towing

Thanks for the early season report. Hopefully you will share more trips this winter.

Leaving LeCabanon at 3 a.m. tonight as we want to get back home early tomorrow.
What an INSANE 4.5 day trip it has been. Cobra and I had an unbelievable adventure together and got in some of the best early season riding in years,  we both agree.
When we rolled in last night we had 1013 miles from 3.5 days of riding. Today Cobra went out and did an 83 mile loop and got the snot kicked out of him on 3/4 of it. I however had a relaxing do nothing day around the hotel. The groomers all just left awhile ago so I might go out for one last evening whoha and catch the magic carpet.
The key this week (and usually most of the time) is get out of here early. Like first ones on the trail early. Not hard to do at LeCabanon as 7:45 and your almost guaranteed to be first. Head north, north, north and you will be rewarded like we were. 
Kanawata and north you couldn't distinguish between Christmas week or Valentine's week as far as snow depth and trail conditions. The 83 HAS been groomed but they turn the GPS off as they don't want to encourage travel up there until after the holidays when they are more prepared. 
Casey has a new place to eat and stay. It's called Camp De Base. They are opening up this weekend. No "forfait" yet but possible in the future. They are "Yurts" and have two twin beds each. We were the very first persons to eat there last night for dinner. Host Norman & Diane are great people. Also spoke to "Noar" the owner via phone. 

Hi guys!
The rain and personal engagement had delay my first ride but finally here it is!
Here the path of this first ride in the Mastigouche reserve

It was one of the rare ride I did without my best half so no pics but nice video shots. I met my partner Snowcruiser at 10:00 am at Cabanon parking lot and we explored a bit toward south before going to lunch at 11:00. Lacks of snow toward the St-Zenon village especially in hills, many toctocs in the skis. We hit the trail again at noon and went in the Mastigouche reserve, toward Koubec at first. It was very nice, flat hardpacked/ icy base with a 3' of powder on the top and no rocks. We need sharp carbides to be safe and those who are not studded should take care and add some distance for braking. The trail base is nicer in the reserve but it really snowed more(take a look at the picnic table in the first video) and the overall conditions were nicer than many time in full winter.
I put together 3 short videos, as usual put the sound on and crank up the quality to 1080 if you have a big screen
here the first one
and this one starting from Koubec 
and the third one
really better conditions than I was expecting, Even if the souther trails are not as good, the trail network begin to enlarge, it is groomed from today St-Michel/Repos and from Pourvoirie du Lac blanc to connect in th Mastigouche reserve. 
More details on the trail conditions/opening here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
So the snow condition is shaping up but the covid's situation in Quebec for this last week is worrying. No change at the border actually(Canada jurisdiction) but the Quebec government close yesterday all the schools, bar, movie theaters and cut by half the restaurant dining rooms capacity and limit party size for the next weeks so it is something to watch actually. We pass from few hundred daily cases in late November to 4 to 6 thousands daily in the last week... there is some panic in the boat at government level right now!

Hi guys!
The rain and personal engagement had delay my first ride but finally here it is!
Here the path of this first ride in the Mastigouche reserve

It was one of the rare ride I did without my best half so no pics but nice video shots. I met my partner Snowcruiser at 10:00 am at Cabanon parking lot and we explored a bit toward south before going to lunch at 11:00. Lacks of snow toward the St-Zenon village especially in hills, many toctocs in the skis. We hit the trail again at noon and went in the Mastigouche reserve, toward Koubec at first. It was very nice, flat hardpacked/ icy base with a 3' of powder on the top and no rocks. We need sharp carbides to be safe and those who are not studded should take care and add some distance for braking. The trail base is nicer in the reserve but it really snowed more(take a look at the picnic table in the first video) and the overall conditions were nicer than many time in full winter.
I put together 3 short videos, as usual put the sound on and crank up the quality to 1080 if you have a big screen
here the first one
and this one starting from Koubec 
and the third one
really better conditions than I was expecting, Even if the souther trails are not as good, the trail network begin to enlarge, it is groomed from today St-Michel/Repos and from Pourvoirie du Lac blanc to connect in th Mastigouche reserve. 
More details on the trail conditions/opening here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
So the snow condition is shaping up but the covid's situation in Quebec for this last week is worrying. No change at the border actually(Canada jurisdiction) but the Quebec government close yesterday all the schools, bar, movie theaters and cut by half the restaurant dining rooms capacity and limit party size for the next weeks so it is something to watch actually. We pass from few hundred daily cases in late November to 4 to 6 thousands daily in the last week... there is some panic in the boat at government level right now!

FYI...   

