Snobeeler

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Welcome Doug,
There debate on whether wheels are necessary or not could go for pages. Personally I have traveled in Quebec for 18 yrs without wheels, however I got a deal on a used pair thanks to Andyman the last year I was up there.  I will never have another sled without wheels. Are they a necessity, no....but I would rather be looking at them, then looking for them. The ease getting around gas stations, restaurants, motels, or ferry terminals makes it worth the price to me.
Sounds like a great trip you and yours Buds have planned, awesome scenery.
 

It's all sidewalk and pavement, not the best even in full on snow years.  Go slow, don't run over the locals and I suspect all is good.
 

Useless, other than motivational eye-candy view from the "body-shop"...
 

Now the triangles just show caution.

Ice, speaking about wheels, I see yours stick up a little higher than others I have seen when not deployed. Are those the Rouski Evo's?

A tiny bit of snow here and there and if they don’t give up we can have an AWESOME end to the season!

Alright, here I am!!! It was a much-needed get away as lots of my friends teachers are gone on sick leave and report cards to be done by Monday. I had to be in the nature for a bit. 
I don't know if we're lucky or what, but we got some great trails considering the kind of year that it is. Born and raised in Quebec all my life ... I have never seen it like that ever. Even I'm surpised. Never had to fully open my jacket in February... 😳

Love the new helmet, I get a better look when I cross the street, there is no air leaking through which will be great in colder temperature since my previous helmet had the air vents on my chin broken open. I also love the color/look  turquoise! It's also much lighter than my other one so I feel the difference after a couple of hours of riding. 

New radios are great too. My favorite? It's to hear other people talk when we're set in mesh... I like to spy and sometimes jump in the conversation!! ahahah like yesterday! I almost got free chips! 

Like lover said, was the first time passing people, i'm not the fastest but not the slowest either... I was getting bored behind them... I don't understand why they never let us pass them. When I see some people catching up to me I tell Don and we let them go by. I mean if you caught up, you should pass us, no? They had several occasions (road-crossing) and the leader of the pack never really looked back. Anyway, we got through, one of them got nervous a little. 
I thought I was back on an old trip in April in Matane at some spots like you can see on the pictures. BUt the rest was really good. I'm happy!!

It was the second time that I passed the bar of the 300 km in one day. Proud. Even though I was maybe too tired for that, and the boys never stop for lunch. 😒
 
First real riding in the pack with Snohorse cause I was the middle. I felt safe knowing he was behind me. 
I also got to lead most of today, calling out coming sleds, studying the turns on my own, basically reading the trails for myself, looking where  it goes and all. I also got to ride on my private groomed trail, you know, the one all the way on the right!! 👌 Best place to ride. Some turns were mushy so a little harder to deal with for me, but I managed. 
Even yesterday at the end of the day on the TQ5 coming to the hotel I still had my private trail even though hundreds of sleds had passed by.  Got to love it!  

To the next time, I truly believe we'll get more snow ... I mean it's QUebec here.
Otherwise I'll be shocked that that was the winter 2024. (But it would mean an early start of paddling season with a small spring flood. ) 🙂 
GOt to have more than one hobby. 

Til next time. 
 
IMG_2117.HEIC

Friday Ride continues 
From St Fabien sur mer we return up local orange all beautiful trail here. Roads less traveled. Back to the 518 and to TQ5. The TQ5 is a 7/10 from 518 all the way to RDL. Showing wear many corners. We roll on in back to Universel 305 km. 
 
Dinner at Restaurant 7:30 reservation in and seated boom. Not as busy as night before but busy. Not full. They seem to have it running smoothly tonight and they do just that. 

Delicious dinner
 
 

They are Rouski but several years old
Evo is the latest yes? Just came out?

Only 9$ a can 
small wine bottle 28$ 
when bar is closed……..priceless.

Going to give you a bit more. Then bedtime. 
 
we are going nowhere it’s out n back 2 days from here Universel..
Got some new hardware and trying it out while getting mrs ice some much deserved seat time. (She gets very little) nature of the game. 
 
Sena 50s awesome. Group mesh and love it. 
CKX Mission Carbon helmets. Why I waited till now i do not know. Game changing comfort and vision. Badass. 
 
Wheels down February 9 at RDL. This is a special year. That’s it. It is what it is and if you want to ride you can make it happen simple as that. Bitching about it or wondering how it will hold up is a waste of energy. 
 
