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LSJ Trip Day 1 Spent a relaxing evening at home last night. Snohorse and I got ready to roll again in the morning. This will be a 6-day ride…gods be good. 🙏🏻 It was a toss-up between heading out into the bush to where the Pouvoiries rule; however, it was decided just due to no reservations at all, figured much easier and lots of options and opportunities up at the lake. So it shall be. On sleds out driveway 8:08 a.m. Light flurries mixed with some sleet here. Through Shawinigan and first tracks all groomed just to our orange local cut-through trail back to TQ 23. Up through Herouxville and St. Tite under a heavy grey sky with a real mix of light freezing rain. Left turn 360; so far, have seen no other sleds. Not far in here comes what looked like a James Bond Rev but more like Austin Powers as he was living dangerously, baby. He was not expecting me, but fortunately for us both, I’ve been looking for him since I left the driveway just like every other ride. Saw me lock up brake; now I see him fish-tail big time; he is sideways. He did pull it off, scary to watch in front of you. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The following is a public service announcement…… People of the Quebec snowmobile trails, you are not alone out there ride like someone is coming around each corner and over every hill. Riding the center is not keeping right. Thank you for your attention to these matters. Now back up the 360 now in a thick fog as we climb up and over the mountain. As we descended the other side, we ride out, but here we have ice sticking to visors. This lasts to the gas in St. Joseph and to the junction of the 355. After that, it’s better for a bit. Pipeline 355 to junction at 351; here we have 3 sleds headed south. We continue up to the Local orange trail to rejoin TQ 73; here it’s snow flurries now. Right turn on TQ 73; trails all sweet. Burn 🔥 the 73 to 355 halfway up 2 moose on the trail, mother and yearling. We stop 🛑 and they wander off north but luckily not far on the trail, then jumped off into the woods. Excellent for all of us. More freezing rain now, sticking a bit to the shield. It clears up as we hit the Lac Edouard crossing. We traverse the lake and head to the Co-op for hash and a break. 3 hrs to Lac Edouard from home. Making time. Candy bar and red Gatorade. Northbound. 355 is beautiful and taking full advantage of the conditions, we make great time. We’ve seen a few more sleds headed south. We weave our way through the logging area, forcing me to make yet another…… ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The following is a public service announcement: People of the Quebec snowmobile trails: When riding through an area where there are forestry operations and there is only a single sled track, along a busy active logging road, do not ride like you are alone in the world. There is two-way snowmobile traffic. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Through St. André now on the 357, just cloudy now, no precipitation. Skip gas in St. André, Snowhorse’s 900r xrs is broken in now, getting great mileage. He is showing half a tank at St. André. I am below half by a good bit. At the junction with TQ83, we have a Trail Pass check by Trail agents. Just looking for stickers. All good and super friendly. Left turn on 83, then we go 383 through Metabetchouan and Gas and Supplies at St. Gedeon. Nice conversation with a young SQ police officer getting gas in his sled. Real friendly. Then onward to the junction with TQ23. Snirty here near the lake along the road on 23 before Alma.. Left on the Orange trail and into Auberge des Isles tonight. 236 miles 7 hrs We have Driven by here dozens of times, always said one day we need to try that, Its super nice. And easy access. Great food. Room with a view of the lake. Pool, hot tub, sauna. Nice. Not one picture today, it was a positioning move, so I was hammer down. Tomorrow we will see what we find.

Trip 3 Gaspesie and Sept Iles I am late getting this out, my hat is off to the riders that post every night during their trip. I don't seemed to be as organized. Day 1 Headed out Feb 12th from Pointe a la Croix, myself, Kelly (GF), and two guys from Riverview NB. Rode first day to New Richmond, up the 595 to La Cache for a late lunch. Really nice set up there now, however they could use a few more menu options. From there a leisurely drive to the Copper in Murdochville. I told Kelly to be considered a true sledders you have to stay at least on night at the Copper. Walked next door to the Chic Chat for supper, a good spot, lots of people. Day 2. North on the 597 to the TQ 5 then turned west. Awesome Blue Bird day through the lookouts around MSP stop at Grande Nature for a visit and through to St Adelme and overnighted at Motel M. Great little spot right beside the Relais where we walked for supper. Day 3 Pulled out of St Adelme at 6:30, pulled into the ferry terminal at 7:05 to catch the 8am ferry to Godbout. Waved to Wng2 who was waiting in line to get on the boat. Trail from Godbout to Sept Iles was nothing less then spectacular. Kelly got a 2024 Renegade 900 Turbo this year and stretched it out past 100kph on some of the straight aways! Rode between 70-100 most of the trip. Stayed at the Comfort Inn Sept Iles for the night and had supper next door at the Chinese food restaurant. Day 4 Out the door and West bound past Godbout onto the roller coaster to Baie Comeau. Had a late day snack at the ski hill in BC, then caught the 5pm ferry to Matane. Checked into the Quality Inn for the night, supper in the restaurant. Day 5. Left Matane west, down the 591 through Saybec to St Irene for early lunch. From there the bad part started....heading to the truck. Nice trip perfect trails and no mechanical issues. 1300km. A few pics from our adventure.

Its a beautiful area for sure!

Gaspe Trip 🏔️ Day 3 Nice restful sleep at Au Fin Gourmet motel. We have decided a quick run by sled to Tim’s willbe the small breakfast stop. Had some caffeinated nectar of the gods with a classic Glazed donut, good to go. The Mrs back out front. The gang of 9 left just before we went to Tims they had said they wereonly going to Murdochville today. So surely they are up here somewhere. Roll out on TQ5 in decent shape still. As with most of the Gaspe elevation is your friend. The higher we climb away from the coast better snow gets. To the 595 its a left. Off we go this trail good here too sweet ride up and onto the 595/local orange 150 as trail no longer passes ski Pin Rouge. Nice conditions but starting to see very bumpy corners. First time seeing this since up on 373. Sign of too much traffic not enough grooming. We push on to end of Orange 150 Local left turn to rejoin 595. Northbound. Stop at shelter for a break. Nice pace the Mrs sets. We are consistent and move well. We ride off. Here the bumps are much more noticeable. It is leaving me my far right on the edge but not much.thus trail used up. Shows groomed two days ago. Wow seriously junk. Goes down as one of worst trails this year. We hammer it out as usual anyway yes it’s all riding. Sorry but I have standards and this aint it. But it’s all part of the game. Some logging up here but looking finished now. But there is a big section all along the main road with small one groomer wide trail. Not the 595 of years past but it changes year to year. Up to where new chic choc trail joins 595. Not one person here gave the info on this intersection moving 5 more kilometers from La Cache. More on this after. Here we approach junction and start to hear shouting in french a conversation about no La Cache is the other way. We know its our group of nine. They have half of them taken the right turn headed for Murdochville. 2 are backing out. They hear us and see us and we are able to scoop past. Awesome. 9 less at gas pump before us. This trail here from junction to La Cache I am almost certain there are better bombed out roads in Tehran today than this garbage. Wow guess we got no choice to deal with it up and back to go to Murdochville. Passing it twice. Roll into La Cache and the marketing has worked well between the big hype over reopening trail to Murdochville and the renovation of La Cache its a hot spot so much more than ever. I wonder if the north end of 595 gets looking like this south side? Not gonna find out this ride, Gas at la Cache its 10:30. 2 hours from New Richmond to here despite so so trail for a good bit. Go to order food. Nice girl explains we can order but they open kitchen at 11am so they might not cook anything before 11. No problem. We order and actually was only like 20 minutes and food started coming out. I do think they are missing out on not opening kitchen early but they are the boss. Getting a decent crowd for 11am. Grey day all day so far. Now starting to snow flurry more. Finish up and hit the trail again out ahead of our group of nine. Back down 595 now to sentier Chic Chocs. Left turn. Now I know this next part will be as popular as a Fart in Church but I am not sorry for having an opinion and it’s my story. The magic is gone on this Trail. Gone the big views. Gone the big wide open section with views forever. I understand its easier for the club. Those open areas where it had the big views got drifted all the time. Very sketchy at times on a windy day. Great and fantastic, that they got the trail open again. Hate when any trail is closed. It’s just not what it was. The majority is the same yes, but for me they took the wow away. All traffic again today is on coming. Have only caught guys backing up there that one time. Very lucky. Lots of sleds headed toward La Cache all well behaved. Trail conditions much better here as I was dreading this run across based on what it’s like near La Cache. Great ride into Murdochville. Gas here and short break, bathroom break. Off we go back to 597 north. Sweet conditions here lot’s of sleds heading up to Murdochville we see probably 15 or so. Once we join TQ5 now heading west. Weather wind and snow kick in. The Mrs hanging in there guiding us in some tough to see spots. We make it all the way to Mont Louis and decide to take gas here. Back and up mountain towards Mont St Pierre. We get just a bit further and its all white. Mrs has had enough she almost made it but it was the smart call. We don’t want no issues. Windy is an understatement. White out at times. You know Gaspe weather. She had a great taste without it being too much. Tame really by storm standards here, but still extreme. I take the point and we wind down and into Mont St Pierre the last 4 km not easy to see much. Roll into town its 3:15. Hit grocery store for necessities. Then thus trip its back to Motel Mont St Pierre. Arrived to find list of names on reception door giving room numbers. Doors open keys inside. Wind howling like a banshee. gusting off water right at motel 50mph easy. Still howling now out there. Shaking the windows. Great meal at restaurant here. Some very happy customers. Delicious. Creamy potato soup with corn and bacon, ah yes I want that. Another great day. Team strong. Back to Matane Tomorrow Been told trail is closed here now due to high winds and drifting so we will see what tomorrow has in store. Stay Tuned. IMG_0741.mov IMG_0746.mov IMG_0749.mov IMG_3225.mov

Started off from Mattawin this morning , Barrage Gouin bound . Scooted up to the end of M21 to see what's happened from all the forrest trimming that's gone on . Well I'd say it's not for most but we did make Kanawata cross lots . Lunch at Kanawata was super awesome , this place just keeps getting better . Then up the 345 with a few side loops . a quick fly by Camp de Casey to see what's left of the spot . Then off to Barrage Gouin on mostly trails . Jeans grooming is spot on into his place ! Fun n sunny day !

