mccaffrey

This is good that I'm posting this late.  It means we made it thru the border.  😅
We were asked for our passports.  The agent scans them and I'm sure all of our history comes up on his screen.  It probably includes what we ate at the Brown Cow restaurant in Derby, VT a half hour before.  Then we were asked for the ArivCan confirmation sheet.  He asked us if we were feeling well, no covid symptoms.  He asked where we were going and the purpose of our trip.  Remember to answer this according to what you put on the ArrivCan website / app.  The agent is looking at it.
We first go to Valcourt to pick up the trailer and snowmobiles but I didn't go into to that.  I just answered that we were going to Chicoutmi.
The rest of the questions were typical from previous years such as, weapons, knives, pepper spray, cannabis.  Are we leaving anything in Quebec?
It didn't take any longer than before.  I'm still a little gun shy from being turned away on my first attempt on Dec 1st.  I'm slowly getting over that.
A little background on the trip up.  No snow on the ground until we got 50 miles or so into VT.  Pretty good snow banks above St Johnsbury going over Sheffield Mountain.  In Quebec, the Eastern Townships had snow cover but not enough to ride on.  After Drummondville the snow got better all the way to Quebec City.  Motel Bernieres had snow but only one trailer in the lot.  L'Etape had many snowmobiles, cars and trailers.  Looked like a typical day at L'Etape.  Snow on the ground all the way up to Lac St Jean.
It was freezing rain a little overnight in CT.  From VT on up we were in and out of the snow.  Nothing terrible heavy.  Just nice winter snow.  Thank you Mother Nature.  Gas around Quebec was $1.47.  Here in Chicoutimi its around $1.35.
There are sleds here at the Sag.  Not packed but a dozen or so trailers.  I spoke with someone that just came in on their sled and asked them about the spur going out to trail 83.  He said it isn't broke but you can get to 83.  It goes thru the parking lot behind the stores instead of way back at the edge of the woods.  The groomer hasn't come thru yet.
I spoke with the lady at the front desk.  She said what she has heard from other snowmobilers is trail 368 south is OK.  There are a couple of thin spots but it is passable.  You can't get thru La Baie on 83.  It sounded like there isn't enough snow there yet.  There is snow in the forecast though.  She said it is better to trailer to St Honore and then ride to Mt Valin if we want to ride on the north side.
You have to wear a mask everywhere and also show your vaccination card for entry like at a restaurant.
If you are planning on Quebec this year, I would recommend doing a dry run on everything you can.  Get a Covid test.  I like the NAAT test by Walgreen's  Our results came back in two hours this time.  I think the test is free everywhere in the U.S.  See how far ahead booking an appointment takes.  See  how long it takes to get the test results back.
Get on the ArrivCan website or app.  Step 1, create an account for yourself.  Step 2, take a look at the itinerary part of ArrivCan.  It says not to complete it if you travel isn't within 72 hours.  I think you can still go thru it and then delete it at the end.  Do as much as you can to get familiar with all the steps.  I only had to create an account for myself.  Then I could put Sandi on as a traveler in my "group".
Ask me any questions you have.  I may not have the answers but someone else may or I will try to get an answer for you.
So that is what we know so far. 
Be safe.
Jack & Sandi

Some our gang headed north yesterday, unloaded in Lac Etchemin area in the Chaudierre region, just North of Jackman Me, and rode to the Universal-in RDL for the night.  They logged in 180 miles of good solid, flat going. One of the members got the random rest again and it will be picked up at the universal today as they are saddlebagging. Another member pcr tested on Dec 23, got a positive result back on the 25th...Merry Christmas😜,..... and will not make this run but is feeling good health wise.
 
 Also he is happy with the fact that with a positive test, after 10 days, soon the change to 7, he will be ok to pass the border without testing for the next 6 months!
The boys also like the beer vending machine at the Universal!
 
