doo4adoo

Ride 1
Gotta Love snowmobiling, year after year the off season seems oh so long. Yet I remount my trusted machine and seems like just yesterday I patked her for the off season. So nice to be back on the trail seems like I just left it. Like riding a bike they say and oh so true, you never forget how it’s done. 
 
This trip came together as most, kind of a last minute deal. But as I have said in the past when the boss (not the wife) asks if you want to go to Matane for a ride or stay and work? Hmmm let me think? Not a very tough decision. The boys will have to manage things without me until Friday and do without my big truck as they are not authorized to touch it. They have their own trucks they can work with those. 
 
Boss Man mon ami Alain arrived at 1pm Sunday at chez Ice. My sled already in his trailer as he had picked it up fro Moto Thibault Friday afternoon.(more on that after)
 
Snow had stopped in Shawinigan area by now and we hit the road enroute for Matane. Nice ride all the way to just near Montmagny here we hit more snow and wind still I have seen much worse but this will surely affect our travel time. Further east we go the more snow and wind. After Rimouski is onto the single lane stuff and a bit more white nuckle. We finally arrive at Matane 7pm not bad only one hour longer than a day with zero weather issues. Our issue was the other people scared to death driving like they never saw snow. For us not an issue. 
 
Into Hotel and only six other sleds here. I am very surprised. Now the fun begins. Unload gear into room and time to drop sleds. I open trailer go to start my sled and realize straight away, Houston we got a problem. Mon ami left my key on when he loaded my sled. She is dead. Like that Iranian general, seriously dead. Well not to mention the wind is howling and still snowing albeit not alot. Oh joy. We drop it on the ground. With the With the battery not very accessible on the grand touring of Alain We decide to use the truck the F250 will do just fine. We put the mini booster cables on it and let the truck charge it up a bit. She fires up and we park it for the night knowing fair well we are to repeat this process again in the morning. The real question is will it be ok after I ride it to La Cache and shut if off there? We shall see.
 
Had a nice dinner and chatted it up with the other gang of riders from Nova Scotia on their way back to the trucks in Point a la Croix. They came up the 595 yesterday and were going back through Amqui today. 
 
Day 1 Monday 
Matane to New Richmond 
TQ5 to 595 to TQ5
 
Up early at breakfast at 6:30 dressed and out at 7:15. Yup gonna need to jump it again. We get my ride breathing and hit the trail. 7:30am. Beautiful conditions and just after the bridge here in Matane fresh groom on TQ5 it’s delicious. Great run all the way to St Paulin and onto the 595. Super conditions. Crossed the River Cap Chat on the new ice crossing made by club to bypass a bridge that is gone. Surely 595 will be cut off on that end sooner than usual when Spring has sprung. Saw one moose and one nice sized coyote. Arrive at La Cache it’s 10:30am. Took the gas and since the Relais is officially open as of this past weekend we go inside. Lots of time on our hands. So far we have seen zero other sleds since hotel parking in Matane. ZERO. 
 
Gas super is $1.69.9 litre.  Pay up. 
 
We chat it up well mostly me as the Relais is owned by First Natiions people and they speak perfect English. They have owned it since 2017. We start talking and the manager pulls up with a truckload of groceries as they just opened and had nothing. I help them bring in the stuff as I was doing nothing else anyway.
We met Josh the manager, Justin is the chef, Dennis pumps the gas and helps with everything else. 
 
I start to explain Quebecrider to Josh the manager and he looks at me in wonder. He says we have been hearing stories from other communities about a guy named Chris Snowmaster2112. You are not him are you? Now I had two options here. My mind is racing do I say yes? Hmmm? Maybe he has beaver and a 60 pack of Bud and a hidden chalet. Well, honesty got the best of me, plus knowing Alain is not gonna be venturing off on any adventures to a chalet with these guys beaver or no beaver, I would but surely not Alain. I said no I am not. He said thank god we have been told he eats all the beaver and most of the beer. But they love him in the north and kids are writing songs about him and I think they will name the new school in Miquelon after him. Damn word travels fast. 
 
Anyway I think I convinced them to come onboard as an advertiser we will see if I get a call from the owner next week. 
 
Just as we are getting ready to leave 2 sleds arrive from the south. We chat with a couple. Guy with his girlfriend from near montreal. He first day in her life on motoneige first trails ever. She is loving it. I told the guy she won’t want ride anywhere else after this. He said I chose here for her first ride so she is guaranteed to Like snowmobiling. Smart man. 
 