LSJ Trip Day 2 Great night at Auberge Des Isles. Way too comfortable but just what we needed little bit of a recharge. It’s gonna be no hurry at all today. Had a great breakfast and now slowly but surely closer to getting out of here. Still cloudy this morning with some wind also there was some light snow overnight. Loaded up and out it’s 10:30 early still, let’s see what we can make of this. Out the back of hotel on Orange trail over lake. Decided to loop through city of Alma there to see what is where. That tour completed we make tracks on TQ93 direction St Nazaire More snow away from Alma and some drifts here and there. Seen very few sleds so far. Left turn on orange trail up to 328 still nice here more new snow 2-3” easy less than 1” at hotel when we left there. 328 to 367 and I hate that I need to do this…..yet again The following is a public service announcement If i catch up to you we are obviously faster. I will be patient for a limited time. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Near the end of 328 where it crosses the road we have been following two sleds (much slower than we wanted to go) not really giving alot of room as they feel safe in the middle i know the intersection is not far. I figured good, they will see us and if they haven’t seen us they will at then. At road first guy looks back obviously sees us At road to cross looks back right at me. Checks for traffic and waves guy to follow him, he never stopped to look at road. Now on other side they stop to look at signs we cross and begin to go left the guy doesn’t look now and decides to go left basically cutting us off two of them. I tried to give the benefit of the doubt. I tried. But now am done. Still using whole trail up the middle but nice long stretch here along the road up to 367. Using too much room. Left too much room now. Times up. C-Ya. We blast by, tried to do it the nice easy way but some people make it hard. Clueless. More and more everyday it’s common courtesy. I let people go who catch us. Don’t want them pushing us. But common cents is dead ☠️ long forgotten. Up 367 we were here last week and trail is good but sloppy the new snow drifts and just squishy if that can be used to describe trail. Still not alot of traffic as now first hints of sunshine breaking through blue skies coming. Good we are tired of the flat light conditions. 367 up through Otis Nature and it’s here I chose poorly. 367 was my first instinct but got excited and went up the orange local trail to 373, bad idea. 373 is now way too popular and I am done with it. We debated on this last night also I do believe because of the bridges weight limits a smaller groomer is used on this trail and you can tell the difference that and with the amount of traffic each day and the fact it’s not getting groomed as often as other sections all adds up to ….been there done that for now. To St Ludger Milot gas it up. Roll on cannot wait to bail out of this crap trail and head down the orange local to TQ93 Get to my punch out trail and right away is better. Cruise down to TQ93 and she is beautiful sight. Well groomed and wicked fast. Sweet run awaylbeau to wrap up our short day with 163 miles 2300 on new Snowhorse 900r in 12 days Closer to Dolbeau we came across an expedition 900 abandoned on trail track laying next to it. Blew track clean off. Not surprised as just before we pulled up I thought i was blasting off with the speed i was rolling on this new straightaway here on TQ93. Wow long super straight run. Auierge Dilligence our old favorite place. No other sleds here. Tomorrow we follow grooming work.

Cote Nord Trip 🐳 Departure Saturday 7 March. Ok here we go again. Left Matane yesterday, had breakfast at 6:30 then on the road 7am. Today mrs Ice is riding shotgun with NHmoose. I have the conn of Snohorse’s rig, we had to run back to Shawinigan/Trois Rivieres to bring the mrs home, change trailers and swap out the Apex. Nice day to reposition, dry roads and sunshine. We make excellent time, just over 5 hours to Trois Rivieres. So it’s early still, NHmoose decides he is going to drive on today ahead of us and be in Forestville waiting for us tomorrow. He leaves the Mrs at Chez Ice and is back on the road headed Northeast. We have musical trailers to play at the shop and reload sleds on Playhard’s toy box. Swap places in yard move trailer back to Moto Thibault unload Apex get another. Finally trailer is loaded with 2 bullets, 26 XRS 900R and Black Tunnel Apex ready to be pulled wherever. We spend the late afternoon relaxing at home, cat’s are very happy to see us humans back. Went had fantastic dinner at Globe Steakhouse in downtown Shawinigan. While at dinner phone is making noise it’s NHmoose. Seems we have made a clear and classic blunder. Never bothering to call Forestville and Danube Blue is full. Large Hockey Tournament. Full Friday and Saturday. Rut Row. Foiled by hockey, Other hotel is full too in Forestville. The second hotel is owned by Same folks as Complexe Escoumins (pel chat) they send NHmoose back to Escoumins. Rooms there. Slept in this morning on purpose. Nice to be in my own bed. Light Rain now can see Ice on trees from freezing rain overnight. Time to kiss the Mrs and hit the road 11am. Light rain and Fog all the way east and through Quebec then Beaupre. Drying up a bit through Charlevoix and La Malbie for now. Damage has been done, time will tell but near QC city and along Autoroute 40 ugly. Baie St Paul in town ugly. Even La malbie. Surely in hills is different. 5hrs we arrive in Escoumins. Gas/supplies at Petro Canada since the other gas is incinerated next door here. Light rain and wind. Now tonight. Tomorrow we go for it. We will see what we find. 3 strong up TQ3 with some Bingo activity. Stay Tuned Photos of hotel were last night, its moist out there now tonight. Two sleds on other side here, I recognize them. Thursday night they were in Matane parked right next to our room. I go over and meet Bobby and Josee from Victoriaville, awesome folks tell me from Baie Comeau to here (from 1-10 with 10 being the best) trails are 11. We shall see. They are headed to truck in Stoneham via Delta, Saguenay.

We left st zenon Tuesday went around lake tiureau by way of dam counter clockwise… le cannon was about 1/3 full… nice place to leave your vehicle… food there is not what it use to be … but everything else is good… not a ton of snow here but trails are 10/10… took 63 to 33 off to repo… in all my years .. never experienced trails this good… to say they are 10.. would be quite an understatement … repo has a lot of improvements … busy as usual… beautiful new kitchen… now all they need is more help so they can effectively wait on all the customers they have.. if time is short.., pack a trsilside lunch .., unless you like waiting around an hour wondering if you are invisible… off to 33 north and 100 lakes where the 4 of us are now getting ready for breakfast..,3 days in a row.. new owners… and the folks at 100 lakes do not disappoint… husband wife and son team… the real deal… you will be hard pressed to find better food or service anywhere… the trail to repo was truly handed to us from the gods… then we rode here to 100 lakes and it was much better….is that even possible… we haven’t seen an imperfection in 3 days… we are off to barage goin today then around and across the lake to OB… great adventure and amazing trails and weather… time is moving on this season…get this well you can…

