SnomoGary

Hi Mike we're  both on cat's this year the 2022 yam didn't get delivered , I've got 600 sno Pro and pat is riding the owner's own 600 with on the fly suspension. Apart from slight vibration through the  handbars  (two stroke) buzz lol  great sleds definitely alot lighter lol......  yer Boston pizza are running the restaurant,   breakfast is collection from a counter not off a menu..  hope your all good. 
 Be safe   .

Another mild morning.  Lets head to Onatchiway.  Get up in elevation and maybe stay cooler.
Sandi and I are off.  Joe is with us along with FarmerOld and Tammy.  We cross the two dams and turn right on 134, Pickle Park.  Contractors are putting in a new set of power line towers here.  We have to keep our eyes open.  A lot of equipment.
Turn right on 93 and this is a nice straightaway to let the ponies run.  Sandi is sure liking her MXZ.  At the end of the long straight, here comes a groomer.  This was fine but he can groom again if he wants to.  Thru St Honore and up to the big intersection with 328.  Nice riding now but we are getting a little mist on the shields.  Looks like a dark cloud sitting on top of Mt Valin.  Straight on 93 and we start climbing.  The lower part of 93 is fresh groomed but above the groomer's house isn't.  A little rough but it is 93 on the mountain.
Left on 267, Bras Louis.  The first section is still in the woods like it was a few years ago.  Quite a few miles later and we are still in the woods.  We should be on the road by now.  Keep going Sandi.  We have to hit Bras Louis sooner or later.
Finally we get to the gate for the Zec.  Hmm.  More construction here.  I see power line towers going up.  We are running along the side of Bras Louis.  Much better than the trail that was in the woods.  The road is being used by the construction equipment.
I just looked this power line up on the internet and it is running from the Manic (dams) to the Saguenay sub-station.  Ah ha!  There were towers being erected by the junction of 83 and local 7 at the sub-station.
The drizzle has stopped now and it is turning to snow.  Yea!  Drizzle is better than freezing rain but snow is the best.  
A good run up to 477.  Look there.  The trail that would continue on and join back with 93 is closed.  That must be due to the power line towers.  Make note:  No trail connector that runs over to Auberge 31.
Snowing pretty good now.  A couple of tracks on the trail that Sandi can follow.  Must be four or five inches on the trail.  Are we having fun now?  Sandi is blazing on.  Trail 477 is where it has been.  No changes here.  No traffic either.  The dust is flying as the five of us roll along.
We pull into Onatchiway.  A few sleds here.  Put on the masks and we go in.  I appreciate being able to sit somewhere at noon now.  The simple things.
After lunch we are heading south on 267.  The snow has stopped now but there is a good coating on the trail.  Go Sandi we are right behind you.  An hour or so and we are on 328 and then in a blink we pull in to the gas station in St David.  Always a good place to fill up.  Easy in and easy out.
Back on 328 west.  All nicely groomed.  A few oncoming sleds.  It is warm still.  The trail has a mashed potato feel to it.  Thru the big fields and we turn left on 93.  The detour for 93 is so smooth.  Go go go!
St Ambroise, then 367 to cross the dams.  Here in town, the roads are wet from the melting snow.  Puddles, mud and snirt.  Looks more like March than February.  The cold is forecast for cool tonight and cold for next week.  A little snow here to cover up the ugly stuff would sure be nice.  I know, I'm always asking for something more.  OK, I'm happy with what we have.
Til tomorrow, be safe.
Jack & Sandi

Great to finally see you again Jack , I did ask Oliver (delta manager) if the coral had cctv and he said yes it had. 

Hi Gary.   
All is good, glad you are out enjoying the snow. I still take credit for getting Pat on a Cat lol. Must seem strange not having 30 of us in the Delta lobby having late afternoon happy hour and drinking caribou.

