vt_bluyamaha54

hi jackstraw !!!
took a nap on my way back home...then met the mechanic just by hazard  at the grocery.....yes ...window on the way ..ordered...i can t remember exactly what he said....close to 1500.00$$ for the fender...looks like we re going to put a patch for now !!!
plastic not too bad...more noisy and must watch branches....i did a bit of patching when i landed at st fidele cb...i had 3 holes in the palstic...i have a big roll of duct tape in the cab..
better go to hardware store tomorrow to buy a spray can ( repellant ..sp maybe ) just in case ..still a hole bottom right side..not much room to put tape ...
super slow run....started at 2 45 am....back at 1 15 pm ...i stopped not more than 15 mins...3 shots of coffee !!!
 
 
jean-guy

hi terry !!!
 
entered a curve waaay too fast ...machine started to lean on the same side and window '' rubbed '' the trail and cracked !!! ahhaa
seriously ....a bit more than 2 miles west of ste marguerite...after crossing road for windmill...trail in the ditch ....there s a new clearcut about 800' after crossing road....right on the corner of new clearcut...there s a pile of birch ( bunch )....and its very narrow...between pile and road...machine is 10 ' wide...trail there about 10' 4'' for 50'...
so ,just before the pile , i put the '' bull '' in angle to make sure if i touch the pile with the '' bull '' it ll be only a little ''kiss '' and won t need to stop ...while grooming ..
so , as soon as arrived next to pile...took a very quick look at the road to see where i was on the snow bank .....then boom...then bing bang !!!
happened very fast ....2 '' maybe...i guess there was a log under the snow between the track and the pile....hit the log ....one side of the log went under the fender...made a bit hole....time to realize and put the brakes...i guess track brought the log way higher while turning and bang in the window !!!
if you look at my night pics i took earlier this week...you can see one of the piles in front of the groomer...the one i hit was  behind the groomer !!!
 
fixed it in ste florence ...
 
like we say here....when you don t work ...you don t break anything !!!!
grey sky all day ....maybe a bit over 0 c around noon ...-3c right now !!!
 
jean-guy

hi pinkm1 and smclelan !!!
 
ahahaha
 merde in french...but more french from france.......quebecois we say marde (slang )....and usually add a swear to make people understand better !!! ahahaha
lets pretend you go moose hunting ...if i wish you '' merde '' ...means good luck !!!
saturday ...might buy a bottle of rouge to forget about my run !!! ahaha
 
-6c 
 
jean-guy
 
 

Left St Felicien this morning, warm today, saw 41F on my thermometer at one point.
The section near Lac Au Jim is now called LT700.  93 now officially bypasses Lac Jim and St Thomas Didyme. It now hooks westward and later loops back in to its normal path over the top.  The new part of 93 was not on my 2017 paper map, or our just updated GPS maps.
Scratching our heads.....GPS and intuition said go to the right, the old way to Lac Jim, so of course we went....left, following the <93 sign and the groomer.  Went a few miles, what a fantastic trail (chemin breadcrumbs on the map), groomed, but headed due West.  West...WTH? Stopped a couple times to chat, and decided to keep going and eventually it turned north and east, and reconnected. Perfect trail, so we did not want to turn around ;<)
It had some shiny new 93 signs on it, but no town names or clues, so we were confident, but not positive. It paid off, some of the absolute best trails so far.
Ran 93 through Dolbeau, gas at Belize at St Jeanne D Arc with 120 miles on, more than expected due to those bonus miles on 93. Best tank of gas on the trip so far.
Shipshaw and down.
St Felicien was deserted so we winged it tonight with no reservations, headed to Delta to say hi to Bill and stay over. As we rolled in saw a line of sleds outside and lots of riders chatting. No rooms available.
Cell call to Sagueneenne, lots of rooms, 25 minutes later we check in. Sleds are camping, out in the tents.
Some of those folks we saw outside Delta, also rolled into Saguenneenne later.
Road crossings and getting around in town are really junk in Jonquiere and Chicoutimi, the warm has taken its toll. I also forget how treacherous the many highway road crossings are too, no way that would fly in the states.  
Avoid and bypass to stay on good trails outside of towns is a must as spring springs. Loose gravel and mud are on the way!
May head to Onichiway tomorrow as we have not had a relaais burger yet. We definitely dread the trek back to Shipshaw to cross back over the river to get to the good stuff, so we are calculating now.
 

