FrostBytes Day 7, 1/29/2018... We FINALLY Made The Ferry!

Last night we made the 6pm ferry to Matane.  We had a total of 19 miles on our sleds today.  Our usual overnight stay here, the Quality Inn, was fully booked.  We found a quaint little place just a couple blocks away.  It fit our taste to a Tee.  A drive up door to the room made for easy unloading of our gear, a small room with 2 beds per room and a super duper shower.  To be honest, we could care less about the accomodations most times, just as long as the shower head spits out a good stream and is hot. 

Just outside the interior door there was a long narrow hallway that led us to the reception area and bar/restaurant.  The gang was gathered here by 9pm, at the bar,  enjoying a cold soda,  and patting ourselves on our backs for finally getting accross the St Lawrence Seaway.  The bar closed at 11, we were in bed by 11:20 with minimum damage.

Today we had a short ride to Cap Chat, our overnight stay at the base of the Chick Choc mountain range.  We took our time, enjoyed the groomed trails, and stopped at a Relaise around 11am for hot choclate.  Our 1/2 hour stay, lounging at tables and the arranged couches, was punctuated with an impromptu acoustic guitar performance of Turn The Page by our newest Team Member Dylan Bond (his bio to come soon).

Our plan was to go up the trail a ways, to another relaise and have lunch.  Excited for our lunch stop, we were promptly disappointed to find out they were closed today.  Might as well just head to Village Grande Nature Chic Chocs we concluded.

Never a good idea when this group gets into our overnight too early.  We gathered in Craig's cabin, made a fire in the wood burning stove, and enjoyed some tasty cold beverages as we awaited our 6:30pm dinner call.  Lots of stories were shared, razzing each other and to Craig's chagrin, we continued stoking the wood stove and adding multiple logs at a time.  It was so hot we had to open the front door for periods to cool it down.  Craig was dismayed because he didn't want his cabin so hot that he & Phil would not be able to sleep in the sweltering heat that was rising up to their loft bed rooms.  We enjoyed the challenge.

We love this location.  While sitting at the 8 person log table, we were able to look out the front and side windows at the setting sun over the Chic Chocs.  It was a beautiful sight.  The 12 riders had 6 cabins, Craig's even had a hot tub.  The lodge is 45 second ride via sled at the top of a hill, overlooking the cabins.

Around 5:30 we headed up to the lodge to visit with the owner, and patronize his bar like a good guest should. Dinner was another fabulous meal.  I had the salad with cold shrimp, carrot soup and a duck leg.  Again, its always a pleasure to visit these places and enjoy their excellent cuisine. 

After dinner, most of the guys retired back to Craig's place and a few enjoyed a soak in the hottub (Stinky P, please bring a swimsuit on your next ride with us, your not the sight you think).  

Chip, Craig and Stinky P Phil... Eff you Phil LOL (inside running joke, sorry bout the language)

For the most part, everybody came thru unscathed.  Except wingman Jamie.  Joe Snowmobiler Jamie came back to the cabin, tried to do a powerslide in, and put his Ski-doo on it's side, breaking the small windshield attachment and mirror off.  Some black gorilla tape the next morning solved the problem.

Joe Snowmbile showing us how to park at the end of the night

This morning while checking out, I had a nice conversation with the young waitress that had served us last night and this morning.  She filled me in on the history of the area we were in (she wrote the name down on the receipt for me, but I think I left it at the restaurant we had a late lunch at today).  Anyway, without being specific, the Canadian government, or the Provincial government, I didn't ask to clarify, established the area as new town in the early 70's.  Her father moved there when he was 6 years old.  In the 90's the area wasn't developing as originally planned.  So the government paid $800 to each of the homeowners, repossesed their homes and gave them the boot.  The translation of the town I can't recall the name of is City of The Future.  Glad I was able to hear the back story, I like getting the local's perspective and history of the areas we visit.

Anyway, today we made our destination of Carlton.  It's 8:04 pm, and this is the only update you get today, I need a rest.

Oh yea, one last thing, don't leave the bar with your tab open and leave me to pay your bill.  Action Dan will attest to this, as this is his receipt I had to pay for him last night, and he reimbursed today!

Dont leave your bill unpaid and expect me to take care of it... cus I will.

bye for now,

Stick

Meet The Team: Kevin Brinch New To The Darkside Team In 2018

Kevin is from Linden Michigan, also near by the homebase of the Darkside Team.  Kevin started riding when he was 8 years old on a 1972 Evinrude Trail Blazer and a 1974 Johnson Rampage in the Cheboygan area at his grandparents home on Mullett Lake.

A special memory of Kevin's was the Blizzaard of '78 when each his mother and father put Kevin, and his sister Kim, on the Evinrude and Rampage and rode down Dort Hwy from Flint to Grand Blanc to visit his Grandparents house and have dinner.  This must have been when the hooks of the snowmobiling sport put him in the boat.

In 1998, Kevin bought a 1972 Ski-Doo Nordic for his family to put around the yard and fields of Linden. Pulling the kids on saucers and such, and letting the kids get a taste for the winter time sport.