To summarize, these guys are saddlebag riding for,the week  just as many others are posting on QR now! it just a bit different, lets hope restrictions stay the same or get easier thru this season.
RR
 
 

Fellow QR member “Cobra” and I hooked up in Albany at 4 a.m. this morning . So you got NY Chris and PA Chris
Got to Lecabanon around 11ish after a few stops. The place is packed and we are THE ONLY Americans here. Very strange to see it here like that.
Got out around 1:30 and headed to the dam. Surprisingly very good with ample ground cover and the 2-3 inches last night helped too. Yes a few icy corners and a rock here or there  but hey it’s early season riding. 
As usual out past the dam was even better with the 360 in good shape. Then when we turned left into the woods towards 345/M20 junction it was the “magic carpet” ride it usually is. Felt like mid season riding. Hung out for awhile and then banged out the M20 that was n excellent shape. Only groomed once so far so it hasn’t set up yet but excellent coverage. When we got to the M21 junction we could see the groomer had gone in so we follow. Turns out he was only 3 miles in so we back tracked to Lecabanon via M20/360 and then 345. Got in around 6:30 with 142 sweet miles.
we both had some issues at home that took our time this evening so didn’t have a chance to post. Will try and post some pics in the a.m.
 
 
 

That will be the most talked about season ending race in Formula 1 history. You almost think the stewards came from Nascar.

That will be the most talked about season ending race in Formula 1 history. You almost think the stewards came from Nascar.

That will be the most talked about season ending race in Formula 1 history. You almost think the stewards came from Nascar.

Easy peasy border crossing on 87 north 
Have had way worse pre-chinese flu
Super stoked 

Merry Christmas to all on QR.   
if thats ok with all?🙃🙃😉

You are a true Quebec Rider.

Yes, fully furnished too. Even got a ventilator, just in case. 
No cost to QR contributing members. 

My trail pass has over 600 miles on it, sure hope to get more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you everyone for the information, this is so help full for the crossing first run north.

12/15 Links to “advisory” news vids: https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/feds-advise-against-non-essential-international-travel-amid-omicron-case-surge-1.5708467
Quoting Trudeoupe directly: “I understand this sucks”…  https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2344496&jwsource=em   
“Appeal to avoid international travel”… https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2344526&jwsource=em  
“New travel measures”… https://toronto.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2344405&jwsource=em  
 
 

Hi Everyone,
First, thank you Mark.  That is very helpful because I know how difficult it is getting the info from the internet.  Too many different sites.
OK.  My experience follows.
I did my research back in October.  I thought I had everything covered.
I bring the snowmobiles to Quebec and leave them at the dealership we have been using for over 40 years the end of November for the season.  Yea we are the old ones and have been doing this for 40 years.
I thought I had everything done and went up Dec 1st.  I got to the border and did not have the confirmation from ArrivCan.  I had done the first step and created an account but could not find where to do the second step which is the itinerary.  I was politely turned away and could not enter Canada.  The agent said that when he swipes the passport all of your info should come up on his screen.   Remember, the questions he asks you, he already has the answers in front of him.
OK, first step is to create your account on ArrivCan and the second step is your itinerary.  Print the confirmation of the itinerary.  I like hard copies but you can save it on your phone too.
Second attempt was Dec 8th.  This time was much better.  Like Mark has said, everything from previous years plus your vaccination card and the ArrivCan confirmation.  I went thru with no problems.
One addition.  I spoke to a Canadian at the gas station in Derby VT before I crossed.  He said to make sure you are wearing your mask at the border.  He said they can turn you away if you are not wearing a mask.
The first trip I took the PCR test at CVS.  It came back in time.  The second trip I took the NAAT test at Walgreens.  I took the test in the morning and the results were e-mailed to me late that afternoon.  I will be taking the NAAT test from now on.  That test is done at the pharmacy and is not sent out to a lab so turn around should be quicker.  So far my insurance has covered the Covid tests.  Sandi called our insurance company and was told that they do not cover Covid tests for travel but we haven't paid yet.  Maybe we will see a bill in the mailbox?  I hope not.
I think Walgreens is the only source giving the NAAT test.  In CT you can book the test up to 7 days in advance.  Book an appointment as soon as you can.
One more thing about ArrivCan.  Like Mark had said, there is a section on how you will quarantine.  I was a little stumped on this one.  I was only going to be in Quebec for 3 hours.  What do I put down?  I first checked off "Home" and proceeded to enter my home address in CT.  Wrong!  The form only accepts Canadian zip codes.  So I put in the address of the dealership that I was going to.  This went thru OK.  Another note.  When I was completing ArrivCan, step 3 is where you are going to cross the border.  My computer did not display the box to type in the entry point.  I gave up and then tried an hour later.  When I brought the screen up, viola, the box was there.  Maybe just a download glitch when I happened to try.
Regular gas in Quebec I saw posted at $1.47 per liter.  Looks like it has gone up a little since pre Covid.  There was a couple of inches on the ground in Valcourt.  It did feel good to be back in Quebec after last year's no entry allowed.
Jack & Sandi