LSJ Trip Day 4 Super peaceful sleep at Pouvoirie La Dore. We had breakfast and sat awhile to get caught up on internet activities. Great breakfast and it’s time to say au revoir. Stephane is sure to remind me I did not show up last summer for a weekend visit. He insisted I make the time this summer. Will surely do my best. We roll out 9:45 Out private trail to TQ93. Right turn, sawmill and Chibougamau will be for another time. This run back to La Dore an TQ93 is certainly come a long way since years past, this section here used to be much narrower now its all grown up as I like to say. Matured into a large nice trail. Cannot wait to go north another trip to see the changes. Into store and gas in La Dore to top off. Store is packed with Canadian Armed forces soldiers big bus stopped out front. Wow lot of people in the store. Gas and Go, TQ93 to 373 right turn direction Relais des Buttes. Trail is beautiful again today so far, good to be us. Blue sky and big sunshine ☀️. We go left on local trail “Buttes river trail” we cross and continue on we join up with local orange trail that runs down to the back door of St Felicien. Beautiful trail still and now its a left turn still on local orange trail. This is the Dolbeau express or St Felicien express depending on direction of travel. Fast run across to join TQ93 in Dolbeau. Great trails all perfect. Right turn on TQ93. Near trail to Dilligence i catch up to four 2 ups. No passing here but river crossing just ahead, patience grasshopper. We crossed here the other day. It wide and smooth all the way across. We make fast work and move on. TQ93 awesome. Most Trans Quebec trails we have seen have all been top shape. Right turn on 367 down through Peribonka. Another win. Stellar conditions. Run this back to TQ93. Right turn on TQ93 it’s perfect too. Nearing St Monique I sense some snowdust lingering ahead so I turn up the wick. I am reeling in these two in front of me. Full on “Jaws” music in my head. They are moving pretty good. Close together too. I am gaining finally I get a good look and I have just burned down two police. I slack off a bit. They never saw me. I stay back and as we arrive in St Monique they are ahead of us. Just before the gas station they turn left to go to thr restaurant. Its 12:18 they are hurrying to lunch. C-ya, bon appetite. Gas is denied here. I know i will pass right through gas in St Henri de Taillon. Gas and go there in St Henri. Continued on TQ93 light traffic for a friday so far. Smooth ride into Alma. Here we turn right on TQ23 now. Here there is surely less snow near and in town very and snirty by roads. TQ23 now through Hebertville. Saw a fox just before Hebertville was running across field towards trail then saw us coming and turned tail and took off back wsy he came. Here its a Right turn on TQ83 at the junction. Onward… here trail is great still. Pretty nice even in twisty parts in woods. All good to Chambord and like usual near the CN Railway yard especially west of it very shoddy conditions. Never good here. Big holes very rough stuff. All riding though right? Further on back to good trail not a big section that’s bad. Arrived at junction for local orange trail across lake in Chambord to Roberval. Decision is unanimous we stick with TQ83. It does not disappoint. Beautiful ride to junction with 373 here is also in great shape. Run up and in local now a cul de sac trail to Chateau Roberval. 4pm at gas station next to hotel. Never in all my years seen this many sleds here. Only other place i seen like this was RDL one year. Alot of sleds here. We know its the weekend now. Game over. We are south bound tomorrow but in no hurry like always. More so tomorrow. Gonna let the madhouse clear out. Short day to Windigo for our mandatory at least once a year visit. Tour du Lac from Pouvoirie La Dore clockwise around 206 miles Until next time Bonzai

Gaspe Trip 🏔️ Day 1 Matane to Carleton-sur-mer (mummies detour) 6-7-8 today. Want to get rolling ….none of these days will be record breaking but very cold today and want to get moving. Breakfast here is great. Fast and efficient. Just what is needed they have something for everyone. Get Outside and loaded up, cold with big wind. Just after 8 we roll out. I go with the mrs to top off our gas. We arrive there and Mrs needs to deploy wheels for gas. So she waits patiently for her automatic wheel person(give you all one guess who that is) yes (sorry to say my dear) she is going to have to eventually do this herself. She can do it. But someone I know, spoiled her. Now, it is as so. Gas and go. Back to hotel spur and Snohorse and NHmoose are waiting to go. We join up and leave the town behind as we climb the hill. At the junction TQ5. Mrs Ice takes point and we head west on TQ5. Near town its thin for early March. Yes. it’s still ok just you can tell it has been quite a while since any real snow. Trail is great, they are frozen and hard. In great shape. TQ5 west to 591 some serious wind gusts through the fields here a very good experience for my Mrs. I Love it when she encounters and experiences new things and we can talk about them so she understands and knows what to do when. One ride at a time. Nice scenery despite the cold and wind. Been 2 years since our last ride in the Gaspe. Down to TQ5 we run on it for short distance to the 587, right turn. here we run out and it’s a right turn up Montagne St Pierre to visit with the mummies. Not the day to linger around up here but we get the pictures and we backtrack to 591/587 junction now its a right here. To Saint Irene and we top off the gas. Seen some traffic but all going the opposite direction. Just how we like it. Mrs is doing great. Despite the cold weather. Its 587 to TQ5 all trails have been awesome some ice here and there. Through Albertville and Caupscal. This trail has changed a good bit since my last ride here. We are running this route to stitch together this section of the Gaspe that Caro has never seen. Stopped at warming hut between Caupscal and L’alverne just after river crossing. Just what the doctor ordered today. Nice time out with warm stove going. Great break. We push on to gas in Nouvelle 190km on both Apex’s, I took 32.4 litres. Here we get some supplies for happy hour. We pull out and Mrs Ice leads us down and to Carleton-sur-mer and the Riotel. (Baie Blue). Settled in after a great first day. Great trail in great company. Dinner at Pub St Joseph. Good times. Tomorrow all day to go to New Richmond. Stay tuned. IMG_0636.mov

Cote Nord Trip 🐳 Trail Day 2 Monday 9 March Great food and service at the Danube Blue. Julie at dinner was great. Then Denise this morning at breakfast. On it. It Makes a difference when you have competent people on your restaurant floor. Or anywhere these days i guess, more than ever. Shortage of real customer service. 8:32 start track. Out back of hotel we are only sleds here. Local Trail groomed from here to Junction with TQ3 here groomer went West. Sad but actually did not need it. We head east first run further up than Forestville in six seasons. Doesn’t seem possible. Last time in 2020 we finished our ride we were in Les Escoumins I call home and Mrs. ice was saying hey there is this Virus and they are talking of closing schools and maybe the border. What? Crazy train. All aboard. Well back to it. Happy to be here and riding this section. Trail is very nice. Hard too. This time is almost simultaneous the call from Snohorse and NHmoose “smelling slides” We deploy one scratcher each it would not ge needed long. Getting warm. Alot, of all new to me trail here. Like I have never ridden it before because most I haven’t. The big new bypass and reroute is awesome, cannot believe no one mentioned how wicked awesome the views are now, Big mountain views, valleys and lakes. Lots of Poweline gone. Love this new route. Trail is spectacular and private. Have seen no one. We cruise on east. Here the trail is familiar soon we arrive at warming hut Bolide des Ragneau. Trail is mint. But It’s hot getting very sweaty. Decided to change out and remove heavier layer. While i was here. Turned out to be the best thing, so much more comfortable. Leave warming hut and zoom through valley there and almost at the end where trail goes hard right headed east. 5 sleds headed west. First sleds all day. We continue on and arrive at Chute des Outardes. Here the trail is the reroute and is snirty bad here still passable but ugly here on of road on bunny trail. Then need to ride on RT138 to cross bridge. Typical Quebec, it’s ok 👍 you Can ride on RT138 Baie Comeau Cote Nord, but it’s a no go 👎 requires a trailer service for RT132 in Riviere Madeline in Gaspe. Makes perfect sense. We gas at the Esso before getting to big bridge. Continue on east and stop to take all the pictures at the famous bridge. We are all alone. Time to move on going to explore. Never been up this 444 trail today that changes. A trail I will return to when here, wow. The beginning is like practice for the roller coaster trail. But the payoff on the other side. Spectacular run up and back. Love the chalets like mini towns and some all alone. Real paradise up here 25-30 miles north of Baie Comeau. We go to Lac Baleine turn and burn. Pass two headed down from chalet towing toboggan. We love this trail. Back track to 443 left turn short orange local back to ski hill in Baie Comeau and TQ3. This here a mini roller coaster trail of its own. Its been getting very grey for and hour now. Big wind and it starts spitting rain. Just enough from Ski Hill and past trail to ferry. Gets us just damp enough. Trail disintegrated here in town. Wow TQ3 is rough in this sector of town. Totally different not far from here. To gas and dep for supplies then right next door up trail to Travel Lodge. Never been here. Seems like it has the required resources. So it’s a wrap on day 2 all good. Fun times had by all. Making it up as we go somewhat. Bingo of the 444 was planned, it was on radar. Now tomorrow……hearing trail is not spectacular from here to Riviere Penticote 100 miles give or take. Spoke with only two other sleds here. Said not great. They came from Riviere Penticote heading for truck in Tadoussac, from Laval. We going for it gonna see what it is. After that section should be great all the way to end of grooming at Riviere Moisie our target this run. Then big storm to deal with and deciding where to hold up if need be. Temperatures looking favorable after tonight. Stay tuned.

Back in Matane. Stellar blue sky day to ride west on the north shore. Chic Chocs in full glory.