Uneventful run down and into Hotel Francis. Just 2 deer near Pin Rouge Trails beautiful no other sleds none. One groomer headed up 595 close to New Richmond. No other sleds at hotel. Lots of Jack Daniels in my bag. Well there was alot. Not as much tonight,  that’s why no report yesterday. Sorry.
 
Day 2
New Richmond to Chandler
TQ5 
 
No hurry today was planned this way to relax today with all day to go a half day’s ride. Just what Alain wanted and fine with me and Jack. 
Went to breakfast at 8:30 thats like noon time on a regular day for Alain. But we are making exceptions this run. 
 
TQ5 flat frozen and fast. Beautiful. Not far along we see the first sleds coming at us since leaving Matane one group of three. Maybe 10 minutes later two more coming. That was it no others all the way to Chandler. Trail was so frozen in one spot I had to deploy my scratchers as my temp light came on. Not for long maybe 5-6km. Then put them back up. Came across a gang of club volunteers cutting branches back just before Port Daniel. Then we cruised on into the Relais at Chandler. 1pm. Day all but finished. Here we are the only ones they have seen all day the bartender was happy to have someone to talk with besides the chef. We eat and the operator of the surfacer arrives to prepare the machine for his run tonight. His name is Marc. He says for sure alot less snow right now then this time last year but the snow is frozen nicely and makes his job easier. Left relais at 2:30. Petro Canada for fuel then backtrack to Motel Fraser. Done. Alain needed his easy day because tomorrow is a big day for him. 320km from here to St Anne des Monts thru Murdochville and Mont St Pierre.

Here is the map of our first 2-day ride from Champlain to Lac-Édouard and then St-Raymond



Saturday morning we left Champlain (east of Trois-Rivières) accompanied by our partner Snowcruiser under a cloudy sky and a temperature of -21C . Just decent snow along the St-Laurence river but it quickly improved as we ride toward north and the trail base was hard and well groomed. We went up to Grand-Mère where we took the trail on the St-Maurice river


We rode  few miles on the river up to the #23 trail junction which we took north. The long trail that continue up on the St-Maurice river is also already open and marked. Under good conditions we passed St-Tite village



Just before crossing the Des Envies river, we stopped to give some help to bring back on the track a snowmobile that had gone straight into a curve. Fortunately no injuries but plastics are not tought at -20C when it stops on a tree ...



We then continued on the #23 whose path is improved this year to make less roadside



We stopped at Ste-Thècle to refuel and continued via trail #351 to go to dinner at the Tawachiche relay just at the entrance of the Zec



After a good warm up and meal we continued north



It was riding well even in this part where the trail base is really uneven,  just barely a few bumps still present. I do not know the reason but the trail is actually diverted in the wood on the part just before connecting with the #355 instead of staying under the power lines like by the past years



Here a rear view at the  #355 junction, looking towards the Pipeline section further south. There was a lot of wood cut on the right!



We then continued north. Here near the big railway bridge over the rivière du Milieu



The conditions were very good on #355 and we see more snow to the ground as we go up. Before Lake Wayagamac, we forked on the local trail Lt1 on the right



We then took the #73 east



and finally the #355 for the last stretch towards Lac Édouard.



The trail was a bit bumpy but the snow cover is impressive



We missed the junction for the lake trail and finally ride the whole path on the land trail



And we arrived at our destination at Gite d'Edouard just before dark with 150miles on the dreammeter. It is a place that we have visited few times in the past years and the owner Nicole has again received us as well with great hospitality and generous/delicious meals. We had a real good time there after our day ride and we had relax and chat alot before a good night at warm



On the next morning, a little layer of fresh cream was on our sleds



We had retraced our steps on the #355 trail. The groomer was passed overnight leaving us a perfect trail to start our day





We then switched east on the local Lt2 trail. There was only one sled track in the 3-4 "of new snow at this place and we had great fun to play in this nice powder





We took a short break near the relay at the entrance of the Zec Jeannotte



And then continued on #73 trail east





We took another short break near the "Marmitte"





We passed Rivière à Pierre and continued on the #73 towards St-Raymond and my Kristine managed to catch this beautiful action shot at trail speed. We then stopped for lunch at St-Raymond and ate well at the Paquette pizzeria.


