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Fun with Dick and Sam 2.0


timberman
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Even I want to know how it ends and I was there!? 

Did the team have to trade their sleds for sea-doos to get back to Mont Laurier in the pouring rain? 

If Dick blows a corner and nobody is around, did it really happen?

Will a Ski-Doo still run on diesel? 

I need closure. 

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Okay - there was lots of joy in Mudville. 

The team left Amos about 9 in the morning on Thursday morning.  Departed under cloudy drizzly skies.  The 1200 with the new secondary clutch spring performing perfectly, as per team member Rob.  The first 20+ km going east on TQ93 was rough, then improved dramatically toward Senneterre. A bit rough around Senneterre, but that was to be expected.  Trails improved south of Senneterre again, but were still choppy in the corners.  The mild weather was obviously precluding any grooming. They headed south on TQ 83 from Senneterre to Louvicourt, where they lunched and gassed up.  The run across Lac Tiblemont just north of Louvicourt was very slushy - saddle bags soaked. 

Weather remained cloudy, drizzly - they were chasing the rain southward.  The lunch at the Royal was decent, if a bit slow.  The place has been prettied up on the outside, but same "period decor" in the bar where the boys ate.  Club sandwiches seemed to be the lunch theme of the trip. 

During the afternoon, it was south from Louvicourt on 386, through Kitcisakik, towards Pourvoirie La Verendre which was the evening destination.  Trails were fast and faster and fastest until the team arrived at the junction of 386 and TQ 63.  Then it was WTF??? - the combined trail TQ63 and 386 was been diverted south through about 24 kilometres of rabbit warren, a winding seemingly never-ending poke at the end of the day until they arrived at the Pourvoirie.  This diversion did not show up on the app map, the on-line map or the printed maps.  One team member came up to a corner and saw Dick with his sled in a peculiar position against a pine tree.  Dick claimed he was inspecting the special habitat of the region.  Forensics indicated a blown corner.  No charges laid but he is on probation.

The new proprietors of Pourvoirie LaVerendre seem well suited to the hospitality bizz.  Monsieur was right out to the gas pumps when we arrived.  Yes, $2.00 per litre (premium) but if you are counting pennies when sledding, you are in the wrong friggin sport.  Madame seemed to be everywhere, or at least everywhere the team was looking.  

As reported elsewhere, there is a bar/dining room addition on the right side of the lodge.  Also, the power is on all night, due to a battery/inverter system that has been installed. - no "lights out, Good night John Boy" routine anymore.  Supper was very good, the wine was really good, and the scenery in the bar was pretty good too.  About 20 sleds in for the night.  Cost was $125 (including taxes) for accommodation, supper, breakfast.  The bar bill boosted that amount significantly. The establishment now also accepts plastic (debit, credit cards) - no more "cash only". 

 

Edited by timberman
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The team awoke Friday morning to a dismal forecast for the entire area.  The weather in the morning was cold, with broken clouds, but the forecast called for rain, freezing rain, more rain, then some rain, followed by thunder storms.  Phew.   It was decided to make a break for the trucks.  Sled were "wheels up" about 8:30 after a great breakfast and a pause while Dick hugged the proprietors (5 minutes??  okay, break it up kids).  TQ 63 east departs right from the premises, winds up the logging roads back to its original location on the eastward leg.  The conditions were very good considering a lack of grooming, with trail frozen hard.  Generally, the faster trails were holding up while, of course, the tighter trails were getting choppy.  They gassed up at Le Domaine, and kept on rolling.  No time to screw around here, although the team did observe a convoy of cars pull in which discharged some "dancer-ish" looking ladies - it was concluded they were on a run between Val d'Or and Mont Laurier gigs, and stopped to um stretch their legs? 

The tighter trails towards Mont Laurier got rougher and rougher, but the boys were like horses heading for the barn.  No stopping, no slowing down.  It started snowing - a heavy, wet slushly snow that stuck to everything, including visors.  Oh well, carry on boys. 

Arrival in Mont Laurier about 1:00 pm, at which time the snow changed to a pouring, freezing rain.  Phew, just in time.  Sleds loaded, then a wrap-up lunch at the micro-brewery next to the Quality Inn.  The boys were home safe in their beds by that night. 