Its another warm one this morning.  A lot of trails were groomed last night.  How about Mt Apica?  We haven't been there yet.
On the sleds and trail 83 it is.  The snow is soft today.  Groomed but soft.  A few tracks ahead of us.  Lac Kenogami has been staked.  Up and over the mountain.  As we get to 23, we see four sleds heading south on 23.  Time for a stretch.
Sandi turns left and we are on our way.  Groomed but a little choppy in the corners.  23 gets a lot of traffic.  There is a new fence right next to the trail to keep the animals off of the highway here.  Further along there is logging going on and there are logging trucks.  Be careful Sandi.
23 is clicking away.  A sled parked on the side of the trail.  Looks like he is adjusting his helmet or something.  Sandi goes by him and then I do.  He then pulls out in front of Joe.  A half a mile down the trail, Sandi catches up to three other sleds.
Ah ha.  The guy behind  me is part of the three in front of us.  We aren't that far from Apica.  If he wants to pass, he has opportunities but he is staying behind me.  Now we are a group of seven.  We pull into Apica and he pulls up and joins the other three.
Six other sleds just pulling out heading south.  We pull in and park.  Time for lunch.  It feels good to be able to sit at lunchtime and relax for thirty minutes.  So much better than having to eat outside!  😋
After lunch we are on the sleds and heading back up 23.  Why is this side so much smoother?  Keep going Sandi this is fine.  A lot of sleds heading south now.  We go by the 368 junction.  We go by the 83 junction that we came out of this morning and we are at Presbytiere.  There is the big John Deere groomer.  A little smile on my face as we go by.
Oh!  The trail doesn't cross the road and drop down on the lake.  It wraps around the building and goes back up into the woods.  This was cut this year by the looks of it.  The trees are pushed out of the way and a bulldozer has been in here earlier making the trail.  Pretty steep as we go back in.  Up and around.  A mile or so in and I think we are on an old trail.  None of this is familiar.  Finally this new trail ends up in the field across from the gas station in Hebertville.  Time to fill up the sleds.
Sandi keeps heading up 23.  We get to the intersection on 383 and turn right.  Easy sailing here.  We get to Relais Grenouille and there are a lot of sleds here.  Looks like a typical day at the Green Frog.
We drop back down on Lac Kenogami and at the other side we get behind two sleds.  They pull up to the intersection with 83 and 383 and wave us on.  Thanks but Sandi turns left on 383.  I think 83 is going to be rougher so we decided on 383.  This is nice.
Sandi is rolling along.  A few sleds coming the other way.  The sun is out and we are cruising.  There is the turn off for St Charles.  We stay on 383.  Not too much longer and we are home.
Another nice day in Quebec.  The trails are so good.  We need to hit the lottery Sandi and stay up here for ten weeks or more.  ☺️
Be safe everyone.
Jack & Sandi

(Continuation)
I'll work on the pics later.
You're right Joe.  Just before the turn off to Lamarche, there is a long downhill.  There must be eight sleds coming up the hill towards us and they are taking up more than their share of the trail.  Sandi pulls over to the edge of the trail and oh oh!  I'm too close to stop in time.  I can't go to her left so I dive right off the side of the trail.  Just as I stop, I see Joe's ski tips come up along the left side of me behind Sandi.  Just enough room.
After the sleds go by, Sandi continues down the hill.  I start moving and the sled slides off into the puff.  A little throttle.  Come on Renegade.  You can do it.  Don't dig a hole.  The sled just barely climbs back up over the berm and onto the trail.  Good sled.
Then lunch.
After lunch, we are on the sleds and continuing on 367 towards L'Ascension.  This trail is one of my favorites.  Pretty straight, wide, a few rollers and lots of snow dust.  Keep going Sandi.  We are having fun.  Past the dump and across a couple of roads we are at Relais Jos Bonka.  Another name change here.  It is now called Evasion Peribonka.  We pull out of the parking lot and just as we enter the woods, there is a four way intersection.  Hmm?  To our left are a few tracks and that is not groomed.  Straight ahead was groomed a few days ago but no signs.  To our right it is signed for St Monique.  Lets take the trail towards St Monique the sure thing.
This is new. The trail runs right along the side of the road for a few miles.  We come to where the trail crosses the road to the right and there is the long straightaway.  Now I remember this.  It is the trail that goes to St Monique.  Maybe the trail back at Evasion Peribonka that went straight was the one to L'Acension?
We get to 93 and have plenty of fuel still.  Turn left Sandi and head towards St Henri.  A little frozen mist on the shield.  Oh this isn't fun.  No one likes freezing rain.  Scrape scrape.  Oh I can't see to good.  Sandi has slowed down and is more middle of the trail.  I'm staying near the right curb like always but can only see the red stakes ahead.  Oops!  I'm off in the soft stuff.  I guess I got a little too far right.  Come on Renegade.  Keep going.  I'm still iced over on the shield but there shouldn't be any obstacles out here.  We are in a big field.  There back on the trail.  For the next hour we are in freezing rain.  Slow going and a lot of stops to clean our shields.
We get to St Charles and do we take the new 93 back to St Ambroise or?  Sandi, go ahead down to St Charles and see what the old river crossing looks like.  The warning ferme signs are always up at the river crossing but it has been cold and there are tracks on the river.  I go first and aim for the other side where I think the trail continues.  No stakes to follow.  Just tracks scattered all over.  We get to the other side and we hit the right spot.  Up the bank and a sharp right turn.  Follow the goat path for a short ways and yes, groomer marks.
I run along in the lead until we get on 383 and then Sandi takes over.  383 is very nice and better than that, the freezing rain has turned to snow.  Yea!  Sandi picks up speed and we are back at the Delta in no time.
A good ride today other than the freezing rain.  It was mild and is forecast to be mild for the next few days.  The trails were a little soft from the warmth.  Until later -
Jack & Sandi