We then continued south, our goal being to loop back in west direction to Champlain. We had a little overestimated the progress of the trails opening in the south in this sector and our first try proved being unsuccessful: we tried to take the trail to Ste-Christine just south from St-Raymond but after a couple miles in an AtV shared trail under the power line, the ATV trail turns left and the snowmobile trail.... well it was just not done yet. Here right after we turned back.



So we took the #23 trail east to loop a little farther south east. They had made a first groomer pass but the trail was not so good. Near St-Basile the #3 trail was even worse and we really think to turn back but after talking with a guy coming from the opposite direction we were knowing that is was better a bit farther and it was not a dead end so we kept going forward at very low speed. We cross some people that were at installing stakes and signs


When we were near Portneuf Station, to get better conditions, instead of keeping on the #3 we went up on #23 to make a loop a little further north. The trail base was good and although a little bumpy it was perfect after what we had rode just before! We took back  the #3 trail just a little before St-Marc des Carrières




The rest of the trails further west toward Mauricie were all good and the 5 to 6 inches of new snow allowed us to ride at a very good pace


 
We got back at our starting point in Champlain around 5 pm with 165 miles for the day and 315 miles for the 2 days. An other great ride for us!!!
The snowmobile season is finally off to a good start and with the snow fallen in the weekend it is only a matter of a few days to have all the south trails completed and the trail network fully connected. It's now finally the time to enjoy it and hit the trails for saddlebagging trips. The best of the season is just ahead us!
To see the state of the trails in Lanaudière and Mauricie, here the trail conditions site: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/

Alain

I thought about bringing George on this trip, but was worried about smuggling him across the border and the problems that could bring. Plus my wife gave me that 'look' that comes with having a monkey traveling friend.  But I think maybe George needs to come next trip, no matter what it does to my reputation on QR.

Just a quick report.  Sandi and I trailered to the DoubleTree (old Four Points) in Quebec yesterday from RDL.  Jason and Yushen drove up and are renting a two-up for the weeekend.  It is very quiet here.  About a dozen rigs and only a few sleds overnight.
This morning, Jason picked up the Grand Tour 900 Turbo with zero miles on it.  A nice looking sled.  This will give them a good ride for the weekend.
We headed east on 3 for about 20 miles to the junction with 320 just before St Anne.  3 has been groomed but it is a little thin.  A clunker in the trail every now and then. There happens to be a check point here at the junction this morning.  I showed the trail warden my paperwork because we still haven't received the stickers.  No problem.  He said 320 is a cul-de-sac but it is fine going toward L'Etape.  We run 3 until we get to the little connector to 369.  As we go up in elevation, the conditions get much better.  We get to the 369 junction and another check point.  I go to get my printout and he says "You have the paper?"  I nod my head yes and he motions for me to go along.  That was easy.
369 is fine.  This is mid winter riding and this trail is superb.  The snow cover is deep and the trees are draped with the white fluffy stuff.  The sky is blue and we are just cruising along.
We pull into L'Etape and this is packed.  Everyone is heading to the Lac.  There must be 40 - 50 sleds here.  Tank up and in for lunch.  Nothing exquisite, just good food.
Back on the trail.  We work our way over to 23 south.  From L'Etape to 23 it is rough.  It just gets so much traffic that it be groomed every hour and still have bumps.  About 5 miles down 23 and things start to smooth out again.  Sandi picks up the pace and we are off.  A lot of traffic around L'Etape but you don't have to go far and most everyone disappears.  A couple of sleds pass us in each direction.  All of 23 is fine.  It usually gets groomed for the weekend and they didn't miss this one.
As we approach St Raymond, a little more traffic.  The locals are out on a Friday afternoon.  The trail shows a little more wear near town.  We get to the Cat dealer next to Roquemont and the gas pumps are gone.  Not a big deal we can gas up in the morning in town but it was convenient with the pumps next to the hotel.  Roquemont is full.  Trailers all over and the sleds have been pulling in since we got here.  I think the trail 3 closure has shifted everyone from DoubleTree to Roquemont.
A very nice ride today but it was on the cold side, -20C.  The forecast is for cold overnight with 5-10 cm.  Tomorrow another 5 cm.  That should help the trails down here closer to the St Laurent.
Jack & Sandi

Just a little. No photoshop here in first photo guy is standing in middle of road. Holy drift.

