vt_bluyamaha54

WOW! This doesn't happen often. Not usually sufficient ice to get out there.

With limited riding in Vermont still (go figure - its FEBRUARY!) we decided a trip to the Chaudiere Appalaches region would be good. Almost forgot it was also the 'Open House' weekend but needn't have worried since we found the trails well taken care of and an easy 8.5+ overall. We both have season passes and surprisingly, many of the sleds we saw had either Quebec plates or purchased stickers. Fri 2/7 - Snowing lightly from the border to our motel. Arrived in time to take a late afternoon ride which included travel on 535, TQ55, and TQ75. There is a big construction project at the top of the hill in St Georges with a short section of snirty gravel. Not bad when we passed after working hours but it may be an issue during the day. Clicked off about 70mi before bed. Surprisingly, there were less than a dozen sleds in the Beauceville Club parking lot and just TWO trucks w/trailers! Any of you who know the place know how big their plowed lot is and that in other years it would be at least 60% full almost any Friday. Sat 2/8 - About an inch of snow overnight; bright sunshine and cold. No definite plans on a route for the day - we'll just stay away form St Georges and Thetford Mines since most of the traffic will likely be near those areas. We hit the regional trails - 535, 540, 545. Traffic was light so we decided to try TQ55 beyond Lac Etchemin to see how bad it was. It wasn't. Decided to go to the end of TQ55, continue to TQ35 and get a late lunch in Tourville, Another surprise: it was busy but only 'Sat afternoon' busy; not 'Sat afternoon of 'Quebec free w/e' crazy. I don't care for the RR bed (TQ35) but we took it back west rather than go to TQ75 or TQ5 for our return since it was getting late. We didn't plan to ride big miles but returned to the motel with 298. Probably saw 70 sleds for the day but some passed 2x - I guess riding a ways and then deciding to turn around and re-ride a good trail (?) Sun 2/9 - No snow overnight but very cold. Light snow forecast for late afternoon and continuing after dark so decided to aim for a mid-afternoon departure. Must have been v. cold because my Vector joined the 'no start when cold' club. I knew there was a problem as soon as I turned the key and didn't hear the fuel pump run. Took out the relay, put it in my hands and warmed it up a few minutes, reinstalled and got an immediate reward. Decided to ride toward La Guadaloupe to check out Domaine La Guadeloupe Lodge/Campground. Took an orange trail in that direction. It showed signs of traffic but was still 8/10. Hit the junction forTQ25 and it was freshly groomed, untracked and perfect all the way into the parking lot. Rode TQ25 east to the southeast edges of St Georges to see how the trails and traffic were. Some traffic but definitely not a madhouse and the trails were still very good. Sleds loaded by 3 and on the road home. An enjoyable 60+ miles for the day. As others (Mikerider comes to mind) have said, these trails have a hard ice base from the rain and meltdowns earlier. There is anywhere from 2 to 6 inches of snow on top of the base and the groomers have done a great job of redistributing it over the trails in this area. Stepping off the trail most places gets you in snow up to at least your knees. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend riding in this area based on what we found. A few pictures - The crowd at 'Le Jasmin' Saturday

. . . and if there is a storm within a couple of days of your MSP -> Perce leg, you will have a difficult time with drifts. Got to allow extra time for possible breakdowns/bad weather. x2 - I don' think Ken's place (Fleur de Lys) is open in winter any more(?)

Looks like you needed a "snowmobile tux" to attend - lol!! Enjoy your time in 'Paradise', Ray!

Thanks for the information Jack. I didn't mean that the Collett units are Bluetooth; they are 900mhz radios with Bluetooth for connecting cell/MP3 players, etc.like your unit patches that in via hardwired connection. I have had good luck with them in the cold in the past - that isn't the issue. The problem mine have now is that they are starting to have 'RF circuit' issues where the audio is garbled and/or their range is far less than in the past. Collett is saying replace rather than repair due to their age. They are about ten years old - with lots of use - so replacement isn't unexpected. Definitely agree that a reliable and clear radio is a huge asset for added safety with a group. Just something as simple as letting everyone know you need to stop or missed a turn is invaluable. Also, not having to stop to communicate is huge. Another big safety plus for the Collett units is that they automatically receive the 'Groomer Warning' signal. Collett distributes free transmitters to clubs requesting them for placement in their groomers and you hear a 'wee-waah, wee-waah' signal when an equipped groomer is approaching. This has been a godsend more than once!

My Collett Communicators are getting old and Les Collett suggests replacement rather than repair due to their age/changes in the technology. I have liked them and depended on them to varying degrees over the years but was wondering if anyone has found something else that was better? The Bluetooth enabled replacement units are now over $300 - defying the usual trend in technology to drop in price and provide more power. I'd love to hear positive and negative feedback - Thanks in advance.

AMEN! X2! . . . and I hope we don't have someone come forward extoling the safety value of the "light system". It's just another bad way to try to tell oncoming sledders whether or not they can wander all over the trail.