Wasn't expecting this.  Dropped them a quick thank you note and they put it in their news letter.  Thought that was pretty cool.

Tonight we are in Comfort Inn in Sep-tile, just back from dinner @ St.  Hubert, spent an hour and a half there smiling about a really fantastic day of adventure. we say and rode thru almost everything Quebec can possibly throw your way on the trail today. Started out of Baie-Comeau on 6 to 8 inches of fresh powder, then to a few tracks going North in front of us. We were on the trail just before 8 am, on the east side of the mountain we caught and passed those sleds at the new bridge. Now breaking trail and it is absolutely incredible conditions with no traffic and an amazing trail all for us!! We traveled in to Godabout for fuel, signs directed us there, but there is no gas in this village, but it just so happens that a very generous older gentleman has some at his house for the fine price of 12$ a gallon.Sno Horse and I are both carrying gas so we pass on this deal and go 25 more miles and the 4 of us fuel at Baie-Trinite. We do not stop for lunch today, having way too much fun for that, besides, we ate very well yesterday!! Despite the fresh snow we are making very good time and are looking for a way to fill the day before lodging in Sep-tile. No problem finding a little extra riding here and Sno Horse has a gps, what could possibly happen?? Jared promptly buries the long tack Yamaha in 7 ft. of powder, and the Federation trail patrol just happens to be on the trail to kindly assist the boys who passed them 3 miles earlier, OOPS, did not recognise them, after a little lecture about having my trail sticker too low for them to see , they let us go. Then having a little spare time on our hands we take what we thought was an M-trail into the back woods thinking it would go some where. It turns in to 1 sled wide, out in the mountains in 10 to 12 feet of snow pac, like riding in a tunnel and no possible way to turn around, but it is a nice ride so we keep going and cross a few lakes and 20 miles in Phil decides we are getting farther away from trans Quebec 3 and it probably goes somewhere, but not to gas or lodging. The last lake we crossed had some serious slush in spots so time to turn around at 345 pm. I leave last so I can keep a eye on the 2 young guys with us and Jared hammers thru a big drift right in front of me to make sure he can get through and I have my shield open and as he rises up blinds me face high, I let off the gas and sink in 10 ft. of powder, as he drives 2 miles down the lake, never looking in his mirrors. Snow Horse see him coming and leaves the end of the lake and his son waits for us. Jared is on the hammer at the end of the lake and tries to power thru a mountain of snow and buries it. A half hour goes by and I am alone 20 miles out in the real back country, with my back country buried and I am thinking about the possibility that these guys got onto the m-trail and are unable to turn around and will have to go get gas to come back to get me so I continue digging the sled out, what could go wrong they have a gps and know here we were. So the 2 young boys are now coming to find me and think maybe I fell thru the ice, but boys will be boys and these guys are still playing Johnny stand up and Jared buries the Yammie AGAIN!! At this point I am thinking I may be spending the night out here and can hear wolfs howling, great!! There is a cabin a half mile away but walking there to break in is nearly impossible in 12 ft. of powder! Soon I hear a sled and Phil's son Nick,  is coming , then Jared, YEP, they are loving it and ribbing the old guy and now it is after 4pm and staring to get dark. I think they waited for me to get it dug out!! Finally Phil pulls up to lay it on a little more, all in a days fun and we get out of this place at dark and find our way back to trail 3 and head west back to Sep-Tile. Not all over with as Phil tips over going over a snow bank at 3 mph, no one hurt and nothing damaged, but we finally get to lay it on him, tomorrow is Nicks turn. The waitress @ St Hubert is getting us a report on trail #3 conditions to Havre-St. Pierre as we head farther East tomorrow, she is 24 and rides a 2018 850 Summit, with pink powder coating, Nicks eyes lit up when he heard that, he wants one, I think I am talking about the sled!! In all my years dating back to the 80's today was the finest day of riding and camaraderie I have had, terrific trails, amazing terrain, and really great riding partners, only 5 more days of riding left on this trip, what could possibly happen, Phil has a gps.......to be continued!!

OK here are the mitts.