Nice reports but haven’t heard how or where George is yet
I thought you two were in separable

Nice reports but haven’t heard how or where George is yet
I thought you two were in separable

Nice reports but haven’t heard how or where George is yet
I thought you two were in separable

Was in Parent tuesday morning and talking to Cynthia at the store. She said Sylvie is in Trois Riviere staying with relatives right now recovering and hopes to be home soon. 
I think we should all try and plan some February meet in Parent and show her how much we love her. I know I will make it a point to stop by later in the season and express my utmost condolences. 

Traveled through the park on the 175 black trail on Monday, sadly not without incident. In the end, all is well. 
Conditions are optimum out of the Delta. 
Below are a few photos of my wife & daughter from the top of Mont Apica. 
Those on the fence, trying to consider whether or not to jump should make the trek.
 

Mike, looks like you guys found some good going too today, as we mentioned at breakfast, we went east towards Rimouski and down to St Gabriel de Rimouski for a great lunch at the Restaurant de table Le Maman. I would definitely stop here again for lunch.  We to were pleased with the conditions. Yesterday when we were out the snow was loose and pliable, last night the base set up nicely and we had very similiar riding conditions as Mike described, and on top of that a Blue sky day!  One definitely will not be disappointed with the riding in this region now. We talked with a gentlemen in Rimouski who said that this good snow had just come with that storm and the riding was not that good prior.
Tomorrow we head east to meet some friends riding up from Lac Etchemin.  We will connect  for lunch at St Pamphile with them and ride back to RDL for the night. Here are some pics that resemble Mikes, just great conditions for sure
RR
 
 

Safe to cross in St Etienne.TQ3 
in Grand Mere is safe but just the part near 23, cannot go up river yet. 
 
All trails here are just seeing first passes with groomers. Some shows groomed but trust me, some places they have just passed with dozer no drag. To pack and fill. By end of week should be shaping up.

First day of riding for the new season. I was a little worried if the conditions would be good enough. Well, from what we saw today, it was  amazing, midwinter conditions in most areas we rode.  Yesterday's afternoon flurries left about 2 to 5 inches in most areas. Trees are caked with snow. The groomers had been over about 95 percent of the trails we rode. Jack and Sandi, Jak, and I had a great day.  Ate at Chevelliers Club House.
We started out going west along the St. Lawrence. Not as much snow there, but enough that it was very good. From then on perfection. We next headed south to trail #5 and dropped down to 561 going south. We went down the lake, it used to be 35 and is now 561 this year. Lake was kinda slushy in spots. Got gas then lunch. Continued southeast on 35 to almost Cabanno and began working our way north  weaving in and out of some of the loops off the rail bed.
Sandi did an amazing job leading followed by her posse of misfits.
FYI   My ATM card would not work this year at the ATM inside the Universel. Desk clerk believe a new ATM card with a chip is now needed. Drove down to the bank and their's accepted my card.
 
 
 
 

Ya know.....I think I like creame brûlé almost as much as snowmobing 

Yesterday ,  Sunday west of Relais 22 on the 83 .  No rain,  lots of fresh all the way from Barrage Gouin to La Tuque  . 

11 January. Update
3c changeover has begun snow and ice pellets now  Mostly snow. 
Likey Likey.

Well we were up for 4 days of riding and to break in the new sled with 1100 km.  Only one off trail adventure and no one was injured in that unexpected  experience.. As for trail condition  23 was bumpy to l'tape  but good north to hebertville , all lower LSJ  is just passable  . L'tuque. north to is ok not great  and the trail from relais   22  to  hedgewick has the first 20 km torn up by bulldozer for some logging.  You have to go more north of LSJ. to get good snow,we stuck mostly to the west side and did the tour of the 49 th. passere // e  du ,  big push on this year to promote this side of Mt. valin area. and definitely worth it.. MT. vilain was good and met some nice people.. Not the same crowd that you get on the west side.. GOOD to get out for the first time this year  and meet CT rider to do the trip together .They are expecting  30 plus cm of new snow in next couple days ..We headed out before the freezing rain , just got a touch friday morning leaving hebertville .All is good can't wait to go again after this weather settles down..

Today , we left. Chibougamo at -18, not anywhere near our record low, but a low for this year!  Gorgeous Blue Sky day on our run to Lac St Jean.  The trail from The Bou to the. sawmill54 will be great with one more grooming, but reminded us of the run we did between Clova and Fallon a couple of days ago, not perfect, but not bad! 
This is still a great ride, back to the truck tomorrow with an estimated 1300 on.  Love it,
Go west boys,  it’s  great going!
 
