Abitibi Trip⛏️🌲

Saturday March 21. 

Finally time to get the last ride in this season with Playhard. We threw around every option. The original plan is the one that stuck. West it shall be. Earlier in the week I played trailer checkers. Bringing trailer up from shop unloading the Mrs. Ice machine  “blue thunder” into garage awaiting its douche before hibernation. Back to moto Thibault. Take on two. One of my Apex and one of David’s Apex. Loaded and back to the house staged for Saturday morning launch. Playhard arrived about 6pm friday. He brought along some delicious giant chicken fingers from Sunoco in Champlain off I87. Nice. 

Good nights rest and no hurry got all day. Pin trailer and load my gear in Davids truck. Off at 8:41. 

Nice dry road and beautiful day to trailer it black trail. 

Been six years since last ride up this road 117 here. Make excellent time. 4:30 in Amos. Hit gas station, Canadian Tire and ATM in centerville. Then off to Amosphere Hotel. 

All good here at Amosphere. Had awesome burger with smoked meat, bacon, sauce bbq and cheese. With crispy beer batter fries. Wattatow. Damn good.

Tons of snow. Looks full mid winter. Good amount of trailers both at Forestal on way by in Val d’or and here. 

Easily 25 sleds and 12-14 trucks trailer. 

We shall see what we find out there tomorrow. 

Edited March 28Mar 28 by iceman

Hard to beat the A-T region late spring

Abitibi Trip ⛏️🌲

Sunday March 22

7:30 breakfast. Leisurely morning. Out back of hotel I start track. A Few sleds have left but not many. Did I mention it’s snowing, they need more snow, (not)

Maybe 2-3 inches. Still snowing now not the greatest visibility. Out the back of hotel we turn right, west on TQ93. Won’t be needing scratchers today or any day this week i do believe. Lots of snow. Borderline on too much snow at once and has yet to be fully groomed in for sure. Some places only groomed once since storm. Following only a few tracks here headed west as well. Trailis decent here and down over River Harricana in town its winter here.

We wind around and take 307 north off TQ93 here trail is decent too. It’s spring conditions, so sorry it’s not getting a spectacular rating from me yet. But like i said I get it. We go up and now to 396 getting better here as for sure been obviously less traffic. 3-4 sled tracks ahead. Left side untouched. Cross river Haricana again , Here Club Matagami has just groomed last night. Is very nice here but real loose snow. We decided it was 40 miles up and then turn back, we are “ loopers” today, right snohorse? We are staying one more night in Amos so just kinda meandering around. It’s quickly obvious anything other than Trans Quebec is not terrible. But some of TQ93 is not fabulous at all. 

Backtracking we stop for gas in Pikogan next to Rodeway Inn. My gas light on at 129km today. Cote Nord and Gaspe running 150-160km before seeing light. Loose trail conditions severely affecting mileage. Oh well. 

Back through Amos past Hotel and continue on TQ93

So so, nothing to jump up and down about but we are riding. Sun is trying to poke through snow has stopped. We run down to 309 and here we finally have something as nice as 396 earlier. Seems we been through some real trash at places to get to it here but we are here. 309 to La Corne 316 direction La Motte. Mixed bag here, very rideable. Now to 307 and north back to Amos Airport and rejoin TQ93 into town to gas and hotel. 

172 miles in at 3:24. 

Alot less trucks only 4 with trailers left now. 

Maybe 10-12 sleds i say. Tonight. 

Waitress here was cooking, tending bar and waiting tables. 

Melissa is a boss. Getting it done solo. Wow. Impressive felt bad for. David and I offered to make our own drinks that was quickly denied. Our offer to help out cheffing it up in the kitchen was also declined. We tried. 

Tomorrow we are headed to La Sarre area. 

Hoping to see machinery has been burning fuel grooming while I sleep 5-6hrs . 

Show me the Purple please. 

I don’t want to have to do anything drastic. 

Stay tuned.

I hope today is good.

43 minutes ago, wng-2 said:

I hope today is good.

Me too. Wishing you guys all the best on the rest of your trip.

Enjoy your day fellas ! Will be eager to follow your track. Fuel is No object with those Apes ?