I can't get the groomer part of the map to open up.  The map and trails are showing but the groomer option under the snowflake isn't there.  We will just have to wing it today.
Boy is it warm this morning,-6C.  After being at RDL with temperatures -20C -25C, this feels like spring time.
OK Sandi, let's go across the two dams and see what looks good.  Off we go along with Joe JAK.  The trail is good so far.  The dams are bumpy but that is expected.  The groomer isn't going to fit here.  After the second dam, Sandi goes to the left on 367.  Nice.
Sandi is moving right along.  I guess the suspension changes Joe and I made last trip she is liking.  A little lean in the corners and off she is in the straights.  OK, no sleeping today.  Thru the scrubby pines and we are at Le Geant Trailer.
Sandi stops at the junction with 93 to the left and 367 and 93 straight ahead at St Ambroise.  I get off my sled and walk up to Sandi to see which way she wants to go.  She gives me a big hug and says "I like the sled!  It handles better than the previous one did and that one was great."  That was unexpected and nice.
Both ways were groomed.  We are heading towards the old Scooby Raid so, let's go straight.  I don't have to tell Sandi twice.  Up 93 and the first long straight is open but the section going thru the field with the big irrigation wheels is closed.  The detour is off to our right and it makes a big loop around the field and we end up just before the junction with 328 that goes to begin.  Sandi stays straight on 367.
With a little powder on the trail, Sandi is on her way and Joe and I are in the snow dust.  As we get further up 367, there has been some logging going on.  The trail is easy enough to follow.  Just after the junction with the trail that goes to Lamarche, 367 crosses the road.  about a 1/4 mile in, detour.  The new trail turns right.  This is where it ran a few years back.  Down along the side of the road.  Another change.  Hmm?  The trail used to turn left and go up a very steep incline.  Now it stays straight and drops down on Lac Tchitogama.  Interesting.  Staked but not groomed obviously.  The trail runs the lac for awhile and then pops up at Scooby Raid which is now called Otis Nature.
Now you see why I haven't purchased a smart phone before.  I don't know which way is up!
Sandi not standing on her head.
One picture good and one not so good.
There is only one other sled in the parking lot.  It is so quiet in Quebec this year.  Inside and we have a light lunch.  The relais is pretty much the same as it was.  One of the waitresses is still there.  Sorry, I don't know her name but she remembered us. I'm hoping that is a good thing! 🙄
(To be continued.  Time to eat...)
Jack & Sandi

Great to finally see you again Jack , I did ask Oliver (delta manager) if the coral had cctv and he said yes it had. 

Great to finally see you again Jack , I did ask Oliver (delta manager) if the coral had cctv and he said yes it had. 

We were due for a crazy day ride...



It's a 300+miles loop ride running on both side of the St-Laurence river via a ferry and bridge that get around the large Montreal city, this doable from the porch of my home. Having done it before we already knew it was an ambitious day ride, way more than doing a 300 miles in norther area. There are many roads and highways and rail road crossings+ the ferry and "the unexpected" that insure a very full day ride.

So we started from home at 8:00 am to catch the 9:00 ferry in St-Ignace de Loyola. Freshly groomed trail to warm up...



Arriving at the first river trail path, it was a bit scary



The St-Laurence river level got a bit higher in the night and cause water to rise on the ice on the sides. It is more scary than dangerous because the trail snow bank already cover the immediate side of the river where it can be dangerous and the small water pool we got is over the full river ice cover. It's been so cold since the beginning of the season that this ice is for sure thick enough to support the weight of a Yamaha so no worries we are on a BRP! 



