Byrd

Here’s what I learned about our trip to Damville. You jump on the river at Lac à Jim that takes you to a local trail for about 25 km then you on a single trail for another 25km with adequate signage to get you there. If l was to do it again, l would have taken up their offer to meet us and take us in…which they offer more than once. They will take you down some road and cut across a lake that would have made it a lot easier at the end of the day. There is a warming hut 15 km in and clubhouse on a river 25 km in. I would have them meet me at the clubhouse.

Left Oliphant Saturday morning, March 8th, after the Moore’s grandbaby FINALLY arrived. Drove to Saint-Raymond with minimal traffic except for over the island of Montreal due to a protest downtown that afternoon. Left the Roquemond (St-Raymond) and rode to Auberge Eva; lots of deer on trail and a huge amount of weekend cottages returning home with sleighs full of everything from gas tanks, dogs and PT cruisers. Good accommodations as always, sleder’s meal plan was excellent with lots of variety. Day 2, after a good breakfast headed out to Pourvoirie de La Doré took the trail to Branche-Ouest, not much to see other than very large switching station but I have to admit that it was pretty impressive and on this trial we saw, for the first time ever, nordic grouses. Arrived at Pourvoirie de La Doré before dark and shown to our cabin where the girls finally won a game of Euchre and boy were they happy and celebrated for days!! The food was exceptional and for anyone that travels there, the caesar salad is a must. A typical 10 a.m departure but this day there were giant flakes of snow! Headed to Pourvoirie Damville. Took a variety of trails to get to Lac a Jim where we then rode a local trail 47 km north to the lodge. A bit of an adventure to get there but definitely worth it, amazing lodge, food, staff and service. In hindsight, when offered to be met and be led in, we should have accepted as Nicolas escorted us out the next morning through a shortcut that saved lots of time. Rode 285 km today to Otis Nature, great trails with a lunch stop and check in by 5. Weather is holding out good for us and the trails have been great.

Thanks for the reports. Glad to see there were no incidents on this Gaspe Bay tour . Never say never about the last ride.

Thanks for the report looks like you had a good weather and good Times. The trail north of Forestville is one of my favorites it is a must ride.

That doesn't look like your stock clubhouse.😀

Thanks for the write up. How was the trail to la Doré?

Spent the night at Saint-CREAM and gave thanks to St Christopher (the patron saint of traveler and bad weather). Woke up and had one of the best breakfast bagels ever. Then headed down to Lac Brouillard. A couple sections of 383 and 83 were plowed. Ended up with a miscommunication and no place to stay (our error) the owner was very helpful and ended up heading us to Auberge Le Camp de Base. Had dinner at the restaurant and the local boys had to hockey game on the big screen (cell phone on the table). Basis base camp no amenities, any port in a storm. Woke up, ran arose 301, a very scenic route, highly recommend. Continued on down to the double tree, looked like the groomer had some difficulty across one of the bridges on the 3 which explains why a large section of the trail isn’t groomed. The boy is headed back to Nova Scotia tomorrow to finish his last semester of university and parents are heading home to Oliphant. Had some good trails and some bad ones but it’s all part of the sport we love.

Yes it is nice to have a strong young lad with us because we're getting old...but HE was the one that was stuck!!

Tabarnack! Torchman failed to negotiate the corner…snow conditions may have been a factor.

Started the day with breakfast at Lac Eden and Guylaine told us the story of how they became the new owners. The property had been abandoned for 7 years when they took possession in January 2024. They’ve been working hard to make this place what it is today. This places had everything you needed and very reasonably priced. Started on the 373 met some locals from Lac Eden. Very hard day of riding. Stuck quite a few times, help others as they helped us. Tried to make it to Lac La Doré but unable due to drifts. Turned around and ended up at Hotel du Jardin. Woke up still pretty beat up from the day before. Rode around the top of the lake for a short day, stopped at the salon for a shot, then carried on to Saint-Cream (a renovated church) for the night.