The saying "you can't appreciate where you are unless you see where you came from" certainly applies to snowmobiling! Thanks for sharing the great pictures JG. They brought back allot of memories - unfortunately not all wonderful ones! Changing spark plugs more often than we fill up now and having the carburetor(s) in your lap made a long day. Belt life was measured in hours, fuel was 25:1 premix, and you usually had the hood open at least a few times during an afternoon trip with the family. If you were lucky, all the sleds that left came back under their own power. 'Grooming' was a guy with a doodlebug towing a drag that looked like a bedframe - and it probably was. I made lots of memories with some of those old machines but I like the modern conveniences on the new ones!

Sorry to hear about your troubles but glad it didn't totally wreck your trip. I would have to say something is very wrong: either an incorrect belt or an alignment issue with the clutches. I didn't see the belts and you didn't give details on how they failed but it is extremely rare for Yamahas to shred belts. Most anyoneone here can vouch for the fact that getting 4-6000mi on a belt is not unusual for these sleds. Were they Yamaha belts or aftermarket? My guess is that the sled was in a mishap and no one re-aligned the clutches during the fix - just replaced body panels(?) Something affected alignment and caused the failures Wouldn't the force of the belt blowing force that aluminum piece away from the normal path of the belt? .

The iMotoneige App is quite good too - although I haven't had much chance to use it. (Both Apple and Android formats) http://www.imotoneige.ca/en/

When Yamaha went to FI on the Apex, mileage generally dropped. The EXUP change improved things a bit. Mid-to-high teens when chaincase has synthetic, track is properly adjusted for slack (factory spec is too tight) + alignment , etc. and you aren't breaking trail in deep snow should be norm.

I'll bet this trips allot of folks up. Seems totally unnecessary to me - (of course it doesn't apply to most of us)

I agree w/you. Unfortunately, we now live in an era where there are seldom "consequences" for anything. Also, not that it makes it OK but look at how the manufacturers, magazines, and TV (mostly) portray snowmobiling: someone blasting through a pristine meadow somewhere. You have to think that contributes to the mindset of people doing this type of 'cowboy riding'.

These are far better than zip ties/tie wraps. Highly recommended for tying up your ice scratchers - or anything else! Get some in different lengths to keep on your sled for "who knows what". http://www.niteize.com/collection/Gear-Tie.asp

Good health, happy trails, safe journeys, Tom.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all Quebec Riders and their families! We are all fortunate to have such a great community of folks that love Quebec snowmobiling.

I wonder if this is some kind of 'Green' initiative where the province is trying to lower emissions of motor vehicles. Crazy to me.

Thanks for sharing! I am sure the thought was that the bridge will be used allot - snowmobiles, ATVs, and people. I also don't remember that the old one was bad(?) The restaurant (JoJo's) is very good, I have eaten there several times. The 'BBQ chicken' is excellent - like fried/roasted chicken here in the US.

Wow!

This is a big mess. My condolences to those who have been affected by this.

I know you and I had discussed a Gaspe trip but as things turned out, this was not a good snow year for that. I am glad you mapped another route and enjoyed yourself. There are allot of amazing places to explore and everyone here will help you plan many great trips. Your slide show was great!

Thanks for all the information and advice you share Bill. 182Ray will get me up there one day but sadly another year has come and gone and I didn't get to Paradise. There just isn't enough winter I guess. Certainly seemed extra short everywhere this year. I think I might be starting to wonder about global warming/climate change?? http://www.theweathe...epage_category1

Yes, I have stayed there - but it was several yrs. ago. Nice place, sort of a resort. They took good care of us as we arrived after dinner so they made us some sandwiches and such. Bent over backwards to be sure we had enough to eat. In Cabano, I would recommend the Motel Royal. We left the Beauceville Clubhouse this afternooon and I am in Montmagny now and Mikerider`s description is accurate for here. I think we will be heading to Amqui. Conditions are better than I expected. The snow that came yesterday helped. TQ5 was being groomed tonight as we came in and I would rate the 90+ miles from Beauceville to here as 8+ overall.

Jean Guy - We go back some years and I can tell you that no one 'objects' to you taking care of yourself. That is the most important thing. You + I have talked grooming and 'equipment' so we both understand what a mental + physical game it is. Take care of yourself and get better. You need to do what is 'right' to make your life happy. We are all only given a limited time to experience and enjoy life on earth. Godspeed.

Not sure if you know the area but after Mike posted the above I can help you a bit. The motel is probably a 4 star place but is a ways from the trail. When there is plenty of snow it is a bit of a chore to get to but when the sidewalk is bare, I would not recommend it. Mike's description of the sidewalk - which is the passage from TQ5 to the distant motels - would cause me to find a place closer. The EconoLodge, LeFlorimay, L'Oiseliere are right off TQ5. Sounds like the warm temps, sun, traffic, etc are making access difficult even right off the trail