Florida Snowman Posted January 16, 2023 Report Share Posted January 16, 2023 Enjoy Jack & Sandi! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2023 Thanks Tom. This looks a lot better than Christmas. SnomoGary, jak and Florida Snowman 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted January 16, 2023 Report Share Posted January 16, 2023 Jack, there is like 20,000 QuebecRiders waiting to hear if its good. Sincerely, Your son, mike P Hardy, doo4adoo, Florida Snowman and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shore1066 Posted January 16, 2023 Report Share Posted January 16, 2023 12 minutes ago, mikerider said: Jack, there is like 20,000 QuebecRiders waiting to hear if its good. Sincerely, Your son, mike Boy it isn't going to take much to see Mike pack his bags and head for RDL. LOL. I think he's one of them 20,000. mikerider and jak 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBLER Posted January 16, 2023 Report Share Posted January 16, 2023 I am in a group of 5 of those 20000 mikerider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2023 We are back and here is the "Report". Some very good and some very bad but keep reading. Sandi, lets take the local trail 40 that runs along the side of auto route 20. It was groomed yesterday and should still be good. Thru the gas station next door and we cross 20 on the auto route bridge. I don't like going thru those two little tunnels under the highway. The groomer has been here and the trail is ok. A little bumpy in the dips because there isn't really enough snow to fill in all of the low spots. Sandi is running along warming up the sleds and us. In the fields there is some minor drifting and in the woods it is quite nice. Mild today. It is 20F. We pick up trail 559 and this is good too. At St Helene, the trail isn't as good going thru town. It is still in the same place but it has been blown in and it is windy today. I take the lead working thru town. Just as we leave town, there is a sign pointing straight for Club Les Loups but the stakes go to my right. I'll follow the sign even thought the trail hasn't been groomed and there is only one sled mark on it. Oh I probably shouldn't have done this. A little way in and I stop to talk with Sandi. There is a little freezing rain and Sandi doesn't like this trail breaking thing. She isn't happy. It is a little narrow to turn around here. We go a little further and come to a groomed trail. We turn right and a couple hundred feet we are back on 559. My mistake. I should have followed the red stakes. OK Sandi, you take lead. A few miles up the trail and we are at the club house. It is closed. Sandi turns left on trail 5. A few miles in and we cross a road. The groomer turned around here. This is nice. Only one sled track in front of Sandi and the trail is perfect. Sandi is off. The freezing rain has stopped and there is light snow falling. This is what I've been dreaming about all summer. Keep going Sandi. This is great. We stop at the intersection where 561 heads south to 35. 561 looks good but 5 is perfect. Sandi stays on 5 and she is running. 10 miles later and we are at the little connector to our right that hooks up with 526. Yea lets take that. 526 is perfect. ♬ Over the hills and thru the woods to grandmother's house we go. ♬ I'm in heaven! jak, Snobeeler, Florida Snowman and 9 others 12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2023 We get to the next intersection with local trail 40. Lets take 40 Sandi. I don't know if I want to go to the right on 526 towards Lac Phoenegamook. I know it won't be frozen yet. Sandi turns left and this is great for a mile and then it has been plowed. Not scraped to the bottom but plowed. Maybe logging? Sandi is running along and oops, here comes an empty logging truck. We pull over and let the truck go by. There is a little sand on the hills but very passable. We get to the intersection with 544. Hmm? To the left is where the logging trucks are traveling. To the right is 544 but it is not groomed. Go left Sandi. It isn't too far to 85. In just a little way and the trail splits with the logging road and runs parallel with it. This doesn't have a track on it and it was groomed last night. So sweet it is! Sandi is running know. This is the best of the best. Oh by the way, so far we have only seen two other sleds. We get to 85 and turn right and then left onto 544. This is as good as it gets. Sandi is rolling know. Plenty of snow and a perfect trail. We turn right staying on 544 instead of taking local 44. So smooth and so good. We turn left onto 565. This has been broke but isn't as nice as what we were just on. We go down the big switchback into the valley below. I'm guessing the tractor has made a few passes but hasn't brought the drag with him because of the hills. Bumpy here. This is what I meant about such different conditions. We poke along 565. The fields are pretty wind blown and now there is some dirt showing thru. No more fun. Keep on trucking. We make our way along. Some parts are hard to even see the trail. We get to trail 5 and there is the groomer. He is heading on 565 the way we just came from. I guess he is going to make it good. We turn left on 5 and in a mile or so there are three sleds with workers putting in the red stakes. They are just opening up this section of 5. In the woods it is ok. In the fields it is not ok. The wind really blows the snow off of the fields. There are areas of dirt. Not what I was expecting after what we had up in the woods. We putt our way along on 5. At the intersection with 85 to turn right to RDL, the trail becomes better. Just a few miles makes a big difference in snow cover. The rest of the way into the Universal is good. Some thin spots but good. So overall, there is good riding here and not so good. I think we are going to stay up in the woods more and away from the valley along the St Lawrence. Tomorrow