markusvt

We used to ride out of here a lot, like 2000-2004ish. Since then a visit once every few years or so. It's such an easy ride for us we should visit more often!

Sorry, I tried to tone it down............. I'll post pictures tomorrow, don't look!

Day 3, 232 miles. The hotel had a really nice buffet breakfast that rivaled what you would get anywhere. Perfect way to start the day after 2 days of continental breakfast deals. Real food, yummy. Plan today was 5 all the baby back to the truck. Easy to do, no choices. WOW, the groomers had been out and it got cold last night, so we were treated to the double wide, super-fast, very fine power lines that were P-E-R-F-E-C-T! 5 is nice when there is no traffic, and there was none. It could not have been groomed any wider or faster for us. 16F when we got in the truck, 9F when I got home, -5F when I got up in the am. This is the winter that won't quit. In 232 miles there was maybe 1 15 mile section that had not been groomed the night before. You could have started much further south, but this was the right mission for us this time. For sure NOT over, I see a nice 2 more weeks for many areas. Be smart, call ahead. Try to get your gas in the towns as the relays will be dropping like flies.

Day 2, 204 miles. The plan was to get in early to Rimouski, to head to the hill drags at the local ski mountain. Again, more snow, a lot more snow, and wind. The snow on the sides of some of the roads were as high as a school bus roof. We wanted a bit of a ride, so we choose 85 to 548 north to 5 to 578 north of Rimouski then east to 578, than south on 5 back to Hotel Rimouski. Aside from the crazy goat path through the city, the hotel is really nice. Big rooms, very comfy beds. Very Victorian lobby. This was an eastern route, again on the green trails as much as possible. We saw a handful of sleds, maybe. Saw one dead ski-dozer, (been there, done that in our 10 years as groomer operators). It was really nice riding all day with plenty of snow, really too much snow if there is such a thing. No dirt, no rocks, no open dirt roads, no running water, nothing. Lot's of snow, and most groomed up to perfection. We got in at 4:00PM, perfect time to shower, get a bite to eat in the bar and take a taxi to the races. We arrived at the ski-area at 7:30, and watched until 10:00PM or so. 3 lanes of drag racing on the snow, up the ski-hill, pretty fun for sure. We had an interesting Taxi driver. He said after this winter he was making plans to move a bit further south to get less snow. I ask how far south, he said New Mexico! He said look around, you cannot see the houses there is so much snow. He had enough weeks ago. I felt bad for him, but not too bad now step on it!

Day 1, 276 miles: We arrived Thursday night into the Montmagny Econolodge, (wow, a bit updated form the old 232). Conditions looked pretty darn good in the dark! We woke up, had a quick continental breakfast and headed off. I put a nice route into the GPS that would take us east on 551, then north on 55, north on 557, east on 35, north on 544, north on 565 then back south on 5 to RDL for what was supposed to be a total of 238 miles. Most all on the green trails and minimum railroad beds. We started off in a fresh 4 inches, and it got deeper, and deeper, and deeper by the hour. The riding was just plain awesome. It was the best I have seen out of Montmagny, EVER. The sleds were using a bit more gas pushing all the snow. I broke trail for the first 70 miles, and ran out 7 miles before the gas station. We siphoned a bit in and off we went. On the 544 and 565 we were pushing 12-16 inches of snow. It was difficult looking for the top few inches of the red sticks in the fields. Whitest snow ever. It was really awesome riding. We arrived at the Days-Inn in RDL at 5:00pm with 276 miles on the day, and all of it awesome. We saw 3 groomers and less than a dozen sleds, nice! The local relay folks were telling us 1 more week-end and they will be shut down. Hard to stay open with no traffic and plans made months earlier for what should have been a normal winter. I think some folks are ready for warmer temperatures. We rode all day on the low 20's, nice. We took a taxi to the local La Cage Aux Sports for a tower of beer and some ribs and wings, (love that place). In the morning we met a Quebec native down from the Gaspésie who runs a salmon fishery on the river. He said this is some of the most snow he has seen. He said it will cause some flooding as it melts, but it is very good for the declining salmon populations as it brings much needed cold water to the river. He explained he has moved to a catch and release program to help the fish, nice.

Heading back up this week-end, just have to do it.

We have had the wires breaks on the individual coils.

Mike, We had made reservations at the Econlodge prior and went directly there. For sure the best riding I have ever seen out of Montmagny. Mark.

Just got back from a nice 3 day 716 miles loop, starting in Montmagny, headed full east, then north, west and south. We included Riviere-du-Loup, Rimouski and then back down. There is so much snow, not just for this time of year, but anytime. I will post a report later in the regional forum, but I attached a few pictures to get you thinking.

Nice! We be in Montmagny tonight, RDL tomorrow night, and Rimouski for Saturday night.

For sure you guys picked the right week to go, have a good time. We are planning to ride the next 3 week-ends in Quebec, we may see you!

