doo4adoo

We finished off the day with a ride along the lake. 

I noticed there’s no ice road on the lake this time around.
Great trails great day.

I am beginning to think the sport of snowmobiling is really just a fun way to go out to lunch.

Well, our last trip for the season has ended.  Yesterday we did a ride east on 5 to Relais Moulin.  A u-turn after a short break and down 571 to Squatec for gas and our new lunch stop Resto Chez Lelou.  It was packed with Quebec sleds.  I guess the locals know this place.  Then a direct ride 571, 544, 44, 85 back to RDL.
The trails this year had a late start but once the snow came, the clubs have been out grooming like crazy.  Thank you to all the groomers and volunteers that make this sport so enjoyable!  http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/emoticons/default_drinks.gif
Everyone be safe over the summer and we hope to see you next season.
Jack & Sandi

We headed off to the north side of 595. This is where we finally saw our first moose in Quebec. The trail is again in nice shape. We’re having a good ride. Gemma reminds me in 01 we spotted a wolf just past the old saw mill. This time around we didn’t see any wildlife but the scenery was great.

Day 6 March 1st
Alright, today was the last day of my big Gaspésie tour. I knew it was my biggest day of all, I was prepared mentally. I slept ok, there were Don's friends singing along with him from  other rooms at Copper last night. 😂

Poor Jacques, he's having problems, the employees aren't showing up for work. The day we arrived, his friend and him were doing rooms because two cleaning ladies didn't show up and this morning the truck driver was our waitress while the waitress was cooking for us. He also had to close the restaurant to people yesterday (no lunch) and accept only his guests due to lack of help. Not easy nowadays. 

We left around 8:10, there must have been at least 35 sleds parked at hotel Copper last night. We headed on the local trail to La Cache through the Chic Choc, one of my favorite. However it was very grey today couldn't see the landscape very much.
It was groomed a good part of the way until we caught up to the groomer about 30 km before La Cache. But the rest of it wasn't too bad. The way I remembered that trail from January  last year was with more twists and much narrower than what I rode on today. It went pretty fast. 

By 10:10 we were putting gas at La Cache. We said hello to everyone and we were on our way. 

Then, I was leading most of the way today, again, getting more experience in the front, being the first one facing the sleds coming our way, watching out.
At some point, I see two sleds stopped on the side, the first guy waved to slow down, I'm thinking there is a moose or something. But no, I kept moving forward but really slow. There it was, a guy towing another sled with no one on it. Oh and he was totally on my side and the sled being towed in the middle. 
After La Cache, according to the tracks it seemed like we were the first ones heading that way. Fresh groomed trail just for me since I'm in the front.
However, I've been studying these tracks on the ground heading the other way, and let me tell you, I guess I'm lucky to cross path with these sleds where it happens, because sometimes one corner after I look on the ground and there it is, all over my side. It would have been a crash.  It's one thing to be on your side, but when the others aren't, there is nothing you can do. It's scary to think about it. 

We did cross path with few sleds today.  Oh and we saw another coyote. 

Then we rejoin trail 5, got lunch at the relais St-Adelme by 1pm, the girl needs a break you know. 😁 Only 30 km left to go to the hotel which was rough a little. 

By 3:00 we were loading the sleds in the trailer and John and Mark showed up behind us. Had a nice visit outside catching up and we met again for dinner. Great time catching up with them. 

Little anecdote, in Shawinigan,  Don and I cheer on for the junior hockey team Cataractes. Lover likes to wear their t-Shirt which he had on today. As he was getting snacks from the vending machine, the bus from Moncton's team pulled up, the coach walked in and told Don, hey wrong shirt! 😂😂 He came to get me, because I taught to one of the players years ago, the goalie. So I stood there to catch up to him. He loves his life in the Junior hockey league. I was happy to see him. 
Overall, I had an amazing time in Gaspesie as always! Couldn't ask for better weather and better trails than that! Plus I have the best trail guide!
See you next time Gaspésie!

 

Everything is all peaches and creme until it's not.....
Will probably go down as one of my worst snowmobile days ever
They are taking my friend JEFFREY to the hospital with what appears to be non life threatening injuries 
The rest of us are just banged up  ad and what looks like 3 totalled sleds
I'll report back when I can
Might tomorrow 

Tuesday 190 miles 
We went to Perce via 5. Trails were all good (except the local in).
On the way out 5 to 597 and orange local to Gaspe were the best of the trip so far. We made good time.
 I am feeling beat. Going to make this short.

