mccaffrey

Day 7
 
Morning of rest. We are wrapping this thing up one way or another. Finally get the call around 11:30 ish. Sled ready they are sending truck for Snohorse in 15 Minutes.
All good packed up bagged up. He went out front door of hotel, and i rode on out the back. I arrive at road crossing to Ski Doo and he is pulling out. We group up. Sucks no damn microphone to communicate. I hear him fine, nothing from mine dead. Well if he needs to hold up he can at least talk to me. He needs the gas here before we dance. So Crevier is right here. Pretty much everything in this town. Love it here. 
 
So follow along as this will be quick and dirty. Everything’s shaping up incredibly nice, we re rode a few sections from day 1 last week and big improvements. More snow and great grooming. Its time to ride. 
 
Left Dolbeau 12:20. Bingo TQ93 to 373 to Normandin, Orange up the middle to TQ93 to Lac Jim, Then down orange past St Thomas and to TQ 93 then orange over to Des Buttes 373 to gas in Felicien then orangeback to TQ83 had Champagne then arrived at the 355 and here too very nice. 5pm at Eva. Another great day with stellar conditions. Again no sleds to pass. Caught no one. All going the other way. 
 
Black trail tomorrow to Shawi. Regroup and fix the radio. Won’t be long we shall do this again. 
 
Sorry got no pictures at all today it was all in. 
 
Thanks for following along.

Day 6 
 
Not in a hurry today. Had breakfast and slowly got dressed and headed out to start the process. Big group of Quebecois next door. 6 sidewinders two BRP. One sidewinder had relay frozen, they opened her up there and took relay inside for some hairdryer time. It was in the nose in a black box. Never heard of this issue but was interesting to watch them get it fixed. They were from Beauce. one with them who lives in Alberta. Nice guys headed out for 5 days. 
 
Off we go, we are on a mission or two today. We need to get a starter problem on the Backcountry sorted, we are going back out the end of next week and would rather get it sorted now. We are also headed back past trucks to get NHmoose within striking distance to drive south this afternoon. So out the gate we are focused. Get lucky with beautiful groomed trail TQ83 all through town got a nice new McDonalds not far from La Saguenenne right next to trail, we get very lucky crossing all the roads. Onward we roll to Jonquiere. Changes here since my last ride through road crossing down further and an AW Burger. Down to Tunnel. Looking good both ways. 
 
Been decided beforehand It’s TQ83 back to 383 then to Spence BRP…Knowing it’s a long shot on a Monday morning. Spoke in french with Eric at Service desk. No part here. 
Super friendly and calls Alma, they got parts but slammed. I asked him if he got part if he could do it Tuesday morning, here at Spence. He says no. Ok last and probably best choice is Imperium Dolbeau BRP, never let us down. He calls there..bingo…Parts in stock, can start it late afternoon finish it before lunch tomorrow(so we are told). Jacynthe is who we see when we arrive. I tell him to tell her pull the part and we will be there before 3pm. Outside to break the news to the English speakers. So it shall be all things for a reason. Dolbeau we like it there. 
Time to move on it. Back track out of local to 383 then back to TQ83,  she is a go. Nicely groomed slot car fast to Hebertville, It’s more of the same to gas in Lac a la Croix.  Back on 83 perfect trail just to near chambord and near CN yard never good here, but wait ten minutes it will change and it does, back to white asphalt all the way to 355 junction where we say so long for now to NHmoose. We ride on still stellar conditions white asphalt up and into Roberval, everything that was drifted up last Wednesday is now groomed slot car track fast. 10/10. Up to local orange through St Prime over river and past St Felicien, local orange bottom trail, shortcut over lake. To Dolbeau. Local orange last half was great and TQ93 here as well. 
Arrive at Imperium Ski Doo 2:45. Left Spence in Jonquiere 10:30. Jacynthe at Service very friendly and took care of everything. Part was already pulled and labeled for Phil’s backcountry. Sitting there waiting for us to arrive. They even drove Phil to Hotel. I rode to hotel to join him.
More technical issues i have lost microphone on Sena coms, i hear them, they hear nothing from me. Got spare mic but not here, will be a complete spare parts kit onboard from here on. 
Great day all things considered. Did pass one group today 3 sleds on power lines before 83 joins with 23 by Presbytre.  They were 2 with a guide. Guide saw us bearing down and stopped in a good place to let us by, merci. Otherwise all oncoming traffic again. 
Down but not out. Not many photos today

 
 

