Late Feb-March last year. So we came out of RDL Universel and headed down the long straight trail that’s a sharp left directly after leaving the MikeRider tunnel….blasted a mile or two down that trail. We were 2 couples 4 sleds, As we often do we pulled over to tuck or cover whatever clothing felt drafty and then ready to rip toward the mountain trail past St Pamphile. A sled had passed us then stopped 100 ft ahead and looked back at us and waited…..kind of half turned toward the side trail facing as if to go down that small club trail on the right. I stopped to check on him and he asked if we were ok. I said yes….”where are you heading?” he asked us in a French accent in broken English. I told him we were heading to 5W.
He told us he lived “right here” pointing down the side trail. He said the trail we were on had drifts ahead as it often does near the open fields and hadn’t been groomed. He said to follow him and he would take us out newly groomed club trails to 5 if we would like. I said sure and he was thrilled to lead us. A mile in he stopped and asked us how was his speed too fast or slow. Perfect I told him. Super nice guy. You guys know the trail I’m sure….crosses a small stream with steep banks. Mint mint trails all the way up to the 5 split.
He stopped at 5 and pointed west to us. We all thanked him and we shut our sleds off to talk a minute. He asked where we were from. We said we came from Maine and he smiled. He said to us “Canadians love Americans never mind this stuff going on. Americans are good people and have lots of money they bring” and he laughed. “They are my many great friends ” he said.
We said our goodbyes and wish we had got his name and number. Sweetheart of a guy. Hopefully we meet again to ride we will certainly keep an eye out for him in that area.
I think most American and Canadian common folk feel the same and respect each other and don’t all prejudge based on the news. They have all treated us really great and we always do the same. Always will.
By
EastMark ·
