Northbound Posted February 20, 2016 Report Share Posted February 20, 2016 Me again, Day 1 North bay to Pembroke. All in Ontario, and this is a Quebec Rider Forum. Day 2 Pembroke to Mont Laurier. Hired a rollback truck to get across river. Local trail on the island freshly groomed to Waltham. We had info that the 308 was not all open and that the 311 was. Wrong on both counts. We took the 43 south to the local heading to ladysmith, all were in good shape. At ladysmith we found that the 311 was closed to the north. Hasn't been groomed and they still need some landowners signatures. Some locals told us how to follow some roads to get to Danford Lake and then jump to the railtrail 13 in kazabazua. The 13 was nice and we stopped for lunch in Gracefeild. Before this trip, in an effort to save weight, I eliminated stuff from my sled that we never use, like spare carbides. As we were leaving Maniwaki at a road crossing Sandys sled sounded not normal. You are correct. We backtracked to a brp dealer just north of Maniwaki and got carbides. I put only one on, our other 3 were ok. Weird thing was it was her right ski. Now we got back to the trail, and everything was nice to Mont Laurier except for the around town trails. It is snowing lightly now. Jeff and Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2016 Day 3 to Saint-Michel-des-Saints. Woke up in Mont Laurier with about 6 or 8 of New snow. It didn't look inviting from indoors but it was great on the trail. Much traffic tilled the trail. We were on the 63. The railtrail section was very nice as was the park. The park seemed to have gotten a little more snow. Where the 33 heads south we stayed on the 63 which became whooped. Unless you were stand-up Stevie snocrosser, 20mph was about it. Where the 33 branches to the north before Saint-Michel-des-Saints, at the three way intersection, there were bumps in every direction. We were booked on the north end of lac taurau at canadaventure. We rode into Saint-Michel-des-Saints got gas and jumped on the lake. It was staked as far as Auberge du lac Taureau. From there you can jump back on the 33 but we stayed on the lake to our destination. We've been on that section before, but I would not attempt in poor visibility. We had no wi-fi. Day 4 to La Tuque. Local to the 33 to the 360 all groomed or good. Very pretty ride along the river into Matawan for lunch and gas.The 360 was good to the 355. The 355 was good except for the pipeline ( this is Sunday), the powerlines were better and it got very nice north of the RR trestle. Jeff and Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 23, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Day 5 to Sainte-Anne-des-Beaupre. Left La tuque, it was sunny and -22c. Headed south on the freshly groomed 73. At the Jeanotte shelter the groomer had turned back leaving us some bumps on the railbed. It got bumpier until Riviere Pierre where the grooming picked up again. Stopped for lunch in Sainte Raymond. Followed the 73 to a very nice, looked like underused local that connected to the 3. The 3 around quebec city has always been to me,a necessary evil that we have to often times use on a trip. From where we joined it to the four points and on to st ann, today it was in amazingly good shape with very little traffic and with the afternoon sun to our back. It made this power line trail one of the best parts of today's trip. Jeff and Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
actionjack Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Great reporting. Thanks. Can't wait to get back to the snow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted February 23, 2016 Report Share Posted February 23, 2016 Hi Jeff & Sandy. You got a good trip going. Five days from North Bay to Sainte-Anne-des-Beaupre. Keep on sledding! Jack & Sandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Day 6 to Jonquiere Morning in QC started around -20c. Sun warmed up quickly. Took the 3 to the little crossover local to the 369. All groomed perfectly. Jumped to the 23 to Mont apica, also great. Jack and Sandi, you would have loved it today. Had lunch at Mont apica, about 30 sleds when we arrived, more when we left. The 23 north now had a few bumps but not bad. The 368 and the 383 were smooth. Just under 150 miles today so no gas stop until at the Delta. The 900s took 24 and 26L. It was again nice to see Bill, JD and pepper, and Snomogary and Pat. Watching the weather tonight. Jeff and Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 (edited) I didn't realize that St Anne was only 150 miles to Jonquiere. From St Raymond it is more like 190 miles. Nice trip. We hope the weather stays cool enough for you. Those 900's are great for gas mileage. Jack & Sandi Edited February 24, 2016 by revct1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 24, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Day 7 To Sainte-Felicien Rode around the lake to the north. 