NSHM

Yesterday we rode from Delta to Otis Nature.  First 8 miles until you cross the second bridge were lots of rocks, snirt and dirt. One of the Sidewinders kept overheating.  After the second bridge a Huge improvement. Flat smooth.  Couldn't go WOT as there is ice beneath a thin layer of snow, corners very icy.  Goof smoked meat at Otis Nature.  110 miles.
Today took 83 S to Auberge du Ravage.  Much better getting out from the Delta.  Lots of open straight trials where you could go WOT.  Nice lunch at the Ravage.  87 Octane gas at the Ravage is 2.50/liter.  Was a great day for 160 miles.
 
Tomorrow we're going to head North again and shoot for Auberge KM 31.  Will post tomorrow.
Overall, it's still better then work.  Sled wheels are a really nice to have in the Delta parking lot.  Completely bare asphalt 
 
Fred

Day 2 
-24c this morning beautiful stay at La Dore here. Awesome place awesome people. 
 
we will see where it takes us today.

Truck to Lac Bouchette to Auberge Eva. Not viable to leave from Shawinigan. Monkey wrench right out of gate, Got 5 strong this run. With snohorse, nhmoose, Mark and Phil. We had complications with the 850etec backcountry. No fire, turned over no go.  Recalculate. Tough decision. Got spare bullet in my garage 3 hrs by road 3 hours back. Freeride is there ready to run. Or go for DRC Sport in Alma and try to get in on Monday morning for a diagnosis. Snohorse is adamant we go to dealer and try it. Arrive there in Alma at 7:26 am 2 guys already waiting outside. I go over to talk with them and service manager opens door says we can wait inside but don’t open till 8am. We get acquainted and he assures me he will get us in and looked at. We get in and by 10:15 we are good changed 2 fouled plugs. Truck back to Eva to catch up with NHmoose and crew. Left Eva noon. Icy straight out from Eva but very good. 
different kind of year this season will keep you honest. Further north we go the better. 
 
355 to 83 to local orange past St Hedgewich. Then local orange to La dore then 93 up to 373 junction then u turn back down 93 to orange to chef then to 93 and to Pouvoirie La Dore. 
only 5 here tonight private party just for us. Stephane, Cynthia , Alex and Meti. Great gang here. 
Love it here. 
get here and encourage them. First year on I motoneige second winter open. Well worth tge stop. 
Trails very rideable and it’s now or never. Get out or miss out. 
 

Wow we must have been right behind you. I think I seen your sleds at onatchiway. We got there around 2:30 you don’t see many lynx around so I notice them maybe it wasn’t you though. We did the same stops and similar route too.
 
The route we took…..left Alma headed north on 23 to 93 east, up local 554? and then east on 328, up 476 stopped at the cave (thank you for the above posted directions that helped) we got lunch and gas at onatchiway. From lunch we headed west on 373 stopped at that warming teepee, think we took local 900 to get back 93 not sure the trail was so good I wasn’t really paying attention lol. 93 had a ridiculously long straight rip down the powerlines I thought was never going to end. Then it was back over toward Alma. Leaving Alma wasn’t great but rideable. Everything up to the cave was good snow just bumpy needed grooming. The highlight of the day was definitely 373 trail was smooth and fast very fun we even ran into the groomer on it.

Late start this morning around 9:30 since the ol lady doesn't like -10F snowmobiling. Rode over to the cave, Begin, Nature Otis, up to 373 across to Onatchiway, then back down 373 to the Ski Mountain 170 miles. Heading south to the cave over to Begin that first 60 miles was nothing to write home about, the rest of the way was good to excellent, met 2 groomers on the way home. Tomorrow heading for the frozen waterfall, possibly Sacre Couer loop if they groom and she's motivated enough. Better than sitting home on the couch, but definitely not usual Quebec conditions as we knew it wouldn't be. 

