towing Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Cloudy Saturday morning -18C, Krikri and I begin what we call our big tour ride similar to what we did a few weeks ago but in reverse side, starting east and modifying the path a bit. It gives a completely different ride and pace because the first part is mainly in fields and also on the St-Maurice river giving fast sections and we can cover large distances in a short time. By starting not too late we can have our lunch at Marineau in Rivière Mattawin even if it is around 130 miles to cover. Here’s the path of the day ride ... We first went through our local gaz station to join with Steph that came from l’Assomption area to accompanied us for this ride. A guy who is not afraid to do high miles/day ! I already anticipating having to change the schedule for the day with the 4” new snow fallen on friday and the big blowing winds there was good snow drifts near home not very visible with cloudy sky and we had to slowdown our pace. Just a few miles away, the ATV shared trail section was freshly groomed by the ATV groomer and was perfect. Further we were pleasantly surprised to see that almost all sectors have maintained very late in the evening or during the night so that there were only small snow patches on beautiful trails. The sun also took its place and the sky cleared up quickly giving excellent visibility Here in a wood in St- Norbert area The # 3 in St-Barthélemy and Maskinongé sector… We made a small detour north on #63 trail to see Magnan falls Beautiful trail fast and wide The falls were pretty frozen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 But the place and view very nice and we stopped there to make a first break The "pot" was partially with ice covered We continued east ... These cattle near the trails had a layer of snow on the back ... I admit that with the good pace we kept on this cold morning we felt that we had some also ... loll We took the #3 trail and continued on beautiful rapid trails We made a fuel stop in St-Étienne. Thanks to GrosMinet-turbo who came to shake my hand and talk with me a few minutes! We then crossed St-Maurice river the Gabelle dam Steph and his kitty ... it’s not evident but we were riding at good speed on this pic On the other river side a little past Mt-Carmel, we saw two policemens (fortunately near a stop ...) ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 And we continued up to the St-Maurice river The last snow help a lot there Clearly evident a little further on a windy section It ride extremely well and this is just the cold that limited our speed. Steph took the opportunity to make his big cat purr After 20miles of river, we continued on shore inbeautiful conditions Up to Marineau in Rivière Mattawin where we arrived for lunch at around 12:30 with 133 miles on the dreammeter After a good meal break and refueling, we left by #360 trail in St-Zenon direction The beautiful Mattawin river And beautiful #360 trail groomed wide. The sun was actually a little dazzling at times, this day was so beautiful ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 The thaw have formed several glaciers on the rock walls To vary the menu a bit, we took the M20 trail that join with #345 trail norther The trail is wide and very fast fun to do. A little least used, it is almost always beautiful The decor is rather mountainous and rocky We took a break at small waterfalls near the eagles dam And enjoying the view on this beautiful sunny day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 continued and a little further enjoyed the beautiful long straight and rapid sections And we relaxed again a little at the #345/M20 junction. We observed that the last Friday snow was unfortunately very thin at this latitude. Because the #33 trail is currently closed between CanadAventure and Pourvoirie Repos because of logging, trail #345 is the only way to go north so we were a little afraid that it suffered from traffic but no, it was still in very good shape. We then resumed the #360 trail and went down to Taureau dam. The reservoir level has dropped significantly Water flow is pretty huge We headed back on the #23 trail. This area was a little more icy and suspensions have worked a little more but we crossed the groomers few miles before the Cabanon And continued up to Réal Massé for refueling and having a good supper ... We then ride our last step of the day going back home via the #23 trail. We crossed and passed St-Zenon and St- Gabriel de Brandon groomers and it is at a good pace that we reached our starting point around 20:30 with 308 miles on the clock and have left Steph finish his ride home alone. In short, a wonderful ride in beautiful winter conditions less icy and more snowy than the previous week , almost perfect conditions with a good hard base topping by a layer of loose snow. Only regret north of the area received less snow than the south from this last Friday snowfall. No big snow amount on forecast but small amounts that would help groomers to give us very good conditions. Thank you to Steph having accompanied us in our passion on this ride, it have been a pleasure to ride with you . You are welcome to join us again anytime… Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snobeeler Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 As usual, Great report and pictures Alain. Thank You Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikerider Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Great reading your report and seeing the pictures. Your area is beautiful! mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzy600ho Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Great report Alain,, as always,,thanks for taking time to post,,,, looks like you where a little late in getting to bed..(per the time stamp ) Fuzzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Great report and pics as usual Alain, that is some day to be out all day until 10:30 pm, Krikri sure do have the love for the sport and you are one very lucky man. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper2 Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Nice report Alain, glad to see trails holding up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil 1 Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Alain you are a very lucky man, great trails, a talent for picture taking and reporting. Mostly a great wife that will share your riding with you. You the man... Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brdgbldr85 Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Alain, Great report with outstanding pics, thanks for as always the details of where and how. