revct1 Posted February 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted February 5, 2023 We are heading back home to CT this morning. Padragon and I rode the past two days in the Artic vortex. Sandi stayed at the Universal. I was wondering if we should have too. Friday was a ride to Squatec. We stayed on what was groomed as much as we could. Trail 5, 565, 540 and 571 into Squatec. This route is mostly in the woods but the fields were drifted and blowing snow pretty good. Not many sleds out. I wonder why? 🥶 We were too early for lunch so we had to stand on the porch for 10 minutes. The shades were pulled down so we couldn't see in. A few minutes before 11:00 am the door opens. Boy does that heat feel good. Planning our ride back, I was thinking about the way we came in and Padragon asked about trail 35? I said it is over the mountain and a little further but shows groomed. So we decide on 35. I'm leading and about halfway up, I miss a right turn. One of those spots where the "road" goes straight and you see the cut thru the trees but the trail goes to the right. I ran past the turn by 20'. A little tugging and pulling and the sled backs out. Pay attention Jack. Too cold to be making mistakes today. Other than my little missed turn, it was a good choice. It was cold at the top of the mountain but all wooded and the trail is like concrete. With less wind than in the fields, it was good. We turn right on 85 and cruise back to the Universal. Not a long ride but we did ride. Saturday it is warmer but not by much. Padragon and I head out. Again we look for the groomed trails. So 5 west to the little connector over to 526 and back to 85. 526 is a nice trail thru the woods. If we time this right, we will be at Cabano around 11:00 for pizza. 85 going thru the construction is the worst of it today. It is pretty open and the wind is blowing the snow around. We take our time and make it thru. Top the sleds off at the Shell station in Cabano and over to pizza. Perfect, 11:00 am and the doors are unlocked. We are the only ones here. I thought there maybe a few locals coming in via car or truck but nope. Just us two. A couple of pepperoni pizzas and back on 85 north. The wind has finally calmed down and it must be a balmy -20 C out here. The sun is out and that makes it feel even warmer. We turn left on 544. This trail is perfect. Not much traffic on it this year due to the logging going on local 40. Saturday there are no logging trucks and the wind has blown in enough snow to cover up the sand on 40. The last mile on 40 is old school rough. This isn't getting groomed this season due to the logging. We get to 526 and it is sweet looking. We go straight on 526 to Explorer and then right on 561. The trails are set up so good from the cold and no traffic makes it a perfect ride. At trail 5 we turn right and finish the day into the Universal. It was a cold two days but it is still snowmobiling in Quebec. There is plenty of snow up here and the groomers are out every night. After a late start with the snow in January, February should turn out to be a good month. Pack up and head north. The trails are waiting for you. Jack & Sandi GT Rider, Jackstraw, mikerider and 12 others 15 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snobeeler Posted February 5, 2023 Report Share Posted February 5, 2023 Jack, great reports thanks for all the details. Curious, do you all put the sleds in the heated garages out back each night? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neksledr Posted February 5, 2023 Report Share Posted February 5, 2023 16 hours ago, smclelan said: One of my favorite red wine, along with Arrogant Frog! Arrogant Frog, eh? Will have to put that on our must try list! Mike....can you make that my free drink? Thanks! Terry mikerider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnomoGary Posted February 6, 2023 Report Share Posted February 6, 2023 Hi Jack.. lying in bed at mo in Montreal 4am and wide awake lol... flying to bagotville at 9am.. see you at the weekend . Great reports as usual. Be safe G&P jak 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PMAC Posted February 11, 2023 Report Share Posted February 11, 2023 Are clubs in the area open on Monday and Tuesday now ?Be going through on 19-20th Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 11, 2023 Report Share Posted February 11, 2023 I came home a week ago after staying in RDL for two weeks. Most club houses were not open on Mon and Tue. Even the one in RDL. The one that seemed always open was the one in Tois Pistoles and maybe the one on Trail #5 about 75 miles west of RDL at the covered bridge. The small one about 25 miles east of RDL on #5 looks to be closed for good as does the large one on #5 just before Rimouski on the power line. Hopefully I am heading up tomorrow and staying for a week or two. mike jak and GT Rider 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 13, 2023 Report Share Posted February 13, 2023 Back in the 'Loup'. Temp is falling, groomer just went by the hotel, and Environment Canada is no longer saying showers on Thursday. mike jak, Florida Snowman, NSHM and 5 others 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 13, 2023 Report Share Posted February 13, 2023 And I see the showers are back in the forecast (for Wednesday). Fingers crossed. smclelan 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastMark Posted February 13, 2023 Report Share Posted February 13, 2023 Enjoy Mike ! Happy to see you back home. Look forward to reading about your adventures. . mikerider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 14, 2023 Report Share Posted February 14, 2023 Nice trip today south to Packington enroute to Baker Lake, N.B. Last attempt couple weeks ago groomer turned around just after Packington so we couldn't get through. Today the loop trail from Packington down around to #85 20 miles below Cabanno is groomed. But the turn off to New Brunswick is not open. jak needed to stop at the Cabano SkiDoo dealer, Last time there two weeks ago I missed noticing he has a new building that I am guessing he will move into this spring. It is huge!!! And just a few hundred feet from his old place which is small and cramped and looks like a dealer out of the 1960's. But a great bunch of people there. Also tried a new restaurant in Cabano on #85. Auberge Gare. Very old red /w yellow house just feet from the trail, sledding south on #85 it is on the right just before entering downtown Cabano. Inside you feel you entered an 1920's home. There is a bar with stools and tables, and two other rooms, and it all looks like you are inside