Team Ice up and adam on the 93 towards La Sarre 8:19 am

Stop into LAUNAY FOR FUEL 32.03 MILES TIME CHECK 9:31

Update: 11:25 am 90.81 miles Off the 93 to local trail #850. Looking like the most West trail in Quebec parallel to Ontario.

Heading North over some large frozen lakes.

They will be closing in on La Sarre area probably to finish the day playing Bingo.

Most likely to La Sarre for happy hour.

Disclaimer: Above post base on assumption.

Seems to be the Apes are chained. 259.58 miles 9;07 hours Fantastic Pac Man Grid Rippers ! Have a good night.

Edited March 23Mar 23 by Snohorse

How the section of 93 across Launay? Last night it was mogels for 30+kms, should be closed! 93 west of Taschereau was 10/10. Im at Amosphere, same dates as you guys. Cheers

Edited March 23Mar 23 by Thinksno

8 hours ago, Thinksno said:

How the section of 93 across Launay? Last night it was mogels for 30+kms, should be closed! 93 west of Taschereau was 10/10. Im at Amosphere, same dates as you guys. Cheers

Exactly as you described junk from just outside Amos to Taschereau

then hello.

Found it

Abitibi Trip ⛏️🌲

Monday March 23

Last night leaving restaurant, had a brief conversation with Muskoka MJ (Thompson) seen her from some ski doo videos but never met her, nice people. Gave her and their group some Team Iceman stickers and this morning got a surprise left on our sleds she gave us each one of her Muskoka MJ stickers. Playhard asked her what her advice as a Ski Doo Ambassador would be to a long time Yamaha rider? Now I gotta say, She did not miss a beat as she replied, “find a good therapist”. Now that is a friggin brilliant response. No doubt we both need more than our head examined, and one of us has has various therapists so maybe that is working on it? 

Too damn funny. 

Alright lets get this over with.

Seeing as Snohorse was working the morning watch and has already layed it out from Amos this Morning. 

I will just add that there was fresh grooming taking place around Amos this morning. Groomed on TQ93 out of town west just to 307 near airport. Here groomer went 307. Party over. 

From here at 307/TQ93 to Taschereau is rough. Mont Valin TQ93 style moquls. 

Then poof like magic (welcome to Quebec trail) it was like ok here starting in Taschereau we actually groom and maintain our trails. Merci beaucoup. 

We moved over into the La Sarre region and began Trail Pac Man running the trails like the video game. 

Pac Man is not necessarily the same as bingo. With Pac Man it’s not required to run each trail both ways.

If you want a bingo then both ways is mandatory, or it doesn’t count. 

Delicious trail over here. Most snow I have seen anywhere in Quebec this year. Even the gray here is beautiful. But it’s been groomed more for sure, then Amos area. Playhouse says in radio, would be a waste of pricey diesel to groom these trails. 10km later groomer. Near gas coming out of Groomers barn second machine heading out at 3:30pm. 

We zoomed up over down up over then again. 

Saw maybe 6-10 sleds all day. Colder today but big blue sky. Big pac man day. Playhard is on point he is plotting the course. Enjoying just kinda following along not thinking much about where. Nice change. 

One other big group of 8 or so sleds here in La Sarre.

Had some Boston Pizza and now tomorrow we shall see where we go wandering. 

Great day today, 

Finally found some white asphalt over here Snohorse. missing you and that NHmoose. WYWH

Stay tuned. 

More pics

Snowing again

man Ice I was tempted to turn north today near Mont Laurier and head up the 117

so glad to see posts, pics and people out enjoying the Abitibi in March

It never disapoints

P.S. thanks for the food porn too !!!! LOL

Abitibi Trip ⛏️🌲

Tuesday March 24

Slept great at Villa mon Repos. No rush this am. Its 8am for breakfast. Great service at the Boston Pizza dinner and breakfast we had 2 great servers. Hard to find depending where you go. Today we are headed for Rouyn-Noranda. We sat and talked at breakfast a long time. All great times. Treasure these times with my winter family. No matter which one or more of the Team I am with. We get moving and by now the heavy flurries and snow squalls are full on. Easily an inch of fluff seems to have fallen since it started an hour ago. We roll out strart Inreach track 9:44.  Island time, just how I like it. No stress mon. 

