vt_bluyamaha54

Thank you John + Gary. I know there is allot 'behind the curtain' on these sites to keep the things going so I appreciate all your efforts. Looking forward to many more years.

Hi Rob - Many of us were sooo relieved when you created Quebec Rider and we could leave the craziness that had taken over HCS! I admire and respect all the hard work and decisions you have made over the years to give us this great resource. As others have said, it has created so many friendships and given everyone a place where we are all agree on at least one thing: Quebec snowmobiling is about more than the riding. Best to you as you move on to the next part of your journey

Thinking of you and Lisa now and all the days ahead Andy. Our parents have always been there for us and it is indeed a big adjustment when they aren't. Maybe one of the toughest parts of being an adult. My Mom always said as a parent, your children are only loaned to you. I think the same is true for children as we age and become caregivers for them. Both my parents are gone but there are things every day that remind me of them and all those great memories!

40yr anniversary coming this August. I must confess, this had totally faded from my memory. Thanks for sharing Don.

Yup, absolutely Steven and when most snow states/provinces have "Stay On The Trail" policies, I don't know how fair it is for them to allow these guys to register. If there is no off-trail riding why are they encouraged? They should have designated off-trail areas that can be reached with minimum groomed trail usage or just refuse to register paddle tracks if those areas don't exist. Its sure to ruin it for the rest of us IMO.

At the risk of opening a hornets nest, I want to say that I think the paddle track sleds could possibly pose one of the greatest threats to groomed Quebec trails as we know them. As both a rider and a groomer operator, I see no positives in having paddle tracks on groomed trails. They create moderate to severe safety hazards for others traveling at speed due to the mounds of snow left behind as they enter and exit the established trail. as well as the break in what many of us use as a curb for our right ski. The design of the track is not meant to be kind to a groomed trail in any way, shape or form. Recently, off-trail riders used a groomed trail in ME to go to an off-trail location where they destroyed many acres of Christmas Trees. I know there are places where off-trail is encouraged/allowed and that's fine but I don't believe they are appropriate on most groomed trails.

Happy (belated) Birthday Bill. I hope I have your stamina if I'm still riding at your age! Enjoy the New England spring sunshine coming this weekend and hope you get to do something fun.

Impressive. Do you have a connection?

There's allot of places there you'd be in BIG DOO DOO if you added a sticker (and were caught)!

Groomer's area and allot of the Gaspe should be fine but I would worry more about leaving/coming back to RDL myself.

Wow, looks like some nice conditions there! Sorry for your misfortune NHSRX701. Like Trailblazer, I'd be interested in you reporting back as to what this was. Driveshaft breaks did occur on some RX-1/Apexes but I don't believe I've ever heard of one breaking in a Vector.

Great report guys! Very hard to top the Gaspe' when the weather and trail conditions align in the special zone we all chase. Glad everyone is home safe!

Do you have to get there following TQ35 down the lake or is there another way?

Also jealous! We were there 2 weeks ago, it was very good but the following week had a warmup and nights above freezing. Wouldn't have given good odds for the conditions you're seeing but glad for you that it turned around! Enjoy the spring riding. (Coincidentally we were also in room 411 at the Delta!)

Hi Jack - Most of the folks with starter issues on the 800 seem to have bad starters. Which side of the engine the ring gear is on won't fix a bad starter motor unless they believe it is a heat issue + BRP is able to reduce the heat from the exhaust by changing the mounting location/ring gear location (???)

Ray - did the BRP folks say they've fixed the starters for the 850s or do you still need the trusty rope on the clutch trick? LOL

Apologies Steven. My intent was not to put the responsibility onto the operator but to point out that they ARE responsible FOR making road crossings safe. It is a 'best practice' to open the road crossing for snowmobiles to be able to see / be seen. (I believe ACSA). Simply crossing a road and leaving banks high and at the width of the drag is not an acceptable practice. Operators should use their blade when crossing a road to push banks back and to the side to widen the openings. One side can be done traveling each way. Riders should always expect the unexpected but those that maintain the trails should do all they can to eliminate hazardous conditions. (I am a part time operator and make this comment with some experience)

For those of us touring in Quebec, a two-stroke is more of a liability than an asset. The smell, carrying oil, longevity, etc makes a four-stroke a no-brainier.

March 12 Saturday Work + family obligations call us home today. Amazing contrast in snow depths from Saguenay to Quebec City! We watch the truck outside temperature change to low 60s as we pass the city and can see that the days for trails may be numbered now. Grateful for th experiences in a new-to-us area and the many QRs we met and rode with.

Nice job knocking the bank down and grooming it where they are logging. It's been a tough year but you are doing a great job - as usual!

Always sorry to hear these. Condolences to family + friends.

Lucky man to have a "300 mile wife". There's lots of snow over most of the area so make tracks while you can. The nights are starting to stay warm which is never good.

Thanks for all your posts Mike. We usually ride through those trails but this year didn't work out. Certainly was a year the weather really affected almost everywhere. Time for the kayaks soon.

March 11 Friday "Spring conditions" have arrived. Leaving in the morning everything is hard and flat but the afternoon return is sloppy road crossings and more ground starting to show. We can't change nature and Spring is starting to chirp. Rode to Mt. Valin + KM31 on trails that ranged from '9' to '3'. Bras Lois was poor with whoops. Allot of 93 was very good + fast. There is snow in many places that is waist-to-chest deep. Returning to the Delta, trails within 6mi are losing snow quickly. Unless the cold stays - and next week looks warm with nights not below freezing - the white trails will disappear. KM31

All's well when it ends well! Glad to hear the details about your trip. Another epic adventure for sure. Have a good off season Tom.