towing Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 We were wanting to do a big ride now that the trail network was connected. With a -28°C on this Saturday morning with a maximum of -18°C announced in the day it's the perfect time to choose a more wooded trail path and choose trails that make us move a little more. So accompanied by our friend Snowcruiser we go lunching in St-Donat followed by a round trip to the Black Mountain. Here's the path of the day.So we start going north towards St-Felix de Valois. With the deep cold and a few inches of new snow received in last week the trails in the fields are perfects. I maintain a moderate speed to avoid freezing my backseat partner at the beginning of the rideIn woods there some short spots of lightly brownish snow but very good overall.A short break near the cabin of St- Felix before going to St-jean de MathaAlthough we start early at 8:00 on this deep cold morning, we meet other brave sleddersThis week I switch at the right place and ride directly on the Black River north of St-Jean de MathaWhich is well marked and solidNorth of St-Jean de Matha we keep the #63 trail towards Ste-Emilie de l'Energie. This section was recently groomed and there are still some ditch not completely snow filled in some placesThe trail in the big hills in Ste-Emilie are in good condition, no ice.And snow significantly increases when we get on top ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted January 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Once past the Pourvoirie Bazinet, trail conditions improve substantially to become very goodWe take a break in Coin Lavigne.They have an original way to locate the Christmas tree and gifts! I confess I think of it for home!He does'nt seem to mind about the coldWe continue on the #33 north groomed by Notre-Dame de la Merci Club who did a perfect job as alwaysThere are few potatoes (rocks) in the big hills and we feel some tocs in skis a couple time but nothing major.The decor is very snowy, very beautifulWe switch toward St-Donat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted January 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 There is few bumps but the scenery was outstandingBeautifulview of the Ouareau lake near St-DonatWe took the opportunity to refuel at 97.9/literBefore going to lunch at the legendary Cuillère à Pot in St-DonatThen the sun quit and it is under clouds that we continue our ride. Visibility and pics will be significantly worse. Here on Archambault LakeOn the trail to the mountain, the snow is already impressive in the trees aroundDespite the gray sky the view is still beautiful.We see that it had some ice and very wet snow that had not melted in the last weeks and branches still struggling under all that weight ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted January 19, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Once on topWatch the ice in firWe would have liked some sun, which would have add a x100 on the beauty of the sceneryOver the years the vegetation had grow and we see less of the surrounding landscape. It's still a very nice spot that worth the ride even if like this time the gray jays had not showedWe then returned our steps back under this gray skyThe trees on either side of the trail are so laden with snow that it sometimes looks like a tunnelWe returned through St-Donat and then we head towards Notre-Dame de la Merci village.Then we switch to the east by #341 trail which was very nice and we go through the suspension bridge of St-Côme.And pass near the Val St-Come ski resort.A St-Côme we choose to go down the #43 trail that we have not done for some years. This trail was recently groomed but pretty good overall. We stopped to eat and refuel in St-Alphonse de Rodrigez where we cross the groomer.After, we went back by the #43 trail that had thinner section near joliette and finally been back to our starting point at 8:30 p.m. with 220 miles on the dreammeterIn summary a beautiful ride. The snow is not as generous as last year but trails are very nice, the only thinner spots were found in very south of Lanaudiere. The trails are all opened and interconnected so the network is operational and it's really now the time to ride and enjoy!Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeusand Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Fantastic report as usual. Love the pictures, even the cloudy ones! Much colder riding on the back, I'm sure your wife wears more layers than you to stay warm. Thanks Stan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackstraw Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Nice report Alain, Haven't gotten up there yet this year, so reading about it with the pics is the next best thing. Another week or so and I'll be up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trailblazer Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Those cold days make for some really hard packed trails and good riding. Nice ride and pics Alain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snobeeler Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Thank You so much for taking the effort to show us first hand the conditions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MXZ700RIDER Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 (edited) Looks Good! Thanks. We all are...hoping for even more snow to patch up some thin spots...but it sounds like conditions are very ride-able and actually good overall. Should be riding this area in a few weeks. I love getting a cup of french onion soup, club sandwich, and maybe some poutine when we stop at Culliere a pot! Edited January 19, 2015 by MXZ700RIDER Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpysanta Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 SUPER JOB like usual . you guys and gal are the best Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbo Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Alain A great, and welcome report. Was wondering how the trails were shaping-up this past weekend. Krissy and I are leaving for 6 days at Montagne Coupee this afternoon. Plan to be riding some of the trails in your fine report tomorrow afternoon. As always, thanks for your detailed reporting. We greatly appreciate it. timbo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smclelan Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Great report as usual. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
600IQHO Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Great report as always. We are headed your way in a few days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
viper2 Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Thanks for the report Alain about time for me to get up there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
towing Posted January 21, 2015 Author Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Fantastic report as usual. Love the pictures, even the cloudy ones! Much colder riding on the back, I'm sure your wife wears more layers than you to stay warm. Thanks Stan Thank You Stan! more than that, Krikri is very very chilly. She dress herself like an onion! when she's ready to ride she look like the Michelin bibendum but she is warm! But yes, it's definately alot much colder on the back... a real chance she don't want to drive and ship me on the rear! Nice report Alain, Haven't gotten up there yet this year, so reading about it with the pics is the next best thing. Another week or so and I'll be up Thank you Jackstraw! We got a 4" of new stuff on monday and it keep really cold, You will have great conditions next week! Those cold days make for some really hard packed trails and good riding. Nice ride and pics Alain Thanks Trailblazer! No complain, those cold days are the next best thing after snow days! Thank You so much for taking the effort to show us first hand the conditions. You are Welcome Snobeeler, Actually it's a go for it and you won't be deceived for sure! Looks Good! Thanks. We all are...hoping for even more snow to patch up some thin spots...but it sounds like conditions are very ride-able and actually good overall. Should be riding this area in a few weeks. I love getting a cup of french onion soup, club sandwich, and maybe some poutine when we stop at Culliere a pot! Like said we got a bit more snow Monday but it's already very good to go now, I'm very picky when I describe in my reports to give very realistic conditions but I had seen some years with less good conditions than what we have now for conditions for the whole winter. It's more that we had been spoiled in the last 2 years with exceptionally good snow early in the season and this year it's not the same... SUPER JOB like usual . you guys and gal are the best Thank you Grumpy! Alain A great, and welcome report. Was wondering how the trails were shaping-up this past weekend. Krissy and I are leaving for 6 days at Montagne Coupee this afternoon. Plan to be riding some of the trails in your fine report tomorrow afternoon. As always, thanks for your detailed reporting. We greatly appreciate it. timbo You are welcome timbo! from St-Jean de Matha you will have great sledding for sure. Also, you probably already know but if you want to go north from there the #23 is the fastest trail followed by the #63 that is a bit more twisty, and the #43 more west is your last choice, slower and narrower than the others with few road side sections Hope you have great time! Great report as usual. Thanks. Great report as always. We are headed your way in a few days. Thanks guys! You bet, it's really now the time to ride! Thanks for the report Alain about time for me to get up there You are welcome viper2. Yes sir, gentlemen start your engine it's now or never time to enjoy... the trail system is ready to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkippyDoo Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 Thanks for all of the reports ! Heading up finally next week on the 28th to LaCabanon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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