We got at the ferry at 8:45



This ferry is one of the cheap option to cross the St-Laurence river: $7,60 for a sled and his driver and $11,35 in our case for an old married couple +sled



There is actually 2 ferries that offer crossings every 30 minutes on each sides during most of the day(see the web site for full schedule)



Our ferry had an hard time to accost because of the ice. It had to move back and forth many times to clear/crush all the ice along the dock and the 10 minutes crossing turn to over an half an hour one. We got back on the south shore trail at 9:45.
The first stretch along the river to get out of Sorel city was rough but we cross the groomer that was about to solve that



We quickly got on the #5 trail that we follow most of the path up the west of Montreal city. Not a lot snow but good conditions. We could feel few earth bumps in the skis on some very windy pass but the trails were overall very good  





You need to not be allergic to road crossing, especially highway crossings. I quickly counted and we cross the #30 highway 5 times, the #20 and #10 then the #15 2 times also the #640 and #25 and this on or under viaduct and even with a tunnel for the #640
We stopped there for a small break around 11:30



Here a first video(of three) that summarize this first part. you can always push the reader 4 arrows icon to pass in full screen
Continuing on the #5 trail we could saw St-Hilaire mountain that we usually view riding by car



Here after #20 highway crossing, good conditions



It began to get worse after the #15 highway crossing. Last Friday fluffy snow had been more generous there and with the very strong winds we had there was a lot snow blades/drifts in the trail. The visibility stayed good but the bumpy drifts slowed down us to keep in the safe and comfortable zone.



We even crossed a groomer that flatten our route for a few miles but the drifts were forming again quickly behind





We also had something I don't encounter often, a long train that gave us a 12 minutes break before clearing the way



We left the #5 trail in St-Michel area (west of Montreal) to cut toward St-Louis de Gonzague(bridge). We had few trail changes to make so I pointed my destination on the Gps to make it easy but a change between my map version and the real world trail glitched my gps that route us on the wrong side. I figured something was wrong by seeing directions for villages that we had already pass before. I got my cell phone out and made a check with Imotoneige that locate us and confirmed we were out of our route. We stepped back but it add some miles over an already busy ride.  


Here the 2nd video that summarize that part of the ride
 
We finally reached our ticket to the north shore at St-Louis de Gonzague around 4:00pm. It's a 3/4 miles long car bridge over Beauharnois canal were snowmobiles are allowed to cross for free. The bridge is also almost snow free so I did as usual and throw some dish wash soap on my track slides before starting the crossing to help our mule to move our 2 ass on the other side of the bridge without overheating too much. It went very well.



After crossing the Beauharnois canal we were needing next to cross the other half of the St-Laurence river that is done directly on ice. Even not groomed it ride nicely



We then continued to catch the #33 trail, The day was already well advanced



We got on the long Deux-Montages lake a bit past 5:30pm. A bit bumpy but it was ok and was riding good. We missed our target to cross it at daylight... here brief turn to admire the sky behind us 



We stopped for a real supper break at Île Bizard snowmobile relay around 6:00pm. We were near alone there but the people who operate the place told us they were crazy busy from the morning up to the end of afternoon and had depleted most of their food stocks. I took a good club sandwich with a cheese slice in place of the tomatoes and it was delicious! Nice authentic people there, I recommend it! 
We got back in saddle a bit before 7:00pm to do the remaining 90miles to get home
The sony flash was in strike



The trails in this area were pretty worn out and I adjusted the beat to go forward but safe given our day fatigue and the conditions. Our way home went well and we also got the chance to hit some freshly groomed trails on some sectors
Here the 3rd and last video that summarize this last stretch 
 
We finally got home at 10:15PM with 340miles in our butts for the day. The small 900 ace did it flawlessly even if my old venture/expert-x miss missed us in the rough sections. We didn't needed to get rocked to sleep that night!
Another nice good big ride for us !
Alain

 

We're in Montreal,  flying up to bagotville today should be at the delta by 4pm .. hopefully see you at some time...

We're in Montreal,  flying up to bagotville today should be at the delta by 4pm .. hopefully see you at some time...

We're in Montreal,  flying up to bagotville today should be at the delta by 4pm .. hopefully see you at some time...