OK
It's a "sea of purple " out there and Cobra and I are going to be leaving in a half hour and beat everyone of these sleds to the trail.
Heading to camp first via 360 and then M20 & M21 (the long way) get gas at camp and show it all to Cobra.
Then over to Repos and up to Kanawata and back to LeCabanon for the night 
Going to be a long day 

Sorry for the shitty picture quality 
Will have better camera today 

Out on the M20

Fellow QR member “Cobra” and I hooked up in Albany at 4 a.m. this morning . So you got NY Chris and PA Chris
Got to Lecabanon around 11ish after a few stops. The place is packed and we are THE ONLY Americans here. Very strange to see it here like that.
Got out around 1:30 and headed to the dam. Surprisingly very good with ample ground cover and the 2-3 inches last night helped too. Yes a few icy corners and a rock here or there  but hey it’s early season riding. 
As usual out past the dam was even better with the 360 in good shape. Then when we turned left into the woods towards 345/M20 junction it was the “magic carpet” ride it usually is. Felt like mid season riding. Hung out for awhile and then banged out the M20 that was n excellent shape. Only groomed once so far so it hasn’t set up yet but excellent coverage. When we got to the M21 junction we could see the groomer had gone in so we follow. Turns out he was only 3 miles in so we back tracked to Lecabanon via M20/360 and then 345. Got in around 6:30 with 142 sweet miles.
we both had some issues at home that took our time this evening so didn’t have a chance to post. Will try and post some pics in the a.m.
 
 
 

Easy peasy border crossing on 87 north 
Have had way worse pre-chinese flu
Super stoked 

Hi guys!
The rain and personal engagement had delay my first ride but finally here it is!
Here the path of this first ride in the Mastigouche reserve

It was one of the rare ride I did without my best half so no pics but nice video shots. I met my partner Snowcruiser at 10:00 am at Cabanon parking lot and we explored a bit toward south before going to lunch at 11:00. Lacks of snow toward the St-Zenon village especially in hills, many toctocs in the skis. We hit the trail again at noon and went in the Mastigouche reserve, toward Koubec at first. It was very nice, flat hardpacked/ icy base with a 3' of powder on the top and no rocks. We need sharp carbides to be safe and those who are not studded should take care and add some distance for braking. The trail base is nicer in the reserve but it really snowed more(take a look at the picnic table in the first video) and the overall conditions were nicer than many time in full winter.
I put together 3 short videos, as usual put the sound on and crank up the quality to 1080 if you have a big screen
here the first one
and this one starting from Koubec 
and the third one
really better conditions than I was expecting, Even if the souther trails are not as good, the trail network begin to enlarge, it is groomed from today St-Michel/Repos and from Pourvoirie du Lac blanc to connect in th Mastigouche reserve. 
More details on the trail conditions/opening here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
So the snow condition is shaping up but the covid's situation in Quebec for this last week is worrying. No change at the border actually(Canada jurisdiction) but the Quebec government close yesterday all the schools, bar, movie theaters and cut by half the restaurant dining rooms capacity and limit party size for the next weeks so it is something to watch actually. We pass from few hundred daily cases in late November to 4 to 6 thousands daily in the last week... there is some panic in the boat at government level right now!

👍 I got a sledding dose and give you some methadone 😄
You are welcome jak! Liking it more and more 😀 I just installed 3 Elkas stage4 (2 front +central and kept the air shock)and install bushings in the rear coil springs, install the full tunnel protector, Dupont slides, GPS.  I will soon output a usb jack to power my gopro remote and will play with the suspensions adjustments to get the most of the beast! can't wait to hit the trails again with Kristine this time...

Hi guys!
The rain and personal engagement had delay my first ride but finally here it is!
Here the path of this first ride in the Mastigouche reserve

It was one of the rare ride I did without my best half so no pics but nice video shots. I met my partner Snowcruiser at 10:00 am at Cabanon parking lot and we explored a bit toward south before going to lunch at 11:00. Lacks of snow toward the St-Zenon village especially in hills, many toctocs in the skis. We hit the trail again at noon and went in the Mastigouche reserve, toward Koubec at first. It was very nice, flat hardpacked/ icy base with a 3' of powder on the top and no rocks. We need sharp carbides to be safe and those who are not studded should take care and add some distance for braking. The trail base is nicer in the reserve but it really snowed more(take a look at the picnic table in the first video) and the overall conditions were nicer than many time in full winter.
I put together 3 short videos, as usual put the sound on and crank up the quality to 1080 if you have a big screen
here the first one
and this one starting from Koubec 
and the third one
really better conditions than I was expecting, Even if the souther trails are not as good, the trail network begin to enlarge, it is groomed from today St-Michel/Repos and from Pourvoirie du Lac blanc to connect in th Mastigouche reserve. 
More details on the trail conditions/opening here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
So the snow condition is shaping up but the covid's situation in Quebec for this last week is worrying. No change at the border actually(Canada jurisdiction) but the Quebec government close yesterday all the schools, bar, movie theaters and cut by half the restaurant dining rooms capacity and limit party size for the next weeks so it is something to watch actually. We pass from few hundred daily cases in late November to 4 to 6 thousands daily in the last week... there is some panic in the boat at government level right now!

