poltodoo

-18F here at Haltaparche this a.m.
think we are going to Clova for lunch today. Was groomed from Parent to there yesterday so should be good ride

Montana Pole Dancing
Warning: This is grizzly...
 
tanecprity_i_729908232946092.mp4

bonsoir poltodoo 
 
yaaa...percé rock.....p e i 
if it would have been the real one, my glass of wine would have spilled !!!😛
 
jean-guy

Said it before, Beach bars, Bikinis and Golf are looking more enticing every year!

🙃

Unknown
the people who shot video said it was fully involved upon their arrival.
i do believe this hut had an oil stove so could have been a malfunction.
or mice with matches

2.90 is about about 8.65 a gallon American after current exchange rate
almost borders extortion 
when I got my 1200 new back in 2020 and rode that 10K miles that season it would have cost me roughly 8600.00 in gas for the season. Only paid 9700 for the sled.

They said it was a misunderstanding with the reserve and they plowed that section and sanded it 12km by mistake.

Not to sound like a "Debbie Downer" but I'm glad a put Mt Valin area on the back burner some years back. With all the increased traffic there in years and now this I can't say I miss the area or care to go back. I know the area serves it's purpose early and late but they can keep it. 

I believe that this is a organization who doesn't want snowmobiles on any land they thing they have or do have control of.  I believe to them this is the beginning of them ending the snowmobiles on pubic land. You must understand they are saving the environment. Or they don't ride snowmobiles and don't want anyone else to.  
    How long will it be before more of the parks join in. 
   
 
 

I am guessing there is a nasty back story here. Will be interesting to hear from FCMQ, I bet when negotiating the trail agreement as is done each year the ZEC organization/ gangsters, We're probably moaning for $ And FCMQ,said no. So this is most likely to extort $ from FCMQ.
At 63 Zec's and a daily pass!!! This is a logistical nightmare for planning a trip!! Especially a on the fly plan. 
Seems like the Zec's need to erect toll booths and man them!!!! Sorry put a human at them.
You can see the writing on the wall, trail access fight between FCMQ and this NON PROFIT!!!!! Private Zec management thugs, that ultimately will lead to a sizable increase in trail pass costs to grease the Zec wheel!!!
That will lead to every other land owner/ manager looking for $$$$ slippery slope probably why FCMQ said No!!
IMO the trails and our $$$$$ are a needed cash flow for all involved the trail access should be eminent domain except changes for logging, its not a land seizure its just a winter access seizure.. everyone wins 🏆 

Nancy at the Zec….that explains it, Pelosi is up there now!  I sure hope this blows over quickly.

I am guessing there is a nasty back story here. Will be interesting to hear from FCMQ, I bet when negotiating the trail agreement as is done each year the ZEC organization/ gangsters, We're probably moaning for $ And FCMQ,said no. So this is most likely to extort $ from FCMQ.
At 63 Zec's and a daily pass!!! This is a logistical nightmare for planning a trip!! Especially a on the fly plan. 
Seems like the Zec's need to erect toll booths and man them!!!! Sorry put a human at them.
You can see the writing on the wall, trail access fight between FCMQ and this NON PROFIT!!!!! Private Zec management thugs, that ultimately will lead to a sizable increase in trail pass costs to grease the Zec wheel!!!
That will lead to every other land owner/ manager looking for $$$$ slippery slope probably why FCMQ said No!!
IMO the trails and our $$$$$ are a needed cash flow for all involved the trail access should be eminent domain except changes for logging, its not a land seizure its just a winter access seizure.. everyone wins 🏆 

I am guessing there is a nasty back story here. Will be interesting to hear from FCMQ, I bet when negotiating the trail agreement as is done each year the ZEC organization/ gangsters, We're probably moaning for $ And FCMQ,said no. So this is most likely to extort $ from FCMQ.
At 63 Zec's and a daily pass!!! This is a logistical nightmare for planning a trip!! Especially a on the fly plan. 
Seems like the Zec's need to erect toll booths and man them!!!! Sorry put a human at them.
You can see the writing on the wall, trail access fight between FCMQ and this NON PROFIT!!!!! Private Zec management thugs, that ultimately will lead to a sizable increase in trail pass costs to grease the Zec wheel!!!
That will lead to every other land owner/ manager looking for $$$$ slippery slope probably why FCMQ said No!!
IMO the trails and our $$$$$ are a needed cash flow for all involved the trail access should be eminent domain except changes for logging, its not a land seizure its just a winter access seizure.. everyone wins 🏆 

Here is our last ride path

It is under a very cloudy sky and a little snow that we left Saturday morning around 9:00 am from Champlain (east of Trois-Rivières) to go having a lunch at La Tuque accompanied by our friend Snowcruiser.

The trails were very nice at start, here in the very long straight stretch on trail #3

Once near Grand-Mère we got on the St-Maurice river...

Because of the temperatures that have been too mild so far, the 28kms marked trail on the St-Maurice River north of #23 trail has not been done yet, not safe. So we made it on land through #23+#360 trails towards St-Joseph de Mekinac.
For those who doesn't know, this bridge we pass under is on the #155 (road between Trois-Rivières and La Tuque) and have been closed last year during 7month after being inspected and realized it was not safe anymore!.  Here we can clearly see the steel pillars and reinforcement cables that have been installed on the bridge(had just concrete before) to reopen it at the end of last summer. It is a temporary fix and a new bridge construction is supposed to start at spring 2023 and last 3 years!

