smclelan

I missed this all together but Rob and Bernard both noticed it. Hard to fool those "Old Guys"!! They get stiffness of the joints or bears in the bird feeder, I am not sure what, but they knew snow was on the way!

Have a great day!

I think if you check with dealer or mechanic you will find most 2-stroke engines should have the topends rebuilt every 5000 miles. To purchase new pistons, rings, and gaskets right now would likey cost in the neighbourhood of $400. After they grenade it is closer to $2000.00. I rebuilt the topend of mine last year with the help of a friend who is a sled mechanic. I paid him cash for working in my garage and the whole thing cost less than $550. When we got it tore down he said it was in good shape and didn't really need it done (thanks to Amsoil Interceptor), however I did it and never worried about it once all winter. Piece of mind is worth a lot when you are on a multiday trip with friends far from home. My $0.02 Worth

Skip, don't believe him! I have been there, believe me it never gets very messed up!

I was talking to to an official from the FCMQ yesterday and as far as the lookout at La Hutte (sp), Bill is correct we will be loosing that trail. However the provincial government will help the federation by developing a new snowmobile trail, with lookouts in the same area. I forget what he said about the area around the ski hill if we would be routed out of there without gas privilages

I can't imagine there not being a trail into the cabins and gas.

This is too bad. I have stayed there before, great people. I hope them all the best and a speedy clean up.

Good Advice!

We were talking yesterday at work (sawmill office) last March the dollar was $1.18 the other way. It was likely a couple cents more in January. That is a difference for those coming up from the south of likely 25-30% more expensive. How ever lets look at it in real numbers: I have always based my trips on $1 per mile. (all costs in) 1 week vacation in Paradise: 275 miles per day X 7 days= $1925 plus new exchange = $2406 $481 more for the week. I wouldn't stay home because of this amount with a $10,000 sled in the garage. Over the run of the year will you not pay your bills or miss meals because of this amount?? Life is short. This is not a dress rehearsal. You are dead forever. You only live once.......and so on.... Are my numbers close or am I way off?? What do you think??

This is just killing the sawmill business in Canada, and the drop in US housing starts just rubs salt in the wound. :sad:

We stopped there 2 yrs ago coming back from a trip on the other side of the river. When we were there there was a bunch hitching up horses to sleighs for a sleigh ride. Very nice clubhouse and as I remember the food was top notch!!

Welcome aboard Switchback 2006! Does this look familiar?? I think it is your clubhouse???

Daniel, I am not quite as confident on this one??? Are you between Rimouski and Mont Joli on the TQ 5?? Closer to Rimouski. I think we went by there two years ago and saw their Lamtrac laying in the ditch stuck.

Two years ago I took my oldest daughter to the Gaspe sledding. The trip got cut short due to mechanical problems but had a great time and plan to do it again sometime. This winter I will take my youngest daughter to the Gaspe. She has been talking about it for over a year now. We are both looing forward to the trip.

WOW!! That sounds like a good trip. You must be planning at least 2 weeks?

I think they should let the Canadians buy all the sleds we want in the US. Yes I agree it would hurt Canadian dealer not getting the sale, however you would still go back to your local dealer for warranty service and accessories. The dealers get all the warranty work where with an older sled you might do it yourself. At the end of the day I'll bet the Canadian dealers would make as much or more money than US dealer did on the sale. With sales slumping with all 4 OEM it suprises me that they have taken this approach. Why not let the sale happen, but promote the local dealer for parts, service, and accessories.

You have me on this one. Looks and sounds very nice.

I go to Quebec sledding three to four times per season, always starting in the Gaspe. I can't say that I have ever found that one part of the winter is better or worse than another. Any day sledding in the Gaspesie is a good day.

That's just too easy. I think. That looks like the cabin just a short piece be fore you turn and go up the hill to La Hutte. Well??? Am I right??

I have seen these light the last couple of years at the ISC meetings and in a couple of magazines. They look like a good idea, however I have never seen them on the trail. Do you think the average sledder would know what the light colors meant at this point in time??

This is very bad news. I feel for the locals that depended on those facilities for their incomes directly or indirectly. Quebec has been hit especially hard since the DNR reduced their provincial annual allowable cut (AAC) two years ago. The forest industry in Canada and perhaps all of North America is the worst it has been in history. In just the past 90 days in the maritimes (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, & PEI) there have been at least 15 mills close completely or temporarly because of markets and the exchange. It would be scary to know how many jobs have been lost in the forest industry in the last two years.

WOW!! I thought Rob was old. Hope you are having a great day! I wish you many more with good friends, family and good health for all. Hopefully we will cross paths this winter.

Happy Birthday Rob. I hope you have a great day.

Yes, that is a FAST Airwave Suspension. Rick loves his suspension, claims it is the best ride he has ever had. I should have said seals in the pump. His issue was with the hand pump he bought with it. That day it was very cold around minus 29 C, he stopped to change the pressure in the skid and the seals in the hand pump failed, so he then lost air pressure in the suspension through the hand pump. Since then Rick purchased the onboard air pump that can be adjusted while driving. It is now a completely closed system. He has seen that to really appreiciate what the skid can do, you should be changing it several times per day or when ever trail conditions change.

Looks like he is praying. Praying for better seals in air ride suspensions.