NHTOM

Great idea. Thats always the weak point. Dont know if any folks on here saw todays temps. Its -18F at 1pm in St Michel, -14f at Shawinigan. Nasty cold. Today is one of those "test your helmet and shield" days that Im glad Im missing.

$160 HJC full face, w/ electric shield . I run with no breath deflector, cant see bringing extra snot and saliva along for the ride. I carry spare cords in case of issues. i wear cheap sunglasses as long as its above 0F(-18c) without issues. Super cold weather and they fog.. Have had the odd temporary failure, but its almost always at the connections. Dry em off, good to go. But, you have to be easy on the connection where the wire meets the helmut. That is the delicate point that can break, and then the wires move at the shield. Been running similar setups for 15 yrs.

Not doubting any of it.... We had many a late night apres riding, especially when close enough for cab rides to ste foy and Q City. Just recounting my Bernard recollections. He warned us about the Shawini operas, and boy was he right,.. get your shots up to date before entering. Cheers

Despite the fact that he smoked like a chimney ( I think Du Maurier stock dropped 50% upon news of his death), I never saw Bernard drink. Always coffee and butts. What a guy. He had an edge, but he our backs as well. RIP Bernard.

Did a mini saddlebag out of Drakkar . Arrived Sunday afternoon, out for a quick spin and a beer just to make sure everything was in working order. Trails were a little bouncy , esp the 3. But all normal for a Sunday afternoon. Mon morn we had breakfast at the Drakkar(much improved), and the 4 of us headed west. Normally we go North or East, but based on reports of a flooded St Anne river in St Ray, and thin snow in the valley near Lac st.jean we decided to head west and do mini loops.Headed west on 23, past Cabin on the Hill, and the ski area. Not a big fan of this trail. Its tight and twisty and not much to see. Did ride down to the Hotel Sacacomie. This place is worth a look if youve never been. Incredible Log building perched above a Lake. We spent 1 nite at Real Masse. This is a fun spot and the owners are super friendly and good english. Went by the Cabanon, and wow,... I definitly would not go near that place on a weekend. On a tuesday there were at least 40 trucks in their parking lot and the trails in and out of there showed a little snirt with a few rocks to boot. Reminded me of Pittsburg NH. Spent tuesday night at the Central in St.Michel. Decent food, better Bar. Rode around Lac Taureau, and on the Lac as well. Visited the massive Auberge on the way up to the dam. Definitly a 1% er hangout. Also Canada Adventure....almost affordable, and what a spot overlooking the lake. Rode back to Shawini in steady snow wednsday . 23, 345, 360. 360 is gorgeous trail, as well as fast, though we were pushing 8 inches of freshie, and steering was a bit dicey.The trails were 90% good, but the constant lite snow kept our speed down. The trails up there now will be near perfection, as ICE reported, there was a new foot of snow when we returned, and the trails were already good before this. Reggie, Nancy and Pascal are doing a great job with the Drakkar, and it appeared full when we left fri morn. The next 6 days are going to be cold so the trails should get hard,flat and fast. Pure Quebec. And heres a flashback to the Old Safari days.............https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0novpU6MJXQ

Hi, Great reports as always. Just curious, but was it a conventional stud that took out the heat exchanger or a pre-studded track? How many miles on the track? Always a plus when it dies near or at a road crossing. I never seem to be that lucky........

Bring it!! Alerts for: Mauricie Warnings 3:48 PM EST Sunday 30 December 2018 Snowfall warning in effect for: Lac-aux-Sables area Louiseville area Matawin - Mauricie National Park area Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade area Shawinigan area Trois-Rivières area Snowfall with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm is expected. Heavy snowfall to start the new year ... A low from the American Midwest will bring significant amounts of snow over the Upper Laurentians and the Mauricie regions for New Year's Eve and New Year's day. Snow will develop Monday evening, intensify overnight and continue through Tuesday morning. The area is expected to receive total snowfall amounts between 15 and 25 centimetres. In addition, strong northerlies developing overnight are expected to generate blowing snow in some exposed areas. Please consider modifying non essential travel plans. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult. Snowfall warnings are issued when significant snowfall is expected. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to QCstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #QCStorm. Follow: ATOM

Trail 23, Bridge over St. Anne River at St.Raymond Another shot on 23 in St. Raymond

Ahah. Wow. Yes that would be a well known "canadien" hockey team! 🏒.

That doesnt narrow it down much...............

Heres a quick way to check from home............ https://www.gasbuddy.com/GasPrices/Quebec/Shawinigan

But do you care?