Staying in Alma now trails coming out of town were little rough not horrible but once outside of town it got pretty good. We got a late start(noon) due to my sled breaking(secondary came apart) 20miles in so had to limp back and get my buds backup sled to ride. We rode 93 over to pic du le dos de cheval for some summit pictures and went over and got dinner at yourte bistro by the ski mountain. The only thing I noticed bad was there is a lot of ice under the groomed snow so be careful. My bud slid backwards down the hill going up to the ski resort for gas lol. Trying to get parts this morning so probably another late start. I posted some pics on freedom sledder I can’t get them to work here for some reason.

I agree, I have felt it is the larger launch points ( Cities ) that are not seeing\realizing the economic impact of our involvement in their areas. I'll use Jonquiere area as an example. The main trail ( 83 ) has been moved and rerouted and cut-off and rerouted through the town and you get the feeling the Town does not give a crap or see us as a valuable resource. The club(s) has fought for us over and over again.
So with a drop in length of season this year and fewer sleds..... will it open the eyes of the business communities...???
Will it translate into more acceptance as a revenue engine and an embracing of the fact you want the Trailz running to your door not pushed out to the periphery.
Just thinking out loud.
GutZ
 
 
 
 

Day 3. Escoumins to Baie Comeau. 175 miles. Another sunshine day made for mild temperatures in the high teens. Trails were very good, except for about 30 miles, which were OK, but had chop in all the turns.The building by the water in the last picture is our hotel for the night. Le Manior
 

Shows it was groomed around 6:30 last night.

Just back from the Delta, so a quick update.
The Grooming Teams are doing a great job with what they have to work with,,,,,, but they dont have much to work with around town and in the lower elevations.
With all the traffic from the foreigners ( hahahahaha) the trails are not holding a grooming long, smoother on the way out, than a few hours later, stutters back in.
It was great seeing everyone!
Please set your expectations appropriately.....
Later
GutZ

With this bad winter, and the reduction in $$$s spent at hotels\relays\etc.... will more of the local business communities realize the value we bring and the impact on the economy..... And just maybe embrace us more and stop closing trails and reroutes in and out of towns.
just a thought...... looking for a silver lining for the season.....
GutZ

Today’s path took us from the Delta to Escoumins through Mount Valin. The Chapel was crowded but service is second to none. Trails leaving Jonquire, where acceptable once we got over the second bridge they got much better. The orange Trail past lor Piste was a little rough. Plenty of snow but needed groomer. Once we hit Trail 330 it was a 10. Surprised to see how much snow is here in Escoumins being near the river. There Has to be 25 trailers here must be a good starting point. Couple guys came from Sept-Tiles and said the trails are perfect all the way. Can’t wait!

Parking lots are no problem anymore, I finally put wheels on my sled supposed to get couple inches of snow tonight

Here at RDL it  is starting to spit snow with a few inches forecast tonight.  If I understood two men in the lobby a short time ago speaking broken English,  I think they said good snow east of RDL.

We are finding more relays\restaurants ( at Hotels, etc...\etc.. are closed on Monday -Wednesday, no employees... and everything bumped up in cost...
GutZ
 

I was heading north after the "pleasure at the table" !  

Restaurant Hours at Jardan.  Pool is closed for renovations also. 

Left Hotel Marineau yesterday
355 was good to great with the exception of 3-4 k just below lac Bouchette where they are logging
Lunch stop at lac eduard… great pea soup
Restaurant / bar Closed at Le Jardin in st Felicien …scramble for supper but we survived to fight another day!
 
 
 

Today we started a eight day 1500 mile saddlebag trip with Myself, Eric, Ken, Dan, Randy, and Kurt .Started in Saint Raymond and on to Sept-Iles. First 10 miles was snirt but not real bad. Got much better after that. All the way to Mount Apica. Rough for 20 miles after their then Pretty good almost all the way to the Delta. Was not bad getting into the Delta with wheels on the skis. 185 miles for the day.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Looks nice!   Nice job photoshopping all the snirt out!  LOL

I sent invitations to my great aunts Nora & Esther to the party, but they have not RSVP’d yet.  I would like to see them at least once this season….nor’easter.

me thinks this was last Valentines day

Now the triangles just show caution.