Gaspe Trip🏔️ Day 2 Had breakfast here at Pub St Joseph. Was admiring a group of sleds with NY and some NH registrations parked in a group, and what struck my eye was that they had 3 or 4 i think that had covers on their sleds. Anyway we are usually the minority big time with covers on and sleds chained up, wherever we rest. Did not cross paths at dinner. Before breakfast I took off both covers. Sitting in breakfast we see the big group getting ready and outside. Then Phil says hey that one guy is taking pictures of your sleds and there are a few of them around your sleds looking at them. Not uncommon as you don’t see lots of Apex’s do you? Long story short as we leave breakfast, come to find out its FCL…Fred and the boys from the Adirondacks. We meet again, last time was Gaspe Ride 2024. Awesome to see him and with his Grandson Hunter, sorry didn’t remember all the guys names. Hope they’re having a super time. They were off to Riviere Renard. We pack on and head out. Today we have all day to go to New Richmond. Plan match is Orange trails above Carelton and sightseeing. Out on TQ5 we backtrack west past Nouvelle then right turn up on Orange Top, as it’s known to us. We run up and it’s delicious and keeps getting better. Seen no traffic all morning since hotel. Beautiful weather. We run up to the warming hut. Much better temperature today outside. After its off to the dragstrip where the real debacle would begin. Ran a few passes 4 wide up and back, then decided wind was favorable for drone use, so take out drone. Set it up looks great on screen we run up and back, move drone. Do another run. Awesome. Now we leave there head down and set up more action shots. Film another battery of shots. Great. Yeah no. Never checked footage. Completely my user error. I own this and am not pleased. But as NHmoose our (thank god) (voice of reason amongst 36 other titles he holds) all positive things. Has so clearly pointed out “we had fun doing it” that’s it. Period. Learn and move on. Being as no video evidence exists of these heads up runs. Mrs Ice is claiming all out victory. Complete domination. We let her win. These orange trails are treasure up here. Love it. Taking the Road less traveled. Every time for me. Next mission is to Mont St Joseph to take in the view. Windy but a great day up there came with a surprise as trail was groomed all the way up. My last time here it was a bunny trail all the way to the summit. Sweet run up, with great views today. We finish up our Orange Trail tour and hit gas in Carleton. Now it’s TQ5 east and it’s still nice but getting icy. Nice ride into New Richmond and we head into relais for a late lunch. Nice little break, back on sleds so then we head down a cul de sac trail across from Relais just because and to see what was down there. 2 trails over there both dump into two neighborhoods. Never know. Back up and across the 132 then through parking lot of Relais. East TQ5 its still early been easy fun day so we go down to suspension bridge and here is a bunch of deer. Well my dear i tell you was having a fun time photographing them. Fixed some stickers on bridge then as deer had moved on we continued east but not far. Good enough for our play day today. Back to town in New Richmond. Gas and supplies then across street to Au Fin Gourmet our rooms are here tonight. Great little place all we need. Nice and easy with a restaurant right there, Tims is right up street and a Subway next to the gas/depaneur as well. Nice meal at the Au Fin Gourmet. Us four and 9 others one big group here. They are from Thetford Mines area. Observations for today. Had fun No stress Wife can ride and does it well. Mrs Ice had the point again all day. Trail Boss. Snohorse and NHmoose are top shelf. Great influences on her as well. Encouraging her and joking on radio. Great chemistry. Simple as that. Speaking radios wow,seems to be the thing the open mesh but can be overwhelming when other groups don’t understand why they hear other voices. Especially the Quebec folks when we hear them. We play a little game, All of us Talking and we got Mrs, she is just waiting to give the French back to them, with a bonjour salut tout le monde, just after they are confused as to why they hear English voices. Usually leads to some very friendly back and forth as we pass. Great day. Tomorrow to Mont St Pierre Stay tuned

LSJ Trip Day 6 Ordered pizza last night, nice night in La Tuque. Woke up to Snohorse eating his leftover pizza for breakfast. We gather things up and get out. 8:53 I start the track. Surprised to see we are fairly early today well not really but still lots of sleds and no one outside. We slide out of La Tuque…its a quick 100 mile run home. Trail mint. There are sleds in front lots of tracks but trail is holding up. TQ73 to the 355 see no other sleds until the Junction 351-355. Big gang stopped here taking a break they are pointed north. Its not their tracks I am following. Down we go now another group parked at 355-360 junction for Mattawin. We pass through direction St Joseph de Mekinac trail perfect. We pass two sleds just after town. Now down 360 we arrive and big gang talking in the open mesh. Its same big group from arrival at hotel yesterday stopped just getting ready to go. Wow real lucky. They talk alot. We roll down to TQ23, right turn direction St Tite. All great. Down through Herouxville and to St Gearges. Then left turn on local through cn rail yard and into Turtle Lac. Gas in Turtle Lac as we don’t want to put the girls away thirsty. On way out of gas groomer is coming in. No room here. No choice but to turn aroud and wait for him to come out. Seemed like forever. Home is close now. Ready to wrap this up. Out and join with TQ3 right turn direction Shawinigan Sud. Sweet ride to the maison. 100 miles. Home at 11:40 Get Snohorse loaded up and he changes out and hits the black trail. He has arrived at home ahead of weather. All good. He will be back Friday…as its Gaspe next week with the Mrs and NHMoose Team Iceman 4 strong next week. Small ride around for Mrs Ice. Great run this LSJ trip. First day cloudy with some precipitation but after that full blue skies for 5 days. Great temps. Just over 3000 miles on the 26 Renegade XRS 900r. For Snohorse. Happy camper. Great partnership. No pictures today sorry. Bonzai

LSJ Trip Day 3 Great night at our Team Headquarters in Dolbeau. Ordered in some pizzas was too good, I planned on saving 2 slices for breakfast. But math was never my strong suit. Scored some yogurt from front desk they got lots of simple breakfast items you can pick and choose from, for me Raspberry yogurt it is. At it early today by our standards left 8:55. Our day is to Pouvorie La Dore. Gonna be a true bingo route. Try to follow along. Out of hotel onto TQ93 fresh groom. Likey likey. Here is ripping trail we are back to slot car running. So nice. Got up out of Dolbeau and on the long straight stretch coming to just before 373 junction to Normandin(old TQ93) Road plowed for a good stretch. Watch out for trucks. They are hauling sand I believe from the pit there. Arriving at junction its time to see what a grey trail looks like. The groomer turned back toward Dolbeau at the road crossing with restaurant that says relais but I’ve never seen open. Right at junction TQ93/373. Grey ungroomed since Saturday i think? Is stellar all the way to Girardville. Here trail is back to white asphalt as the fresh groomed white ribbon is layed out before us at Girardville it is a Magic Carpet ride all the way arriving at the Relais Lac des Coudes trail has changed they carved a big switchback down the mountain side very cool with awesome view of lac and Relais descending down there very nicely done. Onward through Lac Jim on the TQ93 here after the junction local orange to St Thomas on TQ93 the hilly roller section just through the moonscape has been groomed as well and is awesome. As you exit the moonscape the groomer has a turnaround here and he obviously turned back towards Lac Jim here. Now the next section is one I love all on the big wide road for a good section, however its got forestry operations going on. Still big trail but it’s next to the road and is just not the same with 🛑 stops for crossings. Just hope it’s only this year. You never know. We continue down to the junction orange local that goes back up to St Thomas. Here we turn left and run through St Thomas on a beautiful trail. Run back up to junction with TQ93 near Lac Jim, here we turn around and run same trail backwards to junction TQ93, arriving here we have our first bingo for the day, orange St Thomas trail is a bingo. Right turn on TQ93 we retrace the TQ93 back up and over through Lac Jim again and to Girardville. Into the gas with 113 miles on Apex Tank f34 for you who speak the language. Took 32.01 litres filled right to top like usual. 900 r took 28 liters. 15 mpg for the XRS. 13.3 mpg for the Apex. White asphalt concrete conditions for the most part with plenty of snow dust. From gas right turn down TQ93 on our way to another bingo. Arrive at always closed decent looking relais. East side of TQ93 is a bingo. When you come down TQ93 it’s an awkward turn to go right on 373 easier to continue to relais right there to turn around there a much safer move. Been around here a few times we don’t call it the honey hole up here for nothing. Now its across 373, here there has been a major change to the track of 373. It goes way up into fields it never did before a major reroute here. Drifty here too, making it worst trail of the day. Just needs a groom…probably tonight. This new 373 joins what we call “middle orange” a bit further up then before, now the little bottom part of middle orange is the new 373 that continues down to the local orange to Normandin. We turn right on middle orange local and bingo is on, this one here is a favorite of Snohorse. It a beauty Clark! We fly low up up up to join TQ93 at the top. Here? Yup you got it. Turn around and run right back down. Middle orange is a Bingo! Now down to rejoin 373 and we run west to rejoin TQ93 Here the 373 is mostly the same a few minor changes, this has been groomed more recently than the other side of 373 we came over. Nice trail up to TQ93 Right turn up TQ93 so we can grab an easy bingo up to the St Thomas orange from the bottom this time on TQ93. Up and back. TQ93 west side honey hole is a bingo. Bingo over, time now to start tracking towards Pouvoirie La Dore. TQ93 down and over the new recent bridge and trail is beautiful, very nice the TQ93 is well serviced. Into La Dore for provisions and gas. Then a beautiful ride up TQ93 and just before Orange trail to Resto Du Chef groomer is heading opposite direction. Didn’t need it but will take it. Sweet run 18 miles from gas in La Dore to left turn onto trail for Pouvorie. 8 miles to the lodge on feeder trail. Great day with full sun☀️ …not too hot, not too cold. Just right. Big day not far 232 miles 9am to 4pm Love it here at Pouvoirie La Dore. Quiet and peaceful. Got the entire chalet as usual which can fit 8 people 4 rooms with 2 beds in each. If you never been you need to come here. Stephane and the staff will take good care of you. Tomorrow maybe a tour du lac? Was talk of up to the sawmill and back. We will see where the trail takes us. Bonzai

Cote Nord Trip 🐳 Day 5 Thursday March 12 This trip is done. Woke this morning the storm slacked off. It was drizzling here on and off. Surely 30cm here. It’s been discussed and with not much showing purple this morning, breaking trail to nowhere particular, is just not how Snohorse and NHmoose want to remember this season’s last ride. Yesterday from Ragneau to Escoumins was pretty ok, especially from Forestville to Escoumins. Not as nice as last Sunday but still good. We are not going to break trail today just to ride. It’s denied. We will use the weather window to drive out tomorrow. Decided to just hang out here today. Probably would have been just slower going on road today but will be dry roads tomorrow. We rested this morning then decided to clean off trucks. Much warmer out snow is wet. Not powdered here today. Trucks liberated from their snowy entombment’s. Cleaned and melted off. Its a very Early AM departure. Great Run and Great Season with these two great team members and long time friends anytime-anywhere with this team. 4354 miles on the XRS for the season We missed the window for the grooming. That’s what we want. That’s what we are looking for. Gonna be sweet here but probably will take two grooms. We don’t have the time. It’s done for us here. Home for a week. Then time to go west Playhard and I, we are going motoneige. Until next time Thanks for reading along.

