doo4adoo

Thanks Sledfarmer, I’ve been crossing it the last few week ends riding to and from my cottage in Duhamel.
I made a call to the club president back then and I would like to share with all of you what he said. 
The trail will be marked closed indefinitely on the FCMQ interactive map from now on. The club will no longer be staking the ice for insurance reasons. However the even though  the red line on the interactive map runs up on land for a bit, the trail is still maintained and groomed to the river, while on the river stay with in the tracks that have already be made. Basically follow the river on the north side from Montebello to Fasset where you can cross to Lafavre and catch the Ontario trail system. The crossing at Fasset/Lafavre is staked by the locals.

Saturday 
Well surely not a normal season and this overnight trip fits right in. Normally you could not pay me to be anywhere near Quebec City on a Saturday afternoon but this is not a normal time we are in. Wanted to go somewhere close enough to get out early on Sunday and buzz home quickly. So decided on Super 8 near Quebec Airport. 
 
Felt really strange to be just putting on my saddlebags for the first time being 20 of February. Got out fairly early for us at around 8:10am. Knew if I went directly to hotel we would be there before noon so that was denied. We decided to make a day of it knowing fair well that by this afternoon we would probably regret that. Off we go.
 
TQ3 from home up through Shawinigan. Freshly groomed up for the weekend and we take full advantage up to Lac a Tortue and then through Herouxville to TQ23 to St Tite. Rough on the gas line heading toward St Tite, not groomed last night. Took gas in St Tite on the 351 nice trail here and we continue on to St Severin. Left on Local orange trail to St Stanislas all groomed. Join back with TQ3 in St Stanislas than to Local Orange trail through St Luc de Vincent and back to rejoin 351 along Autoroute 40. 351 not groomed last night but acceptable. Through Batiscan and on to St Anne de la Perade. Quick tour through the ice fishing village, much smaller than normal years due to the Covid restrictions. We roll into the Shell Station in town to take a break, (bathroom stop for monamour) it’s noon now and we decided to continue on before eating somewhere a bit closer to our destination. Off we go and as temperatures increase the trail quality is decreasing. Temps combined with heavy weekend traffic are using it up fast. We knew the afternoon would be not so good but we were in no real hurry and just beat along. 351 not that bad really but as we arrive in St Marc des Carriers and join with TQ3/TQ23 is getting obvious all the goody is gone for today. We slog on TQ3 all the way to St Basile where trail passes right through the relais in town. (TQ3 is detoured) says Rivere Portneuf crossing not secure. Relais has fire going outside with some tables. You can go in order and use bathrooms but 30 minutes max inside. Must eat and drink outside. Today was perfect for that not too cold at all. Been grey with on and off flurries. One poutine some Ailes and a Cheeseburger later. We head off again. Now the farther we go its looking like a warzone. Nothing I have not seen before for sure but let’s just say the Mrs got a real education on what it’s like. She was prepared and did not complain one bit (I did all the complaining for both of us). We are getting close now and I know where the turn off is for the local to Hotel. But I just knew something was not adding up. Passed an intersection a few KM back and went left now my spidey senses are tingling telling me, I screwed up. I see TQ3 going where I want to go on the GPS but I am on an Orange that is actually not in bad shape. Way too nice to be the right trail. 
Back we go and sure enough the TQ3 is there on my left. Big section of shared trail here and with all the ruts from the VTT and SXS I just did not even notice it looked like only a VTT trail but it’s both. Literally just around the bend and down local next to Airport to Super 8. Great stop, With garage heated for sleds $10 for up to four sleds. They got 6 garage doors (its one big garage but they use 2 bays for storage and maintenance supplies) At front desk I check in and they gave me remote control for garage door 3. Around to back push button back sleds in. (Tight fit for four but would be doable) unload and right through inside door and our room is right there. Nice setup.  Nice room close to garage and clean. Ordered up some Pizza to be delivered to us and we’re chillin like villains. They gave us a paper to choose simple things for breakfast (again covid issue) juice, muffins, energy bars, yogurt, coffee , tea hot chocolate, oatmel etc. You choose what you want and they put it together for you and you bring it to your room and eat. Nice, surely better than nothing. 
 
