Northbound

The norm up here, no helmets just goggles and pile as many you can on the Scandics.

Vieux Fort landing strip, got lucky and saw this one landing.


Was thinking about Lindasledgirl for the following 3 pics



As Howard said literally fell apart rolling into the garage, timing???



The boys hard at work, big thumbs up for these two saving the day.

Ferry boat leaving Blanc Sablon port over to St.Anthonys Newfoundland

We all celebrated the Team Maine victory today when we got the news in St Augustine. A great lunch there and than we hooked onto the WiFi from the store to get the results.  Congratulations Rob, Andrew, Dixon and Scott on a well run race.  The entire support team was awesome and a deciding factor in the win!  Couldn’t have happened on a better day as it was Robs birthday as well!
After that things got interesting again, seems to be a common happening on this trip😉. It started with RR Jr nearly rolling his led just outside of St Augustine, than a very nice stop at the fishing shacks, where we were treated to cod treats and a tour of the ice shacks.  Than onto Harrington  Harbor. We are making great time and talking about touring La Tabatierre and mutton bay on the way down.
Than, just like clock work, the gremlins came out again.  Yours truly was cruising along at about 40, when things started to go to pieces in a hurry.  I could see parts flying coming out of  both sides of the sled and we went from 40 to zero in about 50 feet. This is not gonna be good! , driven clutch, track ?  Where are all the flying parts coming from.  I walked out into the snow and picked up a piece,  and it was a track clip. This really is not good.  We are in the absolute worst location to break down on this trip.  It’s a boat ride next summer to get this behemoth out of here, if we don’t get parts and wait for it, that could be days! We unwind the track that has the spring arm up through it and has torn a third of the cleats and rods out of it. Put it back on the snow and say let’s see if it will move. It did!, We  Limped it in to La Tabatierre, about 10 miles, and found Cletus Gallichon’s garage, he brings the sled in as the track unravels, literally going in the door. He says it doesn’t look good but he has a used track he took out of his sled, it out in the snow bank, do I want to try it? Absolutely, how could this happen?  The trail gods are doing a blessing now!
Cletis, 603 Backcountry lead the charge, F3 and Yogi are also all over it, they  have the track out and Cletis’s Track on, in 1.5 hours.  This is pit crew time. We had to feed BC a mood enhancer as he was grease to his armpits, Backcountry does not miss a beat when he is turning wrenches, and the Wiff of Crown only speed things up, Yogi and F3 are right there too. Unbelievable!  We roll out at 5 pm, call Jean At Harrington Harbor to let her know we will be a few hours late.  Another day of adversity behind us.  A great home cooked meal at Jeans boarding house caps the night.
Off to Harve tomorrow!
Happy Trails RR
 
 

Great shot!  Most pics don't depict the butt-pucker-factor!
And some of the best spots out there aren't the best for stopping!
Well done!

There is plenty of snow in this region if you’re thinking of a trip.   The new snow will reinforce the base.   The exception is near La Malbaie, the snow in some of the fields was thin, very wet, and brown.   It will go quick with a warmup.  We will start in Escoumins or Forestville next time and shoot for Havre St Pierre, and try some of the local trails.   Planning Abitibi for next year-always weather permitting.  

Gt, you need to write a guide book, I would buy it. Thats alot of wheel miles, bet you were glad to have them. My back hurts just thinking about flipping them up and down 10 times. And Sandy said thanx Gemma. Jeff 

Day 12, back to RDL,  Leaving 4pts we knew we could ride straight to RDL in one day and then drive for 2 days....or stretch our ride to 1 1/2 days and then drive 1 1/2 days. Glad we stretched our ride, today was nice.
   The 5 was showing green and the 35 was mostly grey, so we went 5-561-local. Hadn't ridden that section of the 5 in years, remember it usually rough, not today.  Saw a total of 6 sleds. Trail was a nicer mix than the 35 if not as fast.
    Well, thats it. We rode 1930 miles. We got back to the truck and drove 400 miles tonight to Brockville ont. 600 miles to home tomorrow. We set no records, we have no drama to report. We did although ride every day and enjoyed every day. 
   Highlights this season were visiting with Bill and JD;  dropping our saddlebags for a few days and riding with Bill for the FIRST time. We saw the ice cave, Bill is such a great tour guide. Riding with Daniel and Colette. Riding with Dave. Dinner with Steven.and Kelly. Dinner with Ray and Ginger. And of course Dinner with JG, the one and only groomer. Looking at your pics throughout the year, always makes the day better.
    Gary and Pat, sorry we missed you, hopefully next year. Jack and Sandy, I can't believe we never saw you guys either. I always enjoy your posts and can't wait to saw your new paws, Jack.
    I hope someone enjoyed our story. And for those still riding, we hope for everyone to finish their season safely.
                     Jeff and Sandy 
 
