timberman

Perhaps the Team will fine-tune its route on the week-long expedition starting Feb 18 to include a night at the Pavillion. The staff had "fun with Dick and Sam" the last time.

Excellent news. Dick and Sam stayed there last year, enjoyed terrific hospitality and good food in the middle of nowhere, while temperature plunged to -40 overnight. Their crew will also get your sled running in the morning, even Putt Putt's.

Yikes! Not sure. Between my lousy French, Mario's so-so English, and the blessing of Google Translate, the team got their reservation. $99 per night per man, plus taxes, for supper, bed and breakfast is all I know for sure. The team will let me know what they get when they get there!! Let's hope they get separate beds!!

Decision has been made. Pourvoirie Kanawata booked for Sunday February 19th.

Dick and Sam in a kitchen:

Nice looking place, but doesn't look like meals are included. The entire team is kitchen-challenged. Dick specialises in can-openers and burnt water. Sam knows bottle-openers :) but that's it.

I only know you through this web-site, Bill, but you are my sledding hero. All the best for a speedy recovery and getting right back on the horse.

Bullseye, Iceman!!

Well, Trailblazer, I recollect the Central having a couple real nice construction-site bunkhouse trailers to sleep in. It appears Kanawata will be a major upgrade to that standard, not withstanding the unique atmosphere in the Central cocktail lounge :)

Thanks to everyone who weighed-in about this. Kanawata it is!! I'll get in touch with them shortly, I recall speaking to a fellow named Mario when I called to check it out a couple weeks ago. I expect it would be wise to have a booking for us, even on a Sunday night.

Don't forget a pair of light running shoes or slippers for padding around the pourvoirie.

Well, I guess it was inevitable. The team has disagreement over first night's destination on trail after departing Mont Laurier. One faction favours Parent, citing the unmistakable cultural ambience and outstanding decor of the famed Central Hotel. Others are pushing for a different route, ending the first day at Pourvoirie Kanawata. These team members point to the unique cachet of the in-the-woods pourvoirie experience vs the mundane "urban" accommodations at the Central. As off-trail supervisor and team mediator, it falls to me to adjudicate. So I am thus turning to the wisdom and experience of Quebec Rider observers for guidance or comments on these two alternatives. Kindly weigh in - we need to figure this out within a week.

Plans for the team's expedition are falling into place nicely. Departure from Mont Laurier Sunday morning Feb 19 for 7 days riding is confirmed. A nice scenic truck/trailer drive up to Mont Laurier on Saturday is foreseen, featuring fast-food tours of Renfrew and Maniwaki. The finale of the drive will likely include a tutorial at Mont Laurier SAQ. Sam had a big scare when Dick's participation appeared to be in jeopardy - a round of witty jokes (Sam with no Dick etc etc) were suffered in silence, but the air has cleared and all appears well. Other participants are rounding out. It is looking like wall-to-wall BRP 1200's with the exception of Sam's 900 ACE, all with 137 inch tracks. Team members are headlined by Dick and Sam, with a supporting cast of less experienced (read younger) sledders who have sculpted their craft under the exacting tutelage of Dick and Sam.

Hmmm. The team had requested that I keep my words to a three syllable maximum. Now I know why. Anyways, stayed tuned boys. More to come.

It looks like the team is planning a week in Quebec beginning Sunday February 19th. An intense 2500 km loop is being roughed out. Reporting is planned related to accommodations, trail conditions, restaurant/relais breaks that real sledders are interested in. Personal observations regarding specific team members' behaviour and peccadillos may also be anticipated. The team requested this thread be posted in the Abitibi forum, as was last year's, but they plan to travel through Abitibi, Maurice, Lac St. Jean, and Chibougamau during this odyssey. Details regarding individual participants will be provided in subsequent posts, but safe to say this is shaping up to be a fast crew, with a prevalence of BRP 1200's. Please advise if there is interest out there.

So that's it boys and girls. Thanks for checking in. Some or all team members will be returning to Quebec in two weeks, for a five day ride. If there is interest out there, a thread for the new adventure could be started up.

