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.

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.

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

$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.
 

Slow to post anything but here it is. Stayed with Reggie and did loops from the Drakkar.
Thursday went west on 23 to La Cabanon up 345 and back on 360, 23. Chased Shaggy and his better half around on their new Assaults but couldn't keep up . Conditions were good. Loved coming back on 360. Glad we did St Michel area on Thursday as you could tell there was more traffic in that area. Weekend prob would have been miserable. 
Friday nice and cold! Ran to La Tuque via 351, 355 back on 73, 353, 23, 302. 1 crew member blew his 800R next to the airport in La Tuque after lunch. Couldn't have happened in a better place. Could literally see the Motoneige clubhouse from where his sled sat. Made a few calls and turned out the president of the club had a truck and was willing to drive him back to Drakkar for $150CAN. Couldn't beat that! Nice guy too from what I was told. Again trails were nice. 351 clearly had not been groomed since the weekend even though the map showed it had been groomed. Was still fresh snow from the week and had a single lane running it. Was smooth though so no problems. 355 was a blast! 73 was a great run back too. We really enjoyed this loop.
Saturday was again cold but no problems. Ran back out 302, 353 to 23 and back around on some local trails. Nice easy day. Traffic was picking up by end of the day so we hit the train station and back to Drakkar before Pascal took us out for a wild night not suitable for this forum. All in all a great time. Beat looking at the grass at home for sure. 

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
 
 

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
 
 

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
 
 

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
 
 

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........

1 January 2019
have received credible reports from home. 20cm of snow finished with a period of freezing rain. This should be just what we need to get it going here again. 

Excellent Question! Unfortunately I am waiting to hear myself. I cannot see from where I am. When I know I will post it. No snow in Florida this I can tell you. 

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.
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ATOM

Trail 23, Bridge over St. Anne River at St.Raymond

Another shot on 23 in St. Raymond

 

But do you care?

It is unbelievable what some people think buying a permit untitles them. That money is not enough to clear trails after an extreme weather event, just to maintain trails in normal conditions. Ice or flooding events are outside the norm. They can not chose not to pay their hydro bill after a power outage!

I can see one sled blowing a corner but the second....hmmm Thinking definitely following too close and hey to each their own,  riding in the snow dust like that you got to have lots of faith in that helmet you are following. Probably the first sled to blow that corner was in the snow dust too. No?
I know you and your team have tons of years of experience, but even you must admit  this should not have to happen. Especially on a blue sky day.
Luckily no one was seriously injured. 
Anyway enjoying following along on your adventures as usual. Wishing you and your team a great season. 

But do you care?

But do you care?

Got mine from Saguenney Bill in 4 days.

Yes please!
 
  

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.