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mccaffrey

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  1. Like
    mccaffrey got a reaction from jak in Contributing Membership & Advertiser Drive   
    John sent you PM on my membership.
    Thank you for all you do,
  2. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to towing in Champlain/Gazoduc/Zec Tawachiche photo ride-report february 11, 2023   
    Thanks Snowmaster! I think you will love your ride toward Gaspésia. I don't know if you had seen auberge grande Nature in St-Octave de l'avenir(near Cap-Chat) just at the foot of chic chocs but if not it worth the detour, for the view and more. If you decide to stay there and have the chance to get their scandinavian wood log cabin, it's one of the prettiest chalet I had chance to rent.
    Thanks Mike! My friend Snowcruiser was thinking he had a train following behind at first! he felt he was just making shadow to me with is sled 😄 
    You are welcome mccaffrey! It's the first time I go aftermarket for light on a sled, those gen4 are really weak stock... a good way for brp to sell more auxiliary light kits!
    As a bonus because the weather and my equipment cooperate, I had been able to put together this video of the ride...
     
  3. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to Snobeeler in Northern loop conditions?   
    We just rode from Quebec city, Roberval, Chapais, now in Val D Or. everything was very good except 50 miles above Lac Edward. More snow South than North. The run between LaDore and Chaboug was 150 miles between gas. Today we had 160 miles on before noon!






  4. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to wng-2 in Tour De La Gaspésie 2023   
    Myself and two friends completed a Clockwise Gaspe loop this past week. The three of us first did this trip in 1997. Hard to believe it's been 26 years. 300 mile days were the norm then, 200 is appropriate now. We unloaded in Monticello, Maine Tuesday the 7th, and rode to Fort Kent. Wednesday morning we crossed the border into New Brunswick and headed West until we grabbed the Quebec 561. This trail hadn't been done in a while, but was good going. We hit the 35 and made our way to Mont Joli, and stayed at the Quality Inn. Good trails and weather  all day. The next day we continued East  and stayed in Mont St Pierre at Le Delice. Good trails all day.  This place seems to have declined a bit  over the years. I never stayed at the other hotel, but I have understood that the Delice is nicer. Friday we continued East in light snow, trails were great , but the weather blocked some of the most beautiful scenery of  the peninsula .As we got out to the end of the peninsula, the snow became heavier, and visibility was poor. The snow became deeper in the trail. We headed into Riviere Au Renaud for fuel. The trail  through the long field is not staked and was invisible. Fortunately I had been there before, and my GPS showed us the trail. The trail into the gas station was completely drifted in. We decided not to risk that, and took the stump trail to the Caribou Inn. We were able to get a room, so we stopped there for a short day. We took the road up to the gas station for fuel and essencianial beverages. The food at the Caribou is very good, rooms are just ok. The next morning it was still snowing. It appeared that a total of pretty near a foot had fallen.  We hoped that the crew  of big sleds would break trail back out to  trail 5 for us, but they weren't moving. We decided to try it around 0900. We got out of there without issue, and trail 5 had been broken. We quickly rode out of the snow into Sunshine, and the trails were great. When we reached Chandler, my 2021 Viper threw a "C1600" alarm. We pulled into the Motel Chandler. It looked deserted. Beatrice came to the door, and I asked if I could use the wifi. A quick google search revealed the code had to do with an open circuit for the thumb warmer. Everything else worked , and all fuses were good. I was satisfied I could just run it. In the meantime, Beatrice called the dealer, who was closed on that Saturday afternoon. She was making other calls for us. By this time it was after three O'Clock. We had already determined that there were no rooms at two hotels we called in New Richmond. We decided to stay there. While we were enjoying a "Pepsi" in the room, Beatrice came to the room with information from one of her call backs regarding the thumb warmer, and to run it. The restaurant at the hotel was closed. Beatrice drove us to and from the Dixie Lee for supper. Very nice lady that went out of her way to help. We tipped her well. One other note about that Saturday. We rode into the Skidoo dealer in Gaspe around 10:30 to find it closed. No store hours were listed on the door, and three vehicles pulled into the parking lot apparently expecting it to be open. This suggests  that this is not the norm, but it wasn't very convenient either. We were able to get some Skidoo oil at the fuel stop in Grand Riviere. Sunday was breakfast on the trail at a club house, and spectacular trails all the way to Pointe-A-la-Croix. There is a poorly marked intersection just East of the city that can easily put you on the orange trail bypassing the city. We had a nice room and meal at the Interprovincial, and fell asleep with the Stupid Bowl tied at 35. Mundles towing took across the bridge after breakfast. New Brunswick 17 was  perfect for an hour or so. 37 Klick East of Kedgewick , the trails turned to junk for a couple hours. Disappointing after a nice week in Quebec. Probably just bad luck, but New Brunswick never seems to fail to disappoint. We crossed the border at Van Buran Maine, and zipped down to the Hampton Inn Presque Isle on good trails.  An Hour flat to the truck Tuesday morning . Stopped at the Yamaha dealer in Topsam, a Tech came out and separated the plug in the center of the handle bars, and determined no power going to the thumb warmer from the switch. This makes the switch suspect, with all fuses good. If anybody has ideas on that, I would appreciate it. Overall great trip. I don't get tired of that region. Some photos at the link below.
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/ZV7t71fobf8xD1r89
     