A nice natural dark brown color.  The fur lies towards the wrist for snowmobiling.  They made the wrist area where the strap is a little larger for my fat hands and the opening a little bigger to fit over the sleeves of my suit.  The palms have a piece of suede stitched over the leather for wear.  A little stiff but Sandi says the mink oil should soften them up.  Bring on the cold!
Jack & Sandi

Day 7 Tuesday.  The last day of riding.  We are going back up to Normandin to pick up my new mitts.  Hopefully they will be ready.  Jak has decided to come along for the ride and check out Bilodeau.  The groomer map shows some good and maybe some not so good.
Off we go crossing the 2 bridges.  367 looks good.  We turn left onto 93 and this is decent too.  We take the local trail up towards Relais du Lac and loop around the lake on 328 to 367.  This area I really like and it is not disappointing today.
We get to 93 and turn right.  This is a different story.  The map showed this as not being groomed lately and the trail shows the same.  The weekend has put a beating on the trail.  The power line after St Monique is rough.  We turn left staying on 367 thru Peribonka, still rough.  Finally after Relais Vauvert the trail improves.  Sandi picks up speed and we are rolling again.  Relais Vauvert was closed today so we will have to find another lunch spot.  Cruising up 93 we get to the cut off of 373 to Normandin.  The relais here is also closed. 
A lot of the relais seem to have shortened their hours.  They aren't open as many days.  Maybe not as much traffic and not as many customers to stay open 7 days?  We like to stop at the relais if we can and help support them.  Most off them you get a good meal at a reasonable price.  So we turn left on 373 and buzz into Normandin and Bilodeau.
We go inside and I dig out the receipt.  The girl behind the counter looks at the receipt and smiles.  She doesn't speak English but the smile tells me the mitts are ready.  She goes out back and returns with a big bag with my mitts.  Oh these look nice.  First of all they look huge but fit fine.  A nice deep brown color to the beaver fur they picked.  There is an extra piece of material across the palm and thumb for wear against the handlebars.  Very, very nice.  My fingers are going to be happy now.  A few more pics of the critters in the store.

Another English speaking worker tells us that some of these are used as props in movies.  They have a large selection elsewhere.  What they have in the store is just a few of the collection.
She also says there is a restaurant, Cafe Marcel, just down the street.  She says to ride the sleds along the edge of the street.  Everybody does it.  We take her advice and go have lunch.  A good recommendation for lunch.
After lunch we head back the way we came, 373, 93, 367.  Peribonka and St Monique are still rough.  I was hopping a groomer might have been out but not today.  After St Monique we turn left on 367 again and this is fine.  The rest of the ride back to Jonquiere is very good.  About 2 miles from the Delta the freezing rain hits our shields.  The wind is really picking up now too.  We get in the hotel safe and sound.
Thanks for the company today Jak.  It was fun day.
A really nice trip.  It was good to see so many Quebec Rider folks.  Wednesday we head back to CT.  Is there one more ride left for us this year?  Maybe if we can schedule things at home.
Be safe and enjoy the trails.
Jack & Sandi

After lunch we are back on 3 east.  A few miles down the trail and there is a gas station just off the trail.  Top off the tanks and continue on.  We pass the Clermont cutoff and trail 83 that heads back up to Lac St Jean.  A few more miles and here is the groomer coming towards us.  This is great.  The groomer map showed this section wasn't groomed and now I know why.  He must have left this morning after the map had been updated.  Smooth sailing again.  3 is really nice until you get closer to Baie Sainte Catherine.  The trail gets a little cranky compared to what we were on.  It is still snowmobiling.  Finally we can see the Riviere Saguenay and drop down to the landing for the ferry.  Perfect timing.  The ferry is just coming over.

A few more sleds come down off the trail as one of the tractor trailers pull off of the ferry.  This is a no charge ferry because it is part of the road system.  

 
The ferry is a fun ride.  Something most snowmobilers don't get a chance to do.  Cars, buses, trucks and sleds all together for the trip across the river. 

Jason and Yushen.

Sandi standing guard.


We get off the ferry and get back on 3.  Still groomed.  Getting cooler now and the sun is going down.  The east sky has clouds and towards the west it is clear.  As the sunsets, the colors in the clouds keeps changing.  Mother Nature giving us a little light show.