 
 
    

Day 11 to Montmagny,  
     Last night we took advantage of the shuttle that the Sheraton provides between the 4pts and Q city. Had dinner, walked around old town, wandered around the Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace, nice evening.
     This morning we were on the trail at about the crack of 10. We didn't have far to go so I picked a route that was away from the river that showed alot of green on the map this morning. We left the hotel got gas and headed to the collibri to get the not free transport across the river to Bernieres where we ate lunch at Tims.
   Now we're off on the 75 south to an orange to the 545 to an orange, ok no, local closed, rivers open, so down.the 545 to the 35. That crossing is starting to look a little sketchy.  We cross and head down the poog to the 551 and then back down the 5 in montmag. Most everything was groomed today. Around QC trails were mushed by quads, snow thinned south, poog was very good the 551 was beautiful. All still very rideable, just not destination material. Saw a lot of local sleds out, but no other saddlebaggers.
 Jeff and Sandy 
 

Day 5 to Matane,
    GT, sorry we missed you, I think you got an earlier start than us. Laying in bed last night listening to the wind howl didn't make me all that anxious for an early start. I saw a few sets of eastbound tracks that started at MSP. I assumed one of them was yours, maybe next time. Enjoy your ride.
   .Trails were all pretty good to st ann except  for a couple spots GT mentioned that were icy or thin up high in a logged area. The wind didn't seem to hurt that area.  After st ann some of the trails got a little bumpy in spots, mainly as you would expect in narrower sections like where the trail would share half road half trail. They also must of had some more blowing snow because they had drift bumps.
      Still a very nice day. The relay that we like for lunch just west of St Ann, we knew was closed on monday so we went into St Ann to subway.
     Catching the morning ferry and will post on Cote Nord site tomorrow.
       Jeff and Sandy 
 

Day 4, to Mont-Louis,
     Another ideal day to ride. Blue skys and very little wind. I think tonight will be different, its about 3:30 now and clouding up with some wind forcast for tonight. Got to Grande-Vallee early, got gas and a nice early lunch at hotel GV. The place then filled with a lot of sledders. A lot of them looked like 2up dayriders. It was a short day but between Gaspe and Matane is about 500k, which is way too much for us in 1 day so we have to split it somewhere. It has been several years since we ran the 5 between Gaspe and the 597. It seemed faster and more open than I remember it. There were a lot of windmills, so I'm guessing they are utilizing some of their new roads? Most all trails were in good shape today with not a lot of traffic.

Day 3,   Bono to Gaspe.  Woke up to fresh dusting of snow overnight. Rode out of town by the Bonaventure airport. The runway groomer was working. The 5 was groomed overnight. Heading est, we were making the first tracks except for the deer. We saw a few this morning but tracks were everywhere. 
    Beautiful day to ride, blue skys, very little wind, most trails freshly groomed. Quite a bit of traffic around chandler. We stopped at relay there for a bite and then into town for gas, there was a line.
   The bottom of the 597 and the bailey bridge cutoff were groomed overnight, sweet. There was a trailside conference on the 597 and gaspe intersection. 
   Haven't seen any sleds in town tonight as we went out for dinner.
     Jeff and Sandy 
 

Day 2, 
    Left Amqui this morning, blue skies and cool. 5 trail to the cable bridge groomed yesterday, of course to perfection, thanx groomer. I think I spotted the offending woodpile, I kept an eye on it.
     After the cable bridge was groomed overnight. We laid the first tracks. Took the cutoff to miss X point, saw the first sleds for the day, the first of many.
   Back down on the 5 about 1/2 way to new rich we met many oncoming.
   Quick bite at the carlton relay and on to Bonaventure for the night.
    All trails very good today, plenty of snow.  I would guess 80% trails we were on today were groomed yesterday or last night......regardless of what the FCMQ map shows
 

Gt, you need to write a guide book, I would buy it. Thats alot of wheel miles, bet you were glad to have them. My back hurts just thinking about flipping them up and down 10 times. And Sandy said thanx Gemma. Jeff 

We took a stroll down by the water. A nice cool breeze. It looks a lot more busy in the summer.

