182ray

Great reports Howard keep them coming. Maybe sometime you can give us a build report on the sleds. Unless of course that's classified intel...lol
Ginger & I have have Oxygen helmets for this season great to hear they are working good for you
I don't know about that balaclava...probably would work better with the bottom 2'' trimmed off...hahaha

Great reports Howard keep them coming. Maybe sometime you can give us a build report on the sleds. Unless of course that's classified intel...lol
Ginger & I have have Oxygen helmets for this season great to hear they are working good for you
I don't know about that balaclava...probably would work better with the bottom 2'' trimmed off...hahaha

Great reports Howard keep them coming. Maybe sometime you can give us a build report on the sleds. Unless of course that's classified intel...lol
Ginger & I have have Oxygen helmets for this season great to hear they are working good for you
I don't know about that balaclava...probably would work better with the bottom 2'' trimmed off...hahaha

Groomer just sent me a balaclava suggestion....he says I have enough and to pick from the giant bag of gear I already have! Lol

Great reports Howard keep them coming. Maybe sometime you can give us a build report on the sleds. Unless of course that's classified intel...lol
Ginger & I have have Oxygen helmets for this season great to hear they are working good for you
I don't know about that balaclava...probably would work better with the bottom 2'' trimmed off...hahaha

Ice, you are right, unfortunately the first guy that crashed, it was his first day In the north country with us ever, his first ride of the season, and there were other issues. It’s kind of one of those things where you had to be there😉.
The second Guy, same issue, both experienced riders that broke the 100 mile rule.
We have  a rule, after 40 plus years of riding, that those riders running the first 100 miles, need to be take extra caution getting used to their sleds and gear that they have just purchased.  
This is an individual rule, with each owner having to take those responsibilities required,  themselves! so take it easy boys on those first 100 miles.
Unfortunately that rule did not get followed yesterday.
Fortunately, this group is very flexible and capable for most situations
As many members in this group regularly crank out in excess of 5,000 miles a year and several of us in excess of 10,000 miles a year.
When you run the territory we do, if you don’t come out with scratches in your (brand new) sleds and terrain induced damage, you aren’t riding😉
i enjoy sharing these adventure on Quebec Rider, and will continue, but many of these rides are not groomed trail riding.
We had a great 200 mile day today up towards the Pipmuacan reservoir, , one rider got the flu and was sick at the turn, a long afternoon for him!  100 miles out in the bush!
Looking forward to the new season of riding, and reading everyone’s reports
 
Happy Trails
RR
 
 
 

Linda, All the trails should open by than, you will have an awesome time as you usually do😁
 
Regarding the Oxygen helmet, of the four we had, unfortunately, my shield seal failed after six days of use. Moisture had gotten In between the two layers. I have ordered a new shield, hope it is just a fluke issue😁
Love the helmet otherwise😁
Have a great Merry Christmas and awesome trip!
 
RR

Linda, I use a Yamaha balaclava, a nice fleece bottom and nylon top. The helmet you get virtually no moving air inside, very comfortable to use!  Have worn this from day one and been very comfortable.

My friend rode yesterday lac Etchemin area 

this might help !!!
https://www.traversiers.com/en/our-ferries/matane-baie-comeau-godbout-ferry/home/
 
jean-guy

You’re on the Queens shit list now 
There is ONLY ONE top Europe snowmobiler and it’s not a man

I am the same...I hate mud and dirt and i love snow... The ground not frozen issue is of course a bad thing for anything related to snowmobiling...
But, keep in mind , it is not the same everywhere....Up here Northern Ontario and probably Northern Quebec as well, we're doing just fine....Ground is frozen...
To ride early, you have to go north...That's all.....Toute est ben beau icite...

That's it, our first ride of the new season done yesterday in Lanaudiere! I would have liked before but  winter has taken us by surprise: A season starting with groomed trails in mid-November is a new record here and I was not ready at all. To summarize, we catch up well yesterday with extraordinary conditions for a first December.
Due to the early opening, there is still active wood work/transport that forces the clubs to adjust the trail network and the current map versions do not represent what is groomed. To show you our trip track, I use a gps map on which I have drawn in pink-purple our trip trace and an approximate of where #23 trail join on  the #345 (between the Cabanon and the Dam). For those who know well the area, it is the #31 road of the reserve which is several miles further north than what the sled interactive map currently indicates.



Our friend Snowcruiser joined us and we chose the Lac Blanc Outfitter near St-Alexis des Monts as a starting point which minimized the car travel of each. It turned out to be an excellent choice in all aspect



We then took the # 350 trail north, also called the Gaston's trail for regulars in the area



From the start the amount of snow to the ground left by the last week storm was impressive ...