Quite a snowy start but it’s feathers and not sticking to shield. We cross out of town to other side of the ville to top off of the gas. 

TQ93 it is and still snowing heavy then lightens up the again. Playhard thankful for red sticks in fields south of La Sarre and on lake crossing. Red stick White top right side, yellow top red stick left side.  Trail is full mint condition here. With cream cheese frosting just fantastic. Like being in snow globe some places but this is snowmobiling. White asphalt perfect grooming with just a light dusting on top. 

Please sir, can I have some more? Seen about 6 sleds from La Sarre to Rouyn and trail is perfect here in town to. 

We head over to loop through and check out where is Motel Mistral for later this afternoon. Reconnaissance completed we continue on and gas at Petro Canada just down the trail here. Now back through town we go it 12:15. Plan is to run 60 miles east on TQ83 to the gas before Cadillac just off lake crossing. Headed east. 

The TQ83 is like all the other trails (after the first 40 miles yesterday) all friggin perfect. Thank you. Much appreciated. 

Perfect trail we stop at warming hut outside Royun to leave the mark. Then we talk with two guys from Ottawa who tell us Police are right up trail. They chased these two guys for 10km because they were speeding. They didn’t see police or them chasing. They stopped at intersection for 316 headed west on TQ83 and Police arrived behind for the traffic stop. Said tickets coming in mail 120km in 70km and if they wanted could charge dangerous driving. But said fine will be $230cdn. Thats makes four groups that I talked with this run that have gotten speed tickets. 

We continue on and never see the Police. I think at 2:30pm they were headed back to trailer wherever that was. But who knows. Near Pressiac well, well ,well, here is my favorite piece of hardware, a  big red Piston Bully groomer. Grooming perfect trail. This Is why it’s perfect. Not ok, not fine, it was absolutely mint perfect. 

Thanked the operator for his great work, gave him some stickers. Onward we go and we enjoy his labor all the way to the gas. Arrive and take the gas its 2:15.

We turn and burn it back west on TQ83. The sun is starting to break through now, but still some flurries. 

Beautiful as can be back to warming hut. Here we stop and Playhard strikes up a conversation with a few people stopped here. It is Thinksno. Great to meet fellow QR.com folks. We chatted a good bit and gave them all some ice swag. Super nice folks. Time to finish this day up. 

All Perfect trail for finishing up another stellar day. 

Good to be us today fo sure. 👍 

Into town in Rouyn and to Motel Mistral. 

All good in the hood. 

Tomorrow to Ville Marie. 

Le Bannik

Maybe a stop for some Chocolate in town.

Until next time

Stay tuned.

Saw this today for anyone who wants phone with I motoneige instead of gps or with a gps too i guess. This was on a Sidewinder but they have many options i guess.

Edited March 25Mar 25 by iceman

Sounds like a great day. Enjoy tody!

Abitibi Trip ⛏️🌲

Wednesday March 25

Just gonna do a check in quick tonight. Short day planned today to La Bannik. We enjoyed full mid winter type conditions. Don’t even need wheels out here yet. Met Police again today, they checked drivers licenses and plates. Two nice guys. Gave them stickers. They loved them. Probably passed 12 sleds headed north on TQ83 towards Rouyn. Arrive in Angliers here Police at trail. We passed up gas as was about 12 sleds lined up. We will manage. Cops are up road from gas station. Great interaction with them. Onward to Ville Marie. Run Apex out at 109 miles. Dump gallon, go into town with ego hurt man I just hate spilling my gas. but it’s why I have it right? Supplies at Depanneur/gas station and to La Bannik. 

In Loft here tonight upstairs main building, is why we checked in early. To relax and enjoy the lux.

living large, 3 bedrooms, sweet living room with propane fireplace, 2 nice bathrooms. Kitchen and private hot tub outside. 

Playhard had 3:30 massage and I sat listening to music watching it snow out over the lake. Fantastic dinner and nice soak in the hot tub. Still snowing got about 3” so far. 

Place has changed alot in main building since my last time here. Restaurant used to take up much of first floor. With views to Lake. Now much smalleras guest rooms were built inside where restaurant was. 