In 1999 Kevin bought his first new sled, a Yamaha Venture.  Most of his riding on the Venture was in Hulbert MI in the Upper Penninsula with his kids, one on the front and one on the back!

Today Kevin rides a 2017 Yamaha Sidewinder around the Luzerne area of the Lower Penninsula at his buddy Joe's place, as well as alot of riding out of the U.P. in the Raco area.  That is where he met Craig Willour and Chris Boyle, his wingman on this trip around Quebec.

Following at home is his wife Laurie.  Laurie is also an avid snowmobiler, having done a 1600 mile saddlebag ride with Kevin in February 2017.  Snowmobiling is a family affair in the Brinch home!

Laurie Brinch in Copper Harbor in February 2017 during their 1600 mile saddlebag ride!

Kevin did his first saddlebag ride during Chris and Big Brians Loop The Yoop annual saddlebag ride 4 years ago.  He has been hooked on saddlebag riding ever since, as he says "It's AWESOME".

Kevin says he will definitely be back on the Darkside Ride again! Thats great news, as he was MVP on the repair of Craig's sled yesterday in Baie Comuea.  Back home on the trails of the U.P. his nickname is MacGyver due to his quick skills of fixing a problem on the trail. Thanks for jumping in and assisting in getting the Darkside Team back on the trail!

Meet The Team; Chris Boyle New On The Darkside In 2018

Chris Boyle, out of our home base area of Flint, Michigan, is on his first ride with the Darkside Team in Quebec.  He has known our leader, Craig Willour, since about 1999 when he first started riding.  Actually, he was with Craig on his first ride out of the Gaylord area when he first found his love of snowmobiling!  Back then he was on a Polaris 500 2-Up. 

These days, Chris rides mostly out of Raco in the Upper Penninsula, where he rides with his friends, and friends of the Darkside Team, Dave, Corrine, Mikey and Big Brian.  He has done many rides with his wingman Big Brian around the U.P., usually they do their own version of Loop the Yoop the first week of February. Their Loop is usually a 6-7 day saddlebag ride, and averages around 1200-1400 miles on their annual trip.

These days, Chris is riding a 2013 superior Ski-Doo product, a 600 E-tec. He currently has around 13,000 miles on that sled, and his goal is to get to 20,000 miles so he can retire it and hang it from the rafters in his garage!

Following Chris from home is his wife, Dena.  She also enjoys the sport of snowmobiling and enjoys many day rides with Chris and the gang out of Raco, when she isn't "married to her job" as Chris puts it.  She has even done a saddlebag ride with Chris to Drummon Island, near the U.P.

So far Chris is enjoying the ride, he is loving the scenery and the people we meet on the trail.  Hopefully he will be back next year as well.  

The one thing Chris is disappointed about is that our former Co-Leader Jim "Jimmer/Ole" Olender is not on the ride with him.  Ole has beat Chris up for years to come on this ride, and Chris was looking forward to the ride with him, hopefully next year Ole!

FrostBytes Day 6, 1/28/2018 Just Have My Mail Forwarded Here To Baie-Comeau

Well, last night we spent our second night in Baie Comeau.  Very rarely do we spend two nights in one location.  After breakfast it looked like we were going to be spending a third night here, because there are no rooms available in Matane, when we get off the ferry.  Just forward my mail here to the Travel Lodge here Baie Comeau, think I'm going to be here awhile!

Action Dan and his BIG dessert

We got here to the Travel Lodge around noon yesterday, had the afternoon to ourselves, and the ferry doesn't leave until 6pm tonight.  We have NEVER had this kind of down time on the trail.  Last night the group was kind of splintered, there was 4-5 guys together working on Craig's Yamaha Sidewinder, while the others settled in and cleaned up.  Jamie, Vinnie, Chip & I went downtown via taxi to the Grand Hotel for dinner.  I am not sure what or where the others went, as we got back around 8:30pm, and the group was kind of gathered outside by the snowmobiles having a cold pop and shooting the shit.  I guess everybody just needs to be around their snowmobile to conversate?  

I also got caught up on the status of Craig's sled.  Craig's sled was dropped off at Hamilton & Bourassa in Baie-Comeau around 11am.  This is a Honda, Harley-Davidson, Arctic Cat dealership.  The proprietor, Germain Deschenes, told the boys they had until noon to use his heated garage and the box chest of tools in the corner.  The manufacturer book calls for this repair to be a 14 hour repair for a dealer!  Action Dan occupied the time of Germain in conversation, while Craig, Phil, Kevin, and Ron Nicks worked steadily on the tear down.  As time went on, and Action Dan kept up International relations with Germain, his attitude loosened.  Germain told the boys he was going to dinner, and when he came back, then they would have to be done for the day so he could lock the shop up.  The boys stayed steady at it.  At 6pm, 7 hours later, the boys had the Yamaha back in one piece and ready for a test drive.  Germain actually became a true friend of the Darkside Team.  Phil gave Germain a custom made, stainless steel exhuast spring puller for his mechanics tool box.  Germain was so estatic, that he told the boys that "this is their home" if they ever need anything when back in the region.  We send a very heartfelt "Thank You" to Germain for his hospitality and use of his shop and tools.  People like this that you meet on the trail is what makes this sport fun and enjoyable.

