doo4adoo

On the road again... back in the saddle. 🤩

Last year I had an extremely short season due to my injury which healed fine, but it took its sweet time all summer during my paddle board season. 

Anyway here we are finally! Les Escoumins, for some reason I love this area. When you hear ''Oh I'm going on the Côte Nord'', you often think or hear Mont Valin, but there is so much more than there to be explored. 

So as Lover said we left Trois-Rivieres, Monday at 12:30 and got here just in time before the supermarket closes. We hit nice weather to drive up here, was quite a change than the past three days we had at home. Lots of snow, lack of cold. So gotta go ride where it's good during my school break. 

When we plan a trip we have two main goals in mind, look for groomed trails and less traffic as possible. One of my personal goals is to pay attention at the landscape, it's sooo pretty. I know that most people ride for the miles, but I sure look around and I'm so thankful to get to see mother nature's beauty. 

Late morning departure since usually there is a 6-7-8 kind of schedule. I think was close to 9:30. 

We rode to St-Anne de Portneuf for gas, then took a mint local trail. Lover always says that the local trails are the best, I must say that I agree so far. I was scouting the rivers for my summer riding season because we were along the water for a while. On that local trail we cam across a nice little warming hut. (see photos)

I don't know for you, but each season I have to get accustom once again to the whole snowmobile tralala. It takes  me my first day to get comfortable once again. 

Then we stopped at the relais Les Bouleaux for a small snack. 

Most of it was nicely groomed except for one part, which we knew, but now I know I don't like to ride on fluffy snow. 😂 I guess I would not be an off trail candidate. 

We didn't see many people, except once we got close to the relais. 

Oh we saw lots of places where trees were cut down, but it seems like it doesn't compare to Mauricie, Outaouais, and other places hard hit by big snow and wind. Many clubs are struggling to find volunteers to cut all the trees that had fallen and blocking the trails. 

Here you can follow along our ride with the pictures I took today. 

https://www.relive.cc/view/vNOP43YrP2O
 

Thanks 

Please define nice dump 🚻

Thanks 

Lots of areas showing from 20-50 cm snow Friday and some areas up to 70cm possible!  That should be enough to start all regions.

I would take the extra 2 days and do the full loop. Or do a crazy ride like us  and we left Louvicourt and rode to Relais 22 the first day. 2nd day we didn't quite go to Roberval but La Dore and then headed up for out 2nd night in Chibougamou and then day 3 an easy ride back down. Either way are great trails.

Was asking for a friend,
Good to hear & thanks

Thanks as well
Looks like if we ride around the towns we can afford the gas. Hoping it comes down a bit in the other areas. I know locally it has been dropping. I hate doing this but riding 250 mile days at $2.25 litre average is about $200 a day. 😲 Appears now the room & food are the cheap part of the ride and we haven't even touched on the clubs at night!

Agree great trail. When we rode it there was a spot that dropped off sharply. That was an oh shit moment when you were moving. Next time we came through there was a large warning sign. Likely as the earlier ride there were sled parts along the bottom section. 

Trail riders rejoice!

I was hoping to see something more attractive but ya its ok

Ice
Is the snow sticking around or melted? Just wondering  As ours has melted.
 
Thanks

When I was at the snow show in Toronto they indicated Forestry and Indigenous issues for the closures

Thanks as well
Looks like if we ride around the towns we can afford the gas. Hoping it comes down a bit in the other areas. I know locally it has been dropping. I hate doing this but riding 250 mile days at $2.25 litre average is about $200 a day. 😲 Appears now the room & food are the cheap part of the ride and we haven't even touched on the clubs at night!

Thanks for taking the time to post and share your pictures. Its was just like being there with you but without the cost.

Agree great trail. When we rode it there was a spot that dropped off sharply. That was an oh shit moment when you were moving. Next time we came through there was a large warning sign. Likely as the earlier ride there were sled parts along the bottom section. 

Was asking for a friend,
Good to hear & thanks

I think there was talk of the police giving tickets on the trails and these now would impact your license-points at least for those areas that have agreements with Quebec. Seen on Face book articles that I can't read since I don't do French that appear to have been suggesting this based on the pictures. Anyone seen or heard an update on this?
Thanks

What do you think it will be like in 2 weeks?

I was hoping to see something more attractive but ya its ok

I was hoping to see something more attractive but ya its ok

Prlchat groomer has been out and about. Lots of 93 though not groomed heading East is very good.  Down to Escumins has been confirmed as good.

Never stops snowing here. Found groomed for our trail buddies