Bilodeau in Normandin is the place to check out.  So Wednesday morning the groomer map shows green on much of 93.  Off we go.
We ran over to Spence SkiDoo first but they didn't have anything to fit my big hands.  So north we go.  Across the two bridges and thru St Ambroise.  The map showed that 93 around Alma was not groomed so we grab the local trial up to Relais du Lac and get on 328.  This brings us to 367 to St Monique.  Like MrGutz says, 9 and 10 all the way thru.  No bumps and no traffic.
Thru Peribonka and back on 93.  Nice riding up here.  This doesn't get much traffic and the trails are fun.
We get into Normandin and pull into the Sconic to gas up.  Bilodeau is just around the corner but the "trail" doesn't go there.  We can either go down the road, not much snow on it and its busy, or we can follow the local tracks and hope for the best.  So we opt for the local tracks.  Bilodeau is not even 1/2 mile from Sconic.  We wound around behind the houses and popped out on one of the side streets.  I look up and down route 169 and don't see it.  A car comes up the street with a couple of young guys in it.  I ask them where is Bilodeau and they say follow us.  They turn right towards the center of town and we follow them on the sidewalk.  Two blocks down and there it is, Bilodeau.  A big wave and we are here.
The store isn't huge but impressive.

They had a big selection but most of the mittens had the fur laying toward the finger tips.  I wanted the fur going back toward my wrist.  Sandi has a pair with the fur going toward the finger tips and snow gets packed into the fur while she is riding.
The sales person at Bilodeau said that beaver is the warmest and they can make up a pair for me.  I don't know how long it usually takes but she said they would be ready next week.  Out comes the credit card.
We take the same trails on the way back to the Delta.  Still great.  A fantastic first day of the trip.  More to come.
Jack & Sandi

We are buddies JAK, we need to get a third riding partner who smells of Poutine.
Today JAK and I headed south to the  New Brunswick line then cut across to Squatec for lunch. It has been snowing off and on for the past couple days, saw two to four inches. We broke open Squatec Pass so the groomers could get through. lol         JAK and I both had Crepes, he agreed, best ever. Riding conditions are excellent. 
 
 

Another cold day.  Even the locals and workers are saying how cold it is.
We have company today.  Chris from MA is riding with us.  The three of us leave the Sag and head to the Delta to get our other riding partners, the GutZ brothers.  We hope for the best.
We are heading to the north side.  It looks like a lot of trails have been groomed.  The groomers will probably take a day or two off for the holiday so they were out in force the past couple of days.  We cross the two bridges on 367 and head to St Ambroise.  We stay east on 93 and get out in the potato fields.  Boy these trails are good today.  93 goes off to our right and we stay straight on 367.  This will bring us to Mount Vilain.  367 is great and once again, no one is out riding.  We get to Mount Vilain and it is noon on Sunday and there are 8 sleds here.  I realize it is New Year's Eve and cold but the trails are ours for the taking.
We sit back, warm up a bit and have a wonderful lunch.  Always good food here.  While we are eating, the groomer appears from the west side of 367.  The snow gods are with us.  That is the way we are heading.  We finish up lunch and Sandi is in the lead going out the door.
367 here we come.  This is one of my favorite rides.  From Mount Vilain to L'Acension the 367 trail has nice character.  It is wide with rolling hills and gently turns.  As Bill would say, we are riding in "paradise".  Just before L'Acension, three sleds coming towards us and the first sled stops and motions us to stop.  Its Security checking passes.  We are all legal and they wave us on.  Glad to see them out checking.
We pull into the gas station in L'Acension and fill up.  367 was so good, lets go back and try 328.  U-turn Sandi and back up the trail.  Yes Security is there and they wave us thru.  Enjoy the cold guys, we are on a mission.  Sandi runs thru the blueberry fields with the snow dust kicking up behind her.  At Labrecque we go around the north side of the lac and drop down to Relais du Lac.  A few sleds here but again not as many as I would think on a day like this.  A short break to warm up and we are off again on 328 heading towards Begin.  We blow thru there and meet 367.  There is the groomer doing his thing coming from the north.  We get to the junction before him and turn right on 367 to St Ambroise.  Boy this is good stuff.  We continue on to the two bridges.  Here we stop for a few minutes.  The GutZ boys are going back to the Delta and we are going back to the Sag.  We are in just as the sun is setting.
We haven't rode too many days this season but this was a great day even looking back at last year.  Cold yes but fantastic trails and good company.
The next couple of days we will have to pick and choose because many places are closed for the holiday.  Until tomorrow, everyone have a Happy New Year tonight and be safe.  Cheers!
Jack & Sandi