We passed through St-Tite

The famous Rivière des Envies which took a long time to freeze is now crossable and safe

just before switching onto #360 trail at the junction there was an SQ police checkpoint. I thought I would have to dig off in my pants to get all my papers out but no, we mustn't look too suspicious, we passed through in less than a minute with only a visual license plate check and a brief chat.
Here just leaving, my partner Snowcruiser on his new Enduro

The #360 was superb and very fast

The #355 on the Gazoduc section was a little bumpy but it still ride well

The next section of #355 between the junction with #351 and Lake Wayagamac was very ruff, good snow cover but just really due to be re-regroomed, Kristine had not liked it. We notice that the lack of deep cold and the general mild weather+ frequent new snow since the beginning of the season affect the grooming efficiency and trail toughness compare to what we are used to in january.
We took a break under the Railway Bridge of Riviere du Milieu

Past the junction south of Wayagamac lake the conditions came back correct and it was riding well

Arriving in La Tuque, the trail is on the pedestrian bridge instead of the river which is not safe yet...

We stopped to eat at Marineau auberge at the entrance of the city around 1:00 p.m. with 180 km on the meter

It was our first ride with Snowcruiser this season and the lunch break pass like flash by chatting in very good company! We then went to refuel in town, here along the endless 30km/h zone along the airport.

And here in town...

We had 2 options for the return, either to retrace our steps on the #355 and then take the #351 in the Zec Tawachiche or take the #73 and do the Zec Jeannotte / Rivière à Pierre which is longer run. It is my back seat passenger who made the decision and we set off for La Jeannotte around 2:30 p.m. Here along Lake Wayagamac

The jeannotte did not disappoint us even if the detour in the center was a little more bumpy, very beautiful and fast

It was beautiful up to the ZEC entrance

Then, the traffic of this Saturday had done its job and it was getting more rought as we went down

Like an oasis in the desert, we crossed our first dozer just before Rivière à Pierre

The track towards St-Raymond was ok

But #353 was very rought. We took a little break at the #23 trail junction which we then took east towards St-Alban and it was really better. We had a couple more rought stretches  but were also lucky enough to cross 2 more dozers on the way back.


We crossed St Anne and Batiscan rivers which are both staked and safe and finally returned to our starting point around 7:30 p.m. with just over 220kms in the afternoon for a total of just over 400kms for the day. I admit that we slept very well that next night!!!
So another great ride for us this season, the trail network is almost complete and the snow is here, I hope for even more cold in the next few weeks to optimize the quality/solidity of the trails. The weather forecast is really promising, hoping they will be right.
Bye Alain

I hear you loud and clear. Shit show. 

Yes , the Otter slide and den are a first for me to see , Would have been awesome to see Ollie Otter sending it down  ! Fun times in the Backcountry today  .
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Everyone has a GPS and we have local contacts in lots of places to confirm ice and conditions 🙂

The trails are as good as Jack and Sandi reported.  Good to be back in Quebec and enjoying all its culture.
I saw Saguenay Bill today at the club house with the two arches (Les Chevelliers). He looks great and still as sharp as a tack. He rode up from northern Maine, thru New Brunswick and into Quebec to have lunch. He has made a lot of friends in northern Maine and appears to be greatly enjoying life. 
mike
 

I'm in as well. Hopefully missing the odd corner doesn't count against me 😁

It was good meeting you also BigLake.  Always nice to put a face with a name.
Yesterday was our last day of riding.  We are heading to CT this morning.
Yesterday we did a loop thru Pohenegamook via 5, 526 and 35 to the Realis Pohenegamook, twin arches.  Then it was off to Cabano for pizza for lunch.  The pizza place was busy and there was only one waitress waiting on the lunch people and the customers on the bar side.  Needless to say it was over an hour there but the pizza is very good.
After lunch it was 85 north and then 565, 544, 44 and 85 back to the Universal.  No need to go into detail because all of the trails are turning out to be in fine shape.  The only area still thin is the lowland getting back to the Universal.  Other than that, you can ride most anywhere on fantastic trails.  The groomers are out every night and the traffic has picked up.  Yesterday being Saturday, we saw the most traffic that we have all week.
The forecast is for good temps and snow this Thursday.
If all goes well, Sandi and I will return to RDL the week of Jan 29th.  Hope to see some of you there.
Be safe and stay on the trail.
Jack & Sandi

It's always about the money

Mattawin to Gouin today  , all pretty decent.. 360 , 345  83 .
Super nice new garage at Kanawata,           The Jonny Gouin trail fresh groom.. we took the ungroomed east entrance . 

Sad but it is big business up there. Sometimes the establishments are at least complacent. Small towns they know who the culprits are. Dirty dealerships that make the keys, 
Once in st George a guy talked to the bartender,  a few calls and he was able to buy his sled back, obviously involvement by the bar.
Lock everything cable a tire to the frame , take every precaution shit bags everywhere!!!