markusvt

Anyone tried it recently?

Planing a 400 mile day is, um, not smart. Some winters, some conditions, some riders, maybe. But this winter, this time of the year, um, nope. And I have a fair amount of 400 miles days under my belt. You want to have fun, enjoy the day, and not just shoveling in as many $1.30 liters of gas through as you can.

Where was your loop?

Ride R-I-G-H-T!

Via relay 22?

Yikes! Someone has to practice road crossings.

We rode it the 13th and the 16th, all groomed.

We have done the Gaspe loop 2-3 times over the years, starting from either Montmagny or Riviere Du-Loop. Pointe a la Croix would be an 11 hour drive for us one way, yikes! Pictures look great though! FWIW, other parts of Quebec are coming together nicely.

CONDENSED SAFETY TIPS 1. HAND SIGNALS • Extreme or surprise turns • Slowing or stopping (obvious hand straight up, very important, people behind are usually in dust) • Groomer in the area (straight up, circling around like beacon) • Wildlife (bounding motion or antler sign) • Significant hand signals only, no senseless count downs, both hands on the bars, in control, on the right 2. SLOWING OR STOPPING • Obvious hand signal ALWAYS • Pull to extreme right • No double wide stopping, ever • Highly visible areas only, think about where you stop and how safely you can be seen from both directions. 3. STAY TO RIGHT • Oncoming traffic comes surprisingly fast • A safety margin of maneuverability is a good idea if oncoming sled is in your lane • If you intentionally crossover the center, have good sight lines and get back quickly • If you accidentally crossover get back quickly, it’s good to practice 4. MISHAP TIPS • Keep your hands off the brake, you ain’t gonna stop. Use the throttle and drive it. • If you go off the trail, look between the trees “not at them”, you generally go where you look. • If you blow a corner, don’t stop or turn immediately, you may end up wearing the next guy • If you have an incident in the trail, get out of the way, others are coming • If you get stuck, don’t have a heart attack getting out, take your time, prepare exit path, wait. • People doing stupid stuff, groomers and wildlife, happen, be prepared • If you avoid an obstacle/accident, get out of the way immediately, next guy also needs a place to go. 5. INTERSECTIONS • Slow up, if no one is waiting to direct you, always assume the biggest most traveled choice • If there was a guy there for you, make sure the guy after you gets the message as well • It is not necessary to stop, just makes sure the next guy sees which way you are going • Lost or confused, just sit there and wait, we have only lost one guy in 20 years, he didn’t wait 6. PASSING SLOWER TRAFFIC • Let them know you are there by revving engine or putting your light in their mirror • Use patience and good judgment • Make pass quickly and where you choose, no blind corners, no hill crests, no gambling • Get back on your side ASAP, like your life depends on it! • Some people get aggressive, race you in the straights, won’t stay on the right side, are oblivious, willing to put you in the bush or all of the above, be patient and prudent. 7. BEING PASSED • If the guy is there, be real, keep an even speed, give him space, let him in, there is no rescue crew waiting in turn one. • Some people get aggressive, race you in the straights, won’t stay on the right side, are oblivious to their surroundings, are willing to put you in the bush or all of the above. 8. DISTANCE • Reaction time, visibility, the unexpected, you choose how fast and how close • Every 5-10 miles, try to make visual contact with the next sled. If you do not (probable whiz stop), slow down or pull over, till you see his light coming, blink brake so he sees you and go • If the delay is longer than, belt change and whiz stop combined, turn around in a very visible area (be careful about turning around outside the trail alone, stuck sucks) and go looking. • If the problem is major, the system will work and sooner than later, everyone will be back

Doable. First 4.7 miles out of St Raymond, ice and dirt, but ridable slowly. Next 15 miles ice and low snow, but ridable. After that, all good up 23 and across 83 to the HI.

Plenty of snow on the right trails!

Reports said 1 foot in the mountains, a trace in town. Looking pretty dry for the week....... Looking at the webcams, looks like no snowbanks in town just yet.

Be prepared top drive to the top of the mountain.

Like everyone, we are watching the weather too. For folks thinking it is mid winter in Quebec, you are very wrong. A few pockets of good riding, but they cannot be stitched together yet. Yes, worse than last year so far.

Red Roof is a location up 175, Stoneham I think, gets you up in elevation to ride, just a parking lot.

Hope it picks up a bit. A week ago before the rain, heading out of the HI was VERY, VERY, VERY thin. Rideable, well....

http://www.goprocamera.com/products/?gclid=CIPT_4yko6YCFZ065QodDFQCpw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6beeIpd00kk

x2

You said we'd have enough gas. I'm sure we can make it. What are the odds. There has to be one room left. Didn't we leave the truck here. You brought him. Who needs a tall windshield. Any more pretzel rods? I'm sure its safe. You go first. Can't be that deep. The map said 100 miles. It's his turn to pay. I think it sounds OK. I'm pretty sure I saw him at the last intersection. Choke it some more. The trail has to go somewhere. What a difference a groomer makes. I don't need reading glasses. We have enough to make it back. I won't tell. They're all good when they run. WD-40

Yikes, too early and too far south I would think, but who knows.

Where do you hope to park the trucks and leave from?

Looks really thin.....

A bit of warm and rain is good for the base and snow long term.