Trail 3 to 93 and we arrive at the Coronet for the night.  Lock up the sleds, relax over a couple of beverages with supper.  A great ride we had.  Tomorrow to the Delta.
Jack & Sandi
 

Day 6,    To Sept Iles. Caught the 8am ferry to Godbout. Nice smooth ride over with breakfast onboard. This trip, sleds were on first and off first, nice. 
   I hate to keep rubbing this in if you're not up here, but today was another nice mild, sunny day.
    7 other sleds crossed with us. When we all off loaded and took the local to the 3, everyone turned right.
     The first maybe 10 miles was still wide single track, but from there on everything was very good to freshly groomed.
    We stopped for gas and a soup at Tims in Port  Cartier.  From my room at the Quality Inn, looking across the parking lot I can see a St Hubert. I've  got an idea for supper.
     Jeff and Sandy
Sorry for all the boat pics, but I thought somebody out there may not have seen it  before, and it is an impressive boat.

To see the Gaspe, it is pretty hard to not saddlebag it. But, if you want to do day rides in the Gaspe, one option would be to stay in Amqui and  ride out of there. Nice area with a good mix of riding, very nice scenery, really good snow cover this year and a place where you are never really far from anywhere.
Ride Options:
 South West - Amqui to Moose Valley, NB and back - approx 180 miles South loop - Amqui, 587S, Matapedia, Campbellton, La'Alverne, Amqui - Approx 180 miles, East - Amqui, Matane via 5, to the St Paulin Relais and back to Amqui via local trails from Matane - approx 170 miles West - Amqui, to Rimouski loop - lots of local trails and zig zagging, could be anywhere from 100-200miles - La Redemption snow mummies on this route. Hotels:
Select Hotel Hotel Ambassadeur Just some options, maybe some others will chime in.
 

Iceman and the two boss men are in Indianapolis at the WWETT show 2018. 
Here.https://www.wwettshow.com/en/home.html
The WWETT Show - Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment & Transport.
 
Left Trois Riveres at 8am Wednesday morning. Had a meeting with a new Supplier west of Montreal in Rigard. We headed there and had a look around. We bought a bunch of new fittings and new nozzles for my Pressure Truck to unblock, de ice and clean pipes. 
Off to the Airport for our 3:30 flight to Toronto. Had a nice lunch and some beers at Archibald at the airport. Off and Into Toronto no issues. In Toronto I don’t understand their system. We never left the secure area but had to return through security to then go through USA immigration. The immigration part i knew, the re screening through security made no sense. What a waste of time. Flight delayed 8:30...flight left at 10:35. Late arrival into Indy and into hotel at 1:30 am. Considering i got home at 2:30am Wednesday morning was back at shop at 7:30am that gives me 3.5hrs of sleep. Now it 2am getting up at 6 gives me another 4. Hey that’s 30 minutes more than yesterday. 
 
Breakfast at hotel, then Uber to the convention center. Trapped here in a land winter forgot. Sad to see no snow anywhere. Oooof i could not do winter like this. No Way. 
 
Into convention center to get our credentials. Smooth sailing.  Off to regard the toys for big boys. Lots of things to see. Many directly related to what we do....other things not so much. Alot to take in and and tough to translate the best I can to the Bosses the info I am getting from different reps from each booth we stop at. Walking, did I mention the walking. I walked more today tha god knows when. Definitely walked off several poutines, but sadly pants still tight. Excersise don’t work. Unbelievable the trucks on display, of course every manufacturer want to show their best stuff hence not many lower end models here. Some hot ones next to several of the trucks. More on that soon. These are rigs of my dreams, Alain and I are like kids at the candy store, checking out all the little details on each rig. Many are the same just built by different manufacturers. Like women the come in all shapes and sizes. Some much prettier than others. This place is huge. We cover less than half by 1pm. We break for lunch and meet some others from Quebec. From St. Raymond, but they winter in Florida, (for me does not count) but the others were from Levis and Quebec.  Nice for the guys to get to speak french not frenglish with me. After lunch back at it and wow, more real nice trucks. Chatted with a few different booths as we are going to be custom building our own New Dedicated “Jetting” truck in house so taking in all we can detail wise and product wise to truly make ours one of a kind. It’s like with everything else it’s all about $$$$. You need to spend money to make money but, how much is too much? $650-$800K for a combo rig (Vacuum/Jetter) that may see daylight 2-3 days a week some weeks. A lot of coin. We can charge more for two trucks (one vac, one jetter)when needed and we have more flexibility. Makes much more sense for us. Of course I want the combo truck, any operator would. Maybe someday but not this year anyway. We came upon one company from Texas. They had two lovely young ladies in their area with the trucks. One of them spoke a little french as she spent some time in Montreal. Not enough french to understand however, when Alain asked if he could have the two ladies today he would sign the check for the truck tonight. After I Translated his proposal. All he got was a photo with them, and sadly no new truck for me yet......
 
