Northbound

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 6,    To Sept Iles. Caught the 8am ferry to Godbout. Nice smooth ride over with breakfast onboard. This trip, sleds were on first and off first, nice. 
   I hate to keep rubbing this in if you're not up here, but today was another nice mild, sunny day.
    7 other sleds crossed with us. When we all off loaded and took the local to the 3, everyone turned right.
     The first maybe 10 miles was still wide single track, but from there on everything was very good to freshly groomed.
    We stopped for gas and a soup at Tims in Port  Cartier.  From my room at the Quality Inn, looking across the parking lot I can see a St Hubert. I've  got an idea for supper.
     Jeff and Sandy
Sorry for all the boat pics, but I thought somebody out there may not have seen it  before, and it is an impressive boat.

Day 6,    To Sept Iles. Caught the 8am ferry to Godbout. Nice smooth ride over with breakfast onboard. This trip, sleds were on first and off first, nice. 
   I hate to keep rubbing this in if you're not up here, but today was another nice mild, sunny day.
    7 other sleds crossed with us. When we all off loaded and took the local to the 3, everyone turned right.
     The first maybe 10 miles was still wide single track, but from there on everything was very good to freshly groomed.
    We stopped for gas and a soup at Tims in Port  Cartier.  From my room at the Quality Inn, looking across the parking lot I can see a St Hubert. I've  got an idea for supper.
     Jeff and Sandy
Sorry for all the boat pics, but I thought somebody out there may not have seen it  before, and it is an impressive boat.

Day 6,    To Sept Iles. Caught the 8am ferry to Godbout. Nice smooth ride over with breakfast onboard. This trip, sleds were on first and off first, nice. 
   I hate to keep rubbing this in if you're not up here, but today was another nice mild, sunny day.
    7 other sleds crossed with us. When we all off loaded and took the local to the 3, everyone turned right.
     The first maybe 10 miles was still wide single track, but from there on everything was very good to freshly groomed.
    We stopped for gas and a soup at Tims in Port  Cartier.  From my room at the Quality Inn, looking across the parking lot I can see a St Hubert. I've  got an idea for supper.
     Jeff and Sandy
Sorry for all the boat pics, but I thought somebody out there may not have seen it  before, and it is an impressive boat.

Day 6,    To Sept Iles. Caught the 8am ferry to Godbout. Nice smooth ride over with breakfast onboard. This trip, sleds were on first and off first, nice. 
   I hate to keep rubbing this in if you're not up here, but today was another nice mild, sunny day.
    7 other sleds crossed with us. When we all off loaded and took the local to the 3, everyone turned right.
     The first maybe 10 miles was still wide single track, but from there on everything was very good to freshly groomed.
    We stopped for gas and a soup at Tims in Port  Cartier.  From my room at the Quality Inn, looking across the parking lot I can see a St Hubert. I've  got an idea for supper.
     Jeff and Sandy
Sorry for all the boat pics, but I thought somebody out there may not have seen it  before, and it is an impressive boat.

Wasn't expecting this.  Dropped them a quick thank you note and they put it in their news letter.  Thought that was pretty cool.

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 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 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 
 

I too enjoy Bill's posts and read them daily.  I have been introduced to so many QuebecRider members thanks to Bill.
mike
 

I believe the treatment/comment Bill received was unfair and uncalled for, I also wish Bill would post again. 
QR is a special .com we are all here because of Rob and Bill surely Rob is looking down on us and is not happy with some of this years developments.
We need to share people, places and things we see and do in Quebec that's what QR is all about. Certainly there will be differences of opinion but those should be kept to yourself or expressed with some degree of class.
During a winter filled with good and bad conditions every report we can get is important especially Bill's with his network of knowledge.

GT Rider,   we are just est of you,  heading to Matane. Our paths may cross in morning. Keep an eye out we'd like to meet you and Gemma.
    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 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 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 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 
 

Saw these cats hanging around Louvicourt.

Well we got home safe and sound,  big thanks  to everyone  both old and new friends,  we had a fantastic  time as per  usual. 
The delta  is more like home than a hotel, we will really  miss sitting  in the lobby  shooting  the breeze tonight,  as you guys  say.  
We plan this most off the year and the trip goes so fast you can't  catch  your breath,  still there's  always  next  year. Be safe  everyone hoping to see you  all again  in 2019, guess Pat will be checking out  flights next week.
Thanks  again  all
Gary and Pat

OK here are the mitts.

A nice natural dark brown color.  The fur lies towards the wrist for snowmobiling.  They made the wrist area where the strap is a little larger for my fat hands and the opening a little bigger to fit over the sleeves of my suit.  The palms have a piece of suede stitched over the leather for wear.  A little stiff but Sandi says the mink oil should soften them up.  Bring on the cold!
Jack & Sandi

More pics

No worries,  rode to amqui today. The base seems fine. Saw 3 groomers between RDL and Rimouski. Probably 20 sleds all day. We stopped for Mcd s and gas in Mont Joli,  no problems.
     The trail is s little crusty in spots but very rideable. Conditions improved after turning south towards amqui where the 5 splits. Couple guys here at the hotel coming back from the gaspe saying it's very good.....I'll  post later on gaspe site.
Jeff and Sandy 
   

More pics

No worries,  rode to amqui today. The base seems fine. Saw 3 groomers between RDL and Rimouski. Probably 20 sleds all day. We stopped for Mcd s and gas in Mont Joli,  no problems.
     The trail is s little crusty in spots but very rideable. Conditions improved after turning south towards amqui where the 5 splits. Couple guys here at the hotel coming back from the gaspe saying it's very good.....I'll  post later on gaspe site.
Jeff and Sandy 
   

More pics