Germain Deschenes, Honorary Darkside Team Member,  sitting on the fully repaired Yamaha

This morning, every body again kind of splintered off onto their groups for breakfast at whatever time they awoke, as our departure time is 5PM today to make the less than 5 mile trail ride to the Ferry station.  Hopefully we maintain our new 25% on time rate for today's ferry.  

When Jamie & I returned from breakfast around 9:30am, we ran into Craig and his wingman Phil.  Craig was putting together Plan C.  When I inquired about Plan C, he stated that Plan B was now a wash, because yes, we can catch the ferry tonight, BUT there are no rooms in Matane when we land there.  I laughed outloud.  I went into my room to take a nap.

When I awoke, I saundered down to Craig & Phil's room to find out how Plan C was going.  With exuberance he said Plan B is back on!  He found rooms 4 miles up the trail in Matane!  Stop my mail!

We now will have a different itenerary than is outlined on our DarkSideAdventures.com website.  The new path is as follows: Tonight we will be in Matane,

Monday January 29: Leave Matane and arrive Cap-Chat

Tuesday January 30: Leave Cap-Chat arrive Carlton Sur.  This is the original day for this overnight so we will be back on the original schedule from there out...hopefully.

We are cutting out Murdochville and Perce.  Tomorrow's ride out of Matane to Cap-Chat is short ride, so if you follow our trackers you will see alot of wandering as we try to fill up our day.

It is now 2:15 pm at the Travel Lodge, we are gathered in their restaurant, awaiting 5pm.  That is our departure time to make the Ferry.  

I will be doing a few Rider Bio's next to kill some time today, so check back later.

Bye for now,

Stick

FrostBytes Day 5, 1/27/2018... It's Never A Good Sign When You See...

Well, last night we cured our hangry (hungry and angry for those not familiar with pop culture) and everybody was in better sprits by the time we sat down to the dinner table.  Their was a couple fish choices, salmon or cod, chicken skewers, or a steak and frites.  Choice of cesar salad or FRENCH onion soup.  A couple adult beverages made the atmosphere jovial, and the empty dining room was filled with 12 guys boisturous conversation.

Today was a warm 10 degrees at our scheduled departure time of 7:30am  This was a hard departure time as well, as we had only 60 miles to go to get to the town to catch the ferry, the same ferry we have only been succesfull at catching 33% of the time, but Craig and Action Dan were hell bent to raise our percentage to 50%. 

But, alas, it just isn't meant to be, and we are now at only a 25% success rate. Good thing we're not brain surgeons. But more about that later.

We were on the trail 10 minutes late... I may have had something to do with that, but it really doesn't matter now does it.  We got down the trail, I'm estimating less than 3 miles, when the 12 man train ground to halt.  

I saw the one thing you never want to see...

Yep, that there is our Leader's beloved Yamaha on it's side, on the trail.  Leaking green fluid in the pure white snow.  Coolant, that is.  Apparently there is a pin hole lean in a very short coolant line just above the track, and just below the heat exchanger.  Speculated to be caused by a chunk of ice that had built up and came out as we were leaving.  After much effort on the trail of trying to rectify the situation, it was determined we would not make the ferry if the group went on without him due to the time on the side of the trail, and that we would just limp it back to town.  

We decided to get back to town, find a hotel, and catch the ferry that runs out of here, tomorrow at 5pm.

After one attempt of filling the resorvoir with some coolant Chip had on his sled, and some water out of the water bottles in our gear, the old tow strap came out.  We got everybody back to the main road where the trail started, and the phones were busted out with google being flooded for ideas for a repair facility. 

The local Yamaha dealer wasn't able to offer assistance on a Saturday.  A few more calls of distress were made, when Ron Nicks, standing at the corner of the road and the parking lot like a worn out hooker, flagged down a young lady in a GMC truck and a Ski-doo 800r in the back.  She quickly offered assistance, made a few calls, unloaded her sled, Craig loaded his in the back of her truck, and off she whisked him to the local Honda/Arctic Car/ Harley Davidson dealer.  

She returned a short time late to retrieve her own sled, and gave us a business card with the address of where we could find Craig.  Connecticut Jim loaded the address into his GPS, which I may add has saved the group from a few wrong turns to date, and off we were to meet up.

The current situation is this, there are 3-4 guys in the dealership garage working on his sled.  There is another 1 or 2 spectating and taking pictures for me.  The situation doesn't look good, and there probably is a rental in his future, if I was a betting man.  Further, I have been writing blogs for the last 3.5 hours and I am about DUN.  Jamie, Vinnie, and Chip are waiting for me in the lobby of our motel, so we can go get some dinner.

We have until 5pm tomorrow to get him on the trail and catch the 6pm ferry out of Baie Comeau.  