Great day saw lots of cool stuff. Who knew crap could be so interesting. Great time with Alain and Marc. I am truly appreciative and appreciated by them. Very fortunate to have such great bosses and friends. Life is good.
Tomorrow we go to Lucas Oil Stadium to watch various demonstrations of equipment and new technology. Can’t wait. 
I took way too many photos to post them all so I’ll give you a look at some of my favorites. One more day here tmmrw then an early flight to Toronto Saturday morning then back to Montreal midday Saturday. That’s the plan anyway.
 
Until next time....

No Deal.....  :(

Dam
that explains it!

Day2
Super dinner last night at Cheval, probably one of the best filet mingion ive had up here. Up at 6 breakfast at 7 on the trail at 8 tq13 up to the 83 towards Clova all sweet! Arrived at clova 11am fueled up took an early lunch. Started snowing hard and super windy. Passed 4 sleds. Train came in and picked up 5 or 6 people, is anyone left in town? Jumped back on the 83 to Lac Fallon for fuel. Was worried about the snow and high winds in the burnt section. Was great to see the forest regrowing giving you a tree line on the trail again. Been a few years since I had been through there. What a difference. Saw a burnt up Yamaha in the trail, still smoldering, maybe Bill is on to something with the fire extinguisher! Took the orange trail down to Louvicourt, very light rain at this point at least not freezing. That trail sucked, logging and pretty whoppped. Fuel in louvicourt and back on the 83 to valdor at the forestal for the night. 289 miles.  Was thinking of dropping down the 309 to villa Marie in the morning. If anyone knows the conditions that way please chime in. Otherwise west then north towards la sarre. So far no shortage of snow anywhere we have been. Till tomorrow! Would post more pics but painfully slow

Day 3

Today was one of the best riding days we've had. Trail conditions and weather were great.
We had a nice stay at Roland. After breakfast we head to the overlook. I am going to try to get to the statue. Last year I sank in powder like a boat anchor. This time around the snow is firm enough and we finally make it to the top. After some picture taking we set off for the multi gas station in Gaspe. To our surprise the trail out of Perce is fresh groomed. This was the nicest quickest trip we have had on this trail. We get to TQ5 and it's just as nice. North of Perce there is a detour. We got through it fairly quick. Then back to our regularly scheduled beautiful trail. At the gas station we are informed that the trail was groomed to Murdochville last night. We set off for the local west to 597. Sure enough it is in top form. When we get to 597 it also is in super shape. The snow gods are with us today. We stop at Hotel Copper for lunch. We meet a group of guys from NH. They said the trail over to La Cache was in rough shape. After lunch we head north to TQ5 east. Here the trails are not quite as nice. There is some chop. We got spoiled most of this ride. Only after passing Grande Vallee did we get back to nice smooth trails. We pass a groomer going west in the vicinity of Cloridorme. We roll into the Caribou with 238 miles on the day.
 

The internet connection is giving me problems. Satellite must be struggling.
We took 5 east to 597 south. We stopped for gas at Murdochville. It looked like they received some fresh powder. We head south to Chandler. 597 was in good shape. Going west into Chandler was not great. It's getting pretty choppy.
Spotted Team Ice stickers. Doonali your slacking on this bridge. 

Today's trails (minus the detour to Chandler) We rolled into Roland with 191 miles.

I wanted to call around to locate some communicators so we did not get going until about 8:30. It was warm my gauge read 38. We went up to the lookout and then to Mt Louis for gas. We passed a groomer on the way in to the crevier. We are psyched. We gas up and head east as we start to climb there is the groomer and he has problems. He asked us to block traffic coming down the mountain. I drove Gemma up to warn, Stop people. He disconnected the drag and dragged it back out of the ditch. I spoke of our Groomer on Quebec Rider. He said I know Jean-Guy well. Pierre sends salutations. He was cool as a cucumber with a great sense of humor. It was nice to meet him.

