markusvt Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) Day 1, 235 miles, (Friday 23-Jan-15) Myself, Dave and Randy left the Sheraton 4 points in Quebec City on freshly groomed trails. It was a bit hard and some ice in the start but nice for sure. We headed north on route 3. About 5 miles before Relay Mont St Anne, the snow really increased. Trees were full and the base was awesome. We made good time to the burned down Relais Michelieu. Surprise, what we found was a new relay in the works and maybe 80% done! It is way bigger, nicer, better. It is looking like it will be opened this year for sure as they were bringing in the light fixtures when we were there and the mechanic was working on the generator. We filled up with gas just outside Baie St Paul, then off to Ralais Grenier for lunch. They have a limited menu but the timing was right and it was nice inside out of the cold. We headed up the 3 a bit more then west onto the 83. It was icy the first few mile then wow was it good. Lots of snow and smooth! We had a little delay changing the belt on Dave’s 600 on one of the long straights, but miles of WOT and a belt with 4000 miles will do that. We hit the L301 and headed north. It was fresh groomed and tons of snow. We played a bit in the 3-4 feet of powder but it was really loose snow that is not settled yet and it was very easy to get stuck. We gassed up at the end of the L301, (station just off the trail). Then we hit the 383 headed west again. This part of the 383 is very nice, not traveled too much and very scenic. We followed it all the way to the 83. Once on the 83, we followed it to the Delta with no issues. We gassed them up before bedding them down to make it easier in the morning. There was plenty of snow all around Jonquiere. It was a bit bumped up due to fresh snow, wind and traffic. I counted 23 sleds before the gates were locked. Edited February 8, 2016 by markusvt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted January 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) Day 2, 215 miles, (Saturday 24-Jan-15) When we were getting ready to head out and we met Mr Gutz and No-hair up from Massachusetts. Nice guys that were looking to head up and meet Bill. They were a bit nervous about how the conditions would be as they has gone west a bit on the 83 and said it was rough. They were right, the first 15 miles were bumpy, but then it was fresh groomed and awesome again. We made excellent time into Roberval to lunch at St Huberts. There is plenty of snow now to go anywhere in town with no problems at all. We did take the L617 across the lake to save some time. Lunch was great and then it was time to head to Relay 22. The first 50 miles before the bridge is a twisty turn roller coaster ride. You like that stuff or not but you have to do it if you are going west. It was in nice shape although there were some whips in the trail that should be gone in the next snowfall. After the bridge the next 45 miles are so smooth and so fast. We got to relay 22 so quick we played off trail a bit to suck up some time. The off trail was fun but could use another snowfall to be really nice. Once gassed up we headed to Windigo. We arrived at 4:30 which was perfect as it was getting cold again. We got to stay in the new Cabin that Daniel built and it is really nice. All new and sleeps 9. It has a self contained solar/battery stsem which worked perfect for us. The 3 of us had plenty of room. Saturday night dinner there is a plate of wings and a smoked meat sandwich, yummy. We chatted with a local guy who drove his sled 50 KM from his camp all through the bush. He spends a full week each winter here with his buddies. He was telling us how he learned how to chop out lake ice and store in underground to have a cool place to keep his perishables all summer, neat stuff. Desert and a few drinks and I was fading fast……. Edited February 8, 2016 by markusvt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted January 27, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) Day 3, 230 miles, (Sunday 26-Jan-15) In the AM over breakfast we chatted quite a bit with 2 older guys out of Montreal. They came from St Michel de Saints all off trail! They had 800 summits with 30 liter tanks on the back with baffles all plumbed in. They had 2 GPS’s each, one to read while standing, one to read while sitting. It sounds like they have been everywhere all off trail making memories and making sure to enjoy the ride and not just the destination. After a great breakfast we loaded up and headed off. We went across the reservoir to Dupless, (because its fun). This year they are logging all around there so the main 73 to relay 22 has been shortened by 22 miles or so to avoid the logging and dam work we were told. The bummer is we had to ride maybe 5-6-7 miles of plowed dirt road to hook up with the new trail. On the week-end they do not log or plow, so you get the fresh snow if there is any, (there was). Without it you would be hurting so I would recommend sticking to the main trail which was super smooth and no issues at all in and out of Relay 22. The new trail was groomed perfect into La Tuque. We gassed and had a nice lunch at Motel De 9. After lunch it was the 73 all the way back to 3 in St Foy, then north back on 3 back to the truck. Even though it was perfectly ridable Quebec City could use a bit more snow. Everything else was really nice. Edited February 8, 2016 by markusvt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida Snowman Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) Great report Mark! That first 50 miles on 83 west out of Roberval can be nasty at times for sure. We hit it good last Monday in whiteout conditions. Thanks for sharing! Tom Edited January 27, 2015 by Florida Snowman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 Good run and nice pics thanks for posting and letting us know about the reservoir shortcut. Never stayed at Windigo, stopped in for a lunch once many moos ago. Every time I call they're full. Would love to stay there some day. JG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iceman Posted January 27, 2015 Report Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) Nice run boys. Saw the new cabin at Windigo. Another successful mission. You are missing out JG. Windigo is great. Edited January 27, 2015 by iceman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snobeeler Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Great report Mark, are those pics at Windigo in your Day 3 post? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dooright Posted January 28, 2015 Report Share Posted January 28, 2015 Yes , the pictures are of Windigo. .... highly recommended place, great host for sure. Randy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowfarmer Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Good run and nice pics thanks for posting and letting us know about the reservoir shortcut. Never stayed at Windigo, stopped in for a lunch once many moos ago. Every time I call they're full. Would love to stay there some day. JG Nice report guys. Same here JG. I have tried 3 times to no avail . One of these days I'll hit it right! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted January 29, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Keep trying, is is a really nice place there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper2 Posted January 29, 2015 Report Share Posted January 29, 2015 Yes the 83 was much better years ago when they used the road for the trail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nyskidooerinnewhampshire Posted February 7, 2015 Report Share Posted February 7, 2015 As for the Comfort Inn, you can see the local orange trail gets you within 300' of the CI. Of course you need to traverse the bank and McDonalds parking lot and cross the blvd but easily doable. http://fcmq.viaexplora.com/carte-motoneige/index.html Thank you ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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