Incredible vistas typically require great heights, and #7 shared with us that he doesn't care for great heights. So it is understanable that he preferred day 2 riding.
It was this day, which was not noted in the ride report, that I, while leading, almost went over a quite deadly precipice on a sharp right hander. I'm not sure why the surrounding trees/bushes were removed from the corner's "runoff" area, but the guys told me later that if I went over there - I would still be falling, and it was much later.
#7, it's already been written...day 3, 2nd day of riding..below. I think I wrote it too quick since it's already been buried. I was wondering why you had not mentioned more on the mountain riding? To me, day 1 of riding was the best!
well written, #7. oddly enough, I always find reading ride reports from the rides I've been on to be so much more enjoyable than reports when I was not there. I guess they are like a textual photograph, reminding me of what I experienced firsthand. thanks for the memories.
#388, you have a large responsibility writing the report for day 2. I want to have butterflies when I read it - like I did riding that day!
#5
ps> yes, #10, I will always be jealous when ride someone else -- sorry, I mean ride with someone else.
Day 3 of the trip began in the small city of Chandler (the night before) at the bar with the boys reminding #7 that he was the trail boss for the upcoming day 3. 5 WPRiders wondered what I had in store for them.
The early evening at the bar turned into a night at the restaurant for more beer and back to the bar for even more. This was our best night of drinking with the shortest day of riding in front of us.
I informed the others that we would be doing things a little differently on this day. For starters, there was no proposed breakfast meeting and no proposed times to be on the sleds. The only requirement was to be at the gas pumps across the street at 8:05am. Not surprisingly, everyone made it.
Days 1 and 2 had us traveling well over 200 miles per day along the north coast of the penninsula along TQ5. On this day we were headed along the south coast of the spectacular Gaspe and eventually north through the Circuit Des Appalaches to the quaint La Cache in the dead center of the Gaspe.
We found our way back to TQ5 heading west. Within the first few miles, as trail boss, I found perfectly groomed virgin trails. It was a real treat buzzing in and out of the corners with perfect grip. We met two oncoming sleds within minutes of these smooth trails. We would not encounter any oncoming sleds for hours. I'm sure the caboose du jour did not get as good a ride as I got, but even he had to like what he saw.
I was puzzled by the lack of snowmobile traffic, but kept a rigorous pace nonetheless. I subscribe to the "get it done early" theory of riding. We averaged 38 MPH moving average for the day, so the stops were quick and few between. I figured as the day moves on, the breaks would be longer. If and when we encountered some spectacular views, we would have time to take some photo shots.
We passed through Port Daniel-Gascons, Shigawake, Saint Godefroi, Pasbebiac and New Carlisle for the first 60 miles. All were gas stops that we just plowed by. The previous night the Pez quized me on how many miles the rider with the shortest range was. I guessed it was #10 with the triple and 95 miles. He said he had more, which started the wheels turning....Like Kramer on Seinfeld...how far can we go.
#5 was urging me along pointing to stops much further west on the map. By the time we were at the 75 mile mark and blasting through these little coastal towns, I was starting to wonder how far we could go. The terrain was easy riding with perfectly groomed trails and some loose snow trails, but no bumps at all.
At the 86 mile mark we passed the Bonaventure gas stop, which was a few miles off the trail. Why bother right? We can go 100 miles. We finally stopped at a little town called Caplan at a gas station / yamaha dealer at the 97 mile point. We made it far enough that we would not need gas again that day and I actually received a subtle kudos from the Pez for this stop.
I noticed the dealer had a brand new Yamaha Nytro for $13,699.00 Canadian Dollars. That's just nuts. The boys ooohhed and aaahhhed at this engineering masterpiece and we jumped back on the familiar TQ5 trail.
Our next stop was in New Richmond for oil and lunch. We stopped by the Ski Doo and Polaris places and picked up what we needed. Next was lunch at some restaurant with a name that escapes me. Of course there were no tables for 6 available. We ended up at the crappy Subway and eating outside on the snowmobiles. It was a little disappointing. That place just doesn't get it done for me.
New Richmond (refer to your maps) is at the juncture of TQ5 and green club trail 595. This was the first time we ventured away from the coast on a northern route and into the interior of the Gaspe. The first thing I noticed was this trail was groomed as well James Bond at dinner.
As we entered this opening to the park, I encountered some beautiful deer. I remember noticing how they moved as gracefully as Emmitt Smith on Dancing with the Stars. My first thought was how could #388 really shoot these things and then gut them??? These creatures seemed to be everywhere. They were in the woods, on the trail, everywhere. One was beside the trail and there was nowhere for it to run because of a rock wall to the right. This thing looked at me, got scared and jumped onto the trail. With little time to react, I put the thumb to the boards and blasted right passed it. I missed it by about a foot. Close call, I'm sure #10 saw the whole thing. So many deer, there was tons deer crap all over the trail. Apparently, the deer family that craps together stays together.
At every corner, I was more worried about crashing into deer than oncoming trees (What? lookout for those) or even oncoming sleds. I had seen about 20-30 deer at this point and was really annoyed with these pains in the asses. At this point I was unimpressed with these park animals and wanted to shoot and gut one of these things myself. #388, I'm with you on a hunt sometime, I'm serious.
595 provided us with some crazy mountains, up and down. We had some wonderful views for pictures. Way out in the middle of nowhere, we saw a sign for "CELL PHONE USE". We stopped there for some pic's. I don't know if anyone tried a call or not. It just seemed like nothing you would ever see out there.
We were 150 miles into our trip and it was only 2:00pm. The 595 trail was fast. We were on stretches of 5-10 miles of going 55mph-65mph. We made great time all week and this day was no different. We spent some time talking on the side of the trail, taking in the sights and just making the moments last a little longer. At this point, I was thinking that this snowmobiling trip of a lifetime was significantly more than half over. It was a sobering thought. This made me more determined to enjoy every moment the rest of the way. Work has been especially difficult the last 6 months and this getaway was really what I needed.
We pressed on the final 30 miles to find Relais La Cache. Some of the boys were less than impressed with the facility. It looked fine to me. This was my first time with the added stress of being Trail Boss in Canada. That along with the previous night's drinking, I was physically and emotionally spent. Some of these guys wanted to go another 97 miles to the next spot with a "chance" of having a vacancy. I, for one, made a stink that we made a committment to this little place and should honor it.
We stayed there and enjoyed it immensely. It was reasonably priced, the shower was scorching hot and food was pretty good. I liked those meat pies (no pun intended). Sure the place will be condemned in the not so short future, but it suited 6 WPRiders' needs just fine.
This was a mostly uneventful day for the others, but special to me. I was in the midst of a tremendous vacation and loving it. Special thanks to the other 5 for your patience with the Trail Boss for a day.
Day 4 brought us back to Domaine Valga, but #10 will have to tell you about that one.
lookout for those) or even oncoming sleds. I had seen about 20-30 deer at this point and was really annoyed with these pains in the asses. At this point I was unimpressed with these park animals and wanted to shoot and gut one of these things myself. #388, I'm with you on a hunt sometime, I'm serious.
