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.
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By
iceman ·
