Dozer

I tip my helmet to the PM. Very cool. Well done Steven. This kind of experience goes a long way for all of us. Dozer

It was a pleasure to finally meet you, Bill. I appreciate all you do for the good folks here in the Sag, and for those of us afflicted with this sledding addiction. I look forward to you showing me some of the sights here on my own turf!! Talk to you in a month. 'Til then, take care. Dozer

The entire region got hit and affected by the ice, even up in Mt Valin. Alot of trails are open, and groomers are smoothing things out as best as possible, but we are in need of a good foot of snow to make things comfortable. I sure wouldn't come looking to do any boondocking just yet...that could get expensive! Down in LSJ the trails are pretty rough as the groomers just don't have too much to work with. I ran 120kms yesterday, Home- Chicoutimi, and looped down to La Boulaniere and back. There was quite a bit of ice and I found myself searching for cooling snow on the edges as the trails were that hard packed. Happy Doo Year! Dozer

Leather SkiDoo gloves. Pricey, at about 130.00 bucks but they are worth it, IMO. I've had mine for 5 seaons now and they are still warm, prefectly formed and looking good. Dozer

Great! Nothing like a little conflicting info. to kick off the latest project! Anyone else use a GPS plugged into the heated visor jack. Just my luck, I've got the 12v outlet on my Tundra LT and the helmet visor heating jack on my Renegade 1000. The Renegade is what I expect to be doing the long distance cruising on so I was wonder ing whether I can get away with the visor jack. Anyone? Dozer

Power supply: Can you run any of these units off of a heated visor RCA jack, or do you need the 12volt jack (if not hard wiring)? Dozer

Fuel pumps are one of the bigger issues with the 1000SDI. There are two of them, (low and high pressure) and if one goes (usually the low pressure one in earlier models) it can cause a lean condition meltdown. Many of us running the 1000 install a fuel pressure gauge to try and stay on top of a problem about to happen. Many also re-locate and replace the low pressure pump. There's more info. on this than any sane person can absorb on the Dootalk Mach Z forum, if you are interested. Dozer

That little frog is the epitome of 'two stroke for life' as far as I'm concerned - Brings a smile to my face every time I watch it. There's something about the nature of snowmobiling in him, in spite of the waxy-wet skin. Or is that what turns my crank????? Glad you enjoyed it. Someone on 'Dootalk' shared it last year. Le Saguenay vous attend. Dozer

I doubt it... the base up there might be 2 1/2 feet. Personally I wouldn't do much off trail on an expensive sled . Things are going to get ripped to shreds this weekend. There are alot of guys foaming at the mouth to get rolling up there. Word is they cancelled the Snow Cross in Mt Valin. That tells you the 'marginal' nature of things. Right now, things are clear and fairly cold... and snow is on the horizon the next thee out of four days. She's shaping up for trails, but its not boondockin' time yet. There are alot of willows visible in the ungroomed trails. I'll be happier with another foot. I think the groomers will be too. I'm here all next week and will keep track of things up there. Gotta' go and pack the bush trail behind my house. There's finally enough snow to justify burning gas to make walking easier! Dozer

Merci!

I received a call today from a buddy in New Brunswick. He was asking whether a 2009 New Brunswick pass is valid on Quebec trails or whether he needs to buy a temporary to come up here for a week on sledding. Anyone? Dozer

Gutz, I was up in the Valin complex today. Couldn't see across the road for the falling snow. Trails open officially tomorrow. We are ready for your two stroke madness! I can see it now... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=be2AUvIZLtE Call me when you are headed up. I'd love to saddle up the 'Gade and go for a ride with you. Dozer

Bill, I watched one of those guys climb a small pine tree with his RX-1 Mountain last year in that very location. We were enjoying the view over a nice esspresso one of our coffee fiends brought along when in rolled this gang that started slaloming in the trees. The crash into the tree was only satisfying until one of them pulled out a saw and cut it down. Hence my 'Creme de Menthe' rant. Dozer

Good call, Gutz. I've just returned following a week on the road. Trails are not ready yet. Snow is here, and tantalizing, but not enough to run on with anything less than a 'brush buster' old Tundra. Happy Thanksgiving. Dozer

Bienvenue, Virginie. Evasion Sport is one of the top dealers in our area. I'm a SkiDoo guy, but their shop has been helpful to me and is welcoming to all. They are the top choice if you want to rent a sled here in the Saguenay (in my opinion). Dozer

Still no snow for sleddin'...nothing but rain now for 3 weeks! I forgot to mention that you should check out the following web site. Its the ski hill up in the Mont Valin complex. Its a cool little resort village that also caters to sledders. http://www.valinouet.qc.ca/ Dozer

I should stop drinkin' Creme de Menthe when I'm on this forum. Sounded like quite the Green Freak, didn't I? :wacko:

National Parks are not places for compromises. They should represent the best of wild and unspoiled 'representative' country that a nation has to offer. Do we need motorized access to National Park land? In my opinion, as a Canadian, no way. Walk in. Snowshoe in. Ski in. Do so on trails constructed by park managers to limit impact and maximize the natural wilderness experience. If that's what someone is after in Mont Valin, as a snowmobile freak, I say 'Go for It'. Its a little nugget of territory surrounded by a vast landscape of incredible snowmobile country that has been created by, in very large measure, the logging industry. We have thousands of Km's of logging roads to run on, and if the government wants to step up and create a few more pathways in a little give and take, good on 'em. I've seen the look on a few cross country skiers' faces as I idled by in so-called 'dual use' country, and frankly, I sympathized with them. A person coming to one of our National Parks deserves a prisitine experience. Give it to 'em. I know that this opens up a can of worms as far as the US / Yellowstone perspective goes, but what the 'hey', this is a Canuck talkin'. I am pretty certain that our wardens wouldn't put up with any Timothy Treadwells protecting bears in our National Parks, either. Keep the rules clear in National Parks. Its all about preserving wilderness. Dozer

Carbide, Motel Mont Valin is surprisingly out of the way, and no where near Mont Valin. I wouldn't recommend it. You'd be better off with places in Chicoutimi like the Saguenenne, The Comfort Inn, or Montagnais, or follow Bill's advice and head to Jonquierre, to the Holiday Inn. Auberge 31, a hotel way up in Zec Martin Valin is about the only place likely to put you in the action early season. They are good folks. No snow up there worth sledding on right now, but things will cool off this week and we could be into 'er by end November. I live here... Dozer

OK!

TDay is bad, I'll be gone. Maybe on a return trip. Dozer

Gutz, I've seen your posts on Doo Talk. If you are looking for a 'local' to run the Mont Valin trails with you, send me an e-mail and we can coordinate burnin' up a few Turbo Cats on Lac Jalobert this winter. I run a 'Gade 1000. Dozer