Close to hotel is boney i have seen worse and rode worse returning here before. Not far out much better we left with no set plan. Following what felt good. 
 
526 to TQ85 to First orange we can find. Let’s Go. 
early morning TQ85 nice and then orange fresh groomed. Beautiful. 
up orange to 544 another beauty  very few sleds and great trail. 
new helmets are sweet. 
now 571 and another stunner. Real nice. Then to TQ5 to the trail of the day 518. WOW WOW WOW, never rode this it is spectacular 
east n 518 to local orange down to Fabien sur mer. To a scenic overlook just niot the best day for the views. But awesome riding. 
Gassed on the orange there right on the 132 been by on the road never on sled here. 
 
to be continued 

Well, 6 of us reluctantly headed up on Saturday, the 3rd.  Being that is was free weekend, we wanted to try and avoid heaving traffic areas, so we parked off 322 between Mount Laurier and Maniwaki and headed North on the local trail towards Le Pensive.  We continued on for a stop at Club Gatineau.  Trails to this point were 9/10 with good snow and little traffic.  Went on to Club Notawissi and then down the cutoff to Club Fontbune for the night.  This was my first time staying there and let me tell you, awesome little place.  The team there works their butts off to make sure you have an excellent experience.  Fun staff, nice cabins, awesome food.
The next day we headed back the way we came and up to Le Pensive and Lepine road to Clova.  Very little traffic and even though Lepine wasn't groomed, it was a real nice ride.  The logging at the end wasn't even very problematic, sort of looks like they are done there and other than the last mile or so, there was plenty of snow on the road for lubrication.  Clova was exactly what you would expect, although I did overhear it being said Dominique may be considering hitting Lepine with the groomer. 
The next day we headed towards parent.  Clova to Parent was pretty tuned in.  They are now working you around the logging there, so other than some stretches to cross water run offs and some crossings, you weren't running the bare road.  I give it a more than acceptable work around.  Parent to 345 intersection was total dog shit.  I think they may have groomed one time, but I needs hit 2 or 3 times before it comes into shape.  There seems to be enough snow on the trail for grooming.  I was thankful the new bridge was in.  We were prepared to cross, but after seeing with my own eyes, I understand why those who have crossed said it was an adventure.
345 down to Kanawata and then down to Repos was freaking awesome.  11/10 for sure.  Fast and Fun.   We continued on down 33 to Auberge Taureau for the night.  Snow is definitely thin as you get down that direction, but groomers are doing a great job keeping the trails in as good of shape as possible.
Next morning we head out 360 to 345 and head back north.  This section of 345 was almost as good as the northern section.  They had it tuned up real nice and it was quite enjoyable.  From Repos, we head west over to 53 and down to Meekos.  I give this whole stretch 8.5/10.  A few obstacles to be mindful of hear and there, mainly water wash outs, but all and all, pretty nice ride.
Half the group jumps in the lake at Meekos, we have a good meal and wait for the next day wondering how it might be getting back to the truck as we decided to man up and try going down the St. Anne Du Lac, Devils Mountain, etc. picking our way back to the truck.
Well, this ride had lots of ups and downs.  There were sections that you would have felt like full on winter conditions and sections that would feel like the end of March with lots of rocks, gravel, etc.  That being said, sleds never overheated and we made back to the truck at 11:30.
We were all super happy we came up and it ended up being a great trip.  I would say 900 total miles, 50 or so utter dogshit, 200 ish 8/10 and the rest were classic Quebec.
 
Now for the real question..........What's it gonna be like in say a week or two 

They have a new state of the art gas pump
whip out your card and do the touch thingy and bingo

Looks like 62 miles.

We are also planning North Shore trip. Was able to get Le Manoir on way up but not on way back. Looks to be 2 other options. Le Grand Hotel or Travel Lodge. Le Grand looks really nice but probably a Shi* show getting to it. Travel lodge easy in and out but reviews didnt look too good. Any comments advice appreciated.

Have stayed at the travel lodgemany times, in fact have reservations there this winter.  It is very convenient,  right off the trail, close to gas plus there is a great restaurant right across the street.  It is dated, but clean.   Not positive but think there was a free Contenental breakfast.

when in Sept- tile I used the traffic light and road rather than trying to cross the 4 lanes with the curb in the middle for gas...and use a taxi for everything else...never had to wait more than 5 minutes for a ride to dinner or ski doo dealer...and the fee is extremely reasonable