You, just like me, will have to wait until my next wifi opportunity to see how this one turns out...

bye for now

Stick

FrostBytes Day 4, 1/26/2018... It's Only A 195 Mile Day, Let's Get Back On Schedule

This morning began with breakfast at 7:30am back at the Hostile we found last night.  Scrambled eggs, crepes, toast, juice and milk, all served at a small table buffet style.  The morning was sunny, and the relentless winds of the last 2 days had finally calmed.  If the trails have been groomed, it should be a good day.  Why is it always "should"?

At breakfast, Craig, our fearless leader, engaged in conversation with a Quebecian that was staying at the Hostile, he mentioned, but I forgot, what he was doing in the area as he said he lived about 7 hours away.  Craig inquired if the gentleman had a vehicle that he could drive Craig down the road and check out trail conditions.  Well, yes indeed he does.  Off they go for a short jaunt down the road, but before leaving I say to Craig, within earshot of the gentleman, to be sure and hide the body better than last time.  A nervous chuckle ensued.

Upon his return, the Trail is declared passable, and we are on for a 9:30 departure.  But wait, Chris Boyle, a new rider with us this year, has an oil pressure warning flashing on his dashboard as he is warming up his sled.  A few minutes delay, a call to somebody, a quick look on YouTube, and it is determined its just a sensor, and run it like you stole it.

 We were on the trail and it was wind blown and not so smooth.  We made our way, plugging along pretty good. Not fast, not slow, but steady.  We had our first rest after 30 miles at a club's relaise.  Short break for restrooms, and a snack if you had one.  Somebody at the relaise said the trail was groomed from there on out.  Thank god.

We picked up the pace and stayed at it pretty much all day.  The breaks were few, and the longest were just for fuel.  Because of the late start and the number of miles we had to go, it was decided early on that lunch was going to be skipped today.  Grab a snack out of your bag at a break or a ham and cheese sandwich at the gas station when you got fuel.  That's what your getting, and like it.

Pretty uneventful for most of the day.  Everybody just riding along, snow dust flying, skis down, sun shining, but still cold.

But it always happens... Coming around a soft bend in the trail, the groomer dropped a large chunk of frozen snow, about a 2'x2' diameter ice ball.  Most of the riders escaped unscathed.  But not our buddy Ron Nicks and his brand new Ski-doo 1200 4 stroke.  He missed the ice ball, went on to do a one ski wheelie for about 15 feet and then promptly landed in a 6 foot gullie filled with snow, on left side of the trail.  This one was pretty easy compared to Chip's debacle yesterday.  Dig out a little snow, grab the snow bungee strap and back him out of his trench.  He was back on the trail in about 15 minutes, and we caught up with the pack a couple miles down the trail.

There wasn't much time for picture taking.  Hell, if you aren't stopping for lunch, your not stopping to take a picture.  There was just the constant drone of your engine, and the slowest moving odometer in the freeking world.  

I must now, in the fairness of reporting, and to maintain the integrety of this blog, report on one other small incident that occured about 15 miles before our destination.  If you want to, I did post a couple pictures of our day below if you want to just skip to that... but.. as we were crossing a quite long iron bridge that had two narrow, approximately 2" wide steel raised rails, that your ski's straddled, and your track rode upon, without the assistance of your studs, I was, as usual the last man in the train, and the train decided to stop, to me unexpectadly.  I tried to stop, but with just my track making contact, the brakes were useless, and it actually felt like I gained speed, and ran smack dab into the rear bumper of my current wingman's, Jamie Elfstrom, Ski-doo.  He came out pretty well unscathed, me, not so much.  I now have a hole on the left side of my hood and a couple broken plastic pieces on the front.  But enough about that, let's get back to the good stuff.

It was 8:00pm when we finally got in to our SCHEDULED overnight stay location, in Baie Comeau.  244.7 miles.  The group was tired, cold, beat up, hangry.  Dinner was at 9pm, and the table banter was how nice it's going to be to just have a 60 mile ride the next morning, catch the ferry to cross the St Lawrence Seaway, and then just a quick 80 mile ride to the next nights stay.  Then the table banter became, "well you know, we have only successfully made the ferry 33% of the times we have attempted it".  Action Dan was, how should I phrase it...bold? confident? overzealous perhaps, in proclaiming he was now co-leader, and our percentage was going to actually increase to 50% tomorrow, cus he is getting us to that ferry.  "Just you watch" I believe were his words.

I can't wait to find out myself...

Bye for now,

Stick

FrostBytes Day 3, 1/25/2018... Gale Force Winds, Deep Freeze, Edmond Fitzgerald Ferry Ride

Day 3 on the trail started off pretty uneventful.  If only that was how the day would end.

Thursday morning the Team gathered for breakfast around 7am.  We had 190 miles to go, as the crow flies, and we were scheduled to be on the trail by 8:30am.  It was -4 at departure time, partly sunny, party cloudy, mostly windy.  

The trail was groomed, and the ride was enjoyable.  We took breaks along the trail periodicaly, and stopped for lunch around 1pm.  Cheesburgers all dressed (local terminology for a cheesburger with everything), grilled cheese sandwichs, frites (french frys) and chicken noodle soup was enjoyed.  Back on the trail, everything just going according to plan.