👍 I got a sledding dose and give you some methadone 😄
You are welcome jak! Liking it more and more 😀 I just installed 3 Elkas stage4 (2 front +central and kept the air shock)and install bushings in the rear coil springs, install the full tunnel protector, Dupont slides, GPS.  I will soon output a usb jack to power my gopro remote and will play with the suspensions adjustments to get the most of the beast! can't wait to hit the trails again with Kristine this time...

Hi guys!
The rain and personal engagement had delay my first ride but finally here it is!
Here the path of this first ride in the Mastigouche reserve

It was one of the rare ride I did without my best half so no pics but nice video shots. I met my partner Snowcruiser at 10:00 am at Cabanon parking lot and we explored a bit toward south before going to lunch at 11:00. Lacks of snow toward the St-Zenon village especially in hills, many toctocs in the skis. We hit the trail again at noon and went in the Mastigouche reserve, toward Koubec at first. It was very nice, flat hardpacked/ icy base with a 3' of powder on the top and no rocks. We need sharp carbides to be safe and those who are not studded should take care and add some distance for braking. The trail base is nicer in the reserve but it really snowed more(take a look at the picnic table in the first video) and the overall conditions were nicer than many time in full winter.
I put together 3 short videos, as usual put the sound on and crank up the quality to 1080 if you have a big screen
here the first one
and this one starting from Koubec 
and the third one
really better conditions than I was expecting, Even if the souther trails are not as good, the trail network begin to enlarge, it is groomed from today St-Michel/Repos and from Pourvoirie du Lac blanc to connect in th Mastigouche reserve. 
More details on the trail conditions/opening here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
So the snow condition is shaping up but the covid's situation in Quebec for this last week is worrying. No change at the border actually(Canada jurisdiction) but the Quebec government close yesterday all the schools, bar, movie theaters and cut by half the restaurant dining rooms capacity and limit party size for the next weeks so it is something to watch actually. We pass from few hundred daily cases in late November to 4 to 6 thousands daily in the last week... there is some panic in the boat at government level right now!

Hi guys!
The rain and personal engagement had delay my first ride but finally here it is!
Here the path of this first ride in the Mastigouche reserve

It was one of the rare ride I did without my best half so no pics but nice video shots. I met my partner Snowcruiser at 10:00 am at Cabanon parking lot and we explored a bit toward south before going to lunch at 11:00. Lacks of snow toward the St-Zenon village especially in hills, many toctocs in the skis. We hit the trail again at noon and went in the Mastigouche reserve, toward Koubec at first. It was very nice, flat hardpacked/ icy base with a 3' of powder on the top and no rocks. We need sharp carbides to be safe and those who are not studded should take care and add some distance for braking. The trail base is nicer in the reserve but it really snowed more(take a look at the picnic table in the first video) and the overall conditions were nicer than many time in full winter.
I put together 3 short videos, as usual put the sound on and crank up the quality to 1080 if you have a big screen
here the first one
and this one starting from Koubec 
and the third one
really better conditions than I was expecting, Even if the souther trails are not as good, the trail network begin to enlarge, it is groomed from today St-Michel/Repos and from Pourvoirie du Lac blanc to connect in th Mastigouche reserve. 
More details on the trail conditions/opening here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
So the snow condition is shaping up but the covid's situation in Quebec for this last week is worrying. No change at the border actually(Canada jurisdiction) but the Quebec government close yesterday all the schools, bar, movie theaters and cut by half the restaurant dining rooms capacity and limit party size for the next weeks so it is something to watch actually. We pass from few hundred daily cases in late November to 4 to 6 thousands daily in the last week... there is some panic in the boat at government level right now!

Thank you Alain. How are you liking the new machine?

BIG Merci Alain!
You know, such valuable therapy for all of us to "ride" with you vicariously!