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neksledr Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Alain, another great report. Actually was riding in that area this weekend and was wondering if we would see you! We rode to the dam yesterday and took pictures from where you were standing. The 360 trail from the dam back towards Canada Adventure was super flat and fast! We then jumped onto the drawn down lake and ran back to St Michel on the lake. Super fast! Thanks again for all of the reports/pics Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT Rider Posted February 11, 2013 Report Share Posted February 11, 2013 Great report. I rode on M20 in the day light (as opposed to moon light) for the first time 2/14 it is very scenic. You have some terrific trails close to home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 12, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 As usual, Great report and pictures Alain. Thank You My pleasure Snobeeler Great reading your report and seeing the pictures. Your area is beautiful! mike Thank you Mike !!! Yes the area is really beautiful and I thanks god that we got so much snow at the beginning of the season to pass throught those thaw and still having great conditions, We are very lucky here this year Great report Alain,, as always,,thanks for taking time to post,,,, looks like you where a little late in getting to bed..(per the time stamp ) Fuzzy You are welcome Fozzy, yes was a bit late to bed yesterday, it is easy to spend alot of time without realizing it when you like what you do... I'm glad you like the results... Great report and pics as usual Alain, that is some day to be out all day until 10:30 pm, Krikri sure do have the love for the sport and you are one very lucky man. Cheers Thank you TrailBlazer!! Yes I know i'm a lucky guy. I had to conviced her after this 300 miles to left Steph going home alone... she wanted that we escorted him home!! it make ahuge ride for him:354miles! Nice report Alain, glad to see trails holding up. Thanks viper2 ! Yep, it holding up right, we just hope for more fluffy stuff over this hard huge base... had another inch today... I don't have to complain when looking at others area of the province. Alain you are a very lucky man, great trails, a talent for picture taking and reporting. Mostly a great wife that will share your riding with you. You the man... Thank you Yes I know it, we are both lucky my wife and I to share this passion about sleeding. It's probably in some way beacause of that that we are still together after 29 years with a nice four boys family. Throught all the events we encounter, sledding had always acted as therapy to smooth out the problems we faced up.. Alain, Great report with outstanding pics, thanks for as always the details of where and how. You are welcome Brdgbldr85, taking pics in beautiful sunny conditions is a pleasure for the pics lovers we are.. Alain, another great report. Actually was riding in that area this weekend and was wondering if we would see you! We rode to the dam yesterday and took pictures from where you were standing. The 360 trail from the dam back towards Canada Adventure was super flat and fast! We then jumped onto the drawn down lake and ran back to St Michel on the lake. Super fast! Thanks again for all of the reports/pics Maybe we got not far one from the other... I have been a long time that I did the reservoir from CanadaVenture down St-Michel. You surely encounter some good slopes on the ice cover with the reservoir level being down of at least 30 feets by now. Keep in mind when you do it there are some risks... I remember having need to made a detour because the main path with fresk sled tracks was just zonked out 15 feets deep in the hidden river under the ice. The risk is lower between the auberge du Lac taureau and St-Michel village... Thank you for the good words!! Great report. I rode on M20 in the day light (as opposed to moon light) for the first time 2/14 it is very scenic. You have some terrific trails close to home. Thanks GT Rider, the M20 have a different scenery from the rest of the area, really nice. I remember doing it for the first time just few years ago and feeling like I was 400 miles away... The trail itself also worth to try it just for the ride .... Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTrider Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Great report ! We rode those same trails this last weekend out of Shawinigan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzy600ho Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Alain , When do you get any sleep ?? 11:28 posting time again,,, you must sleep very "quick"??? fuzzy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
800steve Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Nice pics Alain. We rode there last week and it was great. What time did Steph get home? Sounds like a very long day for him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Alain do you remember the milage it was from Mattawan on 360 to the M20 to the 345 and down to the 23 into Cabanon? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted February 12, 2013 Report Share Posted February 12, 2013 Trailblazer That route is just over 90 miles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 Looks like another nice trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted February 13, 2013 Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 Thanks Iceman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted February 13, 2013 Author Report Share Posted February 13, 2013 Great report ! We rode those same trails this last weekend out of Shawinigan. Thanks VTrider ! This path is a very nice loop to do with many fast trails... Alain , When do you get any sleep ?? 11:28 posting time again,,, you must sleep very "quick"??? fuzzy Look, i'm a little earlier tonight !!! In fact I was still sleeping when you replied....loll I usually getup around 6:30-45 to enjoy breakfast with my sons Nice pics Alain. We rode there last week and it was great. What time did Steph get home? Sounds like a very long day for him. Thanks 800steve, Steph gave a 355miles ride to his cat. We were not so late, we were home 20:30 which is 8:30 pm so i would bet he was home by 9:15pm. It was the first time we met him and surely not the last ride with him, he is a good experienced sledder and a nice ride partner Alain do you remember the milage it was from Mattawan on 360 to the M20 to the 345 and down to the 23 into Cabanon? Trailblazer That route is just over 90 miles. As usual Iceman is right on, I had not look on this ride but Cabanon/Mattawin is just over 80 miles throught#360, and the M20 detour if I remember right is 15 miles more.. I had fueled up in mattawin and refuel at Real Massé with a bit over 112 miles... Looks like another nice trip! You're right !!! I hope to get a couple day in-line soon to do a small trip, but until we do the same mileage in one day... lolll Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
600IQHO Posted February 16, 2013 Report Share Posted February 16, 2013 Nice report, I always bypass the M20 as I did again on Friday. I will have to take this trail next time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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