Trail 3 East was our route for the day.  Our overnight stay was supposed to be at some cabins in Tadoussac, Club de Chasse & Peche.  A new place that we had not been to yet.  We were looking forward to our accomodations for the night.  Maybe next time.

As the day went on, the miles were just not adding up fast enough.  At one of our gas stops mid day, Chip (he was with us last year as well) asked if we would be in before dark?  I, naturally, just laughed.  I then inquired why... he stated his head light was out. I laughed again.  Apparently he just blew a fuse.  Fuse changed, we were on our way.  Chip would continue to have issues this day, different issues, but issues. 

Around 6pm, with about 22 miles to get to the ferry we needed to catch to cross some river I don't know the name of, we were riding some twisty trails with a ravine along our left side.  The ravine varied in depth from a few feet to many (hundreds?) feet, with many spruce and pine trees along the sides of it.  Chip got sucked into some deep snow along that left side of the trail and put his Yamaha to a test of plastic, metal and determination, but could not prevail.  He wound up about only 10 feet down the side in FEET of snow with the hood of his sled abutted to a pine tree.  On top of some fallen trees.  With his ski's pointing skyward, and wedged between the upright tree butted against the front of his sled, and the fallen trees his sled was resting on.  Probably a good outcome all things considered, as if the trees hadn't stopped him, we would probably still be there trying to find Chip.  The 4 guys behind Chip began clearing snow out around and behind his sled, and putting a game plan together as to how in the hell are we going to extract this thing, while we waited for the rest of riders to return and assist.  

Upon their return, after some more deliberation, a couple tow straps, some brute strenght of about 7 guys, and the help of a Ski-doo another strap was tied to, Chip was back on flat land.  An hour lost, and the temps are falling.  And it is dark.  

We quickly remounted our sleds, and set off for the ferry.  Albiet at a much slower pace now, as nobody wanted to go thru that again.  

Chip's Yamaha almost back on the trail

We arrived to the ferry dock around 8pm, was promptly shamed by the dock attendant for only being able to speak english as he walked away from our group shaking his head in disgust, and was fortunate that the ferry was getting ready to load for our side of the passage accross.  This ferry is a short ride accross the river I don't know the name of, and is an open deck ferry.  It can carry a couple tractor trailers, several cars, and of course our 12 english speaking only, nuisance snowmobilers, accross in about 20 minutes.

As I stated, this is an OPEN deck ferry.  There is a narrow, enclosed, hallway that runs along one side of the ferry, with seating, vending machines, toilettes (French for rest rooms) and HEAT.  It was now, by my estimation, -10 degrees.  Steady wind of 50-60 mph, by my estimate, and gusts of 60-80mph.  No exaggeration... When I got off my sled I walked to the front of the ferry, in full gear, helmet and everything, to look over the front.  When the wind gusted, I literally would be in mid step and not going forward, just held in place.  I have never experienced winds like that.  Big mistake also was going to look out at the water we were about to cross.  Boy did I have second thoughts.  This looked like an angry Lake Superior and we were on the Edmond Fitzgerald.  I decided to just go into the narrow, warm, hallway and awate my fate.

Safely on the other side, we were first on and first off.  Supposedly only about 15 miles to go to our destination.  Winds screaming, snow blasting, we struggled to find our trail head.  The first speed bump was the giant hill that a few in the front made to the top, a few in the middle got stuck on, and a few at the back stayed on flatland and observed.  Finally it was decided that the few in the middle back down the hill and ride the road a short distance to evade the snowblown hill trail.

Which leads us to our next debacle.  Young Vinnie engaged his parking brake on the hillside as he was assiting the others who were stuck.  He reversed down the hill just fine, but when he disengaged the reverse lever, his sled would not go forward.  I drove over to see why he was holding us up now, as I'm effing cold. He, in panic, says "I think the drive shaft bolt broke, it won't move".  I promptly did what I know how to do best, and I flagged Craig, our leader, over to assist.  With the smell of a hot belt in the air, Craig quickly analyized the situation, disengaged the parking brake, and we were moving again.

But we were not moving far, nor fast.  We were ditchbanging the ungroomed trail, that was seriously wind drifted.  We made it a couple miles out of town, couldn't find the trail head to get us the last 12 miles into our scheduled overnight stay, and after some deliberation, decided with the conditions, we had better go back to town and check into one of motels that we had passed.

It was now 9pm, extreme winds, very cold, and the first motel we came upon was getting ready to close.  But they had 6 rooms for our 12 riders, and we promptly got to work checking in.  Inquiries were made to the availabilty of food.  We hadn't eaten since 1:30 pm, and the snacks in our pack would suffice, but warm food was desired.  The french speaking receptionist said "no the kitchen is closed".  An offer was thrown out...$200 for 3 large pizzas?  (the attached restaurant that was open to the reception area was advertised as a pizzeria restuarant/bar but only the night lights were on)  She looked intrigued now, and said "wait a minute".  Success we thought.  Upon her return she said "No, the cook has left the building".  We couldn't even get a peanut butter and jelly sandwich out of her.

