SnomoGary

Spent today getting my sled accident squared away.  Insurance company is sending me a check and I sold the wrecked sled to a salvage company in Alma.  Now I have a nice sum of money towards a new one.  Thanks to Daniel for his help.  If it wasn't for him it would have taken me 3 days to get it done but with him 1 day was enough.

×2 same for us , this time next week we'll be  on the flight . Yer !!!!!!!
 

Snohorse darted off for a cold beer w/o you :  ) . Don't you hate when your riding partner does that ? Safe travels.

You don't go snowmobiling to save money!!!

There's a saying in aviation that goes like this "the only time you have too much gas is when your on fire"
I'll take the extra insurance 

Another morning and it is time to ride.  We have to hit the Powerball so we  can do this all winter!
Heading back now.  We are going to Hotel Bernieres for tonight.  We load up and since we rode out 5 we will go back part of the way on 35.
We leave the Universal and head out trail 5 to Club les Adventuriers and turn right.  This has all been groomed.  When we turn after the clubhouse, Sandi is the first track on the fresh trail.  A few miles down the trail and all of a sudden I see Sandi's brake light come on.  I let off and see a deer running ahead and away from Sandi going down the trail.  It doesn't take him long to find a place to dive off into the bush.  Sandi picks up speed and continues on.  We run out the 10 or 15 miles and take the little connector to trail 526 and then 35.  Sandi is kicking up the snow dust now.
A few miles from Club les Explorateurs on 35, Sandi's brake light comes on again.  As I round the corner I see a big moose trotting down the trail in front of her.  The four legged animals are out today.  I slowly go around Sandi and stay back but keep pace with the moose.  This may take awhile.  He doesn't seem interested in jumping off the trail into the deep snow.  He's cruising along at 10-12 mph.  The trail is so nice.  I don't want to go this slow.  The moose stops and looks back at me.  Oh oh.  I better stop too.  I'm keeping my distance.  Sandi is stopped behind me.  The moose stands there for a minute and then turns away and starts trotting down the trail again.  As I pull up, I noticed a big yellow stain in the middle of the trail where the moose stood.  Hmm.  Marking the trail as his trail.  We come to a long straight away.  I stop at the top of the hill to give him some room.  I can see him looking from side to side.  Finally he jumps off to the left and into the deep snow.  Good.  Now is our chance.  We pick up speed and pass by the moose.  Overall it was about 1 1/4 miles that we followed the moose.  Close enough to keep him moving but not so close to aggravate him.
We cross the street at the clubhouse, get on the rail bed and roll on.  This part of the trail wasn't groomed last night but probably was the night before.  It is still so good.  Every now and then I fall back away from Sandi and test out the sled.  This is fun!  The gas mileage isn't going to be as good today but that's OK.  I just don't want to see another moose for a surprise.  Not to far from Tourville, the trail was groomed last night.  This is even better.
We stop at Tourville for a break and a little lunch.  Its early and we are the only sleds here.  We say hi to Reggie.  He usually pumps the gas there and speaks good English.  Always nice to see a familiar face.  By the time we leave, a dozen sleds or so have pulled in.
We get back on 35 and start rolling again.  All fresh groomed with only a few tracks on the trail.  At 551 we turn right to go to Montmagny to the Ski-Doo dealer.  I know you four strokers are going to laugh but I've got to get a liter of oil to get me back to Valcourt tomorrow and this dealer is on the trail.  I brought 2 liters with me but we have put on more miles than I thought we would.
I put the oil in and we stay on trail 5.  When we get to the junction with 543 near St Raphael, we decide to take 543 for a change.  We haven't been on this trail in a long time.  It is much different than 5.  This is almost all open fields.  Not bad today but on a windy day it would be hard picking out the trail I bet.  In St Charles we pick up 5 again to 75.  Again this is all very good shape.
At one of the road crossings in St Etienne, there are two sleds on the other side of the road facing us.  Two people standing next to the sleds with bright safety green vests on.  As Sandi crosses the road, one off them holds his hand out to stop her.  It is the Levis police.  He looks at her sticker and the CT plate and motions her on.  I pull up and he smiles at me.  I recognize him from last year.  We have been stopped by them a couple of times before and he remembers the CT plates.  I chat with them for a minute or so.  As I leave, I'm thinking to myself "What a tough job going out on the company snowmobile and getting paid for it!"
We finish up the day pulling into Hotel Bernieres and checking in.  Time for supper and a good nights rest.  One more day on the trail tomorrow to go back to Valcourt to the truck.
Jack & Sandi

I stay at the Delta every year and its great. Bill has first hand knowledge of the conditions daily and knows every trail, even the ones that nobody knows. He is happy to help you with planning trips out of the hotel wherever your destination may be or day loops, including mileage, gas stops, restaurants, lodging etc.. If Bill offers his services, like he always does: take him up on them!!!!  I think that area offers some of if not the best trails and scenery, the grooming is always great and their is always low traffic. Have fun and go to the Saguenay and the Delta.  

