SnomoGary

Yesterday made our way east along the river to Isle Verte.  Trail all the way thru to trail #5 at the Verte club house is not fully open yet.  Someone told us maybe two days they would be open. We passed crews out staking the trails in that area. Had to turn around and back track. Then made our way south to Cabanno for pizza to find our favorite pizza place not open for lunch on Wednesday, (and closed on Monday and Tuesdays).  Tim Horton's it was. Jak's turbo 900T is only taking about 3 litres more than my 900 ACE on most fill ups. He was quite pleased to see 105 on a very short run, and now will be forever known as Turbo Joe. Went south on the trails on the east side of trail #85 and came back north on the west side. All excellent. Picked up another 2 to 4 inches of fluff Tuesday night.
mike
 

Again great conditions, albeit it was warm @ 20F.  
We trekked to the cave & then over to KM31.  Check out the size of the icicle laying at the base of the entrance to the cave. 
On the return, from KM31, for the first time, we dropped into the IMAGO Village for a quick look around & refreshment. Neat place






 

Mont Apica ....75 miles + - south of Saguenay, (Hotel Delta) directly off trail # 23. The Mont Apica Relais with fuel & food is only a minute south of the turn off for the tower.  An easy 10 minute +  - climb from the turn off to the tower. 

Looking good Paddy 👍👍👍

Mike we fly 3 weeks today  4th feb arrive at delta on the 5th..  can't wait  ...  and as for this megan thing it will end in tears mark my words..   

Arrived at RDL.   Looks like about 10 to 12 inches of new snow by the hotel, hopefully more heading south and east. Groomer has not been by the hotel yet, front desk says the club called and they will be out dragging in force tonight.  Light snow just started  few minutes ago and the area does look wintry.
Driving up through Jackman, looked a little iffy for riding but probably okay. North of St. Marie,  Montmagny and across to RDL looked like it might be okay.  Few swollen streams near Montmagny.  Only saw one groomed trail the whole trip. Very few tracks tracks on a few trails, none on most, but, the storm was only yesterday.
mike
 

Hey Jack & Sandi, what time you leaving? Keep an eye out for the red Dodge. Sounds like a good crew this week. No problem here waiting in the room for better snow!  BTW shorts and tee shirt here also. See  ya tomorrow.
Joe

Hey
I can't say who will be up there, but if you hang out in the Lobby in the Evening and don't be shy at breakfast I'm sure you can find someone to tag a long with.
Bill will be there and he is always looking to ride.
Later
GutZ

Wow Paddy..  looks like a scene from game of thrones... 😄😄

Wow Paddy..  looks like a scene from game of thrones... 😄😄

That's right we help even when you dont want it

Well we were up for 4 days of riding and to break in the new sled with 1100 km.  Only one off trail adventure and no one was injured in that unexpected  experience.. As for trail condition  23 was bumpy to l'tape  but good north to hebertville , all lower LSJ  is just passable  . L'tuque. north to is ok not great  and the trail from relais   22  to  hedgewick has the first 20 km torn up by bulldozer for some logging.  You have to go more north of LSJ. to get good snow,we stuck mostly to the west side and did the tour of the 49 th. passere // e  du ,  big push on this year to promote this side of Mt. valin area. and definitely worth it.. MT. vilain was good and met some nice people.. Not the same crowd that you get on the west side.. GOOD to get out for the first time this year  and meet CT rider to do the trip together .They are expecting  30 plus cm of new snow in next couple days ..We headed out before the freezing rain , just got a touch friday morning leaving hebertville .All is good can't wait to go again after this weather settles down..

No-Hair's got it!
Here is a new App that Long-Hair is using. I think with a smart phone it will really upgrade trip reports. He want to try adding video.
And I think it's free. Relive is the App.
Give it a look and see what you think.
GutZ
Day 1
https://www.relive.cc/view/vNOPnEGW42q
Day 2
https://www.relive.cc/view/vMv85pPVwNO
Day 3
https://www.relive.cc/view/vNOPnEmZBYq
 
 
 
 
 

Also a great way to save gas.