Wow That’s quite the equipped sled. They have some cool sh T!

Nice trip for sure. Hope to do a long one like this as well in the next couple of years once  i pack it in at work.

It was Canadian and I think 58 mph. I want to think it was a 45 mph area as it was a railway line
i didn’t expect it to be that much 

Dropped at Select Inn Mont Laurier Sun the 19th. Off to Auberge Lac Taureau for Mon night. 63 was absolute dog shite the whole way. Was looking forward to a good start as have ridden it many times but it was trash. Anyway, straight to the bistro on arrival as beverages were deserved and a snack was needed.....smoked meat and ceaser(s) were tres bonne. Biere blanche was good too. Now being partially recovered from the days beating off to the room we went with travelers in hand to get showered up for dinner. Bottle of Vin rouge ordered minestrone soup arrives which was very good. Off to the buffet next.....sadly not good. Bland lamb chops same for the pasta primavera and chicken pas bon! Deserts...fudge, creme brule, eclairs top shelf but would not recommend meal package as food in bistro was much better but kitchen there closes at 4 so load up if you take that route. Breakfast buffet next day was good.  
Off to Lac a L Eau Claire after the buffett. Groomed right from the door to Cabanon so were there lickety split. Decide to goof around on some locals as its still early and Eau Claire isn't far and find ourselves at the Glacier for fuel. Pull up to the pump, fuel up and our 22 xrs decides its had enough for the day and electric start does work....just clicks like a dead battery. Well that was the 1st tabarnac of the trip. Staff is super helpful with booster battery etc but sleds having none of it. Alrighty then off with the cover and old school the primary with rope and she lights right up. No more pissing around ...straight to Claire. Pull up to big garage and attendant asks if we want to put the sled inside and we banish the bad one to the garage and thinking its a battery issue arrange to get a new one which one of the staff picked up that night. 
Into the hotel we go for you guessed it.....adult beverages. Great spot all round, food was super, lovely rooms and staff was great. Up early, head to garage. Sled fires right up.....monszeeee! Change the battery anyway, stick the old one in the saddle bag and off too Windigo we go. 
Get about 1/2 hour down the trail and time for coffee purge, son shuts sled off and ..... yep NO GO again. Well tabarnac NO WAY we head to Windigo with his sled acting up so off to Brp dealer is St Michel Des Saints off we go after roping the primary again. Trails are great but beaucoup traffic, fuel at Cabanon with sled running then straight to Haute Matawine Brp. Get there around 1pm, place is slammed. Stroll up to service counter and explain to the fellas the my francais nes't pas tres bonne, they say pas probleme as their english sucks...perfect. Guys says what happens when you press starter Button....I make click click noise he says je comprende click click click. Grabs tester and out he goes to ck sled...pas bonne. Forklift appears and into the shop she goes. Back out front and running in less than an hour. Loose ground on engine. Parfait...give the boys a healthy tip for looking after us and scoot over to Hotel Central for the night. Been a while since I've stayed there and was happy to see the rooms (at least #47) had been nicely updated. Day of goofing around cost us Windigo so off the Fer a Le Cheval we go early next morning. 63 is pancake flat and tight....flipper is pinned. Make it to 33 junction in a blink. Stop for a minute and son says.....doesn't sound right DAD and he's right. Sounds like belt, clutch issue. Off with the panels  and belt cover.....nut is backed off and spacer loose on clutch TABARNAC rollers are fried. U turn and nurse it back to dealer....bonjour mes neuveau ami's ces't nous encore 🙂
Place is really slammed today....nous somme au plain. I say all good anything you can do for us would be appreciated...owner is standing right there I tell him how good his team is and how they treated us yesterday and he's beaming. Machine disappears from front of shop about 10 mins later and re-appears less that an hour later ready to rock. That shop is great.
Saddle up at noon......pull into cheval at 5pm. Trails were good... 33 is a ripper especially across the top after Repos. Was drooling all the way along that stretch thinking of a couple of all dressed chen chauds at LU-NIC but arrive only to find out that kitchen is shutdown for good. Fuel, grab a drink and punch out the last 80k or so to Cheval. Pull in ...have a couple of ceasers while we register and freshen up for sup which was great as per usuual. Nice touch with the new valet service. Breakfast spot on as usual also. Mount up and head back to Laurier
Ripper out of cheval and good all the way to St Anne du Lac. Tight in spots on lower portion of the ride to St Anne as most would know and clowns still not staying right but we are always super cautious especially just outside of St Anne du Lac so we made it unscathed. Stayed on 13 below St Anne which was stupid as its tight and almost always whipped and the 322 is much better. Anway decent run despite the issues with the 22 which will be down the road as soon as I get a 24 ordered. 
Ride safe and excuse my butchering of french as mon francais nes't pas tres fort 🙂
Cheers
Gowser

Nice trip for sure. Hope to do a long one like this as well in the next couple of years once  i pack it in at work.