Trip 4 I am late again posting. We were up Feb 28-Mar 3. 4 of us planned this trip, however two could not get up till Saturday afternoon. Being the patient person I am, Lawrence and I came up Friday night so we could sled all day Saturday. Day 1. We did the 587 Loop between Pointe a la Croix and Amqui. We had a blue bird day and trails were groomed 10/10. Mac and Ben (Arctic Cat Boys) showed up mid afternoon Saturday, Ben is 19y/o and his first snowmobile trip to Quebec. Day 2. Took off from PALC traveled to Albertville and stopped for breakfast. From there off through St Irene to the Mummy Trees. The sites there of course never disappoint. Then down the 571 to Saybec and through the orange trails to St Adelme for lunch. Eastward on the TQ 5, gassed at Cap Chat and to one of the Canadian cabins at Grande Nature for the night. Met a group from Ontario at supper, awesome food and hospitality. There was a snowmobile tour group there too, something you don't see often in the Gaspesie. 230 miles Day 3. The day before a storm blew through the North Shore closing the trails around Mt Louis and the top of thee 597. We decided to back track and go south on the 595 to La Cache. This put us way ahead of schedule, so we decided to run to Murdochville and back, then down the 595 to New Richmond and the Hotel Francis. This place had more sleds parked outside then I have ever seen. Thy told me at the front desk it has been the best winter they have had in several years, good to hear. 285 miles Day 4. This was the sad day....back to the truck. Only in the Gaspesie can you find train crossing lights on a snowmobile trail. Good going well groomed but there was no extra snow in places. The mild weather we are having now will hurt conditions there. Once back at the truck young Ben said again he had a great time and could not wait to come back, a future QuebecRider. 80 miles

Gaspe Trip 🏔️ Departure Ok well behind the times on this, so I do beg your pardon. We are back out on trail. Shout out to JD (lurking) in Mass. know that you are always welcome to come along. Hope you are well brother. Rewind to last Friday Feb 27. Finished up a short week and was home Friday around 1pm. Snohorse rolling in this afternoon to hangout for the afternoon and night nice to hangout at home beforehand and finalize all details. This will be Mrs Ice’s spring break trip. She has chosen a return through La Cache to Murdochville as her must do. It’s her week she got to pick. Along with us on this adventure will be Snohorse (duh) and NHmoose. Playhard declined due to other adventures coexisting. However he plays (no pun intended) a vital part in this taking place. Nice chillaxing night at Chez Ice. Our flow chart has us using all of Saturday and it’s inclement morning weather to finish our preparations for a Sunday drive to Matane. Spent a lazy Saturday morning watching it snow then light drizzle but not long. Then by afternoon was clearing and colder with wind. Mrs got home later last night as she was off at a Ski Camp with her outdoor studies group. Just returning Friday evening after 2 days away. She is finishing her laundry and packing her stuff. We head to Cap de Madeleine to play trailer swap and switch. Snohorse and I both have 2 place trailers. But need three sleds would rather trailer together so…… enter Playhard, he has offered up his toybox. So earlier in the week on Monday afternoon after I got back from the last trip I emptied out his toys at Moto Thibault and took his trailer to defrost and melt off in the shop. After a day or so it was melted and dry. Roof clear of Ice. Tires great✅ Good new Spare tire✅Lights✅ it passes the visual underneath inspection.✅Jacked up check wheel bearings all seem awesome.✅Give them some grease for good measure ✅and Bob’s your uncle. Will tow it with Snohorse truck. To the shop with Snohorse truck and his trailer. We drop his sled on ground, his trailer will stay here in the compound until we come back for it. We Hook up to Playhard’s trailer. Roll out and load the XRS. Has had a Fresh oil change and chain case oil. She has had a full look over and is ready says the Snohorse. Not a doubt in my mind. Back to Chez Ice we load 2 more sleds now we are just needing our gear in trailer in the morning tomorrow and we go. Sunday morning 8:33 we leave home. Quick 3 stops at 1 grocery store (happy hour supplies) 2 pharmacy (contact solution for my bride) 3 Tim’s (coffee and other necessities) 9:20 we are eastbound on the highway 40 direction Quebec City. Truck pulls trailer fine, its windy however and she takes some finesse. Road dry and traffic not bad at all tons of trailers going west on 40 and we cross over and take 20 east now. Lots more trailers going west. Nice ride with gas and quick break in RDL. Looking boney by gas station very icy there. Need snow near town. East through Rimouski then to Mont Joli and on into Matane rolled in at 3:10, Made great time. We get unloaded get sleds parked and put away the truck and trailer. Mrs Ice unpacked the gear and has everything organized in room. Got lots of time now for (Netflix for Mrs) and Happy Hour and Nascar for me and Snohorse. Waiting on NHmoose he has 6:40 eta. NH Moose rolled in and we didn’t wait long we went to dinner. Much smaller menu here at Quality Inn since my last time here. Was all good. Everyone here now all pieced together, tomorrow we start our little Gaspe abbreviated tour. Not many sleds or too many trucks and trailers when we got here but now wow parking full. Cold here tonight (Sunday) outside with no gloves? Not for long. Wind is biting cold. Going to be cold tomorrow. I gotta get caught up. It’s Tuesday night now 11:11pm Still two days behind on this report. Soon to be three.

Finally got up to squeeze in a few quick days here in RDL. Great to be here again. In town is thin and going fast….yet flat and fast with a few rough spots. Out of town was great but again thin. Trails like 571 and 35W up over the mountains was really amazing. Should be good today but warmth and some rain tomorrow I’m afraid could be it except some pockets. In town is likely in trouble if that happens. Always great to read everyone’s adventures each season outside of all the noise on Facebook. Time to clean the sleds and put them away for the season for us. Enjoy the warmer temps and see you guys next winter !

Cap Chat gas station IMG_0812.mov IMG_0816.mov dji_fly_20260305_145022_0012_1772748804429_quickshot_beautify.mp4

