doo4adoo

At the last minute I decided to drive to RDL two days ago, on Sunday. Didn't have much hope for great riding, but was going stir crazy sitting around the house.  I also heard SkiDoo invited the sled magazine press to Quebec starting Sunday to ride the 2025 sleds. Several years ago they did this same thing and stayed at the Universel in RDL. It was great getting to talk to the factory guys. Turns out (found out today) this time around they went northeast of Montreal. 
Driving up thru Maine, Jackman actually looked pretty decent. The Chaudierre region of Quebec looked like toast, no riding there. In fact I didn't really see good snow until about 30 miles before RDL. Pulled into RDL seeing bare tar everywhere. Yuck!!!   Less than an inch of new snow fell Sunday night.
Today I finally decided to unload the sled and take a look around the area. Anyone who has been here knows how big the hotel parking lot seems when it is bare tar. Onto the trail heading for the clubhouse.  Snirt, dirt, some ice, and more snirt. This may be a short ride. I remember my January trip here, 1,800 miles of low snow but perfect conditions, except on the last day when the warm up came.
Drive by the club house, closed today.  Thinking head South and SW.   In the blink of an eye, or maybe someone spiked my morning coffee with magic mushrooms, I was in the middle of all out winter, a true winter wonderland. Beautiful packed powder, groomed to perfection, trees coated in white,and what appeared to be a better snow depth than my January trip. Giddy up MXZ baby.
Further I got, it appeared this area got half a foot of fluff Sunday night.  I did a 100 mile loop that was 5 star riding,  every bit as good as the 5 star meal I had last night at Hotel Levesque.  Quick meal at Exploreteur Clubhouse. Eventually made my way north to trail 5.  The last few miles of trail 5 was much lower snow pack but still really nice except for a couple snirts here and there.
Since arriving here, weather forecast changed from a cold week to a gradual warm up starting tomorrow and rain later in the week. Hopefully I can remember to bring my camera on tomorrow's ride.
Several groups left for Gaspe in the past few days. Just saw one sled return via flat bed a few minutes ago.
mike
 
 
 
 

Figured I’d post on here in case anyone wants to follow along or is curious of conditions. Trucked up from PA up to Amos at the Amosphere 14hr run but bluebird day made travel easy. Pretty good amount of snow here considering how crappy a year it is grooming map shows lots of activity, so should be some excellent riding. Just doing day trips and big loops each day from Amos might head to Mattagami tomorrow will post report and pics. 

Day 1, word of the day….Thin!  Got 2” overnight made it nice leaving RDL. Never seen it so thin here in February. Trails pretty smooth, not enough snow to be rough. Snirt is gone with the fresh snow. Get out of town and take 5 East. Rimouski Club says stay on 5 for best conditions. Hasn’t been our experience but let’s try it. Away from town coverage not bad. Once we get to Trois Pistoles it’s actually pretty nice. Continue on 5 to the 35 outside of Rimouski. Traffic is light all day groomers are doing their thing. Meet back up with 5 East to 587 short cut to 5 at Padoue. Took the 5 all the way to Matane to the Riotel. Very scratchy in town, basically blacktop and dirt.

Late start this morning around 9:30 since the ol lady doesn't like -10F snowmobiling. Rode over to the cave, Begin, Nature Otis, up to 373 across to Onatchiway, then back down 373 to the Ski Mountain 170 miles. Heading south to the cave over to Begin that first 60 miles was nothing to write home about, the rest of the way was good to excellent, met 2 groomers on the way home. Tomorrow heading for the frozen waterfall, possibly Sacre Couer loop if they groom and she's motivated enough. Better than sitting home on the couch, but definitely not usual Quebec conditions as we knew it wouldn't be. 

Yesterday we rode from Delta to Otis Nature.  First 8 miles until you cross the second bridge were lots of rocks, snirt and dirt. One of the Sidewinders kept overheating.  After the second bridge a Huge improvement. Flat smooth.  Couldn't go WOT as there is ice beneath a thin layer of snow, corners very icy.  Goof smoked meat at Otis Nature.  110 miles.
Today took 83 S to Auberge du Ravage.  Much better getting out from the Delta.  Lots of open straight trials where you could go WOT.  Nice lunch at the Ravage.  87 Octane gas at the Ravage is 2.50/liter.  Was a great day for 160 miles.
 