While we continued checking in, Action Dan rode less than a mile back the way we originally came into town and found a large house lit up pretty well, like it was a restaurant or bar or something.  He went in, inquired, spoke with the right gentleman, and a deal was made that they would make a spaghetti dinner for our group. Mind you now, it is around 9:30pm at this point.  He texted me the good news, I spread the word, and after a quick bag drop in our respective rooms, we were in the warm confines on a former large house that had a large open gathering room, a TV playing the night's professional Hockey game, and a bar on the back side behine 2 french glass doors!  

Come to find out, we had stumbled upon a Hostile.  We could have stayed here for only $12 bucks per night, and this is the kind of place my former riding wingman & I would LOVE to stay at.  Friendly local people, bare bone conditions, and the conditions for a great story.

On a side bar, during our wait for dinner preperation, conversation was ongoing with a fellow,  an older man in a wheel chair, that I assume ran/operated the hostile.  I inquired if he knew the wind speed, as it was still whipping outside.  He replied "it's not as bad as yesterday".  I, in astonishment, responded "it was worse yesterday?"  He said oh yea, steady 150 kmh yesterday (thats approximately 90mph steady the day before).

Beatrice, who I assume is in charge of the kitchen, and her young male assistant got to work making a big pot of spaghetti, and another pot of vegetable soup.  By 10:30pm, they had invited us into the kitchen table, where the 12 of us enjoyed bread and butter, soup, spaghetti, and a surprise at the end of our meal of a pear half with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, with choclate sauce covering the whole thing!

After dinner, your writer was DUN, and ready for bed.  Gratitude was expressed, the tab settled, and it was time for some much needed hot showers and sleep.  But before we left, plans were made to come back in the morning for breakfast at 7:30am.  

The next morning, even thought it was originally clocked at 190 miles for the day, plus the 15 we needed to make up for today, was scheduled to be on the trail by 9:30am.  A late start because some recon work would be required before our departure to check out the trail conditions, and alternative paths if required.

It can only get better right? That is all in perspective...

Bye for now,

Stick

ps: if there are spelling errors, deal with it, I'm writing 3 blogs today, I don't have time to proof read.

FrostBytes Day 2, 1/24/2018... Ice Hotel, Crop Circles And A Find Your Groove Day

This is actually my second attempt at writing Day 2's blog, the first attempt was about 1/3 DUN when I lost my wifi connection, was thrown into a tizzy, gave up, and went ahead and enjoyed dinner.  As my 7 followers have noticed, I have been MIA on my daily musing... stick around, be patient,  I'm going to catch you up... it's been a helluva last 3 days!

Today, Wednesday January 24, the Darkside Team had a nice and leisurely departure time of 10am. Awesome!  The night before we enjoyed a freshly made meal, I saw many plates of pasta, lasagna and hot hamburgers set at the table.  I must say they have a 4 star FRENCH Onion Soup (Vinnie & I only use a 4 star rating FYI) that was ordered by many, and envied by the ones that didn't order it (I emphasize the FRENCH because Vinnie The Truck Driver reminds me consistantly that when we are in the French Providence, it is just ONION soup!) A great meal and social hour was had.

We only had about 60 miles from Bon Aire Motel in Ponte Rouge to Quebec City and the 4 Points Hotel where our overnight accomodations were booked.  We were scheduled for a 3pm shuttle from the 4 Points to the Ice Hotel, which was about 30 minutes away via road (this year the Host Hotel is not on the Snowmobile trail).  Perfect.  A nice shakedown ride for all the Team Riders to find their position in line, get oriented with one another, and put a few miles on the sleds... Find your groove.  One rider found their "groove" the hard way, but we'll get to that.

If anybody followed our Spot Tracker that day it probably looks like Crop Circles, as we, unintedingly, did a complete circle on a trail.  We finally found a place on the trail for lunch, and had some tasty pizzas and appetizers for lunch.  After lunch, we back tracked, yet again, to fuel up for the ride to Quebec City.

It was a nice 60 mile ride; sun shining, smooth trails, not too many crossings.  But there was this one set of railroad tracks that we had to cross.  Most everybody crossed them just fine. Except Vinnie the Truck Driver.  He caught a ski of his Ski-Soo on the tracks and was instantly flipped onto his side!  No damage, a good photo op, and something for me to write about.

Because of our attempt to recreate the Aliens exist theory, we arrived at the 4 Points at 5pm.  At check in, the receptionist politely reminded us that we had a shuttle scheduled at 3pm to take us to the Ice Hotel.  The shuttle driver was still available, but his shift was over at 6:30pm, and we had better hustle.  A quick unload of our saddlebags, and parking of our sleds in their secure fenced in sled parking area, and we were aboard the short bus to the Ice Hotel.

The Ice Hotel is always a cool thing to check out.  There is a bar inside, approximately 35 rooms (chambres) for overnight guests, lounge areas with ice benches draped with fur skins, and even a chapel (if we had known how our next 2 days were going to be, it would have been good idea for us to spend a few more minutes in the chapel).  There is even an ice slide, that several of the riders slid down. Some several times.