Day 5
 
Up and out early again by our standards 8:15. As usual rocket ship ride to Relais on TQ3 Escoumins. Headed for Tadousac but by 330 not TQ3 its a dream run back to join TQ3 at 93 Junction. All good trails here. I like the new change with TQ3. Nice ride right into Hotel Coronet gas n go. Down.TQ3 to get across on ferry. There is some great improvements on this section since I last rode it. Easy like a Sunday morning we wait patiently For a dozen or so cars and trucks to get loaded on, no big rigs usually at least one. Then last on last off its us. I decided to use the wheels. At slow speed over ramps and on to the deck…they worked like a charm. Only sleds headed over, thank you baby jesus I don’t have to follow anyone up this Bunny Trail on the Baie St Catherine side. Got 6-7 sleds waiting to get across when we debarked. We head up the hill and surely this trail is left this way on purpose, rough and bumpy. To keep speed down, it’s that or  the club can find no operator who will agree to groom it? 
For whatever reason its been this way forever. We join onto the maintained part of TQ3 where the local trail to the Co op gas is. We zip up to 383 and start the climb to Chicoutimi. Groomer been here and is headed back and the 6-7 sleds at ferry came this way down the 383. No tracks where groomer backed up on TQ3 west to turn around. Trail is nice as twisty as ever. No free KM’s here. Its quite a while then I see where the sleds headed south pulled over to go around groomer on left side. Then i kept thinking he can’t be far but he was far and hauling the mail. We catch him at Petit Saguenay, He goes left down local trail we pass on 383 down over river. So far all sleds have been oncoming have caught up with no one else. 
 
383 is just as remembered and we feel as if it goes on forever then just before La Baie on TQ83 we pass a sticker check. Real quick, they checked also for mirror and registration on sled or plate. I 2 3 and merci chow bye. Got no problem with it. These are club agents not police. Into the La Baie man it has changed here bigtime too. Lots of logging and the landscape has changed big time. Trail has surely changed since my last run here. Near La Baie now, another sticker check club agents, sticker only here and go. Now changed trail for me as well here after La Baie, definitely changed. Then trail arrives at the Center Plein Air Bec Scie, from there all the same to Chicoutimi. How bout one more sticker check club agents again at TQ83 and 383 
Sticker check and go. NHmoose quick to point out he got no issues with them checking papers and stickers just don’t give them radar guns. I second that motion.
 
2 km from hotel my streak is over catch 4 two up sleds headed down local trail to hotels. They cross street as we head to the gas and store. First sleds we encounter in fronof us since the groups of off trailers whle passing through Valin. 
Cruise into La Saguenenne, been a few years. They got a new restaurant called Tomahawk Grill. It’s pricey yes, but you get what you pay for. Damn good. 
 
Another stellar day. Great conditions great temperatures. 
 
Regroup in morning and make some decisions. 
 
 

Out the locals trail from the gas station and join back to TQ3. Headed for the loop above Forrestville. Seeing more and more sleds and all going the other way. Trail is fine lots of snow here and we move on and head up the north side of the loop we take a left and this section of local trail is a single wide bunny trail. This is starting to come back to me but i thought it was bigger. Its not comfortable as this single track with big berms is unnerving. We decide to stick it out another few KM and it opens up. OK, this is at least much safer and we can work with this here beautiful trail. We open it up, its fluffy just like yesterday. So far been a little bit of everything, love it.  Loop around and now this trail is familiar again. And as we join to the trail junction that forks to Chenail du Nord now I have my bearings back. Been a few moons since the last run here. Great run back to TQ3 and we backtrack to the same gas stop. Tank it up and we go. TQ3 this time back to Escoumins. Its beautiful the whole way. I think its the third day that all traffic has been oncoming not catching anyone all day in front of us. Spectacular trail all the way back to hotel. Restaurant across the street has greatly improved and is getting back to pre covid quality. It was a struggle for a bit there. 
Great run, doing some real snowmobiling. 
Tomorrow is another day.
 