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In summary:

Saturday Night - Mont Laurier - Quality Inn

Sunday Night - Somewhere in the Woods - Pourvoirie Kanawata

Monday Night - St. Felicien - Hotel du Jardin

Tuesday Night - Chibougamau - Hotel Chibougamau

Wednesday Night - Amos - Hotel des Eskers

Thursday Night - Somewhere in the Woods - Pourvoirie La Verendre

Friday Afternoon - Mont Laurier - load up and get out of Dodge

The team was greeted with wonderful Quebecois hospitality and humour.  Thanks to Evolution X Sports in St. Felicien and Accent Plein Air BRP dealer in Amos for helping out the boys.  Lots of good food.  Dick and Sam spread their gospel of sledding fun, stickering lots of things and folks.  They were recognized and saluted in the most surprising places, and plan to up their game for next year's expedition.  North Shore?  Gaspe?

Trails were predictably well groomed and fast.  In particular, Day 2 between Pouvoirie Kanawata and St. Felicien was a blast.  Day 4 between Chibougamau and Amos was a bit of a trial, more due to the break-down (clutch spring) and duration (490 kilometres, including about 40 km towing).  The boys didn't go out dancing that night.  Sam and Steve were spreading their cold where-ever they went.  Steve discovered the delights of uncontrolled sneezing in a BRP helmet with snorkel on.  Sam thought it was raining, wrong, just sneezed inside his full-face visor. 

If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to ask.  Sorry for the delay in following up, all team members now back in good health.  Also, advise if you want a sticker sent to you!!!

Edited by timberman
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Oh yes, the diesel story.  Several years ago, Dick ran some litres of diesel into his sled.  As time goes by, his version of this story has evolved into a heroic tale of reverse-engineering, but I'm sure no-one here has time for that. 

Afterward the fill-up, the sled put on a fine display of flame-throwing backfires during a lake crossing.  All team members were very appreciative of the rare and exciting event.  Now, Dick claimed there was something else wrong with the sled, and that the diesel worked perfectly.  Memory served correctly, it may have also been his wife's sled.  In any event, since then Diesel Dick has been remarkably cautious when pulling up to the pumps.

Edited by timberman
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Was there in issue in Lebel Sur Quellvion ? It shows excellent trails on Senneterre and Chapais but not LSQ ? I called the Hotel in town and she said it was very good so who knows...

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Trails were excellent coming into LSQ from Chiboug and departing towards Senneterre.  Team also chatted with sledders in the pizza place at lunch in LSQ, and some fellows arriving from Matagami said trails were awesome in that direction as well.  I'd say the hotel lady you spoke to was on the money.  

The team was originally going to swing north to Matagami on that day (Wednesday) but the broken clutch spring re routed us to Amos.  Just a reminder - the Senneterre BRP dealer had no time or interest in our trivial problems, whereas Amos BRP dealer stepped right up to the plate!!'

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Thanks for the compliments, gentlemen.  We'll make sure to post up our next adventure, here on Quebec Rider.  Back at home now, waiting for some fresh snow so this ice can get groomed up.  Applying stickers here and there!!

Edited by timberman
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On 2/19/2017 at 7:48 PM, timberman said:

Nothing at all against the 1200s.  We have four of them with us - running like champs.  

Supper great at Kanawata - choice of ribs or seafood pasta.  The team is fed, watered, and mellow.  

My Grandmother loves hers!

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  • 2 weeks later...
On Thursday, March 02, 2017 at 10:59 AM, timberman said:

Oh yes, the diesel story.  Several years ago, Dick ran some litres of diesel into his sled.  As time goes by, his version of this story has evolved into a heroic tale of reverse-engineering, but I'm sure no-one here has time for that. 

Afterward the fill-up, the sled put on a fine display of flame-throwing backfires during a lake crossing.  All team members were very appreciative of the rare and exciting event.  Now, Dick claimed there was something else wrong with the sled, and that the diesel worked perfectly.  Memory served correctly, it may have also been his wife's sled.  In any event, since then Diesel Dick has been remarkably cautious when pulling up to the pumps.

I know this Dick!

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