someone's home. Lots of antiques. Food was very good and very reasonably priced. Great find. mike poltodoo, zeusand, dooright and 3 others 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padragon800 Posted February 14, 2023 Report Share Posted February 14, 2023 Hey Mike glad to see your back up there and enjoying some rides! Hope the weather the next 2 days cooperates for you guys. Wondering how long you’re going to up there I’m heading up next week either to universal or up to the delta not sure which yet. I would be driving up next Wednesday and riding for 4 days before coming home February 27th. jak 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doo4adoo Posted February 14, 2023 Report Share Posted February 14, 2023 We’re arriving tomorrow night likely after 10. Starting a 4 day saddle bag Thursday morning. Looks like we will be breaking trail one day with snow forecast Will check the bar when we get in for you 😂 jak 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 14, 2023 Report Share Posted February 14, 2023 Alec, sent you a message. Would be great to see you. Doo4Doo (Mike, right?). Would be great to see you again. Catch me by 9 pm if you arrive early, if not may see you at breakfast. I'm in room 118. jak and doo4adoo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT Rider Posted February 14, 2023 Report Share Posted February 14, 2023 Hi Mike, We are driving up on the 25th. Its been a two year absence. I haven't figured out what my plan is yet. Hope to see you at the hotel. mikerider and jak 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quebec bob Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 We are getting in on the 26th...Sunday night going to dinner..,2 days in New Brunswick and the rest of the week on the Gaspe ...looks like a lot of QR people around at this time. mikerider, GT Rider and jak 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 Bob, did you come to RDL couple weeks ago. looked for you but did not see you. And GT Rider, remember, I want a table by the window at Lintinment Restaurant. Be great to see the both of you. If I am here, the key to the town and the truck is yours. mike MrsGTRider, jak and GT Rider 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quebec bob Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 no I had some last minute business issues and did not get there...maybe we should try to do dinner Sunday eve...3 QR 's in my group...I'm sure it could be fun...hope to see you guys when we get there mikerider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 Today turned out pretty nice considering the original forecast of rain and snow in the early afternoon. Got a few miles out of town and it was nice and cold, mostly fresh groomed trails that were very hard and fast. Did a big loop going west and south. Coffee at the Explorers club and later lunch at the Adventure club. Sun out more than in and stayed cold. After lunch went over to the loop trail by Isle Verte. Had been seeing on the map there was a section showing no grooming this winter making the loop not possible. Sure enough, grooming ends by the island where they park the helicopter. So sad to loose this great section of trail. A favorite loop. 130 miles and back by 1:30. Finally picked up a new map for St. Laurent. Noticed a trail that looks like it leaves Quebec into New Brunswick and connects to their trail system. Going south on #35, few miles after Chevelier Frontier Club, there is a groomed trail going straight where #35 makes a left. This used to go to a gas station many years ago and dead end. It now appears it connects to the N.B. tails system. There are no signs at the intersection giving any advice. And it appears it is a hop and skip to the elusive Lac Baker, (NB), and the excellent restaurant there. Also looks to be a short distance to the top of Maine. 4 PM and so far five minutes of sprinkles a couple hours ago. Patches of clear sky showing now. Calling for rain and snow showers tonight, and tomorrow rain showers turning to snow and temps falling. A little more snow for Thursday night and Friday. Couple inches total. mike nyskidooerinnewhampshire, GT Rider, jak and 6 others 7 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastMark Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 Thanks Mike ! mikerider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smclelan Posted February 15, 2023 Report Share Posted February 15, 2023 Mike, we will be passing through your area in the rain tomorrow. We are at the Royal in Cabano tonight, breakfast at Tourville then to Pont Rouge on the other side of the river tomorrow night. We will be coming back through in about 6-7 days. mikerider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SnowCrazed Posted February 16, 2023 Report Share Posted February 16, 2023 Starting to count the hours Mike! mikerider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 16, 2023 Report Share Posted February 16, 2023 Steven, in 6 or 7 days I may still be here. Have a great and safe trip. If Andyman is with you, say hi for me. Terry, it will be like old times again. Can't wait. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EastMark Posted February 16, 2023 Report Share Posted February 16, 2023 Let us know how the trail and chow is at the new lake spot Mike ! mikerider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 16, 2023 Report Share Posted February 16, 2023 So, yesterday afternoon a few minutes of sprinkles, same for a few minutes in the evening. Basically nothing. My sled and truck this morning was dry. But it was a warm night and same this morning. This afternoon it started to get coder. We did a 75 mile run this afternoon. The first miles getting out of town the snow was pretty wet. Once into the wood's trails the going was really nice. The snow had gotten a little wet but not much, and it was hardening up fast with the colder air. Surprisingly it looked like they groomed most of the trails last night, they were excellent. Did about 75 miles. Parking lots are toast. jak 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padragon800 Posted February 16, 2023 Report Share Posted February 16, 2023 Thanks for the update Mike was wondering how everything was holding up up there. I figured getting out of the hotel might be a bit of a challenge for the first few miles but after that seems like it didn’t affect much. Cold setback in and a few inches of snow tonight and tomorrow should make for some great conditions again. mikerider 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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