Glad Parent will still have fuel, 
Bought a 2021 four stroke to run in Canada, and have not crossed the border yet with it!  Guys I ride with are getting  anxious to get trips figured out, taking a test and crossing the border within 72 hours will be my biggest challenge, once we make that happen the first time I think we will be good to go.
Think snow, and when winter gets here, lets enjoy.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

On the phone is fine, but to avoid passing 2,3,4 phones back and forth printed is way easier.  Hand the agent a passport with a folded copy of the test results and the ArriveCAN app QR code last page inside and all is good.  Make their job easy, answer the questions, be prepared and move on.  We were there under 2 minutes. I get the feeling they don't want to be the COVID police unless you make them 😉 They even let one guy cross who did not fill out the ArriveCAN APP, but his present was a random Covid test 😉  Roadrunner will have to confirm but out of 12-14 guys I think there were 2-3 random Covid tests.

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada
10 days before your trip book your Covid test, (or as soon as you can book it for 72 hours in advance).  In VT you can only book 7 days in advance of when you want the test and the slots fill quick. Canada says Rapid tests not allowed. Book it for 6-12 hours before your departure time LESS the 72 hours.  We booked 2 tests in case one was late or got lost and sure enough 1 got contaminated. Might be worth doing a dry run before your trip to check the process.
Accepted tests:
·       PCR - Polymerase chain reaction, Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs), Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP), These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.
Under the 72 hours before departure, take your test, close as you dare to make sure you get the results back in time or you’ll start the whole process over again.
When within the 72 hours of your border crossing download and fill out the ArriveCAN app on your phone, (You can put up to 8 people on the one ArriveCAN APP).  If you don't get to the completion page with the QR code, you did not complete it and are NOT ready to cross the border!
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19/arrivecan.html#a3
You need to check the box of where you will quarantine if you are given the random Canadian Covid test and it comes back positive.  Put in your first night’s hotel address and contact information.  You will also be allowed to go home if you don’t have positive symptoms.  If you are given a random test at the border it comes in a box with instructions.  When you get to your hotel you call and do an online deal with a Canada nurse who facetime watches you take your sample.  You then leave your sample with the hotel and they pick it up.  Currently they are saying that .14% of the folks crossing by land that are vaccinated are yielding positive results from the random test.  This means you got Covid in the 72 hours since you got your test at home.  This is 1 out of every 714 tests conducted.  This is a lot of work looking for a very small problem IMHO, and cost a lot of $$$$ to do.
To cross the border, bring your passport, and printed copies of your negative test results that are under 72 hours old, a vaccine card, (you need it to enter restaurants and any indoor setting), and a printout of the QR code from the completed ArriveCan app, (On your phone is fine too if you are more happy paperless).  We wore our Masks and asked the agent if he wanted them on or off, he asked we take them off.  As always best to not have your dark sunglasses on either.
Example:
·       You want to cross the border at 1:00PM on Friday December 10.
·       On November 30th, book your Covid test for between 5:00PM-8:00PM December 7th
·       December 7th take your test(s) keeping in mind the 72 hours.
·       Sometime after 1:00PM on December 7th download and fill out the AP, (You can put up to 8 people on the one ArriveCAN APP).
·       December 10th cross the border with a printout of your negative Covid test and a printout of your ArriveCAN QR code you get once completed along with your passport and vaccine card.  On your phone is fine too.
Very simple process once you do it once.
 

Cabanon 
Friday night 10 December 
 

The Cabanon dozers (club du Royaume) have started grooming today. From what the lady say in the facebook video, they start creating a trail loop in the Mastigouche reserve (trail#23) that will pass near koubec to give a total 150km loop. From what I Know they don't have tons of snow but the last drop end up with pretty compact stuff excellent for trail base.
facebook video here
https://fb.watch/9LI43_LRbr/
 

A great run to today to Forestville today, 250 in for this tun,  lots of powder!  Lots of Gas and oil burned!  A great lunch at the Danube.  More fun today!
 