I want to give an update on the advertising situation regarding the Universel Hotel to all QR members.  But again, I don't want this to divide us as members, but just want to keep all in the loop as to what has transpired.
First, I donated the money for the advertising of the hotel to QR,  feeling this might make it an easier decision for the hotel to get on board, and if the hotel was happy with the results they would become a yearly member.
Secondly, I told the QR administrator that should the hotel not sign up, the money I paid would turn into a donation to QuebecRider.
Third, I met with the VP of the hotel. She was very nice and seemed interested. Afterwards, I let the QR administrator know that he should contact the hotel VP as it would appear it might be she is interested and knows that an anonymous member has paid the first year of advertising for the hotel.
The last I have heard, the QR administrator was having problems with his e-mail and thus was not able to contact the hotel VP. I have heard nothing since,  but I assume he has been working on this issue and will eventually have some news, one way or the other.
Thanks,
mike
 

Day 12, back to RDL,  Leaving 4pts we knew we could ride straight to RDL in one day and then drive for 2 days....or stretch our ride to 1 1/2 days and then drive 1 1/2 days. Glad we stretched our ride, today was nice.
   The 5 was showing green and the 35 was mostly grey, so we went 5-561-local. Hadn't ridden that section of the 5 in years, remember it usually rough, not today.  Saw a total of 6 sleds. Trail was a nicer mix than the 35 if not as fast.
    Well, thats it. We rode 1930 miles. We got back to the truck and drove 400 miles tonight to Brockville ont. 600 miles to home tomorrow. We set no records, we have no drama to report. We did although ride every day and enjoyed every day. 
   Highlights this season were visiting with Bill and JD;  dropping our saddlebags for a few days and riding with Bill for the FIRST time. We saw the ice cave, Bill is such a great tour guide. Riding with Daniel and Colette. Riding with Dave. Dinner with Steven.and Kelly. Dinner with Ray and Ginger. And of course Dinner with JG, the one and only groomer. Looking at your pics throughout the year, always makes the day better.
    Gary and Pat, sorry we missed you, hopefully next year. Jack and Sandy, I can't believe we never saw you guys either. I always enjoy your posts and can't wait to saw your new paws, Jack.
    I hope someone enjoyed our story. And for those still riding, we hope for everyone to finish their season safely.
                     Jeff and Sandy 
 
 
 
    

Day 12, back to RDL,  Leaving 4pts we knew we could ride straight to RDL in one day and then drive for 2 days....or stretch our ride to 1 1/2 days and then drive 1 1/2 days. Glad we stretched our ride, today was nice.
   The 5 was showing green and the 35 was mostly grey, so we went 5-561-local. Hadn't ridden that section of the 5 in years, remember it usually rough, not today.  Saw a total of 6 sleds. Trail was a nicer mix than the 35 if not as fast.
    Well, thats it. We rode 1930 miles. We got back to the truck and drove 400 miles tonight to Brockville ont. 600 miles to home tomorrow. We set no records, we have no drama to report. We did although ride every day and enjoyed every day. 
   Highlights this season were visiting with Bill and JD;  dropping our saddlebags for a few days and riding with Bill for the FIRST time. We saw the ice cave, Bill is such a great tour guide. Riding with Daniel and Colette. Riding with Dave. Dinner with Steven.and Kelly. Dinner with Ray and Ginger. And of course Dinner with JG, the one and only groomer. Looking at your pics throughout the year, always makes the day better.
    Gary and Pat, sorry we missed you, hopefully next year. Jack and Sandy, I can't believe we never saw you guys either. I always enjoy your posts and can't wait to saw your new paws, Jack.
    I hope someone enjoyed our story. And for those still riding, we hope for everyone to finish their season safely.
                     Jeff and Sandy 
 
 
 
    

We take the ferry across to Godbout. First trip on the new one. We had breakfast inspiration from Jeff & Sandy. We meet with a great group of 5 guys (TheMainer). It's another warm day blue sky's. The ferry lands we grab a few pics and we're off. The trails are fantastic all the way to Sept-Iles. I had a lot of fun. We stopped for fuel in Baie Trinity and then Port Cartier. We took the local to the club house west of Port Cartier there is a lookout to the harbor. Cote-levee at St Hubert. inspiration from Jeff & Sandy again.

Day 12, back to RDL,  Leaving 4pts we knew we could ride straight to RDL in one day and then drive for 2 days....or stretch our ride to 1 1/2 days and then drive 1 1/2 days. Glad we stretched our ride, today was nice.
   The 5 was showing green and the 35 was mostly grey, so we went 5-561-local. Hadn't ridden that section of the 5 in years, remember it usually rough, not today.  Saw a total of 6 sleds. Trail was a nicer mix than the 35 if not as fast.
    Well, thats it. We rode 1930 miles. We got back to the truck and drove 400 miles tonight to Brockville ont. 600 miles to home tomorrow. We set no records, we have no drama to report. We did although ride every day and enjoyed every day. 
   Highlights this season were visiting with Bill and JD;  dropping our saddlebags for a few days and riding with Bill for the FIRST time. We saw the ice cave, Bill is such a great tour guide. Riding with Daniel and Colette. Riding with Dave. Dinner with Steven.and Kelly. Dinner with Ray and Ginger. And of course Dinner with JG, the one and only groomer. Looking at your pics throughout the year, always makes the day better.
    Gary and Pat, sorry we missed you, hopefully next year. Jack and Sandy, I can't believe we never saw you guys either. I always enjoy your posts and can't wait to saw your new paws, Jack.
    I hope someone enjoyed our story. And for those still riding, we hope for everyone to finish their season safely.
                     Jeff and Sandy 
 