Tried to make it to Poirvoirie de La Doré, no luck we had to turn around. Way too sketchy and stuck a few times.

February 14, 2025. The original M&M tours are down two so only 2 McKENZIEs left Oliphant and one from Antigonish Nova Scotia to meet up in Quebec City at the Double Tree. Saturday morning we unloaded and were off; lunch at Poutine du Boss. Trail 3 was choppy but all things considered was good for a Saturday around Quebec City. Continued on the 83, was in great shape all the way to Lac Moreau. (Auberge du Ravage) Treated great, had fresh halibut from the Saguenay River that was amazing. All and all great stay, if you’re ever there make sure you say “allo” to Coco the bird. Woke to freshly groomed trails. After an hour in and after many, many years of leading, Byrd passed the torch to the young lad, it’s time from him to get the experience as the leader. Rode up to the Grenouille, and the place was hopping, for those who don’t know, Grenouille is French for frog. Back down to Hotel Sagueneyenne just before the snowstorm began. Got our sleds parked in the garage and the food was great at the Tommahawk. Woke up to Beaucoup Neige, and thought: “don’t let bad weather and common sense keep you at the hotel”, so off we went. Rode to BRP dealership in Alma for oil. They have Great deal on non-current sleds if anyone is looking. Continued on in the blinding snowstorm. On our way up to Domaine du Lac Eden. Breaking trail all the way. Came across a a few guys that were in a mess but the SnoBunji to the rescue. Had them out within 5 minutes. Continued on to our destination, cozy cabins and good chicken leg dinner. The M.R.S. is not happy with her 129”! One of the toughest days we ever ridden in, but the mirror inconveniences are part of the experience. IMG_9326.mov

I hope we do not lose this site as it has always been a go-to for me to find out valuable information. The knowledge the members have shared, on the site, has been invaluable over the years from places to stay and which trails you must ride when you're in a certain area and the hidden gems. Hopefully we can rally the Quebec riders and keep this site going. Whereelse am I going to get my food porn?

I'm looking at a new set what's everyone's using?

Packed an overnight bag and hit the freshly groomed trails, headed east to Baie Comeau. First 60 km to bridge was perfect, crossed bridge then good with the exception of 1 km that had been ploughed. Rode local, scenic trails around Baie Comeau then checked in Le Manoir for the evening had another great meal at the in house restaurant. One of the day’s Highlight was the suspension bridge. Heading back to the truck & trailer for our long journey home. Thanks to all the groomer drivers and volunteers for making all the trials in Quebec the best in the world! Hope you enjoyed our voyage, thanks for following along…. We keep doing it because we personally enjoy reading about other riders adventures.

Woke up in Forestville at the Enconologe to a cold, sunny morning, this hotel can accommodate many and it right on the trail. Rode mostly local trails all day and they were AMAZING! Highly recommend the 2 dead end trails straight north of Forestville; the scenery was spectacular and one of the nicest rides we’ve done in northern Quebec. We would have never ridden on those trails had it not been for the lack of snow in most areas this year….it felt like we were the only ones on the trail; met less than a dozen sleds all day. Absolutely fabulous day on the trails.

M&M Tours is off. Left Oliphant Sunday March 17th, pulled into the Best Western Premier Hotel Aristocrate in Quebec City around 8 and had a fabulous dinner at the in house restaurant, La Fenouillière. Off Monday morning and checked in to Complexe Hotelier Escoumins then spent 3 hours trying to find places to stay for them next 5-7 days. Rode loops for the first 3 days in a variety of conditions…good, bad & ugly mostly due to the new, wet snow even though the groomers were out. Des Bouleaux Blanc clubhouse is a great stop 40 km from town. Thursday morning rode most the day through storm conditions to the ski village Valinouët and stayed at a local rental house, Auberge du Yeti. Rode up 373 as far as we could then spent the night in a cabin at Auberge 31. A quick lunch at Piste D’or was tasty and the owner was entertaining-he sort of reminded us of Bernard Then back to truck and trailer, 93 did not disappoint-smooth, fast trails. Loaded up and drove to Forestville.

