mikerider

Update on trails around RDL from my trip to Amqui from St. George and back this past weekend: Had heard from several that trail 5 EAST of RDL is thin the first 25 miles. Recommend to avoid this you head SE out of RDL towards Squatec and then cut up to Tois Pistels and then towards Rimouski. Conditions are great via this route. When I went through Rimouski I found the fields around Rimouski very thin with some ice. Take a more southern route away from the St. Lawrence in the Rimouski area if you want, but Tois Pistels to Rimouski is excellent. Coming back from Amqui I cut through Squatec and across to RDL. All excellent! Also noted same distance RDL to Amqui whether you go through Rimouski or Squatec. Another shortcut I recommend leaving RDL west. Instead of jumping on trail 5, half mile behind the Universal going up the hill, take a right onto the green trail, go through the two tunnels under the highway, then keep bearing left for 25 miles until you reach trail 5. Saves a miserable windy section of trail 5 that sees lots of traffic, and this has scenic views of the St. Lawrence. Leaving RDL Monday, RDL had an inch or two of new snow. 65 miles east of RDL had 3 or 4 inches of new snow. I cut down to St. Pamphile, and ten miles west of St. Pamphile had 16 inches of new snow. By Lac Etchemin it was about 12 inches and Beaceville about 8 inches. Conditions were awesome! mike

Back to RDL from the gathering. What a great time! Came back without going all the way north to Rimouski, instead cut across to Squatec and then to RDL. Same mileage as when I came to Amqui from RDL via Rimouski, but much better snow. Arrived in RDL to find a couple inches new fluff and hurricane winds. It was special to see old friends and make new. The Hotel and food was excellent at the Selectotel, someone made a good choice. Special thanks to Bill and Ray for surprising me with their arrival, didn't know they were coming, and making me feel welcome into their group, including Team St. Agatha (Ken & Jim). And for inviting me to ride with them for half my trip back before they turned down to New Brunswick. I got to ride a day with Smclean, great ride and scenery, will be a memorable day, thank you Steve! Always an honor to see Andy. Great to see my stent brother Eddie. Pleasure to meet Florida Snowman, finally. He just found two more friends with two stroke sleds. Can't wait to see how that story ends. And to Lance and gang, who have met me just once in a bar, yet sledding by me while I was pissing and back to, still recognized me and turned around to say hi on the trail. Groomer, thanks for looking at a couple of my pictures. I needed a Pro's opinion. Your trails are awesome. Phil, wish you were there, last winter get together I dined with you, was looking forward to it again. Special time with a special group, thank you everyone. Two hundred miles tomorrow on the sled to the truck in St. George. mike

Thanks Dave. I have a month to decide, but that spring order ice ripper track sure has my attention. And I would really like a Renegade for the great ride. mike

We are all spread out at the motel, trying to get word out, dinner in the bar at 7 30 if not enough room will eat in main dining room. mike

At about 10,400 miles on my ACE 900, trying to decide go for another one (ACE 900) or keep on trucking with this one. This sled has made me a four stroke convert for sure. Haven't even changed the belt yet, bearings original, and haven't yet rebuilt the clutch. mike

Real nice riding today from RDL to Amqui. Left RDL and headed SE to avoid the first 30 miles of Trail 5 that is supposedly low snow. Jumped back on #5 at Tois Pistels and great going. Rimouski fields are low snow and icy, but rest of way was smooth sledding. Almost 200 miles but I explored around the Windmills. Great lunch at le Coin in Redemption. Met Lance and crew on the trail. They were out putting on some extra miles. The Worcester, Mass crew leap frogged me a few times. They extend a hi to EddieSkiDoo! I'm at Selectotel, Rm 261. mike

I hope to be back to the truck on Monday afternoon, so I should be all set. From Beauceville I came up 55 to St Pamphile, jumped on 35 to the end of the RR bed and then up 526. mike

If Danseuse is Lithuanian for hot chicks in my room, she needn't pay half the cost.

Also to anyone, I believe I have an extra bed in my room in Amqui should Selectotel be short of rooms. mike

Or I'm a day ahead. At this point I am planning on being in Amqui two nights, so I should see you there. Have a safe trip. Very cold and windy here. mike

Today unloaded at the Beauceville clubhouse and rode to the Universal in RDL. Looks like this entire area also got some light rain a day or two ago, but trails were smooth and riding was good. Trails are hard but lubrication was not a problem. No ice spots. Just very hard snow. Hardly any sleds on the trails. Tomorrow on to Amqui. There are a few bare patches the last couple miles in to the hotel but nothing bad. HOWEVER, be extremely careful going under the train tressell about two miles before the Universal. It flooded in that dip, has huge ice heaves, and in the middle you will break through the ice and the water is deep. Come to a complete stop, look it over, then accelerate like he$$. Really bad, be careful. If any of you are at the Universal tonight, give a shout, room 138, or text me 207-522-2673. mike

Come on Phil. I'm looking forward to seeing you at the gathering. Shoot down to Jackman Maine (Jackman Power Sports-sells all 4 brands) and pick up a four stroke. Then meet me in Jackman Wednesday night and ride with me to the gathering! Leave me a PM on QR if interested or text me at 207-522-2673. mike

Sorry for Phil's bad stroke of luck. Will be passing through that area on Thursday, hopefully. mike

Nice Pics! mike

Thanks Vt Trail 55 one of my favorites along with lunch at the club house/country club in St. Pamphile. #35 has been good all season. I like to come into RDL on what I believe is 526 thru the tunnels and comes out behind the Universel. Trails in and around Squatec have also been great all season. mike

Am I correct assuming mileage from RDL to Amqui is about 225 miles? Leaving Beauceville clubhouse Thursday morning to RDL and next day to Amqui. mike

Looks like GKW and I will be there. Looking forward to it. mike

Dave, again we miss meeting. Have a safe trip. mike

Big mileage week thanks to Snowcrazed. He pushed me all week but that was good, saw some new places and trails, and had a blast. Didn't break the 400 mile/day but came close a couple times. The way we ate ay break the 200 pound mark. Always worry when I brag up the Riviere du Loup trails and then a friend shows up to see them. They did not disappoint, Smooth as silk. Thanks Snowcrazed. Until next year! mike

ACE 900 made it to 10,000 miles today! Same belt, same bearings, never a clutch rebuild. Gas and GO1 Got up this morning and started off, had the trip meter on all week. Peeked at overall mileage and saw I needed 290 more miles to make the milestone. Friggin cold and windy, but pushed on. Went over by 1/10 mile when I pulled up to my room after looping around the hotel a couple times to get that 10K mark. mike

Jack, riding was fantastic! 8 days of riding, forgot to check the trip for the week mileage but believe around 2,100 miles. GW, Headed home tomorrow morning (Saturday). Have a long weekend (6 days) in about two weeks. If weather is a GO and can get a motel room for the QR gathering in Amqui, will probably leave Beauceville on Thursday AM and return to truck on Monday night. You in??? Sorry we will miss each other next week. Would have liked to ride with you. mike

Jim, can't wait for your trip report. mike

That was funny, Florida Snowman. Until right after I read that and walked past the lobby. It is full of RCMP in full uniform checking into the hotel. Really!!! Anyone know where the American Embassy is up here? mike

The mayor of RDL has a special budget set aside for entertainment!

Have a great trip and post the details. mike