But very quickly that's what was still hanging in the trees that amazed us






The snowmobille club has clearly worked a good shot because despite it is an incredible beauty, the trails were completely blocked before the dozer passes. Good job guys!







We forked on the M10 trail in north direction to get the #23trail. On a short strech there were some small branches reminding us that it is the beginning of the season.



Otherwise,  next very nice.



A little further we took the #23 trail westbound. A little layer of new snow over the last grooming as well a couple trees fallen in the trail on the first miles (easily bypassed, just be careful)




 
Then back on freshly groomed trail. The sky has cleared and the sun was present, the snowy scenery has become even more beautiful





Trail conditions are at their best on the #23.





At the beginning of the ride on the #350 although the scenery was amazing, it was after storm conditions with a rather soft trail and not much grip on the skis. Here on the #23 a little less new snow on a good solid trail base allows us to ride at a good pace in full control with very little effort.





We then took the #345/#23 trail (between the Taureau Dam and the Cabanon) in a south direction



The amount of snow on the ground was  clearly less than when we start more east. The trail base is very good but thinner and traffic helping, some curves are a little swept. On the last miles before the Cabanon while the trail path leaves the reserve road to enter in the wood (on about 4 miles) it lacks some snow but not really bad.



We got at the Cabanon at around 11:30, pit stop for us and the sleds



Many snowmobilers in the place and always as well received



After a good meal break, we leave to make the same track in the opposite direction.





The sun has accompanied us a good moment





We took a break at the intersection of the M10 trail that we then took in south direction



Another brief break at the other end of the M10 where the signage was a little deficient. We guided a couple sledders in the right direction and also briefly met 2 CMIQ forum's guys for the first time: Greetings guys !!!



The Gaston's trail was really the most spectacular end in terms of scenery





too bad that the sun had quit, in these tunnels it would have gave incredible scenery






Here a last break in front of the Lac Blanc outfitter



All this big snow on the lakes before the big frosts has a worrying side however ... caution, it is still early in the season.




We returned to the trailer with a total of 120miles in relax mode.

 
In summary a fantastic first ride for us, surprising snow conditions especially more to the east. The trail network is still very small and not interconnected so check the areas you want to go before you go there. I know that the logging will delay a bit the early opening of some sections but the playground will be able to expand anyway in the coming weeks
Check out the details here: https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
Wish you an happy and safe new sledding season to all of you !!!
Alain

https://goo.gl/images/8eRoKR

Gary is smart chap...he wouldn’t even enter the contest 🤣

https://goo.gl/images/8eRoKR

I just got mine from Bill, 3 days!
27 Days and Counting before we leave!
GutZ
 

Lol ...  I know my  place...  

You’re on the Queens shit list now 
There is ONLY ONE top Europe snowmobiler and it’s not a man

You’re on the Queens shit list now 
There is ONLY ONE top Europe snowmobiler and it’s not a man

hmmm, "Europes Top Snowmobiler", I can think of two contestants?
GutZ

The wife and I decided Thursday night at 7pm to load up sleds in Vermont and make the trek to St.Zenon.  We arrived at the Cabanon at about 11:45pm.  Hit the trails on Friday morning on freshly groomed trails.  We went to Lac Blanc for lunch and back to hotel by 4pm.  Amazing conditions for a ride on the last day of November.  We did 120 miles.  My wife was real trooper for going with me at the last minute...she knew I really needed to ride.  Here are some pictures of our ride...
We will be back soon !!
 
 

Today’s Trip 1 was a  Labrieville destination. But we did not get to Labrieville, we underestimated the amount of fuel we were going to need with the current conditions, so an early turn, got us back to km 31 mid afternoon.  Way to early to quit, so 603 Backcountry and I said, let’s go try those 900 turbos that we have in the yard. So off we went with a trail run down the 93 towards Sacre Coure. 
 
Trip one and trip 2 ended us up with 240 fun miles.  603 and I will give out some feed back here soon on our pleasing experiences with both the Backcountry 850s and the 900 Turbos, (that we managed to run 80 miles this afternoon).Both sleds have a commanding presence for their place on the trail ,  900 turbo, or off the trail, 850bc.
 
Both 603 and I  have made the BC 850 our favorite choice for our riding style, but not taking anything away from the 900 Turbos. BRP has found a home run with this 4 stroker .  Oh, if I could just get that motor in the BC LOL.. it never ends on the wish list!
Today’s riding was miles of powder riding and also the Caribou conscripts had been out sprucing up the trail network today, as well, and oh what a job they do!
 
More riding tomorrow!
 
Happy Trails
 

Looks good now, but what will it be like in two weeks?!!
GutZ