LSJ Trip Day 5 Ordered food last night delivered to room. Easy painless. Nice evening living the rockstar lifestyle! Sing it…cause we’re moving on from town to town. This extended adventure is winding down with today being one of two short days with lots of extra sleep if wanted. Got all day the next two days to go not far. Well that was the idea but we changed it up just a bit late in the day. More on that later. We were up by 8:30 so as we had no plans to go to breakfast I fueled up on gatorade took my vitamins (thank you mrs ice) and I am good to go. We are outside at 10:16 I started my inreach track. Lonely here now. Only about 9 sleds about to be 7…chow bye. Back out to 373 trail is very nice and it’s another blue sky, big sunshine ☀️ day. We work our way to the 373-TQ83 junction. Here we are met by four nice gentlemen in fluorescent green Club Security Agent jackets. Checking stickers at the intersection. Only looking at stickers, do not want any paperwork. Awesome. One comes over and is admiring my exhaust turnouts on my Apex and says in perfect English “the real Yamaha’s have the exhaust under the seat.” Too funny. We sat laughing tonight how them out there as quiet as it is they heard us wailing it toward them for sure. We say are bonne journees and roll off. TQ83 stellar just wicked good. We stop in St Hedgewick to provision up for tonight not many other depaneurs on our run down TQ83 to Relais 22. Continuing on we arrive at the next intersection with Orange trail (used to be the La dore to St Hedgewidge short cut but is now cut in half with a section missing this year in the middle. Anyway Hello there officers. Real SQ, guns and all. Once Again sitting here tonight laughing about what we must sound like approaching. Two more nice officers Looking for stickers and mirrors and for me quebec plate placement on sled No paperwork needed. Quick conversation one talking to me and one to Snohorse. He asked him where did you ride this trip. Poor him as Snohorse told him everywhere. Shawinigan 3 nights then Baie St Paul then Lamarche, then La Tuque, then back to Shawinigan then to Ste Agathe de Mont then St Michel des Saints back to Shawinigan, then Alma, then Dolbeau, then La Dore, then Roberval now here. He was very impressed. We explained we been doing this forever checking out our setups they were liking the Garmin with Inreach, smart guys. Extra gas ✅ all things they like to see. As we were leaving I asked if i could take their picture quick and they said sure. Should have gave them some stickers. LOL. 😂 We go, this TQ83 is nice. Has gotten all grown up for the most part. Still early on before first warming hut headed down along road here has somw sketch parts that you need to pay extra attention. Trail gets bigger as you go here, then we have our first group headed north, first guy showing red? Warning light, second was yellow, third was flashing yellow? Last gave me the green light all clear no one else. Love this uselessness. Sorry but it is useless. What does it change for you? Does it make you, as an oncoming rider feel safer to see a green light at the end? Because it should not. It shouldn’t change anything. You need to ride on it ..at all times …thinking….someone is coming at all times. Then ride accordingly within your abilities. That’s it. Lights do what? oh sorry, they do keep hands on handle bars. So that is a win. 2026 no need for hands or lights. Ride right all times. Not complicated. Late night rant over, if you have a light or still hand signal that’s what makes living free so great as each person is entitled to their choices. Not only that, but we can disagree and still be friends. Please don’t be offended anyone. Not far from first hut, after we see the light brigade, the trail is groomed? Fresh no tracks. Up ahead groomer headed down…We finally figured the groomer came up road to first hut. Then took trail. Did not try to do small part up down with poor visibility in places during the day. Very smart move, love to see grooming a perfect trail. Did not need it, but not being a grooming expert, i know if this is what it takes to keep it like this so be it. Down over River Tranche, it’s here club La Tuque take it over and its sweeeet all the way to Relais 22. Snowmobile super highway. 10-15km out i see the dust ahead. I just keep pace as if I catch them fine and if not Relais coming. Doesn’t take long, its two sleds. Women sees us waits for good place then waves us by, merci Madame, catch the man now he eventually found somewhere safe and waved us by. Only two we had to deal with all day. I have to admit I do believe our delayed departure was, in the end strategically speaking brilliant without even trying. We caught no one all the way till 10-15km from Relais 22 Into Relais 22 alot of sleds but less than I imagined. 1:11pm We gas and head inside. See quite a few sleds for sure that were in Roberval last night. We got time to kill. We fuel up on cheeseburgers and soup. Here we get some internet 🛜 and see for first time about a storm in the northeast. Realized this will directly impact Snohorse’s return to 🇺🇸 on Monday. We still are not sure. Really must go to Windigo and visit and talk to Martine in person not call. So off like a prom dress we take the closed trail over the condemned bridge back to TQ83 west as it’s a long reroute around the new trail. I will deal with bumps to cut that corner. Fast much shorter run to Windigo trail has changed since last year now the TQ83 is back to passing right by Windigo ….its been different past few years. IYKYK. Roll into Windigo. 3pm Small afternoon crowd in bar. Dan is holding court. Super reception here everytime. Martine is here and some locals from Wemo. With a few locals from their chalet. We pull Martine aside and I explain what is going on with big storm for Phil to get home and ask her if she’s is ok if we don’t stay? and ride further south saving 2 hours tomorrow. She said she was fully booked and gave us the cottage so no problem at all she understands. Felt bad and now going to miss wings and smoked meat, but going in person was the only way. As we say our goodbyes headed for the door I hear another voice call my name? I turned around and its Alex he is a guy I know from Trois Rivieres we have done alot of business together, talked alot of sleds together and he has my stickers. He says “it is Iceman” in his broken English. Small world. I told him how could you not see my stickers here before. (The bar could be the answer.) Dan is smiling ear to ear while pointing out the sticker right at the bar. And one on the door. We had a good laugh took a selfie. Damn, am I, getting to be a real photographer type? Quick verification of track over reservoir Need to be vigilant here as Hydro Quebec has dropped water significantly. Sorry no pictures as not screwing around out on ice all heaved up like it was in places. Yup say whatever you want. I know it’s probably feet thick but unnerving to see it all heaved and dropped. Not for night riding out there. We cross and its exciting to say the least. Then we bush trail it…to a plowed not sanded road and join TQ73 bypassing Rapid Blanc and getting us closer to La Tuque. This trail as good as the rest all the way to town. Into the gas at 4:30 I think. I check online and Book room at Marineau at gas station. We gas and go. Arrive at Marineau to lots of french chatter on the open mesh. Group is discussing if this is right hotel or not and who is going first. Well must be 8 of them maybe 10. I get between them we pass and while they decide things we cross road and get to reception, which is a busy place. Four guys in front of me but all together, when its my turn i show confirmation number he makes two keys and out I go. The big group just walked in. Settled into our last night for this run. Gonna wrap this tour up tomorrow. We got a few more irons in the fire 🔥. It’s Not over by any means. Bonzai

I use to stay quite a bit at Lounan when they were open 20++ years ago and loved the place. Also stayed at JB Scotts a few times back then. Have not been back in over 20 years. The Lounan had a little gift shop in it and I purchased two of these 24x36 Quebec maps. Have never been able to find another one like it online anywhere. Thanks for your fine report Mark and again.....amazing food porn pics !!!!

Cote Nord Trip 🐳 Trail Day 3 Tuesday March 10 Leaving Baie Comeau this morning is ugly. We know we have run out of magic. Trail is frozen mashed up frozen hard and slippery as hell. Scratchers deployed from the jump. We are in denial but it doesn’t stop us yet. Ugly through this section near the Ferry junction and to Ski Mountain. Trail is glistening with its layer of Ice. We are Icemobiling. Scratchers doing their job, zero hyfax issues or overheating. But hard to handle. Slow is not fast, or easy as with frozen ski ruts from days past traffic its darty as hell. Fast is faster but razors edge. We push on to warming hut 23 miles or so from Baie Comeau at junction 445-TQ3. Take a break here and agree its unanimous we have never seen ice trail like this for this long ever. So what to do? Still in denial we push on. Roller coaster now over and to Franquelin then Godbout. Saw one local out with toboggan. Then no one. Stopped in Godbout ferry was loading, leaving 2pm. Last chance to change sides? It’s voted down. Trail is an Iceroad. Solid ice. Taking a toll on us. Very tiring this riding. But now we are committed to gas in Baie Trinitie. No choice but to continue up there. 76 miles of Ice trail. Frozen solid. Concrete. Arrive at gas/market gas and red gatorade. Big Reese’s Cup time. Up out trail back toward TQ3. We stop and face reality….this sucks. If we continue we can get there but at what cost? It will be great here with the new snow but that aint in time for us. We intend to turn and burn tomorrow back down, but it aint burning trail. Is tip toeing fast. On ice. IF we go up, then we need to ride it all again tomorrow back down. As we run back to Baie Comeau. Decision is made to abort. Sucks. But it’s part of the game. We been very blessed, so far each time out. Every at bat cannot be a hit. Today Sept Isles was not to be. Unfinished business for next time. Back track through same icy conditions roller coaster back over and just near Baie Comeau trail is starting to just loosen up a bit. Its not pretty. Back at Baie Comeau at Travel Lodge licking our wounds. Tomorrow we will try to run south and see where we get to. Snow is supposed to be worst starting late afternoon, forecast to snow most of day, so should be interesting depending on weather. Talk is circulating of just waiting out the grooming, as after this, it will be very awesome everywhere up here, when they groom. Not sure that will happen. Great experience anyway today. Icemobiling not like Snowmobiling. Not the same. Let it snow. Let them Groom. Stay Tuned.