 
 
    

Day 12, back to RDL,  Leaving 4pts we knew we could ride straight to RDL in one day and then drive for 2 days....or stretch our ride to 1 1/2 days and then drive 1 1/2 days. Glad we stretched our ride, today was nice.
   The 5 was showing green and the 35 was mostly grey, so we went 5-561-local. Hadn't ridden that section of the 5 in years, remember it usually rough, not today.  Saw a total of 6 sleds. Trail was a nicer mix than the 35 if not as fast.
    Well, thats it. We rode 1930 miles. We got back to the truck and drove 400 miles tonight to Brockville ont. 600 miles to home tomorrow. We set no records, we have no drama to report. We did although ride every day and enjoyed every day. 
   Highlights this season were visiting with Bill and JD;  dropping our saddlebags for a few days and riding with Bill for the FIRST time. We saw the ice cave, Bill is such a great tour guide. Riding with Daniel and Colette. Riding with Dave. Dinner with Steven.and Kelly. Dinner with Ray and Ginger. And of course Dinner with JG, the one and only groomer. Looking at your pics throughout the year, always makes the day better.
    Gary and Pat, sorry we missed you, hopefully next year. Jack and Sandy, I can't believe we never saw you guys either. I always enjoy your posts and can't wait to saw your new paws, Jack.
    I hope someone enjoyed our story. And for those still riding, we hope for everyone to finish their season safely.
                     Jeff and Sandy 
 
 
 
    

Returned from Sept Isles at 4:50pm, decided not to stay another night in Kegashka rather push on up the White Road closer to Lab but this meant doing it solo in the dark. This is what adventures are all about! Called Chevery but no rooms so 40 k further Tete a La Baliene has and so it is but not before getting to the gas in Chevery before they close by 8 pm. Left Kegashka at 5:30 got the gas at 7:20, great! Doing good time but not for long, missed the left turn at the fork for Tete and ended up in Harrington Harbour, boy does the trail look so different at night. Back track 10 k to the fork and I’m in Tete at 9:15. Missed supper grrr and everything is closed. 
Tomorrows plan get on the trail early and hope to arrive in Lab for noon. I’m very disappointed I wasn’t able to be there to see Team Maine roll in and  missing the opportunity to shake Robs hand and give him my support. That’s snowmobiling.

A little lunch I whipped up

something you’ll see often around here 

went for a little ride




 
 

Sorry, this too may be too late, 
    We drive from columbus, so I feel your pain. We have ridden alot in ontario in the past. The area north of wawa and north of north bay primarily the northern corridor Dub, hearst, cochrane, kirkland, new lisk may be the best ont option  this late. I honestly haven't been following their conditions lately.
   Not to knock ont at all because we also love it there to but........ we find they utilise roads that may be plowed or sunshine damaged by now. We have had some great ont trips but we find consistency of grooming, signage, information and services better in Quebec.
    We just did the gaspe last week and it was great. If you've never been out there before, now may be the time. Just my long 2cents. 
   Jeff and Sandy 

Day 11 to Montmagny,  
     Last night we took advantage of the shuttle that the Sheraton provides between the 4pts and Q city. Had dinner, walked around old town, wandered around the Frontenac and Dufferin Terrace, nice evening.
     This morning we were on the trail at about the crack of 10. We didn't have far to go so I picked a route that was away from the river that showed alot of green on the map this morning. We left the hotel got gas and headed to the collibri to get the not free transport across the river to Bernieres where we ate lunch at Tims.
   Now we're off on the 75 south to an orange to the 545 to an orange, ok no, local closed, rivers open, so down.the 545 to the 35. That crossing is starting to look a little sketchy.  We cross and head down the poog to the 551 and then back down the 5 in montmag. Most everything was groomed today. Around QC trails were mushed by quads, snow thinned south, poog was very good the 551 was beautiful. All still very rideable, just not destination material. Saw a lot of local sleds out, but no other saddlebaggers.
 Jeff and Sandy