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12 days, 4 regions, 893 miles, in Quebec

Region 1, Lac St-Jean: St-Hedwidge, La Doré, Normandin

September 10th, 2006

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Sometimes when we fold down the tent in the morning, we feel like staying for a few days ('cause the spot is so nice). But then, we're confident we'll find an even more beautiful place further down...chutes_depart.jpg (71283 octets)

 

New quad or old quad, a basic daily inspection helps keep troubles at bay.entretien.jpg (91376 octets)

 

Trails between Normandin and "Lac à Jim" (Jim's lake) outdoor activity center are absolutely incredible. Come on, what are you waiting for? Don't tell me it's not tempting!j'arrive.jpg (80783 octets)

 

Blueberries. This is blueberryland. They're all over the place. And you can pick up as much as you want. An all you can eat blueberry buffet.

Of course, bears love'em too...bleuest_partout.jpg (113253 octets)

 

True story:
When ready to get back on saddle after a "blueberry-stop", France is looking around every where...
"Honey, I looked every where, I can't find one of my gloves"
"Bâh, it can't be too far. Did you have it when you got here?"
(Nasty look from France to Marc) "...Course I had it when I got here..."
"Well, did you look on the seat?"
"Yes"
"On the floorboards"
"Yes"
"On the luggage?"
"Yes, yes, yes!! I looked every where!"
"Well now, I mean, it's got to be somewhere..."
(Other nasty look, this one slightly more aggressive...)
After over 10 minutes of fruitless searching, I look up and see my girlfriends' back..."All right baby, I just found your glove"
Incredible how sticky velcro can be, is'nt it?gant_perdu.jpg (133837 octets)

 

 

titre_aujourdui.gif (1037 octets)titre_today.gif (368 octets)
Yeah ! Nice and friendly people!
Yeah ! A nice couple met by chance at a restaurant tell us wich way to go to get to Chiboum.
Bof... Oh no! A flat tire!
Bof... One of the quad tires as a very slow leak. At least, all we have to do is put some more air in it every once in a while and we can keep on riding.

 

 

Looking at how dense the forest is, you'd think you're somewhere in Central America! In fact, I think I've seen this place on the Discovery Channel!

You think that bridge will hold??pont_solide.jpg (120660 octets)

 

There's only one way to know!

It's either: "A"make it or "B" break it!pont_solide_2.jpg (110481 octets)

 

Sure hope the answer is "A".sentier_pont_quad.jpg (110125 octets)

 

Ouf! Ok! We made it. When you look at it, there was so much wood spreaded all over that I could'nt have broken thru the bridge if I'd wanted to!

Note that it's the same rider that rode both quads over. Happens...every now and then...sentier_pont_trailer.jpg (103327 octets)

 

Nice piece of scenery! It's called "Portage de aulnaies" and it's located north-west of Normandin just before getting to "Lac à Jim". If ever you ride in that area...you'll never see it 'cause we ended up there following a navigation error...paysage.jpg (49831 octets)

 

Guess what! We lost the trail to Chibougameau, again!...Seems to be the story of this ride, does'nt it?.. We stop at "Lac à Jim" to get a bite to eat and maybe get some indications about wich way to go...Luckily, we meet a member of the local quad club who knows the trail pretty good.

To describe 145 miles of tightly wooded trail is'nt an easy task! 55 miles of forest roads, turn left here, then right, then left at the second main trail...bla...bla...bla...I take notes but I have a feeling I just know what's going to happen...

After 2 hours of it, we thank the fellow (Jim??) and we get in gear. It's 3:00p.m. already and we want to ride as much as we can before it gets dark.

Of course, after over 60 miles of forest roads, Jim's directions dont match the trail no more. Since we're at a T intersection, we dont know wich way to go anymore!

We decide to turn left and ride until we find an half decent spot to spend the night, and re-evaluate the situation in the morning.coucher_chemin.jpg (57753 octets)

 

In the evening, I (Marc) decide to...take a bath...(no pictures!). Since the lake is a little to coolish for me, I warm up some water on the stove and stand behind the quad where I'm more or less hidden ( I mean, you dont have to go too far to get some privacy when you're over 60 miles out in the bushes!). My pants down to my ankles, I'm soaping up my privates pretty good when suddenly, I can't believe my eyes, a car pulls up!!! (I mean, what are the odds??)

My butt dripping with soap and water, I struggle to pull my pants back up thinking they surely noticed their timing is'nt quite good and they'll probably turn around and let me finish my business. But NO!! They park right by the quad! The lady lowers her window and simply asks "We're out of smoke, d'you have any cigarettes?"

"No mam, we don't smoke" I tell her, not believing what I'm hearing! And so they hang around and start chatting: " Nice day today, supposed to be freezing tonight, bla...bla...bla..." And me, in the mean time, my undies are getting soaked...

Not before 15 or 20 minutes later do they finally decide to leave...Well, I guess I also got part of my laundry done tonight...

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Les cartes titre_maps.gif (356 octets)

Vue d'ensemble/
general view

cliquer pour agrandir >> Cliquez pour agrandir /
>> Click to enlarge

 

autohome_small.gif (6039 octets)

Autohome Canada.Exclusive Canadian importer of high quality Autohome roof top tents. Granted us financial support.
Thanks!

 

 

 

titre_weather.gif (461 octets)
 
50C   122F
     
  40C   104F
     
30C   86F
     
20C   68F
     
10C   50F
     
0C   32F
     
-5C   23F
     
-10C   14F
soleil.gif (1277 octets)

 

Wall to wall sunshine.
Vent:
Wind:
Rather breezy and cool.
   


 

 

 


Les sentiers titre_trails.gif (371 octets)

Facile

Moyen

Difficile 

Easy

Moderate

Difficult 

Beautiful trail sections + forest roads = Lots of miles in no time.

 

 

 

 

 


Les statistiques titre_stats_eg.gif (394 octets)

  • Miles: 111
  • Hours at the restaurant:2
  • Food: $25
  • Maps: $20
  • Fuel: $108
  • Nb of times we lost the trail: 25, minimum!

 

 

 

 

 

Les Oscars-The Oscars:
award.jpg (1717 octets) And the winner is...
 

The bridge, for being the scariest we've seen in a long time...

 


 

 

 

 

 

                 repas.jpg (625 octets)

Déjeuner/ Breakfast: coffee+coffee+more coffee(it's cold and the cup's warm...)

Dîner / Lunch: resto

Souper / Dinner: Salad and COLD cuts.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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YOUR LOGO HERE

A link redirect readers to your company website

Advertise special offers

This space is AVAILABLE for you.

THANKS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

commanditaire_durocher_small.gif (14489 octets)

Durocher transit. With more than 100 trucks, Durocher Transit inc. offers it's many customers a complete an personnalized service!
Granted us an important financial support to build our trailer.
THANKS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


commanditaire_rmmotosport_small.gif (7770 octets)

RM Motosport, Victoriaville, Qc.  Polaris, Suzuki dealer.

Gave us an important discount on the price of a quad and accessories.
THANKS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


commanditaire_beauchesne._small.gif (6216 octets)

Garage M.Beauchesne Enr. Top notch quality and service collision center.
Sandblasting and painting of our trailer. THANKS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


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Top Design Stripes and Lettering. Complete and professionnal service in lettering and striping.
Gave us an important rebate on letterings on our equipment. THANKS!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


BarreOblique Ltée Graphic studio, web, multimedia and printed.

Associating technology, art and content to create unique and efficient multi- media tools.
THANKS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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