Tomorrow TQ63 to 309 to right to Amos or stop in Val d’or for bonus ride Friday morning back to truck.

Season winding down. Could be last riding day of this season tomorrow. 

Wow, great trails here really nice since leaving Amos Monday. 

Until next time

Stay tuned.

https://www.relive.com/view/vrqDXE42Lwq

https://www.relive.com/view/vwq1zDrpdLv

Very nice. Have a good day today!

Awesome end of season run!

Abitibi Trip ⛏️🌲

Thursday March 26

Great experience being at Le Bannik. Breakfast could be a bit more than it is. It’s ok next time it will be known and we will come prepared. Upstairs Loft was it. Nice space to hang in. We shall return in force. 

On sleds start track 9:31. Val d’or via TQ63 to 309.

3” fresh snow here at Le Bannik clouds this morning but no snow now. 

Groomer was by here last night and trail is nice with fluff on top. We wind out of town and here is 4-5” of snow as we get toTQ63. One day I will go further south on TQ63 but just not meant to be this ride. TQ63 is awesomeness. The entire week (except a bit sunday and early Monday morning) trails are perfect. Mid winter conditions. No scratchers here and no wheels needed either(that changes fast). But easily lots of riding in 2 weeks here is not a joke. (Weather will determine this) 

Stopped to take picture and four sleds go by. Actually made it better as they blew it open nice. It’s gonna be tight on go go juice today as is. First sleds we have seen since hotel. Was 5-6 others there. We get to 309 junction and they are there but getting ready to go. Yeah all good go for it. They were clearly faster and doing a fine job grooming it in my opinion. Have at it boys. Merci. By the way snowing again now.

Great trail smaller in places but a good mix of the good stuff. Beautiful territory. We arrive at left turn for Moffet and our friends are stopped here. They go right up 309

We go left to gas in Moffet

Marche Baril in Moffit. Danica is super nice and friendly beautiful store/gas/hardware/supermarket. Clean and new. Great stop. 

Back to 309 onward we arrive near Winneway and here gps says left but handwritten sign says Val d’or- Rapide Sept right. After brief discussion. I check IMotoneige and it shows right. Left was old trail and now I think is just the trail to Winneway in and out. Right is the 309. Metal signs not to be trusted its the old trail dog years ago probably. 

Tight twisty this one here been many moons since i been on this 309 section it has rerouted big time since my last ride here. I had no idea it no longer crossed the barrage at Rapide 7? How long has it been since that was changed? 

After bridge over river. Trail is much different very flat.

Last middle section from Moffet to here at River bridge is grey on Imoto so we were wondering, got intel at hotel was not terrible. The new snow helped alot. It was not great but I will give it good. Corners getting used up. Especially right turns. 

Here right up from bridge. Hello. Groomer headed down. We salute the operator and carry on. Getting nervous for the gas now so I go into cruise mode finding that cruise control speed where I dont need to vary my throttle. Just sipping a little gas not hammering on it. Does it work? Beats the hell out of me? Maybe riding like I stole it gets better mileage? 

Oh well sticking with the plan just as we have all week. 

Plan A.

Mint trails now as we are in Val d’or land. Its here the west was made. West is best. This week it is for sure. 

I cruise control into town wondering now that I am at F25 ran ot F30 yesterday. Make it to town and into the alley by Ski Doo. I think we gonna make it. Still snowing good as we roll into Shell. 3:00 i think. 

Decision is made gas and Forestal. Forestal has got it going on. Lots of people here. We stay here and ride to truck in morning then load up. Change clothes and black trail to Trois Rivieres. The end is near. 

Already plotting for next year. This memorable season will be one I am thankful for and so happy to have had the chance to ride with the best. On trail and off trail. 

Big long day tomorrow. 

Until next time.

https://www.relive.com/view/v4OGr5Pmp5v

7 hours ago, iceman said:

https://www.relive.com/view/v4OGr5Pmp5v

SPECTACULAR

Great ride gentlemen! Mid winter conditions at the end of March is a beautiful thing indeed! West is Best!!

Thanks for sharing & all the pics.

Safe travels East tomorrow.