GutZ you thought I pulled a stud and lost all the coolant and Mike you thought I popped the motor?  No, no.  I carry a bottle of anti-freeze and pour it on the snow just for fun.  Then everyone can practice towing.  I just happen to like being the towee.
Jack & Sandi

Listen... I don't anyone infringing our Tow'd title, so let's keep that to your self..... 
LOL
GutZ

Maybe we should have a roll call for all of us that gave Jack a tow last year!!!!!
mike
 

I dont disagree with being prepared.... but we towed Jack's 850 last year!. ....with my 10 year old 20000.00 mile 1200!
LOL
But it is usually us that's towed. ( Sad Face Emoji Here )
GutZ
 

So just to be clear, a QuebecRider member is going to be beat with a frying pan by a lady that doest want to have her picture taken, and you are going to buy them a beer, 40 miles away in RDL.  I did not want to miss any of the fine details of your contest.

Hi Tom,
If all goes as planned, we will be at the Delta for a week starting Feb 4th.
Jack & Sandi

Thanks guys.  GoPro some day.  Sometimes I add pics.  Once in awhile Sandi lets me use her smart phone to take a few pics.  It is such a step up from my tried and trusted flip phone.  I know, I'm old school.
So the ride home was fine.  Misting in the air thru L'Etape.  A steadier rain from Quebec City down route 20.  Temp was above freezing most of the way, 32 - 37 F.  Not a lot of snow cover south of the river.  Drummondville was very thin.
I see the groomer map shows a lot of activity around Lac St Jean.  RDL shows some grooming too.  The forecast ahead is temps below freezing and maybe some snow.  I'm optimistic that RDL will get something for our trip starting Jan 13th.
Thanks for reading along.  It adds to our enjoyment knowing that others are riding along with us.
Jack & Sandi

Well I was out with the GutZ boys and got back late.  Good thing is no disaster.
This morning I take off heading to the Delta.  I'm a little late and the boys are waiting.  They were thinking about going up towards Milot.  OK.  A lot of that area was groomed last night but the Millot trail gets groomed tonight.
We are off on 383 to the two bridges.  Bumpy.  On the other side of the bridges, 93 is still pretty good.  Running along thru the scrubby pines.  Dust in the air and smiles on our faces.  We get to St Ambroise and turn left onto 93.  Going past Relais Montangarde I notice a couple of vehicles.  It looks like they are getting ready to open for the season.
Cruising along on 93 we turn right onto 554.  From here on up, the map shows all groomed.  We are at Relais des Lacs in no time.  We aren't ready for a break with the trails this good.  Trail 328 to 554 north.  So good.  We catch up to a couple of two ups.  they slow down and let us by.  A quick thank you wave and we are back up to speed.  Left thru the blueberry fields and right on 367. 
We get to the junction at the top of 367 and 373 just before the river.  Decision time.  Relais Vilain or the truck stop at Milot.  Its a little after 11:00.  We opt for Relais Vilain.  On the river and we are at the relais in a few minutes.
We go in and order lunch.  The sleds keep rolling in.  It's busy today.  Always good food here and super friendly wait staff.
After lunch, we get back on 367 west.  This is one of my favorite rides.  When 367 is groomed, it is so much fun.  It seems like we are at the junction with 93 in St Monique in a blink of the eye. 
I've been negligent and forgot to fill up the oil on the 850 today and yesterday and when did I do it last?  My low oil light has come on.  We aren't that far from DRC in Alma.  Lets head there and grab a liter.
We turn right on 23, cross the Alma bridge and take local 562.  Oh the groomer hasn't been here yet this year.  Boy this is tough to take after such a nice ride on 367.  I hope that water crossing is frozen because I don't want to u-turn and ride this a second time.  We get to the water and yes it is frozen.  The ice huts are out, it is staked and they are a lot of tracks.  Lets go DRC is only a few miles away.
Around the airport and there is DRC.  Oh not so good.  They are closed.  That's right, it is boxing day.  Ugh!
A quick check of my oil tank and there is still a fair amount of oil.  It is just below a quarter of a tank.  We can't do anything here.  Back on the trail.  We stay on 562 and turn left onto 383.  This is a little better.  We get to Relais Genouille and this is busy.  It is now around 4:30.  The GutZ brothers decide to take a break here.  I give it some thought and tell them I'm going to continue on.  I'll run 83 all the way back.  I ask them to keep an eye out for me on their way back just in case.
We part and off I go.  Take it easy Jack.  I'm in no hurry.  Reasonable speed, conserve my oil.  No need to do something dumb.
The first part of 83 is rough but the headlights really light up the trail and it is easy to pick the best path over the bumps.  As I get closer to the Delta, 83 is deteriorating.  This is falling apart.  Bumps and more bumps.  I take another look at the oil tank and still good.  From the Delta to the Sag is the worst section all week.  I pull in and park in front of our room.  Sandi is there waiting and has a big smile on her face.  It's late but I'm back and the sled is fine.
A big hug with Sandi and boy does it feel good to sit in a soft chair after trail 83.  She is feeling better.  She said by noontime the stomach had calmed down.  She just put her feet up and relaxed all day.
This was a very typical early season ride.  Some good trails some bad trails.  Enough snow to ride out of the hotel on but as always, a little more snow would make things nicer.  The temps were mild, -15 C to 0 C.  The trails need some cold temps to let the snow pack really firm up.  The snow cover gets soft during the day and gets pushed around.
Plan your trips folks.  the season is here and there is no time to waste.  Our next trip is going to be at RDL starting January 14th.  We hope to see Mayor Mike there and a few other QR members.  Be safe.
Jack & Sandi