Day 4 
6-7-8 today. On it and after breakfast we have kept to it and are out of here just after 8am. 
Groom here from hotel up to TQ3. Groomed sweet to Relais. Thus section of TQ3 here from the Hydro station where the plowed road ends is surely of the best flowing sections of curves on any high speed trail in Quebec. Love this stretch here and onward on the local trail up to join 330. Simply wow. 
Arrive at intersection of 330 we go right groomer went left. Not a problem it’s pretty perfect with a little fluff all the way to the Pel Chat 335 split with 330 we continue on 330. This is not been groomed lately but has a lane and a half, blown open so I widened it out where I could, surely Snohorse is finalizing the widening operation. This section seems to always be hit or miss. But not far in and hello there….fresh grooming with no tracks. Its fresh he is not too far ahead. It’s further than we think before we catch him. He is stuck. Fell off the side on slight uphill. I stop to ask if he needs anything, he thinks he can power it out and he has his Sat phone. We say chow bye but just pull up far enough to not be a hinder at all if he gets out and where we are seen from the other direction. He backs up and takes a run but just can’t get right track back up on trail base. Takes him 4-5 tries but he sends it on the last run and it pops up out of the ditch. He is out and we roll on.  Not far on we see our first sleds headed the other way. Been a long way and seen no one. Here on this trail is avery clean awesome warming hut well equipped. One of the nicest i have ever seen it is clean always and i love it. They take pride in it. Beautiful run groomed all the way to Portneuf sur mer. Gas and small break here. 
to be continued….

Day 3 
 
No real meandering today. We had a mission to get through Mont Valin and down the 
Fun Fact Valinouet Ski Station has recorded 333cm of natural snow this year before this storm. 11 feet of snow. 
 
 
Loaded up and out not bad 9:15. Here at Otis 3” new snow, followed a single sled track up orange trail direction 373…not far after river we pass the groomer. He has been to the river and is heading back. 3-4” fresh snow here the tracks in front goes left down onto river. Now fresh tracks. Friggin Fun Day today simple as that. You had to get up on it as the snow got deeper as we went toward Onitchaway 6-8” new snow here. I am following two tracks now as we join 373 not far ahead they are stopped. We slide by, fresh tracks again.    It’s rare that snow is coming up and over my windshield. Its so fluffy but deceiving. Waiting for you to push your luck off right and be sucked over. 
Sweet ride into Onitchaway arriving 10:26am. Not bad. Good news they have gas, Super only regular is empty. Bad news as of this morning and (i saw this talked about the other day somewhere) the gas pump nozzle is defective. You squeeze too hard shuts off. Need to find just where it likes it and it dribbles. Go check it out. Big thumbs down, But they had gas. Good thing there was not anyone else there trying to get gas when we arrived. Hit it just right. There are two lanes here on 373 from Onitchaway like a bobsled run, with a jersey barrier made of snow separating the lanes. Again it was lots of fun in lots of snow. 
 
Up we go to what will always be Bras Louis trail we go left and use the orange trail back across and up to TQ93. More snow here but has the same Bobsled run feel. The cushion is soft and at times undetermined. Hard to know where the shoulder is. Two off trailers are playing along clueless in front of us trucking along. Not looking back ever. Finally he goes too far in one corner and I pull up so he can see me, he slows and Phil and John also get by. One down. Few more agonizing km and he realizes its not his friend behind him. We pass by. So far seen about 12 sleds all day 
to Chapelle on TQ93 it is now and some good and some looks good but hiding the world class bumps. Was groomed probably last night during storm so less loose snow from here up to 31 and Chapelle. 
 
Gas and go at Chapelle. 12:30pm. 
TQ93 again and deep snow bobsled action here but two decent lanes. Catch another big off trailers group. They are stopped half on a corner not the biggest trail but we manage to get by well the first two of us. John had to pick his way by one other then was still one back as one felt the Need to try to burn down Snohorse…ha good luck. I guess he was upset we went by, but hey man you were all stopped we were traveling through moving on, you were playing there in that trail. Kids these days. 
 
 
The big run on TQ93 down to new Junction with TQ3(330) Fast and Fun. Less snow as you come down but solid 4-5 inches most places down here. The TQ3 back to relais Les Bouleaux Blanc. Beautiful trail. Took the soup at 2pm. Just the locals in the place. Into Escoumins and quiet here 3 other sleds. Said only 6 rooms rented tonight 4 to sledders. Excellent dinner across the street here. It has improved greatly since my last visit. 
 
Great day with great team. The fresh snow was fun but not everyday, hoping to see some nice grooming tomorrow.
 