Well I guess I'm not the only one getting forgetful as I leave my childhood.  My mother tells me it gets worse!  
This morning the groomer map isn't showing Milot as being groomed so we go to alt plan B.  Lets stay below the Saguenay River and explore.  We leave the Sag and head west on 83.  Sandi is the first sled on the fresh groomed trail.  We cruise by the Delta and go left under the highway.  At the intersection with 383 that goes to the barrage, we notice that 383 is signed as a cul-de-sac.  Is it too early in the season?  No because we have been that way in previous years.  Oh well, we stay on 83.
At local trail 7, we turn right and in a couple of miles we turn left picking up the other side of 383 heading toward the old pipeline.  Still fresh groomed.  Oh this is nice.  Once again there is very little opposing traffic.  Most everyone is working I guess.  Keep going Sandi.  I love the snow dust.  We get to the local 1 that goes to St Charles.  This has been groomed and is also marked cul-de-sac.  Maybe the club got a special deal on some left over cul-de-sac signs.  Go ahead Sandi.  Lets give it a try and see where it brings us.  The trail is also marked Jonquiere Nord.  We cross the railroad tracks and highway 170.  A short distance later and we are on the old pipeline.  It looks like this may have been the first time thru with the groomer.  No other tracks on the trail and some brush sticking up thru.  The trail is groomed to the left off of the pipeline where the trail goes to St Charles.  We follow this along.  Definitely the was the groomer's first pass.  We poke along still on the old trail.  About a mile from the river crossing, the "new" trail goes to the right.  It goes thru fields and woods and works its way down between a few houses.  We are now at the end where the groomer turned around.  I can see the river down below.  We follow a narrow path and it drops down to the end of a road.  There is a sign here "fin" and a water crossing sign.  Looking at Sandi's Garmin, we are a little east of the old crossing.  There are smowmobile tracks going to the St Charles side and the river is very frozen.  It has been -20C for a week or so.  OK.  This must be the new crossing.  It is doable.  Today's journey is for us is to stay on the south side so we u-turn and go back to 383.
We continue along and pick up 83 at the end of Kenogami and scoot across to Relais Grenouille.  A couple of sleds here but it is early, 11:15 AM.  We decide to take a short break and have a little nourishment.  Its very clean inside.  A really hot spot especially on weekends.
After lunch we stay on 383 to Hebertville.  Boy is this a good trail.  Being this cold, the trails have setup and the minimal amount of traffic has hardly touched the surface.  We top off the tanks and take 23 south.  Wow!  I thought 383 was good.  This 23 is even better.  It has had just enough traffic to give the surface a little fluff.  Sandi is on her way.  About half way between 83 east and 368 there is a river crossing that the groomer always detours around via the auto bridge.  Well, now there is a brand new steel snowmobile bridge.  I get the camera out, take one picture of the trail to test the camera and the battery goes dead.  Here is a picture of the trail.

Next time I'll have to skip the test shot!  The bridge is behind me.  Now everyone knows I'm not a camera wiz.
We keep running down 23 south.  At 368 we turn left and start making our way back to the hotel.  368 has a few rough spots but we're not complaining.  When we get to the junction with 383 that cuts back to the barrage, wouldn't you know it, this side is marked ferme, closed.  I'm guessing this may be a permanent closure by the looks of it.
We stay on 368.  A little drifted in in the big fields.  Turn left on 83 and head back to the Sag.
What a nice day.  Good trails, low traffic and no issues. 
Back at the hotel, I decide to give the Duramax a try.  I jump in, turn the key half way and notice the temp is -6F.  I cycle the glow plugs once more and give it a try.  It starts up.  Yea!  I let it run for fifteen minutes or so.  Unfortunately there aren't any outlets out in the parking lot that I can plug the diesel in to.
Until tomorrow, sleep tight and dream of snowmobiling.  We will.
Jack & Sandi
 