By 7:15 we were back to the 4 Points.  Everybody showered, changed into their evening clothes, and we met in the Lower Level dining room.  A great meal was shared, with many special appetizers provided, compliments of the chef (it was 3 days ago, I don't recall specifics).  It was our buddy Phil's birthday, so a drink was shared, gratuities exchanged, and a pretty tame night.  Our Trail Boss had declared a 8:30 departure time for the next morning, and we had a "scheduled" 190 mile day ahead of us.  

Be sure to "like"/"follow" us on Facebook, as when there is time during the day I do upload pictures and brief story lines there as well.

Bye for now,

Stick

FrostBytes January 23, 2018...The Trail and The Tale Begins...

Welcome back to the 2018 Darkside Adventures Saddle Bag ride through the Gaspe' Region of Quebec and a swing thru New Brunswick.  New for 2018... we now have an official Facebook Page, so like and follow us there as well, as there will be updates thru out the day there as well.

The usual cast of characters are here, a couple new ones, and a couple of regulars that couldn't make the trip.  The most notable that we are missing is our "bullet catcher/co-leader" Jim "Jimmer/Ole" Olender.  Happy Birthday Ole, wish you were here, but I know you are following along with your helmet on as you read this!

9 riders and 3 trucks and trailers left Flint, Michigan on Monday, 1/22/18, at approximately 9am.  We had an approximately 740 mile ride to get to our Launch Site of Bon Air Motel in Pont-Rouge Quebec.  As usual, we laid over a little more than 1/2 way in Kingston, Ontario.  Our usual location, the Courtyard by Marriott with a Boston's Pizza across the parking lot where plans and schemes are hatched. 

The first exciting thing that happened to the Team was while gathering in the bar at Boston's Pizza to order dinner, the dining room began filling up with smoke.  The drinks were comped and we were politely asked to vacate the premises as 4 engines of Kingston's finest fire fighters rolled into the parking lot and began climbing the roof and looking for the source.  Fortunately we were able to book our reservations for Super Bowl Sunday before we got the boot!

A new plan was hatched, as we are problem solvers, so we went back to the hotel lobby bar, and promptly cleaned them out of their stock of beer. Being the problem solvers we are, we then passed the collection hat, called a taxi, and sent Vinnie the Truck Driver to the corner "Beer Store" to fetch more.  While he was gone, the local Pizza Hut was dispatched to deliver us 3 large pizzas' for dinner!  Problem solved, that's what we do.

The second exciting event of our evening occured at around 3am.  Every fire alarm in every room, on every floor went off!  We were told to vacate the hotel now.  After 20 minutes of waiting for the hotel staff to determine the cause, it was declared a false alarm and we could go back to our room.  However, the alarms in every room on every floor were still going off.  They could not be turned off until the fire department showed up to turn them off!  That was another 10-15 minutes.  By 3:45 silence was restored and sleep resumed, mostly.

This morning, Tuesday 1/23/2018, we departed the hotel around 9am,  Stick's truck went to the local bank for a currency exchange, while the others fueled up for the next leg of our trip.  The Duty Free Store exchanged some money for us at 115% Canadian to the American dollar, and the local bank was 120%.  

Now, pockets full with Canadian $$, we were on the 401 Highway headed east for Quebec.  It was about 38 degrees with a misty rain.  That misty rain would turn into frozen rain as we progressed North East.  The roads were slick in places, Montreal was busy on the highway, but not unbearable at the noon hour as we went thru.  The 3 trucks/trailers motored on, stopped for a quick lunch at 1:30 and made our destination by 4:30pm.

Tomorrow is a short ride to Quebec City, where we will be staying at the 4 Points Hotel, and visiting the Ice Hotel.  Apparently nobody is staying at the Ice Hotel this trip (cowards), but we will be visiting it.  (For the record, your writer has stayed overnight at the Ice Hotel, and I highly suggest everybody do it once, but only once was good for me!)

The 12 Darkside Riders are now all joined up, and enjoying an adult beverage while we catch up with friends that we haven't seen since we parted ways after last year's trip!  This is a great bunch of guys that enjoy the saddlebag rides thru Quebec each year.  I will do bio's on our new Team Members over the course of our ride, so stay tuned.

Bye for now,

"Stick"

FrostBytes Day 11... And A BabySitter IS Needed

Last night we had a delightful dinner, with a live piano player, with guests dining at/around the piano, as the musician played in a combination of both French & English rock songs. Many Surf & Turf combos littered the table.

 Because we only had about 95 miles to go to get back to the Best Western in Rivere-Du-Loop, and our trucks and trailers. A few of the Team members played at the bar after dinner, last night, and one in particular felt a little rough this morning (not me for those inquiring).  Breakfast, as usual was at 8am and we were on the trail by 9:15am.  

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We passed a lot of areas where the maple trees were tapped and  there was an intricate maze of plastic tubing running from tree to tree, and in some places they crossed over the trail, over head like telephone pole wires at home.  Pretty neat to see, actually.