Yes Pat, lot's of adventures up the in the great white north! SkippyDoo, PM me your e-mail and I'll send the tracks.

Day 2, 223 miles. The plan for the day was a little adventurous. (Off trail down to the start of M21 from Kantawata.) A bit of a late start with the time change, but after breakfast we headed 9 miles north on 345, then hooked a right on the local trails for another 18 miles, (the trail used to go this way). It was nice as someone had been grooming it. It pops you out at the relay that used to be on the main trail that never had gas. Now that he is off the beaten path, he has gas, go figure. We did not fill up as we were good. Now we had a 55 miles off road stretch, no signs, no grooming, on our own. The first 35 miles lined up perfect with what we had pre-mapped on the GPS, but now we were on a new HUGE road in the MIDDLE OF NOWWHERE. The snow was really deep, yikes. We had gas to go back, but we really wanted to complete the mission. This new road was unplowed and would make an awesome main trail! We fussed around a bit getting back on track, but we did it after a few false turns off the new road. A few hours later we popped out on the end of the M21, all off road style, nice! The M21 was groomed perfect, and like always the M20 was super also! We jumped on the 360 into Mattawin for gas and food. The trails were freshly groomed and in excellent shape. After lunch we headed down to the river, again perfect trail down to the river. Nice and warm out, and the locals were having a good time too. Tons of folks out on the river walking and getting some fresh air in the warm March sun. We stayed on the river till we hit the 3. Then it's all power-lines and fields back to the truck. Everything was groomed pretty nice again, but it was obvious the power-lines took a beating with the week-end traffic. This is where the early season rains are really helping them hang onto the base. We got back to the truck with 223 on the day, a fair part of it off road.

Day 1, 252 miles. We drove to Yamachiche as it is a hop, skip and a jump for us. We were in Alains, (Towing's) back yard again. Not a real ton of snow here, but what they was was groomed perfectly. We headed due west on 3 until we joined with 63 north/west. The going was really nice, all of the dirt road sections were still frozen solid. As soon as we got north of St-Zenon, we took the orange side trail to hook up with 33 north. We got gas at the cafeteria just outside of St-Michael. We try to avoid food there this year because we don't generally have a hankering for cellophane wrapped mystery meat sandwiches and store bought cookies. The plan was to eat and gas at Lac Torro, (we have never eaten there either), and it was only another 30 miles or so. On the way we came upon a side trail to Pignon Rouge Mokocan that we have passed before. This time we headed up the 2km to check it out. The place was packed and the food was awesome! Perfect English too. They said they have packages for $80 including room, dinner and breakfast which these days is a deal. The desert was delicious. No gas there that we could see, but we were set. After lunch we headed out for fuel at Repo's, but with a twist of course..... We took the lakes almost the whole way! 33 was a tad bumpy so this was a good choice. All of the parallel lakes to the 33 were staked which was a real surprise. If you stay on the 33 you will drive into Repos parking lot so no problem there. Going south you have to pay attention or you will end up in Mattawan. Taking the lakes was super cool, with Lac Torro being the highlight, like driving on the moon. We gassed up at Repo's at $1.90 per liter, wow but ot was super after all. Off to Kantawta for the night via the 345. The trail was one of the nicest of the season, and I am at 4500 miles so far. It was so awesome nice! They have really kept up on the grooming perfectly. Just before the shortcut off the trail onto the lake at Kantawata we came on a mother Lynx and 3 babies. The babies were pretty big and could leave a good mark on you. We waited, shut the sleds off and took a handful of pictures. I have never had this happen. We then took the lake straight across to the backdoor of Kantawata. They have a new HUGE solar system since last season. Seems a few places are doing this now. I think the cost of diesel and propane are killing them. Kantawata has nice cabins, and a nice dinner/breakfast service. We got in in plenty of time as the conditions were excellent. She gave us 2 cabins for 4 guys so tons of room.

For sure you have the most miles from anyone in NC! If you wanted, there should be good riding in many areas for the next 2-3 weeks.

Glad it all worked out for you guys, for sure a bit more adventurous than when we did it earlier.

Yup, lot's of awesome riding still for sure!

Outside of lot's of snow, smooth trails, good signing, I think folks are looking for cost effective solutions, safe and secure options for parking and lodging, and want to feel welcome in another country. Please close your eyes, click your heals 3 times and make it so!

Is Face Book down again?

Looks like the trails have a few more days of riding left in them!

Lot's of updates. DESS II RAS II More color options. More track options. New mountain ski. New mountain tracks and options. New hand guards. New Throttle for ACE motors, (reversible). 900 put into more utility models. Available tip out mirrors. No new motors.

Awesome trip, always nice to save miles in the truck!

We will try again, but for sure more towards the spring when the snow is settled!

Super fun for sure, great trail system in the NW corner.

Nice run! Looks like we just missed you. http://www.quebecrider.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=3383