mikerider

Sounds great Snobeeler. See you then. mike

Thanks Shane. Find any good restaurants? mike

Thanks, was looking for a weather report. Appreciate it. mike

Great report. Keep em coming. Heading to Riviere du Loup on Thursday. Thanks, mike

Shane, Let us know what the weather does today and tonight. Most forecasts say snow showers but a couple say rain showers. mike

Very nice report, Alain. Great pictures too. Amazing how good and bad the conditions can be on one ride and how little snow for late January. mike

Clk, Yes I enter Canada at Houlton. Then go straight and follow road to end, a long curve, and this puts you on the highway northbound directly to RDL. It is about 50 miles long going Houlton vs Jackman, but four lane road the entire way. mike

At the Skowhegan exit I decide to either stay on 95 to Houlton or take the exit to Jackman. Either way another 5 1/2 hours to 6 hours to Riviere du Loup. Cost of the Universal seems to vary. I've seen it listed from 82 Canadian to 109 Canadian. More for the dinner package. Seems to vary in price depending on the day of the week. Remember to subtract around 30% off on the US dollar vs Canadian dollar difference. So when all said and done I'm paying $55 to 60 US for a room per night. Much cheaper that hotels in the snow belt of Maine. And the Universal is many ties superior than most Maine snowbelt hotels. mike

I shall be return! Thursday! Mike

Remember, the Universal has two restaurants, the big one and the small one sort of attached to the bar. Each has a separate menu. A few blocks down is Au Cage la Sports, cool place with fantastic duck confit poutine!!! To get there turn right out of the Universal and go about a half mile thru a few traffic lights. Turn right at Tim Horton's then take a right into the big lot and shopping mall. Look closely and you'll see it. There is also an Irish Pub to the right of Au Cage. Also in that same corner is an A & W burger joint but it isn't open very late, maybe 7 pm. Across from Tim Hortons I believe there is a Subway and Pizza Joint and Canadian version of Kentucky Fried Chicken. Or continue on the main drag after leaving the Universal going a couple miles thru all the traffic lights and take a right, bringing you into the old city, a charming mini Quebec City with a couple restaurants (get directions at front desk). Leave the Universal and take a left at the first traffic light and go 1/2 mile to the Levesque Hotel, believe they have a nice restaurant. Or, after getting directions, leave hotel and take a left after 3 or 4 lights, this brings you down by the St. Lawrence and I believe there are several restaurants and cafes in that area. Or get on Highway 20 east and take the next RDL exit and you will land at the famous chicken place (St Hubert's???) right at the end of the exit. There may be more restaurants beyond that, but I'm not sure. One friend who stays almost as often as I do at the Universal swears the best food at night is the RDL snowmobile club house. Says the meals are fantastic. Glad you are finding good riding. mike

Was great meeting you and Molly. You too are trail animals when it comes to putting miles on. And, nice report. mike

Hi Jack. If anyone can cure Sandi's sled, it is you. And thank you for taking the time and all your suggestions last week on my sled. Luckily I cured it for free, still money left in the treasury for wine. Come back to RDL again, I am almost always there. mike

Took a few days but I got my sled railing, even with 4 inch carbides. Very happy. Was pushing bad when the top layer of snow was soft. Too much bite in first of the morning/hard snow. Then I remember having same problem about ten years ago and it was too much ski pressure. I moved the middle spring from how it came, softest, to one step stiffer. This was like a miracle and sled now rails in all conditions, feels balanced, rides great. I know less ski pressure doesn't make sense but it worked and suggest you try it. (I am guessing one notch tighter on adrenaline cam is maybe?? equal to 3 or 4 threads on X model spring. Anyone experiencing what I did should try this simple adjustment. Have about 350 miles on this set up in both conditions and one of best handling sleds I've owned. Love it. mike

Winter officially begins at the time of Towing's first pictures. Thank you for posting. mike

Safe travels to all of you.

Is tomorrow night a night at the bar or a night on the road. I want to be prepared! mike

Jack and Sandi, your reports are so good, and so are the two of you. Happy I got to see you. mike

I invited you so you could see for your self. I don't want pics from you, I want a ride report on that new Axys! Take care buddy, mike

Hi Shane, Leaving the morning you arrive, but hope to be back next Thursday, so we may get to say hi. mike

Had to make a quick truck ride this morning. Went by Levi and Montmagny. Saw groomed trails and sleds on them. Looked fine. I like my wine also, either color! mike

Great pics. Keep those stories rolling. They are good reading. Safe trip back. mike

Way too quiet today???

Several inches this week in mini snow squalls but none today. After yesterday morning squall got 24 hrs of high winds. Today was drift banging day. Great day with GKW. pic of today. Jack and Sandi left this morning for Bernier's. I too a waiting for a report.

Thanks Snowdog. I think? I will be there during all or part of your stay. Don't have my schedule with me. Neksled. if you are touring beyond RDl, Anqui would be your next best stop, 200 miles. Or stay another night and do a loop easterly and return to RDL.

Neksledder, look forward to seeing you and your wife. Haven't heard anything about Levi or Montmagny as far as conditions. Heard a few days ago that just south of Montmagny was problems with trees down and no grooming (north/south green trails under Montmagny). Just make sure to check sled trail conditions on Sledmagazine.com for conditions. I've been 2/3 the way over to Monmagny from RDL and everything is fine on the east/west trails, 5, 35, & 55. Also everything south and also west of RDL is fine, midwinter conditions. Have you been to the Universal Hotel before> mike