 

Well we are home.  The trail 355 was fine mainly because of the snow from the night before.  This was all the way to Lac Edward.  At the gas pumps there the sleds were backed up atleast double 20 sleds deep. Got a little choppy and pushy in the corners but normal on a busy Saturday.  Got to 73 and headed south.  The railroad bed was fine but met lots of traffic. That's went I realized where all the sleds at the gas pump came from. Now the bad. From where the rail bed ended it was terrible.  I was told it was groomed that morning but I don't know if I believe it.  Got gas and a drink at the first gas station about 20 miles north of St Raymond and the trail went from bad to really quite nice. It's OK because that's the last thing I will remember about the trip. All and all it was a good advantage, found some really nice trails and places and I'm keeping them as my secret.  Lol. 
   Only my opinion is I think there is more sleds in the LSJ area than before and probably because of the lack of snow in the other areas that usually have snow.  
   I'm going back in a couple weeks to the west part of Quebec and maybe in beginning of March to Gaspie.  That's my plan.  
   Oh yes I have been plowing snow at home this morning. Got 6 inches and I don't mind doing it.  It's winter and it's suppose to snow.  Be safe all. 
 Thanks Don for your advice about taking 355. Got us home and that what matters.  Thanks.
 
 

Ending the trip now at the Gouin with Andre & Jeanie. Such fabulous people and hosts. Will meet the boys down in Rivière Matawin tomorrow before noon. Leaving the Gouin at 6am to drive to Parent for gas and heading south. Snowing pretty good here today and  about 3 new inches and still snowing as of 8:30 pm
6 nights in Quebec this trip. 2 nights at Andre #1 camp, 3 at Andre #2 at Gouin and 1 at Marina Chibigamau. 
dinner pics with Andre & Jeanie tonight. The homemade cheesecake with “Gouin” blueberries is TO DIE FOR

Just rode down from the Gouin and arrived here at Kanawata for luncH. Place is PACKED with Frenchies having fun.
trails to Haltaparche nice but 83 & 345 choppy/bumpy and could use a groom. Lower snow here and Casey area than normal.
Andre#1 and Greg ride south from here back to Lac Chapeau de Paille while I ride back to Andre#2 for dinner and sleep. Leave in morning with truck back to Rivière Mattawin with truck and meet the boys to end our trip.

We are in the area at Lac A Jim tonight heading to windigo tomorrow trails are in great condition 

Day 2
Auberge Dilligence not fancy just great. Sled at the door. Various food delivery options. Gas and store right just past hotel. Easy. Many nights here. Out early by our standards today. Machines purrring 8am. 
Time to meander on. 
Some debate and healthy discussion took place during the course of last evening’s trail meeting. I am not feeling the 373. Plan A was out of  Dolbeau and back track to local orange to cut over and back up through Normandin and on up to join TQ93 then to  Girardville then 373 to 367 to Otis. 
The 373 is awesome when it’s good, it is too popular now and is where everyone goes. Hard to keep it nice end to end and once on it you are committed. No bail out trail to take. I always try to take the road less traveled. Today it was a morning of Trans Quebec blue. Well alot of the day. 
TQ93 from Dolbeau nice trail, not perfect but they rarely are. We enjoyed a peaceful first few hours and saw 2 sleds before arriving at the TQ23 junction in Alma.
Here we were intercepted by the two security agents from the club.
They came busting out of the tiny relais hut there at the intersection. Saw the bright green flash fly out the door. We pulled right up to them. He don’t see my sticker at first. Then does. Now I start talking french to these two agents asking about the accident yesterday and they explained what they knew. Now they are asking where we come from and the whole time i got Snohorse and NHmoose in my helmet i hear phil going oh boy here we go this is gonna be a while John is laughing, i am trying to keep talking and I hear “thank god”  as phil sees other sleds coming and our friends gotta go check for trail pirates. Maybe we will meet again…….
TQ23 through Alma busier here but everyone going the other way and this trail “it is decent johnny” we stick with the blue. All the way to Hebertville and then past Auberge Presbytre up to TQ83. Stay with it and it’s really nice all the way to 
Jonquiere and 383 at the tunnel. 383 to local to 367 to pont aluminum/shipshaw.
Alot of basically crap all the way almost to just before the Big Camping just there in St Ambroise before joining with TQ93. 
 
Left on TQ93 and more beat up trail. Got better as we went north. We cruise to St Nazaire and would ya lookey here. It’s our friendly trail agents… takes them not very long and they said hey we saw you this morning. I told him it’s your lucky day you get to see us twice. We all waved goodbye and they told us to be careful in English. Knowing that we would soon pass the site of yesterday’s fatal incident. 
 