Those photos remind me, again, of why I'll never own an ATV..........

Got mine from Saguenney Bill in 4 days.

About 15 years ago the Mauricie Club groomed a little too early. The groomer broke thru the 1st big swamp heading out from Drakkar(Safari then) toward 351. The hole that it left behind was so massive it had police tape around it for several years. I have no idea how they got the groomer out as it was a couple of miles from a road. Cold weather is more valuable then snow at this point.

Alerts for: Mauricie Statements 3:47 PM EST Wednesday 07 November 2018 Special weather statement in effect for: Lac-aux-Sables area Louiseville area Matawin - Mauricie National Park area Sainte-Anne-de-la-Pérade area Shawinigan area Trois-Rivières area Snow is knocking on the door! A major low pressure system from the Southern United States will bring precipitation in the form of snow over several Quebec regions during the next few days. The snow is expected to begin Friday afternoon in Western Quebec and will gradually spread eastward on Friday night. In addition, the development of a second low pressure system along the Eastern American seaboard, will allow snow to intensify mainly over Central and Eastern Quebec on Saturday. Given the uncertainty that reigns regarding the track of this second system, snowfall amounts could be quite varied from one region to another. For the moment, all areas north of St Lawrence River could get snowfall accumulations. Over higher grounds, amounts could easily exceed 15 centimetres and possibly reach 30 centimetres.

Bought my trail pass from Bill this week. @ $250 US. Took 4 days, mailbox to mailbox. Ive purchased from Quebec before, and sometimes waited over a month! Not totally sure why hes not on here of late, and I didnt ask him why. Its a shame as he always offers real on the ground info. for serious trail riders. I do know that for US riders hes been the absolute Go-To when it comes to riding , lodging, dealers, towing, relais, anywhere in the LSJ-Saguenney area.

Wow Gutz, nice find. That thing will def ride with me this winter. There are few things as maddening as an intermitent or dead shield. Usually happens at -20 in the morning on a rock hard rail bed. Folks with this problem are the ones at the bar with black spots on their face.

Ice, Thanks for the great link.

Hi Ice, Just curious, do you know where they get this salt? Where its mined? Ive heard the Magdelin islands have a salt mine out there.

I know this will create some controversy, but I cant resist........ I have no data to support it , but Ive ridden thru this area(high country above Q city) and up to Mt valin (hi country, plateau, North east of Saguenney) for 20 years. The most snow Ive ever seen was 23 between Letape and St Ray in March 2008. And, year after year this area, and to a lesser extent 369, always had more snow than Mt valin. Of course Valin has many trails in all directions, and Im basically talking 2 trails only 23 (South of Letape), 369....., its a small area, and even Mt Apica gets less snow.But if I had to place a bet, Id def say this area gets more snow than Valin. OK , let the games begin

I think thats refered to as a "Winter-bago" Whats with the little driveway plow? Not going to do it in Quebec..

And this trail report from St Raymond on Apr 9th is amazing: Mise à jour : 2018-04-09 18:21:33 Sentiers État Conditions Surfacé le TQ 23 Saint-Raymond vers Saint-Basile(12 Km) 2018-04-07 TQ 23 Saint-Raymond au Relais St-Raymond(13.5 Km) 2018-04-07 TQ 23 Relais St-Raymond à L Étape(138 Km) 2018-04-08 TQ 73 Saint-Raymond vers Ste-Catherine J-C. (14 km) 2018-04-07 TQ 73 Saint-Raymond à Rivière-à-Pierre(centre ville) (37.5km) 2018-04-06 TQ 73 Rivière-à-Pierre(centre ville) à Rivière-à-Pierre(Marmite) (11.3km) 2018-04-05 TQ 73 Rivière-à-Pierre(Marmite) à La Jeanotte(vers La Tuque)(49 Km) 2018-03-31 SR 9 (LT2) La Jeanotte au Lac Laurier(11Km) 2018-03-31 SR 7 Lac 7-Îles(6.5 km) 2018-03-17 SR 5 Chalet en Bois Rond (Sainte-Christine vers Saint-Léonard(7 Km) 2018-03-26 SR 3 Renversi (Relais Saint-Raymond à Rivière-à-Pierre(Marmite)(37 Km) 2018-04-06 SR 1 Tour de ville(Marina)(5.7 Km) 2018-0

My apologies. Looks like you guys already covered this. Thats what I get for sleeping in....Wheres that 2nd cup of coffee??

You probably already know this, but you have to have a "registration" as well as a "Trail Pass" to ride in quebec. The Quebec trail pass is not a registration.