mikerider

We were hardly seeing any weekdays and today much more, but nothing like you'd see in Maine. Trails were awesome. I re enlisted for another week up here.

I had heard the St. Pamphile club house at the golf course has been closed the past couple years. We stopped there today and it was open. Did not see a sign saying what days or hours it is open. Food was good. mike

Great report and pictures are fantastic. Thank you.

Also heard stories that the guide has keys to gates needed to get up there. I would've been happy doing the train, but always arrived at Cochrane on the wrong day.

I've been to Abitibi Canyon. Really nice ride to what feels like middle of nowhere. I always wondered if you could find the town of Moose Factory north of the canyon without a guide.

Shore 1066, Did RDL to Moose Valley in 2020 several times but haven't done the trip since. Maybe this week I will get to it. I like going RDL to St. Cyprien to Squatec. Then leave Swautec on #35 east. Maybe about 20 miles out of Squatec you will see a right turn signed to head to Moose Valley and New Brunswick. Quite a few miles down you can take a left or right, both go to Moose Valley ( trail to right is the most scenic. Going this way is about 120 miles one way and the last stretch to Moose Valley going this way is breath taking We get gas at Squatec both ways and also Moose Valley as I recall. mike

My guess about the Cabano Doo dealer not having signs on the trail is due to the fact he is in residential neighborhood and his neighbors don't want sleds riding by their houses all day long. It is an easy ride by sled to the dealer, if you can find him. Here in RDL it snowed all night, about 6 inches on the ground of fluff, another 4 or 5 inches expected and blowing winds. Going to be some good drifting. With the winds tonight, not sure they will bother to groom.

Today was sunny and cold. The Gutz brothers headed home and so JAK and I are empty nesters. Trails were perfect tens start to finish. Coffee at Tois Pistoles club house and lunch at Squatec. Over the mountain on #35 to Canano was as scenic as it gets with good snow and great views. JAK's Oxygen helmet shield started to fail. I have never seen one sign for a SkiDoo dealer in cabano but once using an ATV trail to get gas I thought I saw a SkiDoo dealer sign down a side street that is residential. We checked it out and sure enough, hidden amongst houses was a dealer. New shield installed by dealer and on our way, #85 rail bed we came to the construction area where Quebec is turning a section of the road into a four lane: the road coming up from New Brunswick. We got stopped to wait out while they used some TNT to take out a hill. Quite a sight to see. Mother earth was angry about this as the hill rose into the air. Got off the RR bed onto some side trails to finish out the day. 8* F when we got back to the hotel. mike ( To get to the Doo dealer, going S on #85; just before entering downtown Cabano and just after passing the groomer barn, bear right onto the ATV trail marked for Tim Hortons and a Shell gas station. About half mile start watching side streets on left side until you see a Doo dealer sign a few hundred yards down the side street.

Until Friday, but may re-enlist for another week if weather is favorable. When I drove thru New Brunswick on Saturday, saw good snow and lots of groomed trails. Sounds like a good trip ahead. Years ago I did that trip solo. I must have been crazy.

Thanks Steven. I like the looks of the one piece molded windshield over the multi piece SkiDoo wiindshield. Right now a cheap mirror taped & velcroed on until I figure out something different. I am trying to avoid mirrors that stick out beyond the windshield and cause air turbulence around my upper body. And isn't it time for you to come visit? What's your big trip this year? mike

Not sure if this has been covered. Was the ZEC agent in uniform or show some type of official ID. Did you receive what appears to be an official summons with a court address and court date.. If none of these apply, I would bet you will never hear another word from them. mike

Thanks Steven. I like the looks of the one piece molded windshield over the multi piece SkiDoo wiindshield. Right now a cheap mirror taped & velcroed on until I figure out something different. I am trying to avoid mirrors that stick out beyond the windshield and cause air turbulence around my upper body. And isn't it time for you to come visit? What's your big trip this year? mike

Went west and south today. Lots of snow and trails were amazing. The temp is now free falling and very windy. 1* F later and 50 km gusts, 12* F tomorrow. Tuesday is another day of most clubs and restaurants closed. Pics of the new Cobra windshield. So far I am thinking its much warmer that the Doo high shield. Definitely more vertical than the Doo shield. And I like the styling more. Just a few minutes to install but doesn't just snap off like the Doo.

Hi Mark, It is so good to be back up here. Wish you and Lisa were here also, you always bring good times to this special place. Riding is fantastic. When I headed north Saturday I was unsure if I would land in northern Maine or RDL. Today 5 of us made the loop over to Rimouski and then down around through Squatec and back. Plenty of snow on this loop, trails mint except may a dozen mile section with some small bumps. 220 mile day. We ate at a Tim Horton's near Rimouski. I had forgotten how good the food is there and how reasonably priced. Only saw one club house open today (3 Pistoles). Someone told me there is a famous chef doing barbecue now at the RDL club house. Supposedly he won best in world barbecue sauce recently. Some of us have rooms at the back side of the hotel. Exceptionally nice rooms and in our hallway is a day room we can use: very big screen TV, easy chairs etc. Very cozy. And great for happy hour! Joe and I (me being almost 70 and Joe right behind me) were pretty proud we kept up with the young guys today. My new PowerMadd Cobra windshield on the sled; I couldn't be happier, very warm and much more stylish over the SkiDoo tall windshield. Also added Shaper bars to the skis. Finally a Renegade that doesn't push in the corners when the snow is soft. Very happy!!! mike

The trails are as good as Jack and Sandi reported. Good to be back in Quebec and enjoying all its culture. I saw Saguenay Bill today at the club house with the two arches (Les Chevelliers). He looks great and still as sharp as a tack. He rode up from northern Maine, thru New Brunswick and into Quebec to have lunch. He has made a lot of friends in northern Maine and appears to be greatly enjoying life. mike

Nice report Jack. Does the Universel look like its filling up for the weekend or is it still quiet.

Nice run and thanks for sharing. Hope to see you and say hi at some point this winter. mike

The pizza place isn't well signed from the trail, but the trail goes right by the back of their building and rear parking lot, and as I recall , there is just a small sign that says 'pizza'. Awesome food!

The crepe place closed a few ears ago What Jack is showing is the place that replaced it. I wonder if the pizza place is still in business, was on 85 in DeAngelis or Canano.

So Mark, is everthing open and being groomed between Caribou and Madawaska?

The 600 lb. dry weight has me concerned about the Polaris. I was seriously thinking about buying the 650 two stroke but dependability issues concerned me. There are several Polaris Adventure Centers in Maine. One has Matryx 650 rentals for $999.00 Mon. thru Fri. I may do this a couple times this winter to get my 'fix'.

For whatever reason, I do not believe Polaris has made any yet. I have been watching the dealer inventories in Maine on their web sites and none have been listed. I also stop often into one large dealer and he says he has not got any yet. I would really like to try one, but I have my doubts that twin cylinder will topple SkiDoo's 900 triple cylinder ACE. The ACE is one very sweet engine. But on the other hand, the Polaris Matryx is one super fun sled to drive.

Jack, How you liking your new sled? I assume its the X Renegade. Finding any differences from the last one, especially in the ride and handling department?

Thank you Jack for your honest assessment, It certainly is a winter that makes us scratch our heads and wonder what to do. Have a great time!! I am still deciding. mike

Jack, there is like 20,000 QuebecRiders waiting to hear if its good. Sincerely, Your son, mike