383 to the 367 to the 93 to some locals and back to the 367 to some locals to S F. Trails all pretty good today except for a few bumps around town. Short 120 mile ride today as we are here poised to head to Chibougamau tomorrow. Again watching the weather. Jack, I' m hoping we get something between 2 feet of snow and freezing rain. Jeff and Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida Snowman Posted February 24, 2016 Report Share Posted February 24, 2016 Nice trip Jeff & Sandy! Thanks for the reports & pics! I can't wait to get back up there! March 3rd can't come soon enough! Have fun & ride safe. Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Day 8 to Chibougamau, Woke to 6-10 of new snow. Broke trail to la dore for gas. Broke trail until about 20 miles short of the mill until I zigged when I should have zagged. Before I could shovel myself out 4 quebec gentlemen came along, pulled me back up onto the trail and then they broke trail to the mill. Thanks again! We gassed at the mill and were eating our lumber camp vending machine lunch as about 20 more sleds arrived. One group had come in from the north so now all was good. We took it pretty easy for the next 100 miles to Chibougamau because the trails were pretty chopped and although my shovel was on top I didn't want to use it again. We are at a gite just past the local to Chibougamau. Very nice people, place and great dinner with Apple strawberry pie for dessert. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 What's the name of that Gite? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 We're still following your trip Jeff. It only takes a blink and you can find yourself in the poof. Been there, done that, many times. Jack & Sandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Trailblazer, It is Gite de la Riviere. Christian and Sylvie 418-748-7063 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markusvt Posted February 26, 2016 Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 We were on 93 on Saturday, with the even newer snow it had to be ridiculousness! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 26, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2016 Markusvt, When I got off on the low side I was swimming. By the way thanks for the good youtube video about the garmin install. I watched it about 5 times so I wouldn't have to read the instructions. It worked out very well. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
snowfarmer Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Nice trip your having ! That is one of the only areas I have not been to yet! One thing that I have found with riding in loose or powder snow like that is that my locking system for the Skidoo bags freeze up and I'm afraid to torque them to hard to get them free sometimes. Enjoy the rest of the way home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Trailblazer, It is Gite de la Riviere. Christian and Sylvie 418-748-7063 Oh that breakfast sells me yum yum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 27, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Jack and Sandi, I don't know about you but every year my sled seems heavier or maybe I'm weaker? Snofarmer, This has been a first for us also, we have been to both sides but never over the top. Day 9 to senneterre, 340 easy km, Going out this am to -24c was a shock from yesterday's -2c. I guess that's the price we pay for sunshine, I'll take it. Gas in Chapais and their groomer had been out. But not for long. Heading west towards quevillon the fresh snow decreased. They still had plenty of snow but it looked like they only got a couple of inches from the storm that was more to the south. The railtrail section of today's run was around 90 or 100 miles. We stopped in quevillon for gas and lunch. Once we got away from the loose stuff about about 80 miles out of Chibougamau the trails were great. Not freshly groomed but so wide and straight I'm not sure if bumps could form without a dump of snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revct1 Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 Hi Jeff & Sandy, The first ride up thru Chibougamau is a little nervous but quite a ride. You know you are nowhere near civilization but the trail is usually easy to follow and it is a good ride. You are never very far from the car road even though you only cross it a couple of times. The railbed on the west side from Chapias to Label sur Quevillon is what you hear about. You wish you had cruise control on your sled. There aren't many places you can ride that far of a distance, flat, relatively straight and no road crossings. Sandi gets bored! The weather is looking good. This trip will give you lots of memories for the summer. Jack & Sandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLAYHARD Posted February 27, 2016 Report Share Posted February 27, 2016 The railbed on the west side from Chapias to Label sur Quevillon is what you hear about. You wish you had cruise control on your sled. There aren't many places you can ride that far of a distance, flat, relatively straight and no road crossings. Sandi gets bored! Big 10-4 on that! Sandi's in excellent company! Wish I had a tank of gaz for every time a civilian asked "How fast do those things go?