Hi guys!
The rain and personal engagement had delay my first ride but finally here it is!
Here the path of this first ride in the Mastigouche reserve

It was one of the rare ride I did without my best half so no pics but nice video shots. I met my partner Snowcruiser at 10:00 am at Cabanon parking lot and we explored a bit toward south before going to lunch at 11:00. Lacks of snow toward the St-Zenon village especially in hills, many toctocs in the skis. We hit the trail again at noon and went in the Mastigouche reserve, toward Koubec at first. It was very nice, flat hardpacked/ icy base with a 3' of powder on the top and no rocks. We need sharp carbides to be safe and those who are not studded should take care and add some distance for braking. The trail base is nicer in the reserve but it really snowed more(take a look at the picnic table in the first video) and the overall conditions were nicer than many time in full winter.
I put together 3 short videos, as usual put the sound on and crank up the quality to 1080 if you have a big screen
here the first one
and this one starting from Koubec 
and the third one
really better conditions than I was expecting, Even if the souther trails are not as good, the trail network begin to enlarge, it is groomed from today St-Michel/Repos and from Pourvoirie du Lac blanc to connect in th Mastigouche reserve. 
More details on the trail conditions/opening here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
So the snow condition is shaping up but the covid's situation in Quebec for this last week is worrying. No change at the border actually(Canada jurisdiction) but the Quebec government close yesterday all the schools, bar, movie theaters and cut by half the restaurant dining rooms capacity and limit party size for the next weeks so it is something to watch actually. We pass from few hundred daily cases in late November to 4 to 6 thousands daily in the last week... there is some panic in the boat at government level right now!

Hi guys!
The rain and personal engagement had delay my first ride but finally here it is!
Here the path of this first ride in the Mastigouche reserve

It was one of the rare ride I did without my best half so no pics but nice video shots. I met my partner Snowcruiser at 10:00 am at Cabanon parking lot and we explored a bit toward south before going to lunch at 11:00. Lacks of snow toward the St-Zenon village especially in hills, many toctocs in the skis. We hit the trail again at noon and went in the Mastigouche reserve, toward Koubec at first. It was very nice, flat hardpacked/ icy base with a 3' of powder on the top and no rocks. We need sharp carbides to be safe and those who are not studded should take care and add some distance for braking. The trail base is nicer in the reserve but it really snowed more(take a look at the picnic table in the first video) and the overall conditions were nicer than many time in full winter.
I put together 3 short videos, as usual put the sound on and crank up the quality to 1080 if you have a big screen
here the first one
and this one starting from Koubec 
and the third one
really better conditions than I was expecting, Even if the souther trails are not as good, the trail network begin to enlarge, it is groomed from today St-Michel/Repos and from Pourvoirie du Lac blanc to connect in th Mastigouche reserve. 
More details on the trail conditions/opening here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
So the snow condition is shaping up but the covid's situation in Quebec for this last week is worrying. No change at the border actually(Canada jurisdiction) but the Quebec government close yesterday all the schools, bar, movie theaters and cut by half the restaurant dining rooms capacity and limit party size for the next weeks so it is something to watch actually. We pass from few hundred daily cases in late November to 4 to 6 thousands daily in the last week... there is some panic in the boat at government level right now!

Hi guys!
The rain and personal engagement had delay my first ride but finally here it is!
Here the path of this first ride in the Mastigouche reserve

It was one of the rare ride I did without my best half so no pics but nice video shots. I met my partner Snowcruiser at 10:00 am at Cabanon parking lot and we explored a bit toward south before going to lunch at 11:00. Lacks of snow toward the St-Zenon village especially in hills, many toctocs in the skis. We hit the trail again at noon and went in the Mastigouche reserve, toward Koubec at first. It was very nice, flat hardpacked/ icy base with a 3' of powder on the top and no rocks. We need sharp carbides to be safe and those who are not studded should take care and add some distance for braking. The trail base is nicer in the reserve but it really snowed more(take a look at the picnic table in the first video) and the overall conditions were nicer than many time in full winter.
I put together 3 short videos, as usual put the sound on and crank up the quality to 1080 if you have a big screen
here the first one
and this one starting from Koubec 
and the third one
really better conditions than I was expecting, Even if the souther trails are not as good, the trail network begin to enlarge, it is groomed from today St-Michel/Repos and from Pourvoirie du Lac blanc to connect in th Mastigouche reserve. 
More details on the trail conditions/opening here https://www.snowmobilecountry.ca/en/conditions/
So the snow condition is shaping up but the covid's situation in Quebec for this last week is worrying. No change at the border actually(Canada jurisdiction) but the Quebec government close yesterday all the schools, bar, movie theaters and cut by half the restaurant dining rooms capacity and limit party size for the next weeks so it is something to watch actually. We pass from few hundred daily cases in late November to 4 to 6 thousands daily in the last week... there is some panic in the boat at government level right now!