I think we may run down 85 towards Cabano and Degelis or maybe go towards St Pamphile. We will see what the groomer map shows in the morning. Whether you should come up or not is your choice. I think there is enough good riding around RDL but expect to run into a few bad areas too. The forecast is for good temps but not much snow in the next seven days. The hotel is not full by any means. Breakfast is served in the conference room across from the bar. There was only one other table occupied when we ate this morning. Jack & Sandi SnomoGary, Snobeeler, doo4adoo and 8 others 9 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 16, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2023 1 hour ago, mikerider said: Jack, there is like 20,000 QuebecRiders waiting to hear if its good. Sincerely, Your son, mike Hi Mike. I'm typing as fast as I can. We miss you up here. 57 minutes ago, Shore1066 said: Boy it isn't going to take much to see Mike pack his bags and head for RDL. LOL. I think he's one of them 20,000. Hi George. He apparently wasn't the one that hit the Mega Millions. Maybe he will surprise us and show up. RDL needs its mayor back in town. 53 minutes ago, BOBLER said: I am in a group of 5 of those 20000 Hi Bobler. The season is finally looking a little better. I hope the snow stays and gets deeper. A lot of riders out there just itching to get some miles under them. Jack & Sandi SnowCrazed and MrGutz 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted January 17, 2023 Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Thank you Jack for your honest assessment, It certainly is a winter that makes us scratch our heads and wonder what to do. Have a great time!! I am still deciding. mike revct1 and MrGutz 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 I'm trying pictures again. I only took pictures of the good trails. http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0578.thumb.JPG.c9c4d4bb8b9cb40330a6f12a5b1d80f9.JPG http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0577.thumb.JPG.7ce235d0d1ca6196d8c0fc96cc704b31.JPG http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0576.thumb.JPG.b60ea2866d9d1fcf6f6d90abb9ffed67.JPG http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0575.thumb.JPG.b4045bf3018d7e83308846e56e496891.JPG http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0574.thumb.JPG.0e97149c96fdac27699a1b881e546a4e.JPG http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0579.thumb.JPG.f08c927b04d4483108cc75853af3a6af.JPG Jack & Sandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Florida Snowman, SnomoGary, jak and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oilman Posted January 17, 2023 Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Good report Jack. Glad you guys found some good riding around RDL, even if it’s not full operation like normal. Appreciate the info. And as far as Mike goes, he needs to get back up there! Lol. Oilman MrGutz, mikerider and jak 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 I couldn't agree with you more. The bar here at Universal has a supply of that red wine that Mike drinks. jak, mikerider, MrGutz and 1 other 2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fuse6 Posted January 17, 2023 Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Jack l know you don’t normally saddle bag but a one day ride to Moose Valley, NB, spend the night then back to RDL would be a great trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 When we were many years younger, every trip was a one week saddlebag trip. The truck would be left at Valcourt or Motel Bernieres in St Nicholas (Levis). We would ride out to Rimouski or Matane and circle back. On the north side of the St Lawrence we would ride out of St Raymond. Does anybody remember Hotel de Collene? I may have misspelt the name. From there we would Tour du Lac St Jean. Our other route was from St Agatha and saddlebag to Abitibi. Many miles and many memories. Now we are more content with day trips and being near the truck. Maybe there is an overnight trip in our future still. Jack & Sandi MrGutz, Snobeeler, Fuse6 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted January 17, 2023 Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Jack, How you liking your new sled? I assume its the X Renegade. Finding any differences from the last one, especially in the ride and handling department? MrGutz 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Hi Mike. My trade-in was a 2020 so this one is an upgrade in suspension. I do notice the ride is a little flatter and feels a little better. Not that the 2020 was bad but this one is better. I sense the bumps under the sled put they don't transfer up to my body as much. I think back to 2003 when the Rev first came out and how transforming it was. Now each generation gets better. It is amazing how far the suspensions have evolved. And I'm sure the other manufacturers are just as good with their advances. I'm not one to put one manufacturer over another. It is all snowmobiling to me. Jack & Sandi MrGutz, SnomoGary, vt_bluyamaha54 and 4 others 6 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigLake Posted January 17, 2023 Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 A gentleman’s ride today, nothing crazy for miles but man we hit it on the nose. Rolled out at 8:30 headed toward Temiscouata. I ran point all day and was the second sled in the trail until 544E, then I was the first all the way to Cabano. Stopped to make a small adjustment…I lost the air shock on my new Expedition SE 900TR in Valin two weeks ago, had to take the springs to the moon to get back to the Pelchat, so had to stop and dial the springs back a little. Snagged 563 to 35, first sleds all the way to within ten miles of the Pohenegamook quonset hut. It was closed today, so ran to the Irving then over to Auberge Villa des Frontieres