The TQ93 is beautifully groomed here in this area. She is a go. 
I can see where you could be really hauling ass here……And arriving at the downhill and narrow bridge at bottom with a slight turn left. In the snowdust the man could not see and it ended badly. Snow dust was heavy in the air yesterday with the temps and snow conditions. A small group passing makes a hell of a cloud. We slowed but did not stop, but there were some locals there stopping looking at the site and discussing, 
Terrible feeling just passing there. Rest in Peace brother. 
 
We backtrack on TQ93 and close the loop where we met our agents this morning. Back to 328 its nice here and up to orange cut over to 367 also 2 thumbs up her all the way to Otis. We drive into Otis, John parks it, he opts out of the run to the depanneur. Phil and I go for replenishment of supplies and return to Otis. Swell time here with Melanie who took good care of us and was so happy to see us back from last year. 
 
Snowing 2 inches so far. No breakfast till 8 so no record breaking departure time tomorrow and i like it. 
 
Direction Les Escoumins 
 
Bonne nuit
 
 
 

ON FEB 6, 2025, FB poster, Francis Métivier on QR Facebook writes,a new snowmobile transport service to cross the St Lawrence River between Quebec and Levis has opened. Contact Mr. Jean Marc 581 307 5980 for transport. 

As far as we saw the new 83 east to bypass the logging road has never been opened this year. A large tree was partially blocking the trail and it was all powder and never groomed this season. I'm trying to post a picture but the file is too large.
We are at Windigo and could not be happier, the hosts are great, our dinner was delicious and the accommodations are very clean. 
We are the only guests here tonight, the other guests gave up when they hit the dead end on 83 east and went down to Kanawata.
Windigo along with Relais 22 are really suffering due to this closure as there is no traffic. Businesses are suffering, the club in Parent needs to get this 83 east opened up. 
At  the very least up date the app to show the trail is closed, luckily for us we have the old trail system loaded in our Garmin's and were able to find the old 83 east which is now a logging road. It sucked bad for 20kms but are glad we pushed through so we can hopefully complete our 83\93 loop.
 
 
 

All I can say is the last 30 hrs have been the cumulation of my entire snowmobile career. From the trails, to the weather, to the snow conditions, and the people you are with…..I HAVE NEVER had a more enjoyable time riding a snowmobile. And that goes to a LOT of riding over the years. A REAL lot. 
 
I just can’t imagine ever being able to do ANY better no matter how much you try, plan or throw money at. 
 
here are the pics of today and what I’m talking about.

February 5th, 2025
Another great day of riding around rdl area. Good snow, cold temperatures, great grooming make great trails. Mikerider leading the pack with motonick, padragon, and joe following. Pictures are on the 35 heading north towards the 526. By the way, the 35 was fantastically fast. 

No photographer with us she has students to teach so you get only what we got and sorry not much today. 
 
 

Day 1 
Trucked to Auberge Eva to start, Snohorse and I arrived around 5pm. NHmoose a little after 7. There were some other sledders n Hotel at Eva. They cam into restaurant and it was 7:30. But they had short staff and had closed kitchen at 7pm. They did offer to make them pizza and poutines. Heads up check what time the restaurant closes if staying during the week. 
 
Went and had breakfast at 7:30. No hurry here and if you are in one get here at 7am for breakfast maybe it will be quicker. 
We are in no hurry. 
 
No destination set we are gonna meander. So off we go meandering along. 
Up 355 from Eva, nice snow here beautiful trail. 10km radio report Snohorse having shield issue. Stop to assess what we got going on. The connector for helmet shield is loose on machine. Is on and off. Cannot access to remedy the situation. Decide to hook new wire direct to battery. Thought we had parts on board but negative. NHmoose and Snohorse begin the operation, I backtracked to Eva to get a new shield cord setup from my other gear bag left in truck. Returned and NHmoose hooked it right up and we ran a new line for the shield. 
 
Up to TW83 and direction Roberval. Good trail and Snow to Roberval. Between Roberval and St Prime lots of drifting and hard snow drifts. Just before St Felicien we go left off 373 to local 712 and to La Dore. Better here on powerline and in woods. In La Dore to TQ93 to local trai to Restaurant du Chef. Beauty of a trail from La Dore to Chef. Pass groomer headed to La Dore on TQ93. 
 
Gas and some heat inside at Resto Chef. 
 
Local orange to TQ93 Left turn on 93 towards Normandin. 
Got to lay eyes on the new bridge. They are working on the deck and railings. Looking good.
Enough snow here but not alot. TQ93 it is to Lac a Jim. Then on to Girardville and down into Dolbeau and Auberge Dilligence. 
yes trail good, but have seen it much better. Need more snow here from Girardville down, yes is good but not great. Sorry if I am too picky, but I know what it can be. 
 