Between La Tuque and La Dore, over the past three days,  on that section of trail we saw a total of 9 sleds!
 
Happy trails

Found it.
https://www.pressreader.com/canada/le-nouvelliste/20191116/282480005625503
 
Escape on an island ... north of La Tuque
 Le Nouvelliste16 Nov 2019
 
 Karine Garceau and Dany Frigon are co-owners of the Lac Dumoulin outfitter.
 LA TUQUE - There are dozens of outfitters in the Haute-Mauricie region.  Rustic, chic, isolated, original, there is something for everyone.  At the Lac Dumoulin outfitter, we try to stand out by offering to escape to a dream island.  In this outfitter with exclusive rights, there are no clients, but rather visitors to the island and those who receive them are the inhabitants of the island.
 “We are merchants of happiness.  People like to feel like they are at home.  They don't feel like customers, they also appreciate being received by friendly people.  It's part of the experience, "said co-owner Karine Garceau from the outset.
 The new owners have taken a new turn with this family business.  The place is now open twelve months a year.
 “We are now snowmobile relay!  This is the first time that the outfitter has been open year-round.  It was a need, I think.  There is also a craze for off-piste snowmobiling and we are in a very interesting sector, ”said Dany Frigon, co-owner.
 Hunters and fishermen are not to be outdone.  There are five species of fish on the territory, speckled trout, moulac, Quebec red trout, pike and gray trout.  Bear, moose and small game hunting is also offered at different times of the year.
 There is also all the experience that distinguishes the Lac Dumoulin outfitter according to the owners.
 “The outfitter has a very specific concept.  The facilities are on an island.  We will pick up visitors from the pontoon, we will bring them directly to their chalet.  It is an area of 100 km2 with 32 lakes.  To travel on the territory, we put a boat available to people and mountain bikes.  It’s a special concept that people love.  They cross the lake in a rowboat, they go to one of the landing stages around the lake, they take the mountain bikes that are waiting for them to go to other secondary lakes for fishing, "explains Dany Frigon.
 We also ensure that flies are less present during the summer, due to a "caressing breeze crossing the island".
 "There are quite a few fewer flies!"  We’re in the middle of a gigantic lake, there’s always a nice breeze.  People have noticed it.  You can relax on the gallery without being eaten by flies, ”says Frigon.
 FAMILY HISTORY
 "We bought an outfitter without it being really planned in our life".  Not too long ago, Dany Frigon never thought he would buy an outfitter and live in the heart of the Haute-Mauricie forest.  It was her father’s illness that spawned this family project.
 “Our father was diagnosed with brain cancer in late 2016. The prognosis was unpleasant.  We quit our job to take care of my father at home.  It is the return of change to take care of our parents when they are sick […] We started to have a great time with our father despite the situation.  A situation like that, it brings a relational change naturally.  We were full time with our father who was a born entrepreneur.  It has always been in business, ”says Dany Frigon.
 "We kept it with us for almost two years," he said.  During those two years, we deepened our relationships, we discussed the inheritance openly.  There was a great desire to develop a project with our father based on the bequest he gives us, "he adds.
 The Frigon family wanted something in which they could live, but above all a lifestyle that they would like.
 “We were cut off from our family, we were having fun, we were having a good time… As hunting and fishing enthusiasts for a long time.  How about an outfitter? "
 The research got under way, but the criteria were also numerous.  We wanted something close to an urban center.
 "We didn't want to go to school at home.  We wanted the children to have a social life too. ”
 It was there that love at first sight came when I read the first page of a document containing 80 about the Lac Dumoulin outfitter.
 “An instant crush and an instant emotional connection.  “There were three essential elements on this page.  We learn that the outfitter was founded by an Aurel, our father is called Aurel, the outfitter was founded in 1949, our father was born in 1949 and there is an Aurel lake on the site.  I remind you that this is a project we are setting up with our father at the end of his life.  The links are strong, but we are exceeding our budget, ”says Dany Frigon.
 The thunderbolt was too strong to stop there.  We did everything possible to make it work.
 "I presented the project to my father.  I managed to get his attention for 45 minutes and we had his last words very clear. "
 With the approval of the father who said to go ahead, there was nothing left to prevent the Frigon from acquiring this little paradise.
 "It's not a business, we bought a way of life.  We live with my father on the outfitter and we have this link which motivates us to exploit the outfitter and to develop it.  We are there for memory, territory and heart, ”concludes Dany Frigon.
 It's not a business, we bought ourselves a way of life.  We live with my father on the outfitter and we have this link which motivates us to exploit the outfitter and to develop it.