They really did a beautiful job...something to be proud of for sure, nice craftmanship

Here the trail path of my last ride 29January22 going to LaTuque from Trois-Rivières round trip



My friend Snowcruiser had invited me to join his group that were going to LaTuque for the lunch round trip. I bring another partner with me to start the ride from Trois-Rivières airport parking when Snowcruiser was starting from his home with his crew. We planned to team up at Lac a la Tortue.
It was the first time that I was starting from Three Rivers airport. The parking is very wide with easy acces by the road by car and to the trail by sled. Our old sony have not appreciate the -21C at start of the ride and misfired a bit like on this pic of the airport.



Freshly groomed trail to start around 8:20


We quickly arrive at St-Etienne des Gres



The St-Maurice river crossing at la Gabelle was ok and gave us a quick drive on the other shore of the river


East side also freshly groomed



And we quickly were at our meeting spot at Lac a la Tortue Ultramar's and Snowcruiser team arrived with a near perfect timing 2 minutes later than us!



The completed team then went for the 20miles run on the St-Maurice river. The river ice is frozen nicely flat but there are very hard snow drifts and bumbs that make the ride pretty rough on the first 2/3 of the river path. My partners riding solo were able to push and fly over but I had to slow down to keep Kristine with me on the sled.


 
Back on the shore the #360 was perfect





The first #355 Gazoduc section was lightly bumpy but the snow is good and the riding was fine. Past the #351 junction going north conditions came back perfect
Here the tall ferry bridge of rivière du Milieu



I put together a video showing the ride from Grand-Mere to LaTuque

Put the sound on and enjoy the virtual ride
(You can click the 4arrows icon on the reader to pass in full screen mode)
Here along the LaTuque airport at 30km/h



And the legendary LaTuque snowmobile traffic light


 
I won't detailed our lunch time but just tell that we found our way to not being cold on this last restricted weekend for the restaurants. From today 31january22 the dining rooms can finally re-open! It will really improve the trips and ride time.
We then returned under a gray sky on the same path up to the #351 that we took through the Tawachiche Zec. It's a more narrow and twisty trail but it was in perfect conditions with a nice snowy scenery





The sun found is way under the clouds at the end of the day





And leave us an outstanding sky after leaving the horizon with this colorful view





We took a last break at relais de la Station in St-Severin



And we then quit the Snowcruiser team to returned at our morning drop spot with our partner. I was expecting to "pay" a bit our nice day when coming back on the #3 trail that got the day traffic in but it was not bad at all and we were even more lucky to cross the groomer few minutes after having leave our buddies



Even more lucky on the west side of the St-Maurice river to also left the first track on freshly groomed snow on most of our return path  



We got back at the trailer around 6:45 PM with 234 miles on the dream meter, a bit tired but very happy with our day ride. A special thanks to Snowcruiser for the invitation and to all those ride buddies that share this day with us.
We are in full winter conditions and with the reopening of the restaurants dining rooms it is really the perfect timing to get the best of Quebec trails riding.
Alain
 

Thanks Jack great reports as usual, have  a safe trip home. see you on 7th....  all being well  ..   we can't wait.    

Jack the dinosaur likes to print the ArivCan confirmation.  I fill out the form for the trip with Sandi as my traveler and get the confirmation at the end and print it.  I like the paper copy in my hand.  It comes up on the computer at Customs so I haven't had to show it to them but I like having it just in case.
Talk about stressful.  After I was turned away back in November because I didn't complete ArrivCan, I was a little nervous the next time.  But each time has gotten better and now it is just another thing to do before crossing.
I had the random test from Customs last Sunday.  I did the online nose swab and left the kit at the front desk of the Universal.  I was told I would receive an e-mail with the test results in 3-4 days.  I'm back in Connecticut and it is a week later.  I haven't seen the test results yet.
Hmm?  If I receive a positive test, would I have to go back to RDL and quarantine for 14 days?  I hope the trails are still great!
Jack & Sandi

Or in Jack's case 100 %  lol ......

Or in Jack's case 100 %  lol ......