Thanks Sandi and Jack for the info on the TekVest.   Mine came today.   I was on the upper end of the size but opted for the smaller one-a size small.   There is plenty of room for layers.   I have been thinking of one for a year since breaking a rib last spring.   Bill's accident was a good incentive-small mishaps can hurt!    Thanks again.
Pam

No, it's not open or groomed.

I called no one Ignorant. I said "Ignorance of the Law". Means just cause you don't know the law does not mean you are not required to follow it. 
Calling the cops dicks for doing their job, sorry i don't take that well. 
No wrist mirror does not count. Must be attached to sled. How well it works is not the discussion. Just that you must have one fixed to left side of machine. 
I've never had any mirror frost? That is a non issue. 
What the cops do in the USA is their business, 
My point is if you are wanting to come ride here, then it is pretty easy to find out what is required before you come. You know maybe on the inter-web thingy.
If you(he) can find your way here to this site, to bitch about it(cops, mirrors)then you can certainly check before to find out where to get a pass and simply ask what do I need to know about riding in QC. 
Bye Felicia. I'm finished here. 

What's to explain? Ignorance of the law is no excuse. You ride in Quebec you need a mirror on left side. Simple. They speak French here they are not obliged to speak to you in English. 
Your group seems like it has a lot of issues. Can't find passes(most will check before they cross to see what is open and where to buy a pass), got no Mirrors, cops are Dicks, and No English. Man you all need to get it together or don't cross over. Sorry but that is life. 
Maybe trails are better south of the border?
 

The passes are expensive when I hear how much a pass costs for VT or NH but look at how many more miles of trail in Quebec compared to all of New England.  We put a few miles on each year and I don't mind the cost of the pass when I look at the work that is put into this trail system.  A huge thank you to all the groomers, clubs, volunteers and everyone behind the scene that we never see or hear about.
Jack & Sandi

I can say "don't mock it unless you have tried it" Even though it's been a while for me it is one of the most enjoyable things i have done in my life. I grew up playing hockey so skiing came very easy for me too. It really is a good time as long as the conditions are right. I have spent some time out west in Aspen where conditions are great most of the time and it is AMAZING there.
I will say though it is NOTHING like riding a snowmobile but its really is fun!

Don't hold your breath. 

Or   AWESOME ..  !!!!  Some thing like that anyway .. lol
 

Letter from a Farmer in St Maurice. This guy gets it. 

I am writing today expressing my great disappointment in the choice of the means of pressure that the Union of Agricultural Producers (UPA) has made recently.
Indeed, the decision to boycott the snowmobile trails on our land makes me jump a lot and this leads me to ask several questions.
I would like to share with you those that are part of my reflection.
Do you think we are targeting the right people by opting for this? Do not you think that penalized people will be our own customers?
Indeed, the snowmobile relays that serve our products will be the ones who suffer the most. Is it really on them that we have to exert that pressure? Do we really want to make them suffer?
I believe we should be loyal partners to those entrepreneurs in our regions who are dependent on our actions.
Moreover, we will tarnish our image towards the fans of this sport, who are also our customers.
Are we truly logical and true partners when making our choices?
We should make it our duty to be positive actors in the economic development of our regions.
Where has our solidarity and gratitude for our customers gone?
My goal today is simply to inspire reflection to ensure that our choice is logical and thoughtful.
Good snowmobile season, dear customers!
Mario Massicotte
Agricultural Producer
Saint-Maurice
 

BRILLIANT

Wanker!!!

I thought it was, Chim chim cha roo.

Did she call me a wanker??? Chip chip cheerio

Hi Guys Ginger & I have our coupons....Hi Pat!!!

So do we .... can't wait just spent this morning getting all the gear out !!!  Lol
 

Lol , she won't live that one down Jack ..... see you soon
 

Remember to remind Pat to bring her food and drink coupons. 
Jack & Sandi

So do we .... can't wait just spent this morning getting all the gear out !!!  Lol