Caught up with Alain and Kri Kri at breakfast this AM always great to see them. 
Nice ride back to Chez Ice. Trails all good from La Tuque to Shawingan quick ride back the wife is really getting the hang of it. Smooth sailing and she enjoyed having the Sena radio to communicate. Worked out excellent. Home to get some things done here before the snow. Off to meet Playhard and his gang tonight for dinner at Le Trou Diable. Good times. 
Really proud of my wife Caro, she is excited to get out again. Gonna have to take her out during her school break coming up here in March. 
4 days of work then off to Matane. Back Sunday night. Then 3 more work days before flying off to Indianapolis. 
Time flies. 

A short relax ride this last weekend, a classic for us: go to see the ice sculptures in St-Côme. The 3 weeks festival is running  and will continue until February 11th. We went there by St-Jean de Matha trail and returned by St-Alphonse. Here is the trail path of the day for around 120 miles



The snow conditions were good everywhere and the night had been very cold at -30C giving us very beautiful trails. Here on # 43 near home in St-Thomas de Joliette


.Here on the Black River in St-jean de Matha close to BRP dealer Géro


 
The junction for trail #349 to Ste-Béatrix/St-Côme is located about3/4 mile further north than in past years



here a part of the new path that join the old route a bit farther



Here in the fields near Ste-Beatrix



In the mountains towards St-Côme





Having made a very late start around 10:30, we had took our lunch when we arrived at St-Côme at La Marguerite restaurant. The service and food were excellent 



So after dinner, we took a good walk along the main street to admire this year's masterpieces. Here a beautiful old style pickup .



Even the dog carved in ice in the back.



Insects in St-Côme are huge, in summer and winter!



A lot of work to build this full size locomotive



but it is going strong...



Here a scene with a mother bear and her 2 little kids (we see just one)



the details...



The Ice Bar!



A herd of horses
.

 
The sculptors at work. Here to do the fur finish ..


 
and carve the antlers



The result is simply amazing



There are more that  you may have the pleasure of discovering if you go there for a ride 

For our part, going to St-Côme = pit stop at the village bakery to buy a sugar pie and cinnamon buns. Always as good as in our childhood.



We then took the trail again, the #343 direction Notre-Dame de la Merci


 
Here the Val St-Côme ski resort


 
We then came back by #43 trail, pretty tigh wood trail up to Ste-Marceline and than openup in fields of St-Ambroise up to home
We finally got back home for supper . A nice relax ride with beautiful scupltures to admire and as a bonus we had buns and sugar pie for supper dessert!
For those who would like to go to St-Côme, the festival continues throughout the week and the next weekend until February 11th.
Snow conditions are at their best, we had an other 5 inches of new stuff on sunday, we are really in the best of the season.
Bye!
Alain