Hi Gary & Pat,
Joe and I are packed up and getting ready to hit the road.  It should be a nice drive home from here to the bottom of Vermont.  That is where we should start seeing the snow from the Nor'easter that is off the coast.  By then it is only an hour more for me, half hour for Joe.
We will see you on the 7th.
Jack & Sandi

The last ride for this trip.  Joe and I head east on 5.  It is snowing and blowing a little.  Joe is in a white out back there.  Once the fluffy snow gets airborne, it is tough to see.  If it keeps up, we may make a short day and start packing for the trip home.
At Trois Pistolets, we have a little discussion.  It looks like the sun is starting to come out.  Maybe it will get better up in elevation.
A few miles on 5 and we branch off onto 571.  A few nice straightaways here.  The fresh fluff covered up any previous tracks.  The sleds are still kicking up the snow but it has stopped falling from the sky.  Looks like we can stick to our original plan.
571 here we come.  Thru the fields, we go by St Rita and before we know it we are at the intersection with 35 in Squatec.  75 miles on the gas tank.  We have plenty.  No need to waste time running into Squatec.
I haven't been on this end of 571 in a while.  Some fields and some woods and then 571 gets on a road that is wide a smooth.  All this was groomed last night.  What a joy.  Up in the mountain we see the plastic tubing going from maple tree to maple tree.  The further south, the more prevalent the maple tree farms are.  Yum!  😋
A few sleds approach us as we get closer to Degelis.  The low traffic has been typical all season.  It keeps the trails so nice.
At 85 we turn right and head north.  We still have enough fuel so it is up to Cabano.  We take it easy thru the residential areas.  Don't want to upset anyone and we have plenty of time to enjoy the scenery.
We pull into the Shell station in Cabano.  Tim Horton's has the drive thru open but not the lobby by the looks of it.  Tank up and grab a couple of candy bars.  My cardiologist probably wouldn't like my choice for lunch.
Back on 85 and we are rolling.  A few more sleds approaching us.  Once we are out of Cabano, no traffic.  We decide to stay on 85 for the rest of the run.  It is cold but it is quick.
Back in RDL, there is no need to gas up today.  The sleds are going in the trailer.  Now we have time to pack and get ready for our morning departure.
I may sound like a broken record, remember those flat pieces of vinyl, but this season has been the best riding in many years.  It was posted that the restaurants are going to open to half capacity Monday.  That may get some of you that are on the fence to come up here and ride.  You won't be disappointed.
Next trip starts Feb 7th at the Delta, Jonquiere.  Sandi is feeling better and we hope to see some of you there.
Jack & Sandi

Gathered up Randy and Jay for a last minute trip to Au Canada. Ran to Walgreens and got the NAAT test to cross the border. They say under 24 hour results but we have been getting them mostly in under two hours but up to 12 hours. Makes crossing the border easy peasy. We did get through the border with no random Covid tests but we did get the yellow slip for random search. Jokes on them, the search took 10 minutes and we were out of there. 
We spent the night in Quebec city and though the snow didn’t look over abundance it looked adequate. All worries were gone once we hit the trail as in typical Quebec city fashion everything was groomed perfectly. We did grab some of the orange trails heading out of town to stay off of Route three, then it was route 3 all the way to the 83.
Bummer the relay outside of Bai Saint Paul, (Michelieu) that was rebuilt in the last few years looks like it’s been closed all season. It does look like they recently plowed the road and I’m guessing with the new rules they might be open again soon. We would’ve grab food today there if it was open. The clubhouse/warming hut before there was open but we didn’t go in.
A few tiny reroutes on route three but the miles stayed about the same as always. We did get gas just north of Charlevoix but we skipped lunch which didn’t seem to kill any of us up till this point.  Monday restaurants are open at 50% capacity so people can eat again so no one will die.
Very light traffic on the trail today which may have been due to cold temperatures again or the fact that it’s a Thursday, we don’t know. Either way we like it this way.
 
We grabbed the Claremont express in memory of Bill, and it did not disappoint. Usually conditions deteriorate after the first 25 miles as that’s where the groomers turn around, but not this time. The first 50 miles were all brand new groomed and in perfect shape, not a bump in it anywhere. Then there’s some reroute off of 83 and uses some of the 383 which is the worlds craziest twisty tourney trail , I think 1000 turns per mile, my arms are falling off. 
The last 20 miles of the 83 are into Chicoutimi are the same as always and were groomed absolutely picture perfect all the way to the hotel in Chicoutimi. Again very light traffic but very very awesome conditions. 238 of the easiest miles you would ever ride aside from the grippy trail which took some decent arm strength, but no complaints.
 