     
     
    http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_02/IMG_20230211_112053478_HDR.thumb.jpg.f36d6ca9de10625ca7ebefaeacb447c4.jpg
    http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_02/IMG_20230211_112117742_HDR.thumb.jpg.a47ad492f05631160c4343fdd40124d6.jpg
    http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_02/IMG_20230211_122832758_HDR.thumb.jpg.31cc159607cf6beb7a47e1543638489f.jpg
    http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_02/IMG_20230211_122839865_HDR.thumb.jpg.0c335b6633ef15480043ffb456bfc504.jpg
  5. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to neksledr in Averill Lake VT to LaPatrie Quebec   
    Being a Saturday morning in northeast VT we had no intentions of staying stateside and dealing with the massacre of sleds we knew would be present,  we loaded up and headed for the border and customs crossing in Beecher Falls. A very late 11am start and 15 miles later we proceeded through customs with no issues. The 523 had been groomed a few days prior, but 3" of fresh snow and zero tracks awaited us. Snow level not high,  but no riders keeps these trails in perfect condition.  Good  cruising over the hill to Christmas tree farm in Hereford, we then take a right onto orange trail headed northeast towards border cut trail. Absolutely incredible this section,  super fast and smooth. Have to slow down on up and down and twisty section of border cut, but still good going. Groomer has a hard time smoothing this 5 mile or so section.  After passing  relais south of Bellefeuille, we are first tracking on fresh groomed up to the 525, then an easy run into little hamlet of LaPatrie. Nice lunch at Resto-Bar LaPatrie, gas up across street and point sleds in reverse direction for run back to camp. For ride back we stay on 525 west until we meet back up with the 523 just north of Sawyerville. This part is a great blend of farmland and wood roads that is super smooth and fast, and almost no traffic with the exception of lots of deer. Gotta keep an eye out for them in this area. The 523 south back to Hereford is a smooth ride as well, and we end up back through customs and back at camp in Averill with 150 really great miles. This area never ceases to amaze me with great trails and very rare meetings of other riders.  Not many pics, but a really nice short day's run.




  6. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to ckf in Contributing Membership & Advertiser Drive   
    Hi Guys and Gals,  I haven't sent out any contributing membership renewals in over a year. Some of you have renewed on your own, thank you. Instead of me going through over a years worth of PayPal statements in order to send renewals, I would appreciate it if you could renew on your own at the link below. Since some of you buy several CM's to help support the site, we now have 3 tiers. Silver, Gold and Platinum. We are still working out the specifics but the higher the tier, the less advertising and more storage space.
    http://www.quebecrider.com/contributingmembership.php
     
    We also haven't had paid advertisers since covid. I left them all up until today. If anyone know of any businesses that might benefit from advertising on QR please send them our way. There is an option on the menu from the Contributing Membership link above to purchase an ad.
    Please let me know if you paid for a membership and I missed upgrading you account.
     
    Thank you for your support.
    John  aka  ckf
     
     
  7. Like
    mccaffrey got a reaction from towing in Champlain/Gazoduc/Zec Tawachiche photo ride-report february 11, 2023   
    Thanks for the ride.
    Lighting is a good thing.
  8. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to towing in St-Côme ice sculpture festival pics ride report   
    Last sunday we did a ride at St-Côme ice sculptures festival. I would have prefered a sunny day for pics but we got a gray and snowy day with comfortable winter temperature.
    We did the ride from home which  finally looks like that

    We had just got few very deep cold days and the trail base was hard as a rock very nice

    snow had continue to accumulate

    There is a small trail section shared with ATVs and they don't groom their trail, they plow!