Tomorrow we're going to head North again and shoot for Auberge KM 31.  Will post tomorrow.
Overall, it's still better then work.  Sled wheels are a really nice to have in the Delta parking lot.  Completely bare asphalt 
 
Fred

Day 3. Escoumins to Baie Comeau. 175 miles. Another sunshine day made for mild temperatures in the high teens. Trails were very good, except for about 30 miles, which were OK, but had chop in all the turns.The building by the water in the last picture is our hotel for the night. Le Manior
 

ya but some thing s never get old lol

With this bad winter, and the reduction in $$$s spent at hotels\relays\etc.... will more of the local business communities realize the value we bring and the impact on the economy..... And just maybe embrace us more and stop closing trails and reroutes in and out of towns.
just a thought...... looking for a silver lining for the season.....
GutZ

Today’s path took us from the Delta to Escoumins through Mount Valin. The Chapel was crowded but service is second to none. Trails leaving Jonquire, where acceptable once we got over the second bridge they got much better. The orange Trail past lor Piste was a little rough. Plenty of snow but needed groomer. Once we hit Trail 330 it was a 10. Surprised to see how much snow is here in Escoumins being near the river. There Has to be 25 trailers here must be a good starting point. Couple guys came from Sept-Tiles and said the trails are perfect all the way. Can’t wait!

Yes great loops for you and your closest 1000 friends, lol
I hope not but with limited riding everyone will likely be in a few concentrated areas now

Just back from the Delta, so a quick update.
The Grooming Teams are doing a great job with what they have to work with,,,,,, but they dont have much to work with around town and in the lower elevations.
With all the traffic from the foreigners ( hahahahaha) the trails are not holding a grooming long, smoother on the way out, than a few hours later, stutters back in.
It was great seeing everyone!
Please set your expectations appropriately.....
Later
GutZ

let you know what the main stream trails are like, no inside info here, just my own

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

ya but some thing s never get old lol

Club Piteman reporting that Lepine road is open from the Pensive up to Clova.   Yes I did learn that info in facecrack, just not our sister station.  Straight from the horses mouth

Negative ghost rider. Top secret intel that cannot be discussed on an unsecured line.  😇 I will pm you and any other CONTRIBUTING member that wants to know.  I apologize for the secrecy but if I say where it is I will have to compete with all the lurkers next time I go there.  Getting sick of that real quick.  They come over here learn some new shit, then head over to facecrack and regurgitate the shit they learned here as if they had the idea.  Sorry but it’s true.  I can’t find parking at the Roquemont anymore, same with SADL.
I did not see much snirt, granted we only put on 300 miles in 2 days.  There were maybe 5 patches of grass near the hotel, once we got up the hill it was good to go for the rest of the day.  

Looks nice!   Nice job photoshopping all the snirt out!  LOL

Chris dude here. We have been saddle bagging all over. We haven’t been on 83 much as we are not heading back yet.
we left from the Delta and are making the loop counterclock wise.

Some Chris dude has been on FB and riding the general area and has said trails good. Pictures attached with white snow as well , bonus!!
I think its just weak around LSJ

Some Chris dude has been on FB and riding the general area and has said trails good. Pictures attached with white snow as well , bonus!!
I think its just weak around LSJ

Interesting choice of parking spot for the picture!🙃

Hi Don.  Sometimes after the day's ride it is tough to sit down and bang away at the keyboard but it is worth it.  I like reading your posts too and all the other folks that contribute.  It keeps our community together.
Hope you can get a little more riding in.  Have a great summer.
Jack & Sandi

Just pulled the trigger on a 2024 Lynx x terrain brutal 850...trading in the 2020 extreme...lighter sled without the two speed transmission with XRS suspension...and 4 more wheels in rear skid and a 7.2 cluster...all the Linq accessories swap over...great trade and 1.4 interest...putting my faith in many more great winters ahead of us...and hopefully the best is yet to come this season...like ice said...IT ISN'T OVER!!