Shawinigan - Roberval and back

[longriderss]

Day 1

We all gathered at Bernard’s place (Hotel Safari) and walked across the street for breakfast in Shawinigan. We fueled up and Bernard gave us a quick drive back across the street and went over the trails with us. He also set us up with trail passes. He is great on trail knowledge for the area. With the trucks and trailer safely guarded at Bernard’s we headed out.

We headed north to La Toque and found the trails to be mid-winter conditions. What a treat as one of our riders, it was their first time in Quebec. We arrived in La Toque and had a nice lunch and fueled up. 100 miles so far and not a bump in sight. We headed east on 73 to 355 up to Lac Edouard and found the groomer out touching up the trails. The rail bed on 73 was a dream and 355 was smooth. We arrived at the lake and found a nice place to stay for the night as it was just after 5pm. 150 miles on for the day. We were the only tenants for the night Domaine Lac Edouard and the hospitality was great.

Day 2

We got up to find a light dusting of snow had covered the sleds and trails. All fueled up with breakfast raring to go, we hit the trails 9am. North up 355, was great. I don’t think was saw another sled until we arrived up at Lac Bouchette. Again flat and smooth. We arrived up by Chambourd at the clubhouse and had lunch. Nice clubhouse, complete with a hot tub, massage table and a sauna. What else could you want. We then headed west on TQ83. Nice scenery and once again smooth trails. We stopped for a few snacks at an interesting one lane bridge and took a few photo’s. Off to La Toque. We headed west until we arrived at TQ73 and Relay 22. We ate a late lunch and took some more photo’s of the place. Once again, we were the only ones there as it was the last weekend the clubs would be open. After our Hot chicken meal, we headed south back to La Toque. 250 miles for the day and we arrived back at the hotel we had lunch at the day before.

Day 3

We had a nice filling breakfast and got on the trails about 8:30am. We headed south east on TQ73. What a dream heading south on the railbed. We passed a clubhouse and then stopped in Riviere-a-Pierre for gas. Nice scenery past the small lakes. We arrived at the junction of 353 and headed west. Across the potato fields and over to 302. We took 302 west and did find a few sleds on the trail. Short turn onto 351 and then back to Bernard’s. 200 miles on for the day and we were done at 2pm. The only mishap for the trip was a broken ring on my sled about 5-10 miles from Bernard’s. Quick tow back and no issues.

550 miles of smiles over 3 days!!!

Great time, great ride.

Thanks again to Bernard a true ambassador to the sport!!!