    The Sculpture festival was just started and most ice art works were not completed, more work in progress but the festival continue for the 2 next weekend so those who will have the chance to go will see even an better exposition than us. Again the gray day gave deceiving pics but it give an idea of what it looks like


    In the middle of the village there is a large life-size fresco in construction under the western theme


    this boat is quite impressive

    This festival is always a great snowmobile destination in Lanaudière, trail #343 crosses right in the middle of the village so you can't miss them. you still have until February 19 if you pass in this area.
    We looped back home by getting on the #63 trail and went south.


    The trail over Riviere Noire in St-Jean de Matha wasn't safe yet and we had to pass on the road bridge. I was scared a bit by looking at those slushy sled's tracks but I heard from non officials sources that they had staked the river this week.

     We finally got back home at the end of afternoon with another 232kms of good sledding in my neck of the wood!
    After few days in arctic cold the temperature seems to stay warmer than usual but it is not the snow that is missing! still snowing actually, may have a bit of rain tonight but not an issue for sure. It's  the best time of the season to enjoy!
    Alain
  9. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to dooright in Tour du Lac , Team Vermont   
    Day 3
     
    Always sweet to wake up with 6-10 " of new and still snowing hard !   Return to trucks is easy enough it's about 160 miles. Surprisingly there's already traffic pounding the 355 .. and we were out by 8am
    Seems corners in this heavier new stuff were tricky to a few that were ahead of us. Lots of interesting line choices seen in there tracks  😄
    We stopped and helped a local guy that had is "titanic " sized sled pretty well submerged.  
    From the lake crossing south typical 355 Lumpy bumpy under what is now 6" of wet mashed potatoes.  Take LT2. Better but every hill is whooped out.
    73 Rail bed lots of fun .. Take the turn on the local that comes out at the Saint Raymond club house  .. mixed bag of my type of sweetness 😋          then fresh groom the last 5 miles into Saint Ray on the 23 
     
    Chow for now 
    Enjoy your rides ! 
     
    TVT
     






  10. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to markusvt in Tour du Lac , Team Vermont   
    A few more of the bridge🤪
     
     
     
     
     





  11. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to dooright in Tour du Lac , Team Vermont   
    Day 2 
    Well , not so fast with the the thermostat and a reliable shower!
    Power went out at the Delta for about 5 hours,  from the middle of the night until just after 7am 
    Word from the restaurant.. not opening this morning  
    Quick Google  .. found a awesome local restaurant just by the Esso station...  Le Delice highly recommended. 
    Off to the new bridge !  From Otis Nature to the bridge was a pretty good beating but by the looks it was groomed later after we passed (we should have taken the lake/river)
    Really impressive project that is , flew our Chinese drones around a bit to get a better view  .
    Next stop Bill's favorite truck stop over by Milot for lunch n fuel . On to Eva for the night  .. figured if Icemans team liked it enough to stay 2 times in the same week.. will be plenty good enough for us ! So many times we've passed through there yard and not stopped. 
    Super fun evening in the St-Patric pub with William as our host  
    Lots of locals with great energy/vibe for a Thursday night.
    All  while ours sleds are tucked in a cozy garage as it starts to snow heavily around 11 or so.  😀 
     
     









  12. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to markusvt in Tour du Lac , Team Vermont   
    Updates to the Mont Apica RADAR base.
     
     
  13. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to markusvt in Tour du Lac , Team Vermont   
    The new bridge on 373.
     
  14. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to Fozzy in Swisha to Kipawa   
    Had a great ride on Friday with a few lads. Ottawa received a lot of rain on Thursday and will need a bit of snow to get back on track.
    Two hours north makes a huge difference. We left Ottawa at 6am drove up to Swisha, unloaded our sleds and rode to Kipawa. Round trip was 375km of beautiful trails. If you have not been up here, I highly recommend it.
    http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_02/912B88DD-A7CD-4E7D-B5DF-83DEAB181C4F.thumb.jpeg.492e84a4d8d70393a5b97ede71213efb.jpeg
    http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_02/94746646-7FC9-40C9-87BB-625E96FE46D3.thumb.jpeg.a9ed500deb2b47e7dbbf40392442f45a.jpeg
    http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_02/F8757DCC-49B5-4977-A6FF-EC2C3D1D044E.thumb.jpeg.291a4169d39d2e89a05babb286866af5.jpeg
    http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_02/E7BC3DB1-A859-43CF-B08C-DE74FF9D9DEC.thumb.jpeg.7362cd478ecb0151976c9a16dcc95632.jpeg
  15. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to dooright in Tour du Lac , Team Vermont   
    It's been like 5 years since we've looped the lake  
    This past Tuesday 2/7 we landed in Saint Raymond with a" normal " trail ride in mind . 
    Off Wednesday morning heading to the Delta like so many others 
    As Dave said,  We're actually staying in a place with a thermostat and a reliable shower  😄
    Super conditions,  2-8 of new over decent trails with blue skys most of the day 
     







  16. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to iceman in Lake-Saint-Jean ????   
    Lots of options mainly up top to make it as long or short a day as your group wants. 
     
    i like the 93 through Lac A Jim at the very top of Lac if not this time then  maybe on your next trip through this area you can be able to spend more time on the trails above the lake, including the 373 which is just incredile from Girardville or from the other end near Onitchaway.
     