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 Day 10 to Rouyn-Noranda, We were going to go to Kirkland Lake Ont today and then up to Cochrane tomorrow before heading south for our truck. On HCS I've been reading about a grooming issue on the Quebec side for about the last 12k into ontario, which is doable, just a road run. But more troubling is a grooming problem between Kirkland and Cochrane. I didn't want to run a mogul field twice so we decided to stay another day in our sleds homeland. It started snowing around 6 this am but only an inch or two. The snow was like a nice carpet over a smooth base. We took the 93 west to the 309 south to the local towards La Motte. On the west side of the lake the trail was drifted in (it was windy). I jumped into it and didn't go far. It was an easy stuck, and I'm sure we could have made it but the trail looked bad as far as I could see. My worry was with a better attempt if one of us got thrown into the rhubarb (as JG calls it) it may not be an easy stuck. We are not 4 guys. Besides it was a nice day to ride and our planned route would have been a bit short. So we ran back to the 309 and headed for Valdor where we got lunch and gas. We then followed the 83 west to RN. The trails were all good today, nice ride, 340km. We're in one of our favorite hotels in this area, La Noranda. Jeff and Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT Rider Posted February 28, 2016 Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 Jeff and Sandy, Looks like your having a great trip. Your on the trail report is super. We know all about a heavy machine as well. Thanks, Jim & Gemma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 Hi Jeff & Sandy, The first ride up thru Chibougamau is a little nervous but quite a ride. You know you are nowhere near civilization but the trail is usually easy to follow and it is a good ride. You are never very far from the car road even though you only cross it a couple of times. The railbed on the west side from Chapias to Label sur Quevillon is what you hear about. You wish you had cruise control on your sled. There aren't many places you can ride that far of a distance, flat, relatively straight and no road crossings. Sandi gets bored! The weather is looking good. This trip will give you lots of memories for the summer. Jack & Sandi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 Hi Jack, We enjoyed that run but it was a first for us. The run that I feel the way Sandi feels about that run is the old 540. We run it every year from quebec city to RDL on our way to our Gaspe loop. We've run the 5 before but usually when we're planning our first day from Bernieres the 35 seems like a better option than the 5. And about 2/3 of the way down the poog, I'm rethinking my decision. We used to look forward to a visit with Andre and Nicole at the 540 but now that is no more. Jeff and Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northbound Posted February 28, 2016 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2016 Day 11 to New Liskeard, We were in no hurry to leave Rouyn because of the short ride today. Rouyn local trails were freshly groomed last night right into town. Jumped on the 93 to the 83 all in good shape. The further south we got we picked up some bumps but not bad. There were a lot of couples and family's out riding this Sunday. We met a few large testosterone fueled groups. They would rip past us and then we would pass them at their next trailside meeting. With the snow predicted for tomorrow I wouldn't mind having them in front breaking trail but they may be in North Bay by now. Sandy's convinced that she can distinguish the difference between oncoming ontario or quebec riders from the last guys hand signal. She says quebec riders give the up fist and ontario riders do the hand down. Myself I like the signal that is used past Godbout to Sept Isle. Out there my 1 behind signal is often responded with what I call (the friendly furry mitt wave). It was a nice ride today and I was impressed with the cross border cooperation. The local Quebec club had their trail nicely groomed to the river and the Ontario club had signage right off the bat with stakes down the river and across the lake. This is a good example of how it should work. The FCMQ and OFSC should work to keep these corridors open. After all they both need permit money. We ran across the lake to New Lisk and had a coffee at Tim's and then jumped back on the lake to Haileybury for the night. The lake was a little breezy. 175km today about 30 km over water. Watching the weather. Jeff and Sandy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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