That picture gives a whole new meaning to high miler 😁

We waved good bye to Natalie at Pourvoirie La Vérendrye, we stayed in a cabin and pre made delicious meals were ready in fridge for us (Jazz cooked up a great breakfast). We were the first tracks up 396 to Louvicourt, gas & lunch at Hotel Royal; then across to Rouyn-Noranda for another great stay at Hotel Albert….a big day for us old riders, 420 km! Thank goodness (and Groomer drivers) that the trails were 10 out of 10. the Moores had an early morning appointment at the BRP dealer, great service; changed the sock and fuel filter. Warned that the fuel pump was on its way out and to have a Plan B. Spent balance balance of day wondering around town and had a great dinner at Moulin Noir. Concerned about fuel pump, hoping our stars are aligned and as Austin Power says we also like to live dangerously. Headed north to Restaurant Le Poste for lunch, place was packed and the staff had a hard time keeping up. South to 93, across to Amos and the Atmosphere. Dinner at joccivano Restaurant. Woke to 10 cm of snow fall over night. Headed north on 396 to Matagami and back down to Motel du Lac in Quévillon. Trails are still in excellent shape, light snow all day. If you’re thinking about one last ride, don’t be afraid to come to this area.

And we’re back! M&M Tours are on the move again, trailered to La Bannik at Ville Marie. Restaurant was closed due renovations, local restaurants will deliver most days but Mondays…..good thing we always have trails snacks; snacks took a beating. Woke to -10 and sunny, headed south on 63 to 43 and spent the night at Dumoine des Valley Guides. Lunch stop at Temiscaming, food great especially the poutine! Back out to Kipawa for gas ( there’s a restaurant that we did know about) hopped on the lake and ran it down to meet trail 43 and then onto Valley Guides…we were 1st tracks for over 100km. Good scenery on the trail, amazing waterfalls/rapids. Etienne at Valley Guide, is fluently bilingual and “provides warm meals and comfortable beds to weary travellers”. Individual cabins and homemade (really good) food delivered hot to the cabin, dinner and breakfast! Late start, to the town of Swisha for gas where we were the true definition of being a Canadians was defined: we love winter but others are anxious for summer to start. Up to Pourvoire Pavillon La Vérendry for the night. Trails have been perfect, 11 out of 10, hard to find a bump; actually meet 2 groomers today. Spoke to Gilbert, 1 of the groomer drivers, he groomes 180 km stretch of trail 43. He did tell us that they are only allow to groom during the day; the reason for this is because there is no longer support for groomers during the night if something happens. He actually has a nice construction trailer, with satellite tv, mid way up the trail where he spends the nights. Getting ready for a big ride to Rouyn-Noranda tomorrow, we have an appointment at BRP for 9 a.m. For Jazz’s sled as it has been having fuel problems. IMG_0330.MOV

Pub royal bar grill across the street is a great spot . Stayed way to long one night.

Had this happen a couple of times one fix was done by a sheet metal screw the other time we threaded a bolt in and covered with jb weld both worked for over a 1000 km . Very little pressure in the cooling system. Pack extra antifreeze just in case.

Thoughts and prayers snowmobiles can be replaced people can’t. I hope everyone is going to be alright.

Woke to -23, left at 9:30 after another good stay at windigo. Beautiful morning for a run down the reservoir to the local trail then to trail 73. Great run down till we hit the 355, rough trails all the way until the 23. Starting snowing heavy, back to see Reggie by 4:30. Great trips, great friends and met a few new friends along the way.

Woke to -26 felt like -36. Good breakfast and on the trails by 10. Took the east Y of the local trail, broke trail all the way, lots of fun. In to Wemo for gas. Came across our second rescue this trip, another person fail to negotiate the corner. Lots of manpower out in no time. Off to relay 22 for lunch. Good soup, poutine and chicken strips. Back to Windigo for the evening. All trails good, really good and great. Beautiful sunny day. Lots of snow in this area.