245Km day a big one for the mrs.







 

It is indeed open. Stayed there on a Tuesday night. I think they only have one cabin for rent. They provide you dinner and breakfast to cook yourself. Like previously stated all trails north, east and west are closed this year. But its a good rip up the 386 from swisha. Great trail

The end.



 

Well getting away this week just was not gonna work out. I did spend yesterday out and about and was rewarded with spectacular fresh groomed trails and very little other traffic on my private trail monday. 
I wanted to strap the bags on and head for Saguenay. I got no issue riding alone, I just miss my Team and honestly I love riding, we all do. Finishing the day then settling in and having Happy Hour then finding our way to dinner. I just could not imagine sitting in a Hotel room alone. Rather just keep riding. So I decided I was not doing it. I may change my mind in a week but right now lacking the enthusiasm, big time as it just aint the same. 
Decided to run all around toward the east and up to Lac Aux Sable then back down basically doing a bingo ride. 
Everything was groomed rode 99% perfect trail with the exception of 23 up over the mountain down into Montabaun. (This section always rough). But not terrible. 
From home was first tracks and it stayed that way until I turned off to go up 23 to Montabaun.
Local to St Louis de France to Cap de Madeline, the 351 along the Autoroute 40 was a superhighway flat and fast. Then local Orange trail to Saint Luc Vincent. The. Saint Narcisse TQ3 east to Saint Cashmir then 302 to 353 to TQ23. In St Tite 351 to St Severin then Local Orange to St Stanislas. TQ 3 back down local this time from St Luc to join with 351.
trails still holding up nicely have seen very few others. Love the weekdays. 351 east along the Autoroute 40 I arrived at Batiscan and could not decide whether to go up through St Genevieve or continue east then take next Local back up toward old Rogers Cabin. Decisions Decisions.
headed east then took the local back up past Rogers and rejoined TQ3 in St Prosper. TQ 3 back to Shawinigan-Sud and onward to home. 
335 kilometers ending up where I started. Great day. Wish you all were here. 
The mrs was following along on my mapshare and was confused as hell as I got closer to home then veered away to do the bonus ride. Pretty funny. 
She is becoming quite the excellent student starting to remember trail numbers and names of towns, she is impressing me. Her enthusiasm to ride is awesome and I am slowly building her up. She was not happy to have to teach yesterday she wants to ride. I will get her out this weekend if not before. Maybe an overnight Saturday somewhere.
until next time.

 


 

Because most of the last snow falls had seems to have hit harder on the south shore of the St-Lawrence river, we tried this loop last Saturday 6, 2021

We were a bit disappointed ... not that it does not ride well but we expected  way more snow. In fact the trail conditions were similar as the south of my area. The trail is often easy to follow due to its color,  especially in woods, and the skis often scratch the base, especially in curves.

The 10km/H speed zone along the reservoir near the Victoriaville drive me crazy each time I pass there! it is not that long but it looks damn long !!! after that we appreciate 30 zone!!!
The fields trail sections south of Victoriaville are in better shape because the wind brings more snow into the trail shaping up the  condition as well as #35 west of Warwick which was very nice.

Here a short video of our ride. Best viewed with the sound on and the quality cranked up at 1080p
My Venture hit the mental mark of the 25000 miles/40000kms during the ride


On the way back we pass through St-Léonard D'Aston which was nicer than the morning trail path
Finally a good 210 miles run for us. Like Iceman mention in one of his post, the trails do not have a real hard base... no thaw since our recent season start so it's a bit normal that we are dealing with the conditions we have. Hoping for more snow ahead....
Alain
 

thx grumpy !!!
 
enjoy for taking pics....and if possible...riding ...
no storm here yet ....-9c !!!
 
jean-guy

This is a rare item as they are no longer offered
Changes helmets a few years back and time to clean up
$60 CA plus the ride
PM if interested 
Thanks for looking

Update. So mystery man came good in that he sent all his license and other information to my buddy. Sled was registered in Indiana. As of late Sunday night he thinks the pass insurance will cover the damage. I'm pretty sure he's in for a rude a wakening on that. Also apparently he was the 2nd sled. 1 st was a 2 up and he was in the middle and ended up in the ditch per se shortly after having to swerve away from my buddy. At the end my buddy gave him his gas from the Linq so he would make it back to the truck with the other in tow. Buddy still waiting for adjuster and has accepted the fact he might have to ride a Doo rental for part or rest of the winter.

