mikerider

Pics of the snow, hot tubs, or college cheerleaders? My thoughts of right now is that conditions MAY? be fine. The 3 inches of new snow absorbed what little rain we got. Now getting cold. The riding may have to wait til the groomers get out and break up the top crust and bring up some powder from down below. I doubt they will go out tonight, but probably Tuesday night. It is getting cold out now and very windy. mike

Happy hour, the posts start going downhill. mike

I should mention the RDL Universal Hotel has added about 50 rooms and a new spa. Also have an outdoor patio with a bonfire pit (must be gas), and two new outdoor hot tubs with a waterfall going into the hot tubs. Might as well host the QuebecRider gathering here this weekend! Oops, never mind, college girls cheerleading competition this weekend. Dave, I'll be posting everyday unless it looks hopeless and I go home. mike

Calling for 80 klm gusts tonight, tomorrow 3 degrees F. No wind right now.

Just got out of the hot tub, does that count? Happy hour T minus one hour.

Right now RDL could go either way. Got about 3 inches of snow overnight, then few hours of sleet, then few hours of very light rain. Started to clear a short time ago and now back to very dark clouds. If no more rain it might be okay in a day or so, after groomers mix up this top layer, stay tuned. mike

Trails perfect yesterday. Awoke this morning to 3 inches of new light snow. Snow at 6 AM just turned over to sleet. Figures, ten days off and this happens! Will update conditions, as I will at least stay another day or two to see if it is ruined or comes back. mike

Might as well add that conditions at RDL are awesome, trails groomed to perfection and traffic is light. Very lightly snowing off and on late afternoon and this evening. Waiting to see what we get, forecast is all over the place from rain to snow. mke

Arrived RDL today, out riding by noon. Put 110 miles on the TNT ACE 9. So far I love this sled more than any I've owned or ridden. The RMotion is the real deal. The motor pulls hard but may lack top end for some of you. Got down on RR bed trail 35, couple new inches of snow overnight and with sleds going over it, top couple inches of trail was soft. Sled could just barely touch 85 mph, but cruised effortlessly at 70. It has to be the quietest sled ever built. Very, very happy so far, but again, decide if you need more top end. Heard the Renegade has less top end. Acceleration on my sled is outstanding. Got in at dusk so could not really tell if headlight is good or not. mike

If you are used to the Doo 600 carb motor, just be warned they made some changes to that motor in 2012. After having one in '08', '10, & '11, I bought a '13. The '13's power was disappointing in the upper midrange of the power band compared to the others. Also the gas mileage was down. The '13 kind of was irritating to drive, felt rich and non responsive after 60 mph or so. mike

Don't know if I can help. I had a Cat '12 ProCross and didn't really like it; low hard seat ('14 has softer taller seat), many recalls, reverse didn't work, handling just fair, rear suspension stiff & harsh. One of my concerns of the new Viper is some models are supposedly using Cat's ACT shocks. Cat used these for a couple years in the late '90's and early 2000's. They were junk, had two sleds with them and nothing but grief. They are made by RydeFX. Maybe they are better now??? I only have 100 miles on my TNT ACE 9, and those miles were done on narrow curvy central Maine trails so hard to get a feel for the sled, but I did get well over 20 mpg that day and quick spirts the sled would get up to 85 mph no problem and was still climbing. I thought acceleration felt like a 600 two stroke. Headed for Canada this weekend so will be able to give a better report on the sled by mid week. My only concern is if the 900 is comfortable at 75 mph down long rail beds and doesn't feel taxed at those speeds. I'll update my findings. One concern about the Viper is I heard they actually only hold 8 gallons of gas, not 10 as advertised, not sure if that is true or just an internet rumor. Also be careful, as Cat has been using really cheap bearings in their sleds in recent years. Hope that helps. Mike

First QR post for the new year! Happy new year to all. Working, but pretty quiet. Lots of people let of fireworks few minutes ago. mike

My initial impression of the 900 ACE, after one ride of 100 miles, is that I absolutely love it, got low 20's mpg, in quick bursts of the throttle will do 85 mph no problem, and acceleration is about like a 600 two stroke, (but probably less top speed). It is the quietest, by far, of any sled I've driven. Acceleration feels really meaty due to the 4 stroke torque. I will know more, hopefully, when I start vacation in Quebec this coming weekend and try it out on real trails. So far my test ride was on trails more narrow and not like Quebec trails. Owners of the 900 are reporting on Doo Talk that they are extremely pleased with this sled. Mike

Nice Andy! How did you get Steve off of his Cat and back on a Doo? mike

Hi Jack and Sandi, good to see you are one of the early birds that get to ride. mike

Thanks for the report RR. Probably going to RDL around Jan 4th or 5th. Hope to catch up to say hi at some point. My understanding of the border crossing trail at St Pamphille is there are no plans to have the trail cross there again. mike

Pictures are beautiful! Is that a new tractor this year? Faster? First run of the season?

I've met so many great people thru Saguenay Bill and also riding in Quebec. Merry Christmas to all of you. First ride Jan 4th. mike

I look forward to getting really old. I won't have to go outside in the cold and ride, I will be happy just seeing Towing's pictures and stories from the comfort of my den! Another great post, Towing! mike

The sleds look great Dave. I put the 1st hundred miles on my 900 ACE and I absolutely love it. May just be the best sled I've ever had. mike

Yea, I'm practically a voting citizen of RDL. RDL Mike

Another fantastic report and pictures. Thank you. mike

Happy birthday to both of you. mike

Thanks Roadrunner for the ACE report. Anxious to try mine out soon (TNT ACE) Hope to run into you this winter. Mike

Hi Roadrunner, Anyone in your group running a new 900 ACE? Anxious to hear a report on how they go. Thanks, Mike