mikerider

Hi BJ, I will probably miss seeing you. Will be going home from here sometime between Sunday night and Tuesday morning. Then will be home for about 9 days. Got about 850 miles on the new Cat now and trails here have been mostly 10`s. The engine is a dream, nice sound, very quiet once underway, not that industrial sound they had last year. Some days I get 80 miles on only 20 litres. It feels very much like driving an XP, except, the 4 strk is very heavy so lacks that playful feeling on the trail. Power is excellent. I think handling will be okay once I put on better carbides. But, the rear suspension on the stutter bumps is poor. Sorry will miss seeing you. Been too long! Just got back from riding. Every type of precip you can imagine happened at one time or another today. Couple inches of snow last night, calling for 5 or 6 tonight. mike

Hi ray, Went to the IGA couple hours ago. All they had was fancy wines from France, all for about ten bucks. One of the better reds I`ve had. How you making out...

200 miles today. I`m just doing the loops off the RR bed between RDL and Cabanno each day. Haven`t ventured anywhere else as this area is so perfect (once you get a couple miles out of town). Sorry I can`t give any trail conditions east and west. May have to set up a Quebecrider booth in the lobby here. I`m starting to get pretty comfy. Riviere du Mike

Hi Bill, Ray and Dave. Glad you all made it safely. Wish I was there with you. Have some good riding for me! Also a beer and wine. Tell Dave I need a complete report on the new Rush: small bumps, tippiness, comfort, MPG etc. Same for Ray on the Doo. They can PM me if the wish.Will probably be at Riviere til Monday or so. Riviere Du Mike

Yea, SkiDoo shop looks empty. Did 160 miles today. Pretty much everything a perfect 10. Went down around Pohenemook and almost into Cabanno. Does not look like they have groomed Trail 5 going west this year. mike

Thanks Coldsmoke, I may be here for several days so I hope to try em all. I used to sled through this area often years ago and stay overnight here passing through. Nice area with lots of trails. Driving today from Montmagny, snow was very thin almost until I got to RDL. By car, I would say a good hour and a half drive from just below QC, maybe two hours. mike And it looked like the SkiDoo dealer next door to the hotel is out of business. I`ll look closer tomorrow, or maybe they moved. mike

I just arrived at the Universal in RDL this afternoon. Hotel is right by exit 503 from Hwy 20. Nice Hotel. Ask for the sled special, $79. I rode down the RR bed, trl 85 for 40 miles south before turning around, plenty of snow, trails were a ten, then I met the groomer and they were an eleven. Just the first few miles from the hotel are thin but they are fine. May stay thru the weekend. mike

Thanks for the info guys. And thanks Coldsmoke, I know St Ray gets beat up on weekends, but thought maybe weekdays it would be okay, just can`t get a handle on snow depth and grooming and signing for St Ray. I see over towards RDL has been upgraded from Limited to Good so that may be my best best. Was hoping for good news out of St Ray as that is very close. Not sure I`will make it to Groomer`s area, that is a far drive from here. But if I do, will see you guys, that would be great. And Timbo, spent a good part of today`s ride tying to get the suspension to ride better, and I did not even come close. Puzzling, as the Twin Spar Cat rode so nice. mike

Been in Montmagny past day and a half and riding is so-so but also limited. Some good and some just passable. Thinking of driving to somewhere else tomorrow morning, if roads are good. Is Raymond groomed AND signed now... Another choice is Rimouski which is listed as limited, or head to Groomer`s land, which is a long drive from here. If any of you have any good info, please post. Also, some of you were curious either earlier in the year or last spring, wondering how I would like the new Cat, an 1100 F lxr. So far I am very disappointed in the ride of the rear suspension, enough so that I will try selling it cheap. My back aches driving this sled even with slight small bumps. The running quality is very nice and seems to get good gas mileage. mike

Hi Dave, Hope to see you. Will be driving a green and black new Cat. I'll PM you with my cell number. Also look for my truck, black Dodge Ram. Mike

Thanks for the suggestions. As of right now I think I'll drive up to Montmogny and check that out, if not good will drive on to RDL. Both these places are reporting limited conditions, which can be great or not so. If all else fails, I'll keep on driving to Causapal and Groomer's location and ride from there. His area sounds like a sure bet. Who knows, maybe my first stop in Montmogny and I will find someone who knows what is best. Thanks, Mike

Quebec City would be great if there is enough snow. St Raymond is reporting good conditions, is there a lot of loop trails from there? Thanks for the imput. Mike

Looking for suggestions for a week long trip, probably heading out this Saturday or Sunday. New sled, riding alone, so looking for an area that is more apt to have more road crossings or trails going from town to town without many long wilderness stretches. (hey, I'm driving a new Cat, one can't be too careful lol). Driving up from the coast of Maine so I know all the places reporting riding are a long haul. Just looking for an area that I can RIDE! Even if I do the same loop everyday, not fussy at this point. I've been through most of the areas at one time or another, but usually just going through on tour, so I am not familiar if there is good local day riding. Looks like Lac Beauport is reporting good conditions, also Groomer's area, and the St. Zenon area. Not too interested in Mont Valin. I'm guessing Jonquiere isn't quite ready yet for good riding. So any suggestions? St. George through Matane is the usual area I ride when alone, so that gives an idea of what I'm looking for. I won't be saddlebagging this trip, just looking for what town to stay in and ride from daily. Thanks for any suggestions. Anxious to try the new Cat! Mike

Don't remember the name of the outpost, but it is remote! About half way between Cochrane, Ontario and James Bay. The trailer serves as a restaurant and gas station. From here you need a guide to get to James Bay. Trails to this place were awesome. Or you can take yur sled via rail to James Bay. Mike (Ontario Mike!)

Somewhere in Canada, 3 1/2 day ride from Jonquiere..;..

The restaurant in downtown Parent. Recognized Andy's sled as soon as we pulled in. Mike

There was no Caribou shot the day we were at the Buzzard. Not sure what they served but it was delicious. Mike

Ray and I have another twin brother. Recognize him or the place we are at?

Hi Timbo, Yes, that is us at the Buzzard! Probably the best dinner I ever had was there. The grandmother knows how to cook. Not even sure what the food was, but out of this world. Mike

Happy birthday!!

There is a ton of room on the tunnel behind the seat for a bag. I went to one of the big stores like Walmart and found a soft sided large bag, water resistant, for about $60 or so dollars. I can stuff ten days worth of clothing into it. I line the inside with garbage bags and everything stays dry. I tie it down with the stiff rubber bungee cords. It has yet to fall off in ten thousand miles of travelling across Quebec and Ontario. Hope this helps. Mike

A very Happy Birthday Rob. Hope to see you this winter. Mike

Mubs, a very happy birthday to you. Ray, have a great birthday. If I was in New Jersey, We'd have a cold one for sure. Mike

Ray and I have spent more Valentine Days together than with our wives.

Had a great time, and special thanks to Bill for hosting this event again this year. So good to see everyone! Diverted to Rangeley for three days of great weather and kayaking before going home. Mike