Thanks for all of the responses.  We are humbled to be able to give you something to smile about.
This morning we get up to a brisk -25C.  A little slow getting started today.  Our first ride of the season. 
No heated snowmobile tents, fire, like last year.  I bring the sleds over to the room and let them warm up for a few minutes and then shut them off while we get ready.
Sandi, does the Tekvest go under the bib or on top?  Where is the cord for my heated shield?  They should mark these boots left and right.  How come I forget how to get dressed each December!
I'm finally ready, go out and go to start Sandi's 1200.  I push the button and nothing!  What is up with this it was just running 5 minutes ago.  I try my tether, nothing.  Kill switch up, tether in and I'm pushing the right button.  Now it is turning over but won't start!  I take the Garmin out of the cradle and try it again.  Voom.  It starts up.  I put the Garmin back in the cradle and the sled keeps running.  This is bizarre.  Fast forward - Sandi had to pull the Garmin a few times this morning and then in the afternoon she didn't have to take the Garmin out.  What a crazy thing this is.
I don't have to tell Sandi to go first.  She is already gone.  We take off heading for the two bridges to get on the north side of the Saguenay River.  Good riding.  Plenty of snow and the groomers have been out doing their thing.  We turn right on local 134.  A couple of miles in where the trail crosses the bridge with the road and Pickle Park is straight ahead, the trail no longer runs the road.  Now the trail takes a hard right.  It  runs thru the fields and comes back to the road just before the lookout tower.  Here the trail goes up to the lookout tower instead of staying on the road.  It meanders back and forth but doesn't use the old road anymore.  Once we get a few miles out, the new trail  does join back up with the old trail.  Easy enough to follow just that the new trail wanders around a bit.
We turn right on 93, go thru St Honore and buzz up to Le Passion to top off the tanks.  A quick u-turn and back to Bras Louie for a quick run to local 477.  We are off to Onatchiway for lunch.  
u
The trails are great and the trees are covered with the fluffy snow.  We haven't seen much traffic on the trails but there sure is a crowd at Onatchiway.  A table for two please.  What a nice morning.
After lunch we take 476 running along the side of Lac La Mothe.  This was recently groomed and Sandi loves it.  At 328 we turn right, a few miles later we turn left onto 134.  this has a few drifts as normal but the trail is in pretty good shape.  We still don't see much traffic other than the six sleds parked on the blind corner.  Come on guys.  Leave one sled so it can be seen from a distance.
We are early so we run over to Spence SkiDoo.  Sandi needs another cord for her heated shield and a little anti-freeze for the sled.  I guess I was lucky this morning by grabbing the good cord.  We finish the day going back thru Jonquiere to Chicoutimi.
Everything is frozen solid and the trails have a great base.  Really, really nice December riding.
Tomorrow may be a Milot day.  Until then, start packing your snowmobile stuff for some fantastic trails.
Jack & Sandi

The Eagle has Landed!

GutZ

Here's some from MSP as you can see it was snowing it has snowed all day Monday Tuesday and Wednesday we haven't seen sun since Sunday ironically enough 🌞

Our friend Tom is old school and new school all at the same time he wears a leather suit while riding the cutting edge of the cross over sled segment 
the leather suit is pretty cool but what's really impressive is he STILL fits in it !!!