Lots of sleds here at least 15. Most i seen here in a while. 
 
Talked to a guy here and he says today there was a big accident by St Charles one group following another and one could not see in the snow dust and drove off next to a bridge? Sounded bad. Said those involved were English speaking not from Quebec. 
 
I think Otis Nature Tomorrow night by the longer way. 

The mistake was taking 3 oest to st ray. Trails were a mogul fest. Now I like a good challenge and a few moguls always make a ride interesting (and warm ya up some) but 100 kms of bashing moguls along the hydro line are a tough sell. All the while crossing the quad trail, the horse trail, and the skiing trail over and over, then adding in 20 (or so) road crossings with traffic.  Good to know for next time avoid that whole are even on a Tuesday! Trails were yellow in the clubs defence but a groom wouldn’t hurt anyone. 
 
so we made it back to st Ray - roquemont. No fiddle but the chalet tonight, which is awesome with a hot tub. 
 
food again was great! 
1460 kms over 4 days of challenging trails. Not as much off trail as I would like but great trip. 
 
now we wait to see how the truck starts!

Crickets here at Auberge Eva
Waiting on NHmoose
Simon and Elliot are taking good care of us
 

250 mile day today to Rimouski and lunch at the very nice Domain Valgra.  Rimouski to Squatc we had a 3 or 4 hour blizzard with high winds and very poor visibility and up to 5 inches of new snow. Dusting in RDL. There is a ton of snow depth in the area around Domain Valgra. Great day but tiring from mileage and visibility. Last 50 miles trails hard and fast but temps dropped fast. All the things that can happen in a day of riding.  Great happy hour back at the hotel with PADragon, Jak, and Motonick.
mike
 

Don't feel lonely Chris. Heading up to north end of LSJ and one of our boys is stopped and over heating. Determined the water pump has a problem.  Luckily short tow to a gas station and arctic Cat dealer nearby.  They sent a truck right over and picked up the sled and Jimmy and went to their shop. So two of the guys ride over the dealer to check on the fixing of the beast. 
   Now this is where it gets amazing. They Determined it's the water pump.  Take it apart and the impeller shit the bed. Next They didn't have a impeller.  One of the mechanics says wait. Goes out back and comes back with a blowed up engine with a complete water pump on it. Charged the pumps, tested, and jimmy is back on the trail to catch the other two boys.  One other thing.  They gave him the pump, stayed late and got him back on the trail. And yes them mechanics did get a very large tip. They were happy.  So we all stayed in the same hotel, had a great meal and basically got drunk. 
   There will be a post put up about the dealer, service  and how amazing they were. There is great people in the world.  Be safe all. 

As usual this trip did not go without its challenges. 
identify, analyze and rectify.
on Sunday at Andre #1 camp my sled started acting up. Battery light would come on and voltage on dash would drop to 11.4
it was intermittent but happening more and more. We swapped and tested batteries and that was not the issue.
shit….we are all supposed to ride up to Andre #2 on the Gouin today. NOW WHAT ??
ok. …..here’s the plan. I’m going to try and leave at the crack of light from Lac Chapeau (with headlights disconnected) and make it back to the truck 50 miles in Matawin. If you guys don’t hear from me within two hours head that way as I’m dead in the bush. 
Thankfully I made it and let the guys know. They could now leave camp as planned and head to Kanawata and then to Andre #2 on the Gouin. I loaded up the truck and bolted north to Nautico in LaTuque. Sled in the garage and diagnosed by noon with bad voltage regulator. Mechanic says we show one on hand. 10 minutes later they come into the shop and say they can’t find it. This will not stand….where is the nearest one ??  Trois Rivière at NC Performance they say which is 1.5 hours south. At this point it’s 12:00 high noon. I tell them I’ll be back here at 3 pm (which I was) with the part. They got the sled all apart and ready while I was gone. The VR is under the gas tank so basically the whole sled has to be taken apart. 
By 4:30 I was out the door and at 5 pm I left LaTuque with truck and trailer to head to the Gouin. Mon ami Andre & Greg made it up to Andre #2 by 4pm. I should have been there by 9pm but wound up not getting there till 11pm (another long story)
anyway….the “mission” was accompanied and we were on schedule to leave the Gouin yesterday morning, which we did.