Day 6
  Clova to SMDS   Nice stay at Auberge Clova we will return again. Not easy to leave there, literally. The 18 Apex XTX was a no go first try this AM. I been down this road before. No playing around it’s a long ride out of here if I flood it. No worries, right next to me is the extension cord from the groomer that is out at Balbazard. I plug in my coolant heater. Give it ten minutes.....fired right off. That’s why I have it might as well use it. We go to restaurant and have breakfast. Locked and loaded off we go at 9:35. 83 east has some fluff on it but she is a runner. All the way to TQ13 it’s beautiful. At 13 we say goodbye to 83 she has been very good to us this entire run, I could do without the logging just before TQ13 on 83 its quite long and narrow through there but is what it is.  TQ13 to the new bridge choppy. Not looking good. We pass our first sleds just before the bridge. Over the bridge and we are back in business. Recently groomed and frozen white asphalt. We burn it down. At juntion of 13/33 we go for 100 Lacs. Knowing it would be a stretch but we got extra gas. 33 is just as nice not groomed like 13 was but still excellent. Riding my low fuel light forever it seems, she coughs once up a hill at 105 miles. I nurse her further but she is done at 111 Miles. We stop and I spill my gallon in. Considering that I am Hammering tgat Apex 111 is ok in my book. There’s no in between we are always WFO. The BCX light comes on as soon as we start again but we are only 5 miles from 100 Lacs. The 850 gets killer mileage and he is always on it. 125 miles easily on a tank. That’s hair on fire speed mind you. Into 100 Lacs $1.75 a liter here. We take a splash knowing Lu Nic is not that far. Off we go. 33 is real nice here all spectacular, into Lu Nic but only regular gas. Oh well. Definitely less MPG on tge regular it’s a fact. Performance seems the same but mileage suffers. Trust us. We know.   Now comes the section I was not sure of. 33 toward Manawan. Its not bad at first but gets narrower and narrower, no branch ripper on the groomer here. Damn its a small trail compared to the others. Not too rough but corners are used up. We arrive at the bypass trail for Manawan and we are headed for Repos. 33 just so so to Repos. Gas and go at Repos and down 33. 33 beautiful to the first Lac. Nicely groomed. After the Ice Crossing it’s all down hill. 33 is utter junk and gets no better. Closer to jct of 360 here comes the groomer headed up. We get to jct of 360 and it’s like the groomer came down 360. But 33 is great from here to St Michel. Everyone must be running the 360. Excellent have at it. Into St Michel to gas in town. 20km to Cabanon. At the mountain we know where we are just from the brown snow. From St Michel to Cabanon we see more sleds than we seen all week. One close call. That almost had me turning around to ask this asshat if he understands the concept of keeping right. Up over a bind hill right up the middle we almost touched handlebars. And i am in the sticks so far right as usual I can move over no further. Give me a friggin break man. I don’t get it. But you can’t fix stupid. Do you drive your car straddling the double yellow line? I don’t. So why ride up tge mddle on a sled trail? Afraid of scratching your sled? What is it? Piss me off man.  Fibally into Cabanon. I cannot wait to be pointed away from here tomorrow. Too many cowboys here for me. I had not many options this run back to Shawinigan so I find myself here surrounded by amateurs. A big run is to Koubec and back. I am currently curled up in the fetal position, waiting for morning to run far away.    All in all great day. 33 from 360 up to Ice crossing is used up and won’t get better no matter how much they groom it. Everything else real good.    275 miles. 9:35am to 5:10pm   Until next time. 

Of course. I Talked to Dominic too, here at Clova but he didn’t seem too interested so I pumped the brakes on that. After all I am a guest here not a traveling salesman. 

Day 4 Tuesday 
  Yes a cold one this morning in Abitibi. Not easy leaving the comfort of the Motel. Must move on. We leave and commence our “trail bingo” or Pacman if you will of the maze of Orange trails and the loop of 93 up over the top of La Sarre. Bingo takes time up and around back and across. Then back to grab another section. We bang it out. Spectacular conditions except the wicked cold. Trail is incredible everywhere here near La Sarre. Groomer is out grooming a perfect trail. Fine with me everyone got a job to do. We see a few locals out braving the arctic air. Very uneventful day, tough to really love it except for the conditions. Iceman was cold. If you took your gloves off for a minute it was tough to warm your hands back up. We wrap up our game of bingo and now its 3pm. Time to make tracks east on 93 to Amos. 93 does not disappoint. Fresh groom and really the best I ever seen it. We fly. Into Amos on perfect trail at 4:30. Into Hotel Eskers, two happy riders. Looking forward to a great meal here at the pub and enjoying our happy hour now. Tomorrow our time out here comes to an end as we return east on 83 direction Clova. Not a giant mile day but lot’s of fun. 225 miles. Wicked cold. Gps says moving average of 42 mph. The cold is inspiring.    Until next time. 

Need I say anything.

Beauceville Clubhouse is a great starting point. Although it isn't "secure" (gated, fenced/locked up) Mike, I and many others have left our rigs there many, many times without incident. (and I have never heard of any issues there - ever) I believe someone is there 24x7 and the HUGE lot is lit. We unload, go inside, get dressed, and grab something to eat before heading out. It is also right at the junction of 55 N/S, 75 N/S.
I like to support these clubhouses because when they close, it hurts all of us.
 

Day 1 just under 300 with every kind’ve Trail you can throw at us. Out of the gate we had freshly groomed then wind swept groomed then no grooming then wind swept no grooming then white out and white with drifts then some road running OMG then there’s the drifts, drifts’n drifts. We had 2 stucks today and one was on a drift. Made it in the Groomerville for a quick snack even though we knew he was out grooming, thought it best to support and give our business there. And that’s where we had the best trails of the day, right down to the suspension bridge with the refuge beside it where Groomer stops. 👍 Then the club from the other side was as equaling generous with their grooming and was like that all the way into Carleton-sur-Mer. L’Averne to Carleton tons of dear in the trail beware.


 










Boy does he look beat!!