for lunch. Had a great meal. Up to the cross then 35 to 526. Local 40 is plowed! Assuming 544 is as well…I think revct said something about that. Anyway, from 40 north, 526 is fine. It’s worth the drive up. You can tell some clubs have only made one pass through, but first tracks today involved 3-5” of fresh snow and mostly flat trails. The fields have some drifting and the snow off the sides of the trails is much deeper than it looks. So I’d recommend you do a little recon before you venture out to be sure your lunch stop is available. Some restaurants in town RDL are closed early in the week. The restaurant at the Universel is still hit or miss. MrGutz, Snobeeler, Pipeman and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigLake Posted January 17, 2023 Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Just now, TheBigLake said: A gentleman’s ride today, nothing crazy for miles but man we hit it on the nose. Rolled out at 8:30 headed toward Temiscouata. I ran point all day and was the second sled in the trail until 544E, then I was the first all the way to Cabano. Stopped to make a small adjustment…I lost the air shock on my new Expedition SE 900TR in Valin two weeks ago, had to take the springs to the moon to get back to the Pelchat, so had to stop and dial the springs back a little. Snagged 563 to 35, first sleds all the way to within ten miles of the Pohenegamook quonset hut. It was closed today, so ran to the Irving then over to Auberge Villa des Frontieres for lunch. Had a great meal. Up to the cross then 35 to 526. Local 40 is plowed! Assuming 544 is as well…I think revct said something about that. Anyway, from 40 north, 526 is fine. It’s worth the drive up. You can tell some clubs have only made one pass through, but first tracks today involved 3-5” of fresh snow and mostly flat trails. The fields have some drifting and the snow off the sides of the trails is much deeper than it looks. So I’d recommend you do a little recon before you venture out to be sure your lunch stop is available. Some restaurants in town RDL are closed early in the week. The restaurant at the Universel is still hit or miss. http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/8B13D2CA-ACF7-4F27-B5D4-70711D907189.thumb.jpeg.be6ef21518098fddef2bff5899fdf314.jpeg MrGutz, GT Rider and zeusand 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBigLake Posted January 17, 2023 Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Just now, TheBigLake said: http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/C690640E-FC2B-456D-A21A-A6753169DB1C.thumb.jpeg.5b9927faa69f3a15981db5c291ca4d62.jpeg GT Rider, mikerider and P Hardy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Hey Sandi. A little bit of snow last night. That will help the trails. http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0580.thumb.JPG.5f0541f939d52c55e2436d834f71a76e.JPG I don't want to go on 5 east. That was too thin coming back yesterday. I'm up for a run west towards St Bruno. 5 shows groomed in that section. On the sleds and and down trail 526. There is a little freezing rain in the air. Scratch scratch on the shield to clean it off. This isn't starting good. Right onto 5 and in the open area before Club Aventuriers it is thin. I can see the snirt just below the new snowfall. After the club we turn right on 5. It is so smooth under the new fluff. I realize there isn't a sled track in front of Sandi. Oh this is nice. Thru St Antonin and down the trail. I remember when we first started coming up to RDL, these trees were only a few feet tall. They will be harvested before too long. Scratch scratch on the shields keeping them clean. We get to the junction with the little connector to the left to 526. Should we continue straight or turn left and head south? http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0581.thumb.JPG.b875a81c4eac5e8d60cfc48999852982.JPG Or south? http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0582.thumb.JPG.31613c90929d1049558059796b249625.JPG Either way looks great. Lets continue straight on 5. zeusand and P Hardy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 http://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0580.thumb.JPG.1234d9e0b41eff78b759a7999fb3afc1.JPGhttp://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0581.thumb.JPG.008d1fc0048370b5c3de615316aefb3a.JPGhttp://quebecrider.com/forums/uploads/monthly_2023_01/IMG_0582.thumb.JPG.e379471848ac51a6891c8a3d15cb4aeb.JPG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Florida Snowman 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Lets keep going on 5. Sandi asks me to lead. She is having a hard time seeing with the freezing rain. Me lead? OK I'll force myself. Whee! First one on the trail. 5 - 10 miles later, the freezing rain is letting up. This was the right choice. No one else on the trail and it is perfect. I don't feel the suspension moving even an inch it is so smooth. Wow! We get to the cutoff to St Bruno. It is staked and we turn left. Follow the stakes and signs. Parts of the trail are shared with ATVs. Easy enough to follow the trail. I see the little playground the trail goes thru. I remember this from last year when I was here with Joe JAK. Yep, there it is, the little everything store. St Bruno isn't very big and this is probably the only store for miles. It is a gas station, convenience store, post office, mini deli, beer and wine and anything else you can think of. The ladies are very nice but not much English. That is OK. We can muddle our way thru the language. Time to relax and have a bit to eat. P Hardy, GT Rider and zeusand 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted January 17, 2023 Author Report Share Posted January 17, 2023 Here are few more pics. P Hardy, zeusand, Snobeeler and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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