As usual, the trails were in awesome condition.  It didn't hurt that it was a Saturday, and the groomers probably worked overnight for what is sure to be a busy weekend.  Our first stop was around the 42 mile marker at very quaint Relaise' Pohenegamook.  It was a very welcoming entrance on the trail, with a large red arch encompassing the trail, with red lights attached to the arch.  I would like to come into this place after dark to see it in full effect.  The inside had a full kitchen, serving both breakfast and lunch items for the club members that gather, as well as any riders that are passing thru. The snowmobiling community here in Quebec is a tight community, and they utilize their Relaise' for weekend get togethers', events, and such.  Wish their was something like this back on the trails of Michigan, is a common mention from many of us. 

That is 5 Stars when you see it on the trail

After our lunch, Connecticut Jim headed down the trail on his own, on an express route back to his truck and trailer.  He arrived in Quebec a day before the rest of us, and he was anxious to get back to his weekend place in Vermont.  Was good riding with you again, Connecticut, hope you have a safe journey, and see you next year!

As the rest of the Team took a little longer route to get some last Quebec Trail ride in, the group took off for our final destination.  About 6 miles down the trail, Stick was concerned that Dave's headlight had not shown in his mirror since leaving the Relaise'.  Dave has run at the back of the pack on this trip because he likes to meander, and go off trail, and play, and he made it very clear on Day 4 that he was self sufficient and didn't need a babysitter out here.   The rest of the group sticks to the trails, and likes to keep a steady pace.  Not seeing Dave's headlight for a period of a few miles was not new, however, this was an excessively long period.  As we were crossing a lake, a safe opportunity arose for me to race to the front of the pack and flag down our Fearless Leader, Craig, and make him aware of the situation.  A quick decision was made... send Ron, Dave's roommate/truckmate, and Dan back to look for Dave, the rest of us will go on up ahead and get off the lake, and wait at the trail head for their return.  

As we headed down the trail, we have crossed countless railroad tracks.  I have never been actually stopped by a train though. This time we were stopped at set of tracks as a train passed.  When we crossed the tracks, we ran down the trail, and nearly passed said train, and then got stopped again at the next crossing as it passed us.  Pretty cool, in my book.

They returned.  But no Dave.   The decision was made, Dave has proven himself self sufficient, he has a trail map, he will make it back, we need to move on. 

At the 88 mile mark, we were met with an entire brigade of Police, probably a dozen officers, checking for trail permits and looking for stolen sleds.  Only Ole had issues here.  He has a funky wrap on his Ski-Doo and whoever wrapped it covered the manufacturer's plate that contains pertinent information, such as the serial number!  After a thorough grilling from the constables, and about 15 minutes on the side of the trail, we were released to our own recognizance (silly them) and onward to the 95 mile mark and the Best Western.

1351 Miles is what my Ski-Doo odometer reads for total trip miles.  This trip, in my mind, was perfect.  The days averaged about 145 miles each (exclude the ferry days), and we were in to our destination most days before dark.  It was not pressure or fatiguing, and I never had a day where I was telling myself only (make up a number) days left and I quit living out of this saddle bag. 

When Craig checked in to the hotel, while the rest of us went directly to the trucks to start loading up.  He was informed that Dave had called and had left a message at the front desk.  He was stranded at the Relaise' (back where we had lunch), and his sled would not start!  Ron, his roommate/truckmate, and Chip, volunteered to take Ron's truck and trailer back to pick him up.  

We are currently awaiting their return to the Best Western, so we can have dinner.  We are all cleaned up and wearing street clothes.  I have a fresh pair of socks on, that haven't been rotated in and out like the three pair in my saddlebag, and a clean outfit that has not been worn since being washed last, and the best part... I shaved that gray beard off.  Part of my fun when shaving at the end of this trip  is taking a goofy picture mid way thru.  It's the little things that entertain me. 

It's time now to acknowledge a few people.  First, to one of our Fearless Leaders, Craig Willour. It takes a tremendous amount of time to plan an adventure like this. Making hotel reservations, scheduling fuel stops (sometimes more successful than others) and overcoming the language barrier when making all the reservations. He always makes it an adventure! Thank you Craiger for your hard work!

Jim, "Ole", Olender, the Bullet Catcher.  He leads the pack and finds any danger in the trail first.  I have seen him fly over his handle bars due to a hole in the trail, hit a bridge guard (minimal damage) while breaking a trail, all the while being one of our Fearless Leaders and conspiring to get the rest of us in safely.

To Mrs. Mitchell back at Command Central.  Without you, no matter how good the trail maps are, I would be lost.  Your patience dealing with me and my technical learning curve is greatly appreciated.  Thank you for taking time away from your "wild man" son Knox and Hubby Tim to give us the support we need while we are a thousand miles away!

To our friend Connecticut Rob, we missed you this year.  Your wing man Connecticut Jim, got stuck in a room by himself each night.  Don't feel bad for him, I think he enjoyed the peace.  But you need to get back on the trail with us next year and keep him riled up.

No blog can end without the shout out to my wingman. RS you may not have been here physically, but your presence was with us all the way.  Many times, EVERY DAY, your name came up.  Our Entertainment Director taught us well, and we did our best to represent you in the decadent manner you expect!  I can't wait to be back on the trails with you, my friