mikerider

Dave, Thanks for the sled review. I think the Rushes look sharp and I am really wanting to try one. I almost went with a Rush this year but opted out instead for a new Cat. What a mistake!!! Just picked up a new SkiDoo to get through the season but having a tough time trying to sell the Cat. mike

Hi Dana, Sounds like a new chapter in your life is starting, bringing your son to Quebec! Doesn`t get better. Hope to see you on the trail. mike

Also an FYI. Earlier in the season it was mentioned the SkiDoo dealer by the Universal Hotel is out of business. There is a SkiDoo dealer now on the other side of town in RDL, I believe right off exit 507, or by trail take 85 north towards the St. Lawrence, believe this is where trail 85 ends, he is just down the sidewalk a few hundred feet. mike

I`ve been ar RDL doing day rides since Thursday night. 1,300 miles in 5 days of rdiing. Trails are awesome. May stay til next Monday. Good mix of trails from power lines to woods to fields to RR beds. mike

Great pictures. Can you give us a review of the new Rush sleds you were riding. They look nice. mike

Glad you like it! mike

Don`t know the name, but there is a place on the trail by the lake with a nice restaurant and really cozy and nice cabins. Can`t remember if some of the cabins had hot tubs. mike

Still have the Cat but it is for sale, CHEAP!. Just never fell in love with the Cat although it goes nice. First day on the little 550 fan today. Did 330 miles. Love it, fun sled! mike

Traded the `08 TNT for a `10TNT, then an 11 mxz sport, then a `12 Cat, and today just purchased a mxz fan 550 2012.

10,000 miles on my '08 TNT 500SS engine with no problems, did the miles in the '08 and '09 season. I too used cheap Castrol oil or whatever the gas station had. mike

Sorry can't answer your questions, didn't sled in that area, just drove through by truck getting to RDL.

I gassed up a few days ago at Riviere Bleu and the trail continued south and was groomed. I did not go south of Reiviere Bleu. Mike

When I drove down through that area this past Friday, snow conditions looked okay, got a lot better east and NE of St. George. But trails from the border were groomed. Also people who sledded from St. George area to where I was in Riviere du Loup said trails were good. mike

Great pics Ray. mike

I`m at RDL for a few more days then back home to work. I can`t post on SledMaine, lost my password and they gave me some crazy password that I can`t remember. What is your schedule this winter? Sledding Thurs thru Sunday I`m guessing? Staying mostly in Jackman? Good to hear from you. At the end of this week I will be home for about 5 or so days, then gone for almost two weeks. Would be good to get together at some point this winter. mike

Hi Blackcat. I`m assuming I am not too confused, its BlackDOO on other forums. Correct? Just making sure I get it right. Currently at Riviere Du Loup. Great riding. Mike

Just an FYI, RDL area is excellent once you get a few miles south of town. Seems anywhere close of the St Lawrence and the snow gets thin and may be icy. So if you are touring east west, you may want to choose trails a little away from the river, even by 20 miles. Mike

I arrived RDL last night and rode today. A little icy leaving town heading south, just a few miles, after that very nice. Looks like the area had some rain, but got a couple inches of powder on top. Conditions very nice. Snow on trail is hard, but not icy and top layer is well broken up from sleds. Trails were very smooth. Did 210 miles incl 2 gas stops, coffee brak and lunch break in 7 hours. Pleny of lube for hyfax and coolers. I went almost to Cabanno before heading west. mike

Gary, Yes, another Cat, each of the last four I said would be my last. This may be the very last one for sure. Not that it is really bad, I just could have gotten my favorite Doo for thousands less and been much happier. I ended up heading north this morning right after my last post. No idea where I was heading. Jackman didn`t look great, (lots of icy driveways etc like they got a lot of rain, snow pack really went down since ten days ago)sounds like Jonquiere isn`t 100 percent (as much as I wanted to go up and ride with Bill and Dave), so I cut across to Riviere Du Loup. I just rolled in to the Universal Hotel at 8 PM. Was dusk as I entered Canada from Jackman, but looked very, very thin from the border to St. George. I will be at the Universal until at least Saturday, then will decide whether to stay several days or head out on tour. Should know conditions by tomorrow afternoon and will post. Around the hotel looks very promising. Mike

The F non turbo short track (non SP). It drives very similar to an XP and feels like sitting on an XP. Burns sliders like crazy, rides rough on stutters. Tons of recalls. So far am not impressed. It is quiet, seems to get good mpg. Very, very heavy. Mike

Hi Gary, I am headed out today or tomorrow AM, not sure to where, but watch for me, driving a green & black new Cat 1100. Mike

I just got an unrelated e-mail from Ray a few minutes ago. But I believe they are at the Quebec Inn this morning. Andy, sorry I had to miss the get together. Sounds like a great time plus I missed a great ride with Bill, Ray & Dave. Just a bad work schedule that weekend. Mike 2nd e-mail, they will be in Jonquiere tonight.

[quote name='mikerider Got about 5-6 inches of snow over the past two nights. 210 miles today, trails and conditions were great, fridid temps. Really liking my stay here in RDL and the Universal Hotel Revct1 (Jack, Sandi and kids) left here this morning for a night in Amqui. Couple days ago met couple great gents from New Brunswick who had been touring. Sounds like the met a variety of trail condition from bad to good. Mike

When I drove up through that area last Sunday, it was very thin, no signs of trails open all the way to QC. Stayed in Montagmy couple days and that wasn`t very good. I then drove over to Riviere du Loup on Tuesday and have been in snow heaven. Trails are awesome, although riding alone I have only been going southerly each day and doing loops off the RR bed. Here in RDL we`ve received about 3 inches of snow each of the past two nights. The areas south of here that I have been riding have mostly been `10`s. Hope that helps. mike