     




  17. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to groomer in How many miles from Moose valley NB to Amauri via NB trail network   
    hope you won t mind if i bring my friends !!!
     
    jean-guy

  18. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to viper2 in LeCabanon/St. Zenon trip   
    Day 3: We left LeCabanon at 8:30 and took 23 East to 345 and continued to the Barrage. After crossing the Dam we took 360 to Mattawin. We arrived by 11 and gassed the sleds and took an Earl lunch at the Marinou. We decided not to continue the loop to Grand Mere because 360 hadn’t been groomed in quite some time so we headed back up 360 and this time at the Dam took 360 around the top of the lake. It was perfect and we met up with 33 where we continued towards SMDS then jumped on the lake to town. Gassed up and took 63 to LeCabanon. 63 was beat but was to be expected especially with the warmer temps and sun. Got back at 4 pm with 200 miles on






  19. Thanks
    mccaffrey reacted to smclelan in A Cold Weekend   
    Decided to do a quick short loop in the Gaspe last weekend with my better half, and that it certainly was a short one.  Plans were to leave early Friday morning from Point a la Croix and go to Grande Nature.  Started early Friday morning by losing my wallet.  Searched high and low in the room, bags, back out to the bar, even up to the hot tub. No luck.  Had to call and cancel debit and credit cards. Frustrated now plus becoming to later start, went out to start the sleds and the 900 T was dead RRRRR!  Took the bags off got the booster pack out, still no go. Scratched my head, then tried the key fob off the 600.... everything starts. OMG mixed up the key fobs!  10:30 we start out and temperatures are dropping like a stone and the wind is strong.  Made it to the cable bridge all is good. Onwards to Groomers Clubhouse.  We land there and Kelly says she is very cold, wind has got considerably stronger and visibility had decreased.  All good, we change plans and off to the Select in Amqui. By the time we get there we were hitting serious white out conditions in the fields and the wind was biting cold.  Likely 30 sleds at the Select Friday night. Saturday morning it appear all 30 sleds stayed at to weather out the cold and wind.  Saturday consisted of eating, drinking, playing pool, hot tubs, and swimming pools for sledders. Plus found my missing wallet in my trunk bag! A great day. All highways in and out of Amqui except the Matepedia route were blocked and closed because of visibility. Sunday we headed back to the truck on some groomed trails and some ready for grooming that were drifted bad.  Big trip, about 180 miles! LOL A nice relaxing weekend that will be a great memory and laughs for a long time.  A few pics of our adventure.










  20. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to viper2 in LeCabanon/St. Zenon trip   
    Day 2: we leave LeCabanon at 8:30 and take 63 West to SMDS. From there we jump on the lake and take it up to Auberge Taureau where we pick 33 up. All fresh groomed right to Repos. Gas up there and on to Kanawata for lunch. We decided to head back to Repos and top the gas then take 345 to 360 and the barrage back to LeCabanon.  8 miles before Repos I broke the front bolt for the shock in the skid. My 2016 Apex is the first year for the single shot. Anyone familiar with it knows what a pain in the butt this is. I had changed out the air shock long ago for an Elka, but she likes to eat bolts. Thought we had it resolved but no. After an hour or so of trailside mechanics, we get it together enough to get back but forget the 345, we are taking the 33 all the way and retracing our steps from earlier. It’s the shortest route and it was groomed. Got back at 6:00 PM with 220 miles on the clock. Will have to pull out the spare for the rest of the trip







