mikerider

Thanks all. Got 3 or 4 inches of snow overnight here in RDL. May have save things if not icy underneath. Letting a few sleds pack it down and will go out for a spin. If not, who knows, I may be Bill's welcoming committee when he returns from Radisson.

Overnight looks like we got two or three inches of fluffy light snow, weather report was calling for a dusting. Guess I will stay today and check it out. All will depend whether it is icy base or not. mike

Seeing 89 to 97 cents a litre.

Not a soaking of rain, enough to make a hard trail, but got a surprise this morning awaking to a few inches of new fluff. This area recovers quickly. I haven't got my schedule but think I may be at RDL upon your return from Gaspe. mike

Thanks Ray. Might just be waiting for your return for that free bottle of vin rouge.

Another week left of vacation and best I can tell here at RDL it doesn't look promising after the rain. Just looking for info where I might move to that got some snow and isn't too far a drive. Heard the warm front merged into the storm as it moved east, so maybe a little west of here is better. Looking to get to an area that 'looks' wintry and has great conditions. Looking for a good area for day trips, an area that has a sled touristy feel to it. Thanks for any suggestions or any live reports or rumored areas that got no rain. mike

Its still pretty warm here. I haven't been out today but I'm thinking of moving elsewhere tomorrow. With a cold snap coming, trails may be hard as a rock, maybe icy?? Saw a local pick up pull up to motel this afternoon with what looked like an 8 place trailer, looks like he was maybe rescuing tour sledders who had had enough and wanted a ride back to their vehicles. I'm leaning towards St. Raymond or LSJ. mike

I believe their vehicles are in Chibougamou, and they started from there.

Hi Vince. We might finally get to meet up. I spend most of my winter vacations in RDL and in fact there right now. Riding has been excellent until last night's rain. I have two vacations planned for February and most likely will again be at RDL so hope to see you. I have almost no French language abilities and not a problem at all. Hope you get a chance to do the Gaspe, beautiful country. mike

Thanks Andy. Tomorrow I will probably move; home or the 'right' side of the river. Doesn't look very hopeful here.

7:20 AM Still raining. Warm. Looks bleak.

Totally agree it is quite the adventure you guys have undertaken and that is why I can't wait for the details, especially considering the cold temps. Again, Congrats. Take lots of pics. mike sent from my hot tub at RDL

Warmed up, light rain now coming down. mike

Riding was great today, milky sun, felt like temps dropped all afternoon. Quite chilly out now, guessing high teens or low twenties. mike

Congrats to you guys making it. And thanks for letting us worry warts know! Damn, couldn't even enjoy my massage yesterday thinking about you in that -30 temps. Guess I need to call Hot Tomato back and tell her to disregard my dibs on the Cessna. Enjoy the rest of the trip. Looking forward to details. Glad your all safe. mike

It is very thin the first few miles out of the hotel with some snirt in a couple stretches. After that I would guess 1 1/2 foot depth. Looks very wintry, everything white, trees white with snow giving a mid winter appearance, just not the usual snow depths of most winters. Riding overall is excellent although yesterday some fields were drifted badly. The Universal has a ton of sleds here this morning. Saw sleds coming in by the droves last night. I expect it will be like a ghost town come Monday or Tuesday. If the riding stays good, I may still be here when you arrive. mike

As of right now I plan to ride out the Monday rain to see if it is still good, will let you know. mike

I wish the crew would report in and let us know how its going. Especially with this cold snap. They have been two days on the trail after leaving Chib and we haven't heard anything on how its going. I was hoping for daily updates! Mike

I dislike making reservations in advance, especially smaller places. I feel like I am cheating the owner out of a days pay if I was not to show up because of a breakdown, snowstorm etc. Also when touring and pulling into a town or city, I like to window shop first for a nice place or stop for coffee and get advice from locals. As I get older I don't tour as much. Enjoy doing day trips out of one place, getting to know the town and area restaurants, having my truck always outside the hotel room, and like today, being able to come back to my room at noon because it was so damn cold out. Maybe old age isn't so bad! Gotta go, hot tub and massage awaits me. mike

Text from Ray tonight: f - ing cold!

When I talked to Ray he said they were riding the plowed road all the way up, 240 miles. The support truck will gas them up half way. I believe the plowed road starts somewhere out of Matagami. Ray wasn't up on all the details at the time as Bill had done all the leg work. My thinking is wilderness roads in the winter are usually very icy and if this is the main road in, possibly sanded. I don't know. Radisson looks like a pretty good size town, couple motels. But wow, trip of a lifetime. (I still want to load the sled on the train at Cochrane and go to Moosenee for a couple days). mike

Trails are as good as you said they would be. Riding is great! Thanks. One step ahead of you Timbo. Called his wife and she gave me his card number, AND, if he doesn't return, I get his sled. I'm guessing his peril up there will be some love lorn caribou in heat.

Thanx Ray.

Be careful guys. I heard the caribou up there are in heat this time of year. Sounds like a great trip, hope you give us daily updates and lots of pics. And tonight in Chibougamou, whatever you do, don't let Ray cross the street from the motel. mike

Arrived this afternoon and did a 50 mile loop. Very nice conditions! mike