There are always two options there for dinner......take it or leave it.

I can only hope this guy gets a nice beat down in jail. For what he did to her.
 

Here is the ride we did on Sunday January 5, 2020



This last weekend was our first opportunity since several weeks for us to ride again. Saturday would normally have been our first choice but the temperatures were far too mild since several days so we decided to wait on Sunday where colder temperatures were expected. We were not disappointed with a good frost overnight and a winter normal temperature of -10C during our day. From what had been groomed during the night and following TrailBlazer advice, we chose to start from St-Zenon and going to lunch at Marineau in Rivière Mattawin which give us an easy  hundred miles to do before lunch.
We started from La Glacière around 9:20 am under a cloudy sky



The snow cover, although limited, is good enough to give a more than acceptable trail on # 350 which was freshly groomed



The # 23 towards the Cabanon was also freshly groomed giving us a nice ride


A surprise for us, the route from #23 trail is deviated from the usual path for 4 miles because they will plow a section of road for wood transport(the interactive map is up to date on this change). This different trail path was great





After connecting the usual route a little before the Cabanon, there is some sand mixed with snow on some spots as we often see in this sector but beautiful trail no bump.



We continue on  345 towards the dam



It was also freshly groomed, the first part of4 miles which leaves the forest road was a little less beautiful with some spots of dirty snow and some rocks but immediately returned on the forest path it was nice and fast, but with few visible ice spots



The last 0.5miles before the dam still shown some potatoes but it's really short



The Taureau reservoir is already lowered by half and there is still huge water amount still flowing out





Then we had a 10 miles rought that had not been groomed on the #360 between the dam and the junction for the #345north( in Repos direction). Here is a pic from my gopro this time, Kristine was using her two hands to stay with me!



Once past junction #345 north, The #360 had been groomed by the Mattawin club for the rest of the trip and was nice and fast






We stopped to take a short break at #440 rest area to enjoy the view of the river





And then took back the trail again, still beautiful and fast



the other classic point of view



The last stretch of 8 miles out of the Zec Chapeau de Paille was notch down given the limited snow cover but still nice and practically no bump. The cabin with the barrier in the middle of the road at the entrance of the bridge is no longer there...



We arrived for lunch at Marineau around 12:30 with just 101 miles on the dreammeter. It's always as nice to stop there, just good things to say about them!


 
After refueling, we chose to take the exact same path for the return. We usually choose to loop through the M20 /#345 but the #360 was far too nice to look any further. The traffic of the day did not wear it and we returned toward the dam at a very good pace. The small rought section before the dam wasn't any better, the #345 south of the dam showed some wear, not much  bumpy but have swept/icy curves but not enough to really slow us down, just a bit in the big curves. We cross 2 groomers thay were about to start their run when passing at the Cabanon. The#23 south from there had stay beautiful, giving us a dessert to finish the ride. We came back at La Glacière around 4:30 pm with 202 miles on the dreammeter, giving us a very nice ride for the day
In sum, the snow cover is not very generous yet, but is sufficient with cold to give very acceptable trails like the ones we had on Sunday. It was nice to have the 10 inches of new snow  we had last week , but without cold trail condition was bad with alot moguls . With the cold coming back, the trails will hold and keep good. We hope for more snow to continue to shape up the already opened trails and to continue the enlarge the playground down south.
You can also take a look at the updated trail condition site here: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
Alain
 

One last post on this crazy thread. I want to thank ALL OF YOU for following along and commenting. If you enjoyed it as much as I did reading your responses then we all made out good.
something no one (except my wife and best friend know) until now is this ride was for and dedicated to Peanut
she was our beloved cat that was our baby girl for the last 10.5 years  she had chronic asthma and was on hi doses of steroids which finally took their toll on her. We had to put her to sleep less than 24 hrs before I left for this trip. She is (and has been) for years on my “splash” screen on my Garmin GPS. So when I turn it on the first thing I see is “Peanut”
We miss you baby girl and will see you again someday.
here Peanut in her better days

Its perfect 
Rode it today. First tracks for most of it. Enjoy 

Its perfect 
Rode it today. First tracks for most of it. Enjoy