Gaspe Trip🏔️ Day 4 Need to go back and give extra credit for best meal on this trip to restaurant next to Motel Mont St Pierre, Motel owner and restaurant owner are cousins. Food was excellent and service outstanding. Restaurant au Grain Blanc. Honestly had tried to book Motel Delice but was not meant to be, things happen for a reason. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming…… Awoke to wind still howling but a little less. The other sledders were leaving as we went to breakfast. Mrs Ice had a conversation with one woman waiting on her sled for the others. Confirmed they are heading west. The gang of nine there will break any drifted parts before we arrive if needed. Had the breakfast and mmm coffee. Back to dress and load sleds pull out 9:20. Fresh groom out the back first tracks? Hmmm Out we ride join at TQ5 and groomer has come from Mont Louis and returned. Not groomed west but its lovely. Just as we wind up and out of MSP the sun ☀️ breaks through. The wind is still strong very cold for sure. We stop to take advantage of the conditions for some pictures. We check out all the spots. Time to moto west. Mrs Ice is out there pacing the field. Trail boss is calling out traffic and obstacles on point. Drifts not an issue, have seen much much much much worse. Only a few drifts of real size. She getting some good experience today. Surely not a true Gaspe storm baptism, but we don’t want that. Just a taste is perfect. Sweet conditions. Sky is getting bluer. We skip the gas in La Marte. Decided that it will be Cap Chat the fuel stop. We run. Moving along at a constant rate. Few sleds headed east. Traffic all week has been minimal. We catch no one, trail is super all the way to Relais Vieux Moulin Club Mont Logan. Right at noon. We decided its time to warmup. Soup is Tomato Barley and it’s grilled cheese and some hotdogs here and there. Get here just in time as one group arrives from the east and another from the west. We are eating as they order. We finished up and got on the trail west. Mrs is setting a great pace. We are about 5km from Cap Chat gas trail and I see ahead of our trail boss some snow dust hanging in the distance. Sure enough two corners later we got the tail of a group of 5. She wants by badly, (don’t know where she gets it from) they are much slower then us. We are just consistent and our speed doesn’t vary a whole lot. We would easily leave them behind without trying. She wants to be turned loose to pass. But as we discuss on radio our gas turn is coming up, and if they turn to gas Cap Chat, we burn them down there. not necessary as they continue west, and we turn right for gas. Gas and go. From this point on after Cap Chat there has been big changes on TQ5 route. To St Adelme. Some much more direct running and several new views the trail has been meticulously laid out to get the views of the Chic Chocs here. I know trails change every year sometimes a bit. But it’s been 2 years since I’ve been here and it’s a very different route. One point you turn left and the mountains ⛰️ are framed up right straight ahead big as life. Never did see that before. New route. Several new places to take photos. And to top it off a lookout 👀 3 km up off TQ5 groomed up and back with unbelievable views. Never been here never seen it. Not one mention of it I’ve seen anywhere. Probably just going too fast to see the sign at each end. Well worth 6km (up and back) All right enough with the sights, lets bring it home. More trail changes big time from Relais St Paulin to St Adelme major reroute since I seen it in 23’. Love it seemed faster. Could have been our leader. Arrived St Adelme. Mrs says it is bathroom time here. Cest bon ca. We wait patiently outside. Very good crowd with guys getting ready to leave. One group of 5 leaves westbound and I just knew we would see them soon. Trail has been 9/10 all day after drifted small sections after leaving MSP. No exceptions here trail awesome. Mrs exits and rejoins the team. Off we go. Its not far we got the last two of the group of 5. The three others are faster but we see them. There’s just no safe places here to get it done and lots of snow dust. Lets settle in here and ride it in. Not how we like it being held back, finally reach intersection for Riotel, and it’s what they want. We are by. At least the last few KM its just us again. We turn left and leave TQ5 behind until another year. Into Quality Inn. Super run with spectacular trail mates and friends. The mrs has improved so much and it’s been impressive to see. Great experience is just continuing to accumulate. Thats a wrap for the mrs this season. Time to start thinking SUP (paddle board) season for her. For the rest of Team Ice currently active. Its a repositioning 2 days to come. Back to Trois Rivieres to change trailers and switch out my Apex. NHMoose will be convoying with us. Tomorrow night at Chez Ice then Saturday drive to Cote Nord. 3 strong back northbound. Stay Tuned

We were up and waiting for breakfast doors to open Saturday morning at relais 22… 3-4 inches of fresh powder and a decent storm and wind were facing us on the last leg of our journey… as we hit the ground at 8am… 73 South was groomed fresh and visibility was maybe a sled .. we saw everything from white outs to pelting sleet the size oh hale and drove in and out of storm fronts 3/4 of the way to La tuque…. Gas and go … we were stopped before leaving town and warned of police At first intersection heading south and told they were not in a friendly mood… it immediately starting pouring very hard and by the time we got to that famous intersection… they were gone… a few miles later it was back to hard sleet… then snow… and stayed cloudy all the way to Mattawin… the trail was about 7… but got much better once we passed the left turn towards Shawinigan… big thanks to all the great riders who can’t stay right… we kept our right ski on the bank as it was the only smooth run down the pipeline … trail over the bridge to gas in mattawin is about done .. they need snow desperately… we were eating mattawin river dreading the 360 back to our truck in St Zenon…riding that famous junk after a week of perfection.. as we started climbing out of there things improved… but it was groves to the center as people can’t seem to use the right side of the trail and there was a lot of ice… map said it was groomed today… but quickly destroyed… just needs a foot is c snow to repair it… so we took the m20 to 345… back to perfection and 4 inches of fresh pow… and zero traffic… 5 pm and I’m thinking maybe we get lucky enough to see the last 40 km groomed over the dam.. bingo!! We coasted in enjoying the last leg of a week of great trails hospitality and food .. . Arriving at our trucks at 6 pm.. safely… 235 miles on the day where we saw just about every condition that can be thrown at you in a week … all in 10 hours…signage is terrible and wrong in a lot of places .. if you don’t have years of experience… you better have a map and a good gps … and make sure you have a destination and place to stay at days end … it no longer is the good old days… and one more thing… if you need 2 stroke oil… you better have it … or you will be sorely disappointed… at 100 lakes .. parent.. Clova.. barrage goin … cabbanon … mattawin… relay 22 has amsoil… very disappointing … truly amazing these places don’t understand what a great profit center that is …put repo and Kanawata in that group as well… snow is needed down low … this warm up will cause you headaches unless you drive north for a starting point… go get it the season is going fast

26 Renegade XRS 900r. For Snohorse. Happy camper Incredible fun factor sled ! RAS RX Front suspension feels like power steering so easy ! Coming off 850 2 smoke to the 900R Wicked pull when wacked. Long legs impressive for sure ! Like the four stroke engine brake. 10.25 " screen awesome. Wish the GPS trails had #s and colors. The throttle such a light pull and smooth. Cable actuated best improved. Had a 2016 1200 Enduro had the electric wire throttle It SUCKED ! Had the first REV platform in 2004 when I was 42 years old big change had a little fatigue after first big day ride. Fast forward to the REV GEN 5 being 63 years old. NOT a Sore muscle to be found. SnoHorse logged on 3009 miles, 95 hours saddle time in 15 days. Hoping for the best blew the engine on my 2016 1200 4,200 miles ! No PLAYHARD did not burn my lips... Excellent time with ICEMAN and team associates ! Thank you. Text book conditions so far this season !

Today's mission.. off to Chibougamau. We have a few new areas we've been wanting to check out over by Pourvoirie La Dor'e so Today's the day . Perfect weather again! After poking around and proving what we were After we took the old 93 from like 5 years ago up to the sawmill . Pretty much was perfect all the way. Rode the 93 up to Petro canada then back to the Marina Chibougamau for the night.

Fits fine. Its a grown up ski doo Yamaha anti-theft device.

Came out today to the pleasant site of our snowmobiles being blown off of fresh snow. Don’t see that every day. Trails all ways were groomed last night, very very nice out there.

Thanks, I was just able to book the next two nights here where I am. That's a relief. The dealer here was reaching out to Amqui and Rimouski, I am sure they will go as far as they have to. They were very nice. One of the guys brought me here to the hotel. He didn't mind stopping for beer.

If you like good food, this is the place 😜

Left this morning and headed on the lake and you end up coming into Parant the back way. Miracles never cease, the groomer in Parant was not parked like usual. It was actually out keeping the trails smooth. Trails in out of Parant were unbelievably good.. Of course it was like going back in time going by Hotel Central. All of the signs are gone, looks completely dilapidated but of course it’s open again and functioning and there were half a dozen trucks out front so I’m happy they’re making a go of it. As anyone trying to get reservations most anywhere on the wood runner trails its been a challenge. The folks from Ontario book everything up and it’s very hard to get lodging over here. 53 and 13 have plenty of places to stay, but they are always full. This year there’s a few reroutes on both those trails that engage a whole bunch of new outfitters. Tonight we were at Pourvoirie domaine Lounan. Wow, super nice so far. Plenty of snow in this area and groomers everywhere. They are directly between JB Scott and Lunics. Last year they had a one-way trail in and out this year you can come in from the east or the west, even though it doesn’t show up on any maps.

I just got off the phone with mon ami Andre at the Gouin. I'm heading up to his place this Friday for 3 days of late season riding. He reports that Aliance du Nord is going to groom one last time after the rain. We will be doing day trips from his house. One day to Clova for lunch and back, one day down to Repos and back and the other up to Camp Cooper area and back through the back bush. Will report while there.