  21. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to viper2 in LeCabanon/St. Zenon trip   
    Got home from the Gaspe trip Monday January 30th, Decided Tuesday gonna head right back up Sunday the 5th for a week at LeCabanon. Just 3 of us on this trip, my 77 year old Dad will be leading this trip. He has been staying here since the mid 80’s and LaGlaciere before that. We leave at the crack of 9AM 😂 not as chipper as he used to be, it’s ok we will ride at his pace, he will lead. We head out on 23 in the East direction. Take that down to 345 and go check if Koubek’s is open, they are not on Monday’s apparently. We roll up 23 to 350 towards Lac Blanc. We take the gas there then continue up 349 through Lac au Clare back up to 23. We still head East and have a late lunch at the old Cabane Chez Hill. Forget the new name. After lunch double back on 23 to Sacacomie for gas then back 23 all the way to 345 and into LeCabanon. 200 miles for the day, trails ok not great, not terrible. They had an accumulating snow yesterday and the trails that were not groomed last night were a little loose and some bumpy, not bad







  22. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to iceman in Team Iceman Running Free   
    6 February 
    quick and easy today. Great stay at Camp Taureau. Had a big room with lots of space fit all three of us. $80 each all in with breakfast and dinner. Sweet place. Will return. 9:25 or so out the driveway and to TQ33 all groomed all tge way to TQ63 and into St Michael then beyond right to Cabanon. Caught big tour group just after leaving town in St Michael. Took a bit to get by but we did. TQ23 from Cabanon nit terrible but 350 further down was rougher. Took trail through Lac Blanc nice crowd for monday. Sweet trail all the way to St Etienne and home. All in just a 204km day in driveway here a 1:15pm. 
     
    Awesome trip with mostly spectacular trails. Great team. Don’t get any better. Very happy to be back. We will regroup and see what’s next. 
     
     
  23. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to Signfan in Team Iceman Running Free   
    Yeah every two weeks isn't cutting it. That's the point. Even with a fresh groom the mogul memory will be there and it'll be rough by Friday if it isnt already.  I experienced the same thing when we were up there 3 weeks ago.  I found they weren't getting 83 back flat either.  Seems like they do 83 weekly and 345 down to Casey every other week.  I get these are long difficult groomer runs.  They're probably 20 hrs to leave Parent, go the Wemotaci, go to Casey and return to Parent.  Then something similar to go to Clova and back in the other direction.  It does come back to a management issue though I'm sure.  The unit will run 24 hrs if you can staff it.  Either that or the brand new groomer is causing them lots of headaches.  I'm not one to complain as it's a thankless job and I've done it.  But sure would be nice if they could get the grooming frequency on these sections up.  The clubs other groomer out of Fer a Cheval has no issues keeping up with traffic.
  24. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to iceman in Team Iceman Running Free   
    Finished breakfast got squared up and geared up. Much warmer today not quite Aruba but not nortb pole anymore. Under Layers back to normal operations. 
     
    There was a big group here also from Montana Adventure, Martine said they are out of St Alexiis des Monts they were 7 or 8 with the guide all french from France. Nice to see some big tourist groups. 
     
    They were already outside almost ready to leave i had spoken to the guide they were doing stricty trails. Last night they were in La Tuque, to Windigo, and now to Gouin tonight. 
     
    Long story short they beat us out the driveway as they are westbound too toward Wemo on TQ83. 5 minutes head start. 
     
    We are good. I catch last guy in under 5km of the driveway from Windigo. Damn gonna be a long few KM. Cannot pass here way too much snow dust and not safe. Trees have been cut but they still are sticking close to trail not worth the risks. 
     
    I know a good guide will be stopping at the junction with TQ83 and counting his ducklings. We will scoop them here. And we do without any drama. Westbound and hammer down. 4-6inches of cream cheese on trail. 4 others left Windigo early. They are obviously ahead as there are tracks here. 
     
    Fast run into Wemo, os Snohorse said later it was one of the smothest runs through Wemo ever, for sure the fresh snow helped alot as did the new trail dropping into town up over the mountains with the Scenic lookout. This also reported earlier by Team Vermont. Thanks guys.
    It’s this kind of intel i find the most helpful. When a trail changes and you kniw about it then when you get to ride there it’s nice to know before.
     
    Leaving Wemo westbound immediately after the gas station you cross the first single lane road bridge then continuing on you come to a right turn onto another small single lane road bridge. 
    It’s here we stop to pay our respects to my great friend and father in law Gaston. He died here Easter Monday in his beloved Mack semi doing what he loved. 
    Emotional day as this has weighed on me the entire trip knowing if eventually this ride gave us it all….we would pass here today. 
    Gaston’s memorial cross is covered by the snow, but its there in the woodline. 
    Miss you everyday mon ami. 
    Now we are off to investigate this plowed section of TQ83.
     
    left Gaston a Team sticker 
     
     




  25. Like
    mccaffrey reacted to markusvt in Team Iceman Running Free   
    We love her 😉
     

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