mikerider

I was into my 5th year of riding and bought a new 1969 292 JLO Panther. A piston eater for sure. My '70 Panther had a 399 Kohler twin, a very smooth sweet running engine. In '71 had a Puma with a 440 Sachs engine. Another great engine. Unfortunately Cat also came out with a line of Kawasaki engines that same year. The Kawasaki 440 was lightening fast, giving fits to the 795 Doo and easily driving away from my Sachs powered Puma.

Awesome job Steve! I really like it, should be a head turner. mike

The future QuebecRider will be all of us riding motorized wheel chairs, racing them through the halls at the Universel Hotel. Dinner's at 4:00 o'clock boys. Lights out at 7:00.

So Gutz, how was the Maine riding? Maine was really warm most of March. I assume you went to Millinocket. How many miles a day is the nephew good for on that small sled? Should you get the new hip. the most important thing experienced hip replacement folks will tell you is follow the doctors recommended recovery do's and don't's. My wife has had two hips and a knee so far. She went back to work too soon after one surgery and her new hip never totally healed and she still has some hip pain.

For sure I am priced out of Quebec for next winter, and maybe beyond. I can hope at best I can still do Maine. I will miss the frequent contact with QuebecRiders. I am thankful I still enjoy Maine riding.

Sincerest sympathies to you and your family.

Maybe 2,500 or so Until inflation and gas go down, it may be Maine for a few years You got a few good trips in this season.

I think there is a trail there as I saw signs on the trail. I think it is the side trail after the trail to Acadia Inn. It is on the Main drag in Madawaska. I also ate a late lunch at Lakeview. Just superb! All Chinese restaurant food taste similar to me, but the one we found for lunch in Caribou was outstanding and huge portions.

I was a coward, I had the honey garlic.

Big Rick's had the best wings I've ever had. Looks like I may head home tomorrow to avoid 2 1/2 days of snowy weather. Friend had to leave tonight, and I don't want to ride alone in bad weather. Newest forecast says several inches to a foot coming up, but if next weekend looks cold enough, I may come back up. Riding has been great but this afternoon got really warm. Joe, I feel bad, didn't get hold of Ray, being with a friend I could not get away to see him. mike

Thanks Mark. Having a great time with Badgoat.

Currently in Madawaska, Maine. Lots of snow, great grooming and midwinter conditions. Up to a foot of snow possible on Friday. mike

Looks like you hit nice conditions. Does NB actually groom one side and Maine groom the other?

Really miss riding up there but gas will need to come way down in price before I can return to Quebec. Not being there makes your pictures all the more enjoyable.

Wish I was there with you. Have fun. mike

Beautiful pictures of your trip Alain. You capture of best of your trips on film. Club Rapide Blanc looks pretty comfortable. Perfect place for an afternoon nap. mike

Those VR1's look sharp. How did you like them? I have rented them 3 times now and found them to be the most fun sleds I have ever driven. mike

That is one amazing picture.

Fantastic pictures. Thanks for posting them. mike

Caratunk is near The Forks, Maine, not near Rangeley and not an area I would suggest. Between last weeks warm up and the upcoming rain, I doubt anywhere in Maine will be good. (although the top of Aroostook County -Fort Kent area-may??? get clobbered with snow and not rain). Last I knew, you can buy out of state Maine registrations at some businesses,,, do a search for the area you are going to. On line, not sure if you can use the receipt you get, maybe you can. But pretty sure the state mails you your registration and stickers. mike

I am a Mainer who normally rides Quebec, (almost exclusively quebec last 15 years but have decades of riding Maine); but past two years have ridden Maine due to the Covid situation. Go to page 7 of the QuebecRider general discussion section for last season's rides and pictures, ***titled "maine ridn"***mine of the Millinocket area of trails and lunch stops, as well as others who posted their rides of Aroostook County. My favorite places over the years of riding all the various Maine snowmobile hot spots: Rangeley: very busy trails Thurs. -Sun. Lots and lots of fantastic restaurants. Big entertainment center (Moose Alley) with games, bowling, bar food etc., small downtown but has great shops, big ski area (Saddleback Mountain) and another ski resort Sugarloaf Ski Resort that also has outdoor center and is about a 40 minute drive, and some nice places in Rangeley to stay as well as large amount of camp rentals. Lots more to do for kids and family type trip. Beautiful area! Millinocket: love the big wide logging roads they use for trails, lots of trails, not enough restaurants at night, not much to do at night, lunch stops on trail can be small and crowded at lunchtime. Popular starting point for saddle bagging to Aroostook County, and saves few hours in truck driving to Aroostook. Aroostook County: considered best area in Maine to ride, good combo of fields, RR beds, trails etc. I like to stay in Presque Isle or Caribou as they are centrally located for riding in all directions. Only downside is it is a long drive to get there. mike

So many of us earned our first Quebec miles in the Chaudieres area. Thanks for posting. mike

Very warm again today. It is starting to hurt the snow quality, lots of moisture in the snow.

I've had a couple inquiries about current conditions in Millinocket. I am currently there and today's ride was great conditions. Plenty of snow. Great grooming. Yesterday and today were mid 30's for temp, it is currently very lightly sprinkling rain. Supposed to be mid to upper 30's Fri and Sat with possible snow or shower on Sat., and then cold again, maybe another warm up late next week. It felt below freezing today once away from town and in higher elevation. Parking lots becoming bare tar again. Hopefully two more days of above freezing won't hurt the trails, but I just can't be sure. mike

Hi Gary. All is good, glad you are out enjoying the snow. I still take credit for getting Pat on a Cat lol. Must seem strange not having 30 of us in the Delta lobby having late afternoon happy hour and drinking caribou.