Happy Trails

Checked out the main trails today. 93 was a little rolly today and will get tons of traffic this weekend, note to self, stay away from this section until next week. The 276 was groomed half way to the Bras Louis, A big power line corridor is under construction currently in this area, the Bras louis and 276 are effected. More crew arriving today, overall, it just sends good to be back on the sled!  Maine just turned down a small power corridor to bring Quebec power to Boston😜  .  They could learn something from these guys!  You gotta love Quebec hydro, they know how to move Electricity! Love it!
http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2021_12/78D7A735-9354-4E39-AA23-82B86F094EB0.thumb.jpeg.a3d926774622f06e4314b2a6771909e5.jpeghttp://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2021_12/69A479F4-4832-49C3-8EAC-B4124659A3FA.thumb.jpeg.0b0023f9a13beac4772352fa1730b8e6.jpeghttp://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2021_12/9F267FC3-6E3A-47A8-BEBE-B78280F4774D.thumb.jpeg.ff8f18b8e81264da7a921ad27612b17d.jpeghttp://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2021_12/8BD25FDB-A428-4A59-911A-E7F1D5B32AE7.thumb.jpeg.1777db522463f677bb27c52509ccaf9a.jpeghttp://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2021_12/32B447C4-6C44-470F-A294-4DCD49C44962.thumb.jpeg.345c6339860883fcf690fc1e0c3482f5.jpeghttp://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2021_12/E569E82D-000E-48BE-8678-75D7EF1C95FE.thumb.jpeg.70ad05361d75d2bb633bdbe8c8fc515f.jpeghttp://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2021_12/9228615A-CDFE-4F52-BC60-EB0DA030D6E2.thumb.jpeg.e7ac3fd9da6e8554c2c2d1e332bbf8a7.jpeg
 

Its been to long!! How can one be deprived of the Monts for an entire season?  Well thats the way its been thru all this. Today that changed, the border crossing ....after following " their process " was uneventful, kind of like normal years!  The drive up after the border was normal, snow over the highlands, a little snow in the Sag valley, and good early  snow in the Monts.  The snow conditions in the immediate area of KM 31 are a solid 4/6" hard base capped with 10/14" of powder.  Now that doesn't groom out to much but its a great start and for our mostly woods road riding, we will be fine!
 
A quick 20 miles this afternoon, more over the next week plus!  
 
Think snow, and start planning a trip to Quebec, hoefully the border stays open🤞
 
RR
 
 
 

I just filled out the APP, I put in your address, said you had a spare room in the basement with a separate entrance, was that OK?

I wanted to throw this out there and get fellow QR's opinion regarding the supposed $150.00 PCR tests.
I called a local Walgreens last week and the pharmacist told me they have a NAAT test (free ) that gives same day results and he indicated people were using it to travel to Canada without issues. All you hear out there is PCR, PCR and nothing about a NAAT test.
Accepted types of pre-entry tests
PCR - Polymerase chain reaction Nucleic acid test (NAT) or Nucleic acid amplification test (NAATs) Reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) These tests use methods such as a nasopharyngeal (NP) swab, nose swab, or saliva sample.
Rapid antigen tests aren't accepted. Other acceptable types of tests RT-PCR – reverse transcription real time PCR Quantitative PCR (qPCR) Isothermal amplification Droplet digital PCR or digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) Transcription-mediated amplification (TMA) RNA (Ribonucleic acid) Ct (cycle threshold) CRISPR Sequencing Next generational sequencing (NGS) or whole genome sequencing (WGS) Oxford Nanopore sequencing (LamPORE) Detection of the N gene Detection of Orf1a/b Detection of the S gene Detection of the E gene Detection of the RdRp gene  
 

Hi all! Its time for the Season to begin, With our first measurable snow here in Maine, its time to think Mt Valin.  Yes, we are keeping our fingers 🤞 crossed on the border access, but if everything goes as planned, we will be there later this week!
The fresh snow here in Maine allowed for a quick , couple mile test ride of the 850 Extreme before loading on the trailer later this week. It passed that quick test😊
Think Snow and open borders!
 
RR