The new way adds about 12 miles as you veer quite a bit away from the old 83. If you look close you can see a lot more logging has happened, also additional neighborhoods, additional cell towers and camps that were never there. Civilization is encroaching . No worries I think they will be good for a while and this is a great ride where you don’t have to spend a ton of time in the truck. 
A very different ride has compared to our off trail excursion last time out. But our nerves needed to rest. Period at the end of our last excursion spending 45 minutes fishing one of the sleds out of a beaver pond drained us and we needed an easy ride this time. It will take a few beers and a lot of coaxing for anyone to get that story out of us, for now it never happened.
all of the locals have had more than enough of Covid and are very happy to see and visit with people even if you wear a mask. We found the trails well marked and in perfect condition and gas has gone up about $.25 a liter from even two weeks ago, bummer but it won’t stop us.
Dinner was order on your phone and walk over and pick it up at Le Cage Au Sports, very easy and super good food.  Beers from the gas station,  (Who knew Budweiser came in 40 ounce bottles) and Captains from Vermont, nothing else needed.
 
 

Joe and I are on the sleds and heading out of RDL down 85.  We get to Relais Aventuriers and it looks like the groomer had just returned home.  Only a couple of tracks on 85.  Off we go.  As nice as 85 is, I decide to take local 44.  Not a mistake.  This was groomed last night too.  We get to 544 and this was also groomed.
At 85 we turn right for a few miles and then a left staying on 544 heading towards Pohenegamook.  When you think it can't get any better, a great groomer proves you wrong.
This piece of 544, starting at 85 under the highway, doesn't have a mark on it and I don't mean just sled tracks.  This groomer deserves a gold star.  ⭐  A fresh groomed trail has some oatmeal on the top, some divots and some lumps.  This trail looked like a paved interstate.  Not an imperfection in it.  Even where the drag overlapped on the return run is flush and smooth.  No digging in the corners.  Amazing!  This guy takes pride in his work.  Thank you.  Quebec people like you keep us coming back.
I was going to continue on 544 but, we turn right on local 40 because that is where the groomer went silly.  Then 526 to Relais Explorateurs.  It looks like this groomer was out last night too.  We get on 35 west and not a track on it, fresh groomed.  Now we can see how much fuel we can burn up.  I hope my drive belt is up to this.  Go, go, go!  20 miles of heaven and I see the sign for St Bruno to the right.  That is where we are heading.  We get on, what I think is 557 and oh, this wasn't groomed.  Well it had to happen sooner or later.  There's a half a foot of powder snow and only a few tracks on the trail.  Odd!  We putter along.  I know trail 5 is just up ahead.  This reminds me of what the trails were like many years ago.
I see a stop sign up there and a closed gate?  The tracks go around the gate and get back on a real trail.  I look at the trail sign and it says 557.  Now I know why it wasn't groomed.  But why wasn't there a sign or gate at the other end?  I think that may have been an ATV trail.  No blue or red stakes but there were curve signs.  We are on 557 now and we can say we did have one bad trail this week.  Maybe it wasn't a bad trail.  Maybe it was a bad choice by yours truly!  🙄
The rest of 557 is great and 5 to St Bruno is also great.  This is the first time I have ever stopped at the gas station in St Bruno.  I've always stopped at Mont Carmel but I think that old one is closed because the cul-de-sac trail is closed.
If you need to stop, St Bruno is fine.  It is 2 miles off trail 5 and they have a little kitchen at the back of the convenience store.  A couple of tables to sit at when that is allowed.  The local post office even has the post office boxes at one end of the store.  Your little town general store.  Groceries, mail, kitchen, tables I even saw e-tec oil.  We decided to have a couple of cheeseburgers all dressed.  Very good.  A recommended stop if it fits in with your ride.
Back on the trail we keep heading west on 5.  Hiboux has a small fire pit outside with a couple of tables and chairs.  A few snowmobilers taking advantage of the fine weather and good food.  It is refreshing to see a relais open and making the best of a bad situation.
We turn left on 553.  This is a nice connector between 5 and 35.  Left on 35 where we can let the ponies run.  Everything has been groomed.  We take the little connector to get back up to 5 and head east now.
When we get to the junction with 559, we decide to take this down towards the river and then run this and then local 45 back to the Universal.
What a fine day.  Our thought is one more day of riding, Friday, and then we head back to the States.  All the trails this week have been absolutely great.
Jack

Good to hear Jack,  braking news here we don't have to test to get back into UK date it kicks in to be announced this afternoon..  hope you a joe have a great trip looking forward to the reports... be safe..

Hey Jack, pretty sure you took 34 liters and I took 32? And I had ta play catch up every time the dust settled.