Cote Nord Trip 🐳 Trail Day 1, Sunday 8 March Light showers as we crossed over to Restaurant for breakfast. Our 7am breakfast with time change (spring ahead) became 7:30. Snohorse takes the long way to detour to get a closer look at the carnage at the pump. Rain is on and off but we aint rolling off like that. We enjoy our breakfast and watch it rain ever so lightly. More coffee mmm, conversations and weather discussions. No hurry. All good. We return to hotel around 8:45. Launch is delayed for one hour, radar shows snow pushing in, we will wait it out. Got all day and extra daylight that we will not need. 9:20 snow is mixed with rain. Soon its big flakes of snow. Then more reasonable snow is on now. We still have the toys in the box. Sleds slept in trailer last night. Colder for sure since breakfast. According to radar, Snow won’t last long, but will be messy for an hour or so. Wet snow on shields. Hoping as we gain elevation this all is different. Outside unloaded and out back trail from hotel at 9:48. Snow sticks to shield, constant wiping it seems. Trail is nice its not crazy soft or mushy. Pretty solid. My two friends Bobby and Josee pulled out at 9:30 they are only tracks i see. Either direction on fresh frosted trail. TQ3 west direction Relais Bouleaux Blancs. Amazing ride like always here. Maybe a KM before Relais, I catch two headed up. Close to Relais so I wait. They pull in but, i see no sleds here. Stop for a picture and the two guys go on. Ok. 👍 Arrive at TQ3 junction Local trail (pel chat) they split first straight up second guy left down TQ3. First guy brakes and without hesitation begins backing up down middle of trail. Interesting. All good we are clear and hammering down up to 330 before arriving at junction large group coming from chalets for sure 8-10 sleds with toboggans. Headed out. We move on. To the 330 pel chat trail junction. We go right 330. Snow no longer sticks to shield it is tapering off. Direction Portneuf sur mer. Beautiful run to Portneuf sur mer and TQ3 saw another sled on TQ3 but its been 125km since last traffic. Gas in Portneuf sur mer. Wheels needed. But trails fine. It got melty here too but will be fine. Road crossing and parking lots it’s march people. Sun is high and lot’s of it. Onward to Forestville. Great run up. See two more sleds going down. As we arrive in Forestville. Here we head out and run up the local Canyon trail. Ripping here. Two sleds in front of me much slower. They see me quickly and nice big trail lots of places for them to safely yield way. NHmoose reports smelling hyfax. 10-4 i stop and deploy scratchers, Snohorse deployed one side. No more issues. Trail was loosening up, We roll on. We take left fork direction Chenail du Nord. Further up trail splits. Un-groomed to Chenail. But grooming to the left. Gotta go till we cannot. So we do. Cool trail nice views. Mrs will like it up here she never been up here. Big views, and looks like potentially another river for her to paddle here. At the end of the grooming we went just a little further. Will say deep and soft where not groomed. Not easy to turn around but we extracted ourselves from the situation. Getting warm now sun peeking a bit some hints of blue sky. Backtrack to left turn on Local trail past relais, then close loop joining back on local trail we went up on. Back to TQ3. Into gas and depaneur, (wheels)then to Danube Blue(wheels). Only 5 rooms rented tonight. We have 2. No other sleds. Very aware tomorrow will be warm again, then we have potential meteorological activity that could affect progression. Time will tell. In the meantime we will carry on. If we need to recalculate we will. Tomorrow the forecast will be more solid and we will plan accordingly. So far so good. Just gonna send it Stay tuned!

Changed plans due to trouble booking rooms and went from Auberg Tamarac in Clove to relais 22 today…235 miles… stopped for fuel in parent… must have been pay day as there were 40 cars and trucks at fuel stop and 80 people… took 40 minutes to get gas… so we didn’t eat and next stop was wemotacci.., fuel oil and gas… super market and deli were barren there… so more gas and go… arrived at relais 22 at 5 pm… we kept asking ourselfs how it was possible that the trails kept getting better or if it was even possible… by the way … we saw 4 sleds today… we thank everyone for this private trail system we have been enjoying this week… I’ve never ever dreamed that anything like this could be possible… one of the guys with us is on his first Canada trip… he has no idea of reality after this… we’ve all said it before… simply the finest trails in the world… I’ve felt like a 12 year old on vacation at Disney world all week.., I know tomorrow… Saturday … will be a different ball game … this simply can’t go on forever

Today we left 100 Lacs to parent then goin reservoir to outfitter Martin and down to Clova…staying at Tamarac tonight… just ate at Dominics place in Clova … food here is outstanding … going down Lepine road and heading for Baskatong Reservoir tomorrow… once again trails were amazing and traffic was non existent… had lunch at the central in Parent… some things never change.., but they are working on the palace…booking rooms is a challenge… not as easy to wing it like the old days… and riding with a group of 4 makes it a little tougher… I was always able to find a room when I was young and foolish enough to ride weeks at a time solo… we have a great group and it’s a memorable trip for sure… population of Clova now all the way up to 40… and half the town works for Dominick… groomer came in from Senetere staying here tonight at Tamarack… 24 hours from there to Clova .., they groom 2 times a week … amazing

Last day for this run . Barrage Gouin back to Mattawin. Fun run for us ... Jean's really nice access trail just perfect . 83 and 345 the groomer ran fresh last night on already perfectly flat trail all the way to Kanawata. Ran down to Repo .. no worries folks, nice rework to avoid the forestier hauling. Pop into Repo to see the work going on with the major renovation.. Wow ! Huge investment going on for sure. 345 to M20 ..360 into Marineau Mattawin. 205 miles..sweet trail ride . Cheers for now 🙋‍♂️ ... Go get some , as good as it gets IMO .

Stayed longer at the restaurant to take pictures of a club sandwich!

Day loop for us out of Barrage Gouin, checking out some areas that we haven't been through in a few years . Lots of forrest activities are less this year. Blue bird day , fun times !

Good choice coming up. Left Saint Honore Friday morning headed for Forestville. 207 miles for the day. Fresh snow. Deep in places. Groomed in others. What a change from 2 days ago.

Complexe Escoumins (Pel Chat), road closed

It was noonish when we got there so sleds were already out. Pretty dry and this was Friday before 4 days in the 40’s. 🙃 Too bad because a 6” snowfall would have extended a lot of trails. We can’t complain about the base this year. Have a safe summer guys. 👍

Thank you so much for the reports and especially for the pictures Team Ice! Our group of 4 had the privilage of 6 times around Gaspe over the years. Sadly, age and the lose of one of our group has ended our yearly saddlebag trips after more than 30 years. Your detailed reports and the wonderful pictures have brought back a lot of wonderful memories of Gaspe for me. Thanks again and please keep up the great reporting! Brian

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40L LINQ Drybag, rolls down for smaller loads and COMPLETELY WATERPROOF. Not moisture resistant, BIG DIFFFERANCE.

Thank you for all the tips. We had a wonderful trip. We ended up launching out of RDL. We spend the first night at Grande Village with lunch at Domaine Valga. Day 2 we hit the Chic Choc trail. We stopped at La Cache for coffee and Murdochville for lunch. We spent the night in Gaspe at Hotel Baker. Day 3 was the north shore. Visibility was not as good as we hoped, but it was still fun. Lunch at Delice was great. We stayed at Grand village again on day 3. Day 4 was back to the truck. Lunch again at Valga. We ended up riding a lot more miles than I was expecting. 1,032 in total. We are already making plans to go back!

Woodrunner trails have a lot of choices now: Pourvoire Dez 100 Lacs Pourvoirie Fer a Cheval Pourvoirie du Domaine Vanier JB Scott Pourvoirie Domaine Lounan Pourvoirie Club Notawissi Pourvoirie Du Lac-georges Pourvoirie Cockanagog Rabaska Pourvoirie Club Gatineau Pourvoirie Mekoos Point David Pourviore Club Fontbrune

Monday ❤️ ride day 3 Stayed at Hotel St Michel right across from Gas in town next to Pub 111. Fairly new place. Awesome stay. Walk next door to eat. Home run. Today is straightforward get us back to Chez Ice as it’s turnaround day. We got 103 miles to Chez Ice. Then a bonus ride to Trois Rivieres and Moto Thibault, to drop off David’s machines and get Mrs Ice’s “blue thunder” and my Andre Apex a little love before Gaspe in 2 weeks. 7-8 today as decided to do no formal breakfast and hit the trail. Got the bags on and we are moving. Never rode from town to Cabanon on a perfect trail…. before today. Slot Car fast. Railing it the entire way. First tracks. Just nearing Cabanon they must have dropped the green because the race the other way was on. All good through there then 23 east is sweet as the rest. To 345 and time to let the Mrs run a bit. She hustles that Apex smoothly love to watch her work. Snohorse is old faithful in 3 all weekend. Then Playhard followed by our Tail gunner Brother Adam. Happy to get to ride with Brother Adam this run, as always a good time great company. On and off trail. Playhard is feeling super good and I am so happy he is back in the saddle and loving it. Down to 350 and still great trails no issues. Through Lac Blanc seeing some traffic but not crazy. Through St Alexis then onwards to 63 then to 3. All awesome here merci Club Armony, yes sir. Gas in St Etienne and we wrap it up to the house. Strip bags from sleds its 11:30. Playhard, Brother, Mrs Ice and I make tracks to Moto Thibault. Snohorse is waiting with David’s truck when we arrive. We drop off sleds get dressed down. Return to chez ice. David and Adam finish getting changed and are southbound, NY tonight. Great run, trails super, riding partners excellent. Now back to School for Mrs Ice her next adventure first week march Gaspe Snohorse and I are not ready to surrender just yet 1901 miles on the new Renegade XRS 900r since feb 6 North tomorrow up to the Lac. Time for some Bingo in the honey hole and beyond. IMG_0416.mov

Good evening, I am in Rimouski tonight. I am riding with some young friends. They are looking to capture some nice photos and videos of the Gaspe Peninsula. Heading to Saint Anne Des Monts tomorrow. Just wondering if anyone has run these orange trails, and if there are any good views of the water if you take them. We left from Fort Kent, Maine this morning . It was an absolutely beautiful Blue Bird day.