Good luck with them guys!!
 Have a rope??
Lol 
Will look for the post  Tonite..

We are back from our ride and back from supper.  Sandi had a Greek style pizza with artichokes, black olives, red peppers, feta cheese and I have no idea what else was on it.  I got to try a little piece because she couldn't finish.  It was good!  I would have never ordered it but I might now.
So this morning, where do you want to ride?  It is Jan 1st and not every place is open.  I ask at the front desk if they could call Auberge des Battures.  Other QR people have had great things to say and we have never stopped there.  The receptionist makes the call and yes they are open for lunch, yes the trail is open but not great and lunch is only a big brunch buffet.  Usually we have something light at lunch so I pass on the Auberge.  We will have to hit it some other day. 
Could you call Relais des Lacs please.  She calls and yes they are open but for breakfast only.  They are closing at 12:30 today.  OK make a reservation for us please.
Back to our room and plan a route so we end up at Relais des Lacs by 12:00, our reservation time.  There are four of us today.  Michelle and Chris from Mass are joining us.  We have to cross the two bridges and then how about a big loop on 367.  OK sounds good.
On the sleds and our normal route from the Sag on 83 to 367 and cross the two bridges.  A little rough as expected.  On the north side though, 367 is pretty good.  Thru St Ambroise and 93 has been groomed.  Up thru the potato fields and Sandi is beating feet.  A little fluff on the nice smooth trail is just what we need.  We pass the junction with 328 to Begin and then the next junction where 328 goes toward St David.  This is just fine.  A little further up by the cabins on the lac there is some logging activity.  Nothing today being New Year's Day but a lot of wood has been cut.  The snowmobile trail winds back and forth crossing the new logging road.  I hope that logging road becomes the trail next season.  It is wide and gentle.  Oh one can only hope.
The logging stops just before the junction with 482 to Onatchiway.  367 is now on the original trail all the way to Relais Mont Vilain.  There is one section just before the local trail to Lamarche that is not groomed.  A few miles of bumps here.  There is a swampy section that the groomer can't pass yet.  After that it is fine to Relais Mont Vilain.  We knew they were going to be closed from when we stopped here the other day.
Sandi drops down on the river and off she goes.  Not groomed of course but no bumps.  A couple of miles later and Sandi gets on the connector that brings us from the river back to 367.  This is still good and what a nice ride this is.  Running along the blueberry fields, wide and flat with just gentle turns.  We get on 553 and Sandi gets us to Relais des Lacs at 11:45.  As they say up here, Perfect!
Only one other sled but a pretty big group of at least twenty that must be locals.  They drove here.  We order a light breakfast and sit back.  We chat about how nice the trails are and no one is out riding.  We have only seen a couple of other sleds today but that is how Jan 1st is, quiet.
Back on the sleds and u-turn.  553 to 328.  Watch out for the drifting here in the fields Sandi.  Oops!  I didn't realize you were stopping.  I'm off in the poof and with a little body English, back on the trail.  A stop at L'Acension for gas.  Easy stop right on the trail.  Sandi continues down 328 and turns left on 93.  I know this is going to have bad spots but lets go.  The new detour at Alma for 93 to get around the road work that was going on last season.  Some thin spots in the fields and hills and then on the other side of the hill is all the snow that has drifted.
After St Nazaire 93, which was bad, is now fine.  The groomer made a pass last night and turned the ugly into the pretty good.  Thru St Ambroise and back on 367.  We cross the two bridges and pull into the Sag.  Home once again.
Another day on the trails is done.  As usual, some good and some bad but it is still riding.  It is starting to look like winter.
Jack & Sandi

Happy new year and happy trails to all Quebec riders from the UK .