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Great run


doo4adoo
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So  we had 3 areas on our radar last week but was waiting on the weather Wednesday to pass before we left. Based on the great reporting of Iceman we were debating Val D'or or LSG. Gaspe  I figured would be too soft as well some areas were getting quantities of snow and likely not the best trails without time. So Early Thursday am on the black trail to Saint Raymond. Arrived by noon. Anxious to try our very late arrival new sleds. Route was to be the Delta for the night and then over the mountain to a place Des Cedres? for Friday night and back up through the orange Saturday to Alma and truck Sunday. Well 10 miles in buddies new machine is not purring like a Cat and chain case not sounding good.  Turn back and bring it to the dealer next to the Roch. Turns out assembly at the factory missed a ring and gear was moving. Chain and other internals need replacement but all parts available and ready by 4. Great service. So new plan now. While I have never been to this little place they have and wanted to return. OK so if we take the 3 across we could potentially get there in a long day. I was not as enthusiastic on this as I never seem to find the 3 in nice shape. But being a Friday, albeit one after a rain storm it might be ok. Well turns out it was a white carpet. Incredible smooth. Some areas likely not ridden in days. Passed 2 locals all day. Only hick up was when we came across a section marked closed. Didn't see that on the app. Trail looks good though lets carry on. Not long after we see why. Its a water crossing and yes there looks like there might be some water. We joke we have floater suits and off we go. Appears to have looked worst that it was was. Next day might not be the same. Well as the day progressed my thoughts we're turning to the Fairmont for the night. It was about 4 when we were in the area and was starting to rain and it was an easy sell to the other 2. This Des Cedres place will have to wait another year. Other than the rental sleds there were 2 others in the garage. I miss the buffet but have a food porn pic for some of you sicko's from breakfast. Saturday plan now to cross at Tadousac and take the 93 up and over to the Delta. Well the rain and cold temps had the trails challenging in that they were darting like SOB till be got closer to the Ferry. Again only passed a few sleds west of the ferry. Rode to Sacre Coeur for Lunch and topped up. After the morning tight twisty trail the 93 was a welcome site. Double wide and smooth just the way our turbo's like it. Made short work to La Chapelle and was good till about the last 5 miles before the mountain sleds wrecked it all. Went in for a break you know support the locals. Not sure who does the hiring but all very healthy. They indicated even though there's an abundance of snow they will close after next weekend. So trail was beat up from there down to the ski hill. After that was very rideable and into the Delta about 5. BP for dinner and breakfast and nothing special here.  Maybe 8 other sleds in the compound over night. I think  there was a ground of 3 from Maine, rest Quebec plates.  I was really expecting purple when i woke up Sunday morning. Was cold enough over night i felt to groom but at 7 am wasn't showing me what I wanted. Well after breakfast I was rechecking the route and wow it was updated and there was purple every where, alleluia!  Route now changed as we take the 83 to the 23. Used to take the Bill trail but doesn't show as an option now. Well in hind sight who cares. This was perfectly groomed and well set. Great fun with the hills etc. Into Mt Aptica for gas & sugar pie a little after 10. Passed a few sleds but expecting to start seeing more coming north. They will also be closing after next weekend. Onwards the trail was a solid 9. Great sections to stretch  out the turbos again. Maybe 35 miles from St Raymond noticed a corner had been missed. Stopped and there was a burnt out 2 up sled hard against the tree down the hill. Hopefully they are ok. Just the skeleton of the machine as a reminder. About 20 miles from St Raymond as we get lower the trail is now soft mush but at least its smooth. Pull in at 1 and load up. 640 miles for the 2/12 day riding. Forget that its April this was some of the best riding I've had in ages. For the most part great weather, light traffic and rarely a bad trail. I think the very cold weather helped this season for solid base. While there's lots of snow places are now closing off. Its really too bad but its the economics of it all now. Hopefully next winter will bring many of you easy access to come north again and rekindle your love affair with Quebec.

Didn't take a lot of pic's as frankly more often than not trail was so nice I didn't want to stop but  will upload some that i took later.

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Edited by doo4adoo
pictures added
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Did the sled corral look like this Saturday night?  We were there as well, I should start wearing a QR hat when in the hotels, that way we can recognize fellow members.   
 

BA1E92E4-5F2D-4D2B-87B4-44C0A265EDD3.jpeg

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2 hours ago, doo4adoo said:

Well I think I was sleeping when that picture was taken 🙂 But yes I see our cats sleeping.

It’s a cat nap…lol

Like Ice said, good perseverance lead to a great trip.  You must have been pleasantly surprised when the service guy said come back at 4 we have the parts.

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Nice run, awesome trip for sure!  Lot's of us QR's roaming around last week not ready to give it up just yet.  Please don't post any food porn for my benefit. When I start looking forward to another bag of chips or another poutine photo, PLEASE shoot me in the head).

Edited by markusvt
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Well done! Funny, what might a passer-by wonder about us discussing chasing the purple?

Meanwhile, we're all glued to the updates, whether we're home or in-it-to-win-it (and flexing accordingly)!

McLuvin' the water-crossing pic! It' puckery at first but oh-oh-oh what a feeling popping up on the far side!

Thanks for sharing!

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1 hour ago, PLAYHARD said:

McLuvin' the water-crossing pic! It' puckery at first but oh-oh-oh what a feeling popping up on the far side!

That’s the river Jaques Cartier on trail 3 it was closed for the season on Sunday as well. Too much water to cross safely the club said. Ice also just at minimum thickness to be safe. So they shut er down.

timing is everything well that and a bit of luck.

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18 hours ago, PLAYHARD said:

Well done! Funny, what might a passer-by wonder about us discussing chasing the purple?

I am surprised no one has started a post by naming it the “Purple Haze Loop”….was it the Jimi Hendrix playing in your headset, was it the SQDC, or was it the fresh groomed tracks? 
 

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