Here is a shot of Putt-Putt, Dick and Sam outside of a convenience store in Riviere Heva on Saturday afternoon. Notice the coincidental SAQ sign in the background.

Just to finish up, here is a photo of the cottage the team stayed in Saturday night at Ronoda. There were a total of eight beds in there, but it realistically accommodated max of four men, unless there were willing occupants of top bunks or a loft with a rather dodgy looking ladder (12" risers) and an ambient temperature upstairs of 140 in the shade due to Dick's enthusiastic stoking of the wood stove.

Well, the team are apparently home safe in their nests. Maggie at Camp Ronoda put on a killer breakfast, with eggs, bacon, sausages, toast, crepes and pancakes. Team is growing, sideways. The ride down from Camp Ronoda on Sunday morning was accompanied by increasingly intense rainfall. This was off-set by impeccable trails which allowed for an intriguing rate of travel and quick arrival at Temiscamingue, not withstanding a wrong turn by Putt-Putt. The up-shot of this short trip is that they were glad they weren't there a week earlier - trails are really just coming around now. There is great potential for all trails to be in terrific condition very shortly, with forecast snow and groomers working all week long. Attached is photo of I-Thought-The-Trail-Went-Straight Dick, standing in a position of shame.

The team is down for the night in Camps Ronoda. TQ83 from Cadillac to Rouyn-Noranda was in good shape butnit excellent. TQ83 west of Rouyn-Noranda was abysmal until they got to the boundary where Temiscamingue club takes over grooming, then trail was immaculate on down to Remigny. Mother Nature surprised the boys with freezing drizzle after lunch. Lots of visor scraping and reduced speed. Wrong Turn Dick now renamed I Thought The Trail Went Straight Dick. They dug him out after a while. Camps Ronoda a great find. 5 course meal for supper, put on by the one-of-a-kind Maggie. Nice cabin with wood stove. Local clientele too, and the team schmoozed the whole restaurant as only they can.

The team is in Cadillac for lunch. Light snow falling. Rough trail on TQ83 between Val d'Or and Malarctic. Then very smooth to Cadillac. Restaurant here is packed. Lots of sledders. Photo of trail close to Val d'Or.

The team just left Forestel for Remigny on an overcast Saturday morning. Temperature -18 C. Heading west on TQ83 and will make an on-the-go decision at Rivière Heva whether to head north for on 307 for a longer look towards LaSarre or stay on TQ83 towards Rouyn-Noranda for a shorter loop. Tonight's destination is Camp Rononda in Remigny. The Forestel has continued to provide its renowned level of food and accommodation. Dick, Sam and Moan were provided complimentary liqueurs at the bar after supper. Tip of the helmet visor to supervisor Roch Oulett. :). Overnight cost $151 per team member, including tax, with supper, breakfast, room, and half a bottle if very nice red wine in each bill. Team members generally getting along with each other. But Sam was mad when Putty beat him to the complimentary shower cap. All complimentary toiletries were apparently used for their intended purposes. Dick nicely modelled Forestel's bath robe, but the fit was a but tight. More updates and photos later.

No trail photos today - camera quit in the cold. The team is now at the Forestel, making new friends and dispensing wisdom, often without request. Putt-Putt had an upside down incident in the trail, but no damage other than feelings of rejection. Wrong Turn Dick kept his perfect record alive. Moan showing keen knowledge of statistics and averages. Sam staying Buddha-like quiet.

Lots of snow in Latulipe. Lunch in Belleterre.

The team has apparently arrived in Val d'Or after 355 km. trails were generally awesome with potential to get better. About 8" new snow in the area - some has been groomed, but it is still a bit loose on top. Very little traffic. They saw 6 groomers on the trails. Lunch in Belleterre. Trail 306 north of Rapides Sept was particularly awesome. Also, TQ63 north out of Temiscamingue was a racetrack this morning but drifts in open areas would keep the boys alert. Some photos to follow.