MFGS are making bigger gauges as we are all getting old and loosing our eyesight I'm told 

MFGS are making bigger gauges as we are all getting old and loosing our eyesight I'm told 

MFGS are making bigger gauges as we are all getting old and loosing our eyesight I'm told 

Update. So mystery man came good in that he sent all his license and other information to my buddy. Sled was registered in Indiana. As of late Sunday night he thinks the pass insurance will cover the damage. I'm pretty sure he's in for a rude a wakening on that. Also apparently he was the 2nd sled. 1 st was a 2 up and he was in the middle and ended up in the ditch per se shortly after having to swerve away from my buddy. At the end my buddy gave him his gas from the Linq so he would make it back to the truck with the other in tow. Buddy still waiting for adjuster and has accepted the fact he might have to ride a Doo rental for part or rest of the winter.

Have been hearing a lot of good hype on the new Poo. Still for me I have to stay 4 stroke until I see better longevity on the 2s motors. Not sure if yours has the new gauge but its appartemtly pretty trick.
Hopefully you're in the path of this snow that's on the move now.

More info needed on the second part of the post title...fast women... did you get a rental for the day and another rental for the night too? Lol

Took out the hot red Ferarri today.  Felt 40 years younger!
 
 

Well in theory yes. But the guy apparently had no ID or papers with him. Sled wasn't his, borrowed from an American who likely left it this side of the border. My buddies insurance will cover his regardless but whether they get money from the guy who hit him is a question mark.
Will know more later this week. Bad part is nothing moves fast these days and often parts are back ordered, new sleds in general are hard to find, most sold out as everyone wants toys this year. Riding season is very short. 

Well in theory yes. But the guy apparently had no ID or papers with him. Sled wasn't his, borrowed from an American who likely left it this side of the border. My buddies insurance will cover his regardless but whether they get money from the guy who hit him is a question mark.
Will know more later this week. Bad part is nothing moves fast these days and often parts are back ordered, new sleds in general are hard to find, most sold out as everyone wants toys this year. Riding season is very short. 

Apparently when his partner came back he started getting abusive with my friends until he realized his buddy screwed up
Real class bunch 

My buddies went riding this weekend. He's the Cat guy in the picture. Apparently about 20 miles from Meekoo's the Doo came around the corner on the wrong side of the trail. How often do we see this crap.
Anyways he's fine as not hurt. Just getting dribs of what happened so far. Apparently the Doo is a registered  USA sled that he was using-borrowing. Anyone here missing a sled? Looks like both will be written off.
They were able to get a room at Meekoo's for the night and will limp it back to the Cabano tomorrow or I'll get a call and collect them.
On a better note when he was calling around this week most places were full for the weekend. Fer Cheval, 100 Lacs and Relais 22 and Cabano (not surprising). He was supposed to be at 100 Lacs and only got a room with a recent cancelation. Realis 22 gal said snow was very thin in their area and groomer had only passed once so far. Windigo apparently only opening in February. So all to say the weekends are holding up alright for our friends in the north. 
And lastly word was trails were great!!

Never seen a ramp there but lots of snow banks that will work just fine

There is a CAA sticker on the units. I believe its only claimable for Quebec residences though, was asking for a friend 😉

bonjour !!!
 
first day of the season with no mosquito !!!
 
jean-guy

That's why I prefer to ride more north and more remote where there's less of these newbies. As i am usually point man I often feel like a target in the busy areas.

That's why I prefer to ride more north and more remote where there's less of these newbies. As i am usually point man I often feel like a target in the busy areas.