I have this twitch in my right thumb that I just get to stop. The doctor has ordered another week of therapy & I am happy to follow the doctors orders by exercising it with the loud handle of my 850.
Ginger & I have been talking about returning to Jackman Maine since it's been a while. We arrive around lunch time Thursday. We check into to Bishop's Motel unload the sleds & we are off to Quebec. This was my first taste of Quebec trails back in '84 and it holds a special place in my heart. The trail hasn't changed much & it's fun to think about all the times I have rode this trail. We go as far as the St Come relais & turn back. We make a small loop using a local trail to a regional trail then back to the 75. The St. Theophile relais is open & we go in for dinner. Wow more memories. Be sure to ask Ginger about the time she had onions on her hot dogs here! Oh and the trails were mint, yes there was some black top & dirt but really I could care less. They are making new carbides & slides as I type this.
Friday we head out to Pittston Farm & then on onto North East Carry. We are happy to see Ed & Shirley & enjoy lunch there. They don't seem to have changed a bit. From there we start back to Jackman. The trails are mint again today. We stop in at Jackman Power Sports to see Dave & Doreen and catch up. We are there at a good time to talk (we're the only ones there) I started buying sleds from Dave the year he took over from the previous owner. He was very service oriented right from day one. He understood people come to ride & would do whatever it took to get you back out on the trail. Once I commented on his vast inventory his was reply was you can't sell it if you don't have it. That evening I text our good friend Tom Swift & sure enough he's on the way. We make plans to meet at Mama Bears for breakfast. Tom introduced Ginger & me to off trail riding & the idea of treading lightly so everyone can enjoy the off trail experience. Today's off trail wannabees could learn a thing or two from Tom.
After breakfast we go south. The trail is different from the last time I rode this area & it's fantastic. We do a little exploring around the Parlin Pond area & decide to go to the top of Coburn Mountain. Ginger hasn't been up before & it's going to be a little challenging towards the top. We reach the summit no problem & enjoy the views. From there we go towards Rockwood then over Long Pond & back to Jackman. We make dinner plans & Ginger & I go back the motel & load up the sleds.
We meet up at the 4 Seasons with Tom & at the next table is Dave & Doreen from JPS. After dinner we join them for some drinks & more reminiscing about old times. We even make plans to meet up with them in Florida next month as they are near were we are in Sarasota.
We all say our goodbyes. We have two more stops on our list, Jackman Hotel & The Northland. We go in to The Hotel first for a drink & conversation with the locals. Then over to the Northland. Here we run into a couple from the last place. A few more drinks & we're having a good time. They are doing Jaeger bombs & want to buy us one but we regretfully decline. We stumble back to room and pass out.
Ok I'm sure by now the purists of this site are thinking hey 182 this is Quebec Rider not Maine Rider...lol. Today we trailer to Universal in RDL. This is Ginger's first time to RDL. We unload here & repack to start our saddlebag trip through BSL and the Gaspesie. The conditions look favorable so we're going to go for it. I'll update as we go.
 
 

I can fix that!
I probably have the a-arms in the truck, color may not match!!
Glad he's alive! 
I've noticed an increase in "flat light" this season, and combined with any snow, blown or precipitating, you can't see s#!t.
I'm also getting older.... and can't see well.
Later
GutZ
 

Great pictures everyone. Looks like a great time. 
Ray, looks like you ate your way around the Lake. Great pics thanks for posting. 
Wishing I was there & great riding to you all. 
Deano 

These are pictures from the Snowmobilers Appreciation cocktail 2 hour affair that the Delta put on this past Wednesday evening.  Does the hotel you are staying at do this for you?  If not you might want to reconsider where you are staying and make a change where you are truly appreciated.

Today Ginger and I did the tour du lac
blueberry skies & fresh groomed trails doesn't get better than that 
the stop at Bilodeau didn't cost anything just window shopping 
the breakfast stop was Chalets & Spa Lac Saint Jean in Chambord right before you get on the Lac
we met Patricia at the Syracuse snowmobile show I definitely wanted to stop in & see the place it's very nice 
lunch was Vauvert another nice place 

View from dining area of Tourelle du Fjord.  Great place to grab lunch

This morning up until about 2PM was a spitting image of yesterday, cold, -10F up to -2F, blueberry skies and great trails.  Then around 2 the clouds came in.  Rode down to St Rose of the North, lunch at Tourelle du Fjord and then back to the Delta.
St Rose

Spent today getting my sled accident squared away.  Insurance company is sending me a check and I sold the wrecked sled to a salvage company in Alma.  Now I have a nice sum of money towards a new one.  Thanks to Daniel for his help.  If it wasn't for him it would have taken me 3 days to get it done but with him 1 day was enough.