Day 9
Fresh grooming out of Matane, stopped at the Chap Chat clubhouse for coffee. Trails a mixture of quality as we moved on.  Stayed in Mont Louis, a new place none of us had tried before.  It was full of sleds that night.  Certianly recommend Auberge l'Amerre. 
Day 10 
A short day but beautiful, down through Murdochville (40 sleds lined up out front) for breakfast, LA Cache, to New Richmond and the Fin Gourmet for the night.
Day 11
New Richmond to the truck, 100% fresh groomed all the way. Had to take the picture of the train crossing with lights on the sled trail.  I did stop here last year for a train.
3500km  Trails anywhere from plowed road to 10/10 as you would expect.

Day 7
The sun came out!! We struck off up through Alma toward the Chapelle.  We jumped on the lake at Kilometer 31 to avoid the Zec police.  The Chapelle never disappoints.  We pulled out and took the local orange trail toward Forestville.  For anyone that has not ridden this trail, put it on your list it is truly awesome.  We went most of the way down then found a secret local trail across the rive to the parallel train and right to Forestville.  The cross trail saved about 40km.
Day 8
Sun again we are really starting to like this.  Out of Forestville and z leisurely rid to Godbout for the 5pm boat.  Did I say leisurely,  wow I forgot how intense the second half of the trail is between Baie Comeau and Godbout.  I strongly recommend it to.  Stopped at a little warming shack, then on to Godbout where we sat and watched to ferry come in.  Loaded up crossed the river and into the Quality Inn Matane.
 

Day 4 
Out of Windigo just after sunrise heading West, Wemo was scratchy but such is life on a big trip.  Stopped for gas and soup in Parent, gas again in Clova and landed at Lac Fallion just after dark.  No chef on staff and the bar closes at 930.  The pictures show how this business practice is working for them.  5 sledders there including us.
Day 5
Left Lac Fallion early and slipped into Senneterre for breakfast.  Then run through to Chibougamau.   Gas at Quevilon, next stop Chapais clubhouse. We had supper there then stayed at the truck stop just passed Chibougamau, conveniently 100m off the trail with gas, convience store and rooms.
Day 6
We broke fresh snow, first tracks till 20 miles south of the sawmill. Ross's Polaris with the big tank made it to LA Dore on one tank.  Andy and I both added some up the trail but in hindsight we might have made it on vapors.  South from LA Dore to a little spot in Metabetchouan for the night.

3545km nice ride!

Feb 14 Day 1
Andyman, Ross, and I started from the Inter-Provincial in Point a la Croix, an overcast day. Did not do as many pics because of this the first few day. Ran from PALC to Cabano and stayed of course at the Royal.
Day 2
Left the Royal and had breakfast at Tourville.  From there off toward Quebec City to the shuttle.  Unfortunately the was an open river right before the Normindin so we pulled into the Comfort Inn at Levi's and had him pic us up there. From the time we called to unloading 60 minutes! Shuttle to Pont Rouge for the night.
Day 3
Woke up to fresh snow on out sleds, always a good sign.  Trails were good, stopped at Timmies for a quick coffee and warm up in LA Tuque, then on toward WIndigo.  Andyman took us on a side turkey trail past Duplussie on to the rest or right to the front door of WIndigo.
 
 
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When we got home.. all the snow was gone... but we brought some back with us 🙂
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It was long, but we snowmobiled all day...so it was good.

We did 500 miles this weekend, LOTS of smiles.😀

I did see some other purple earlier this week. Not sure if it was just moving equipment or not and this was the 93 & 83 up north
All to say I would think it won't be long now

I haven't used the old forgot my wallet trick on a date for some time 🤣

We’re arriving tomorrow night likely after 10. Starting a 4 day saddle bag Thursday morning. Looks like we will be breaking trail one day with snow forecast
Will check the bar when we get in for you 😂

Alec, sent you a message. Would be great to see you.
Doo4Doo  (Mike, right?).   Would be great to see you again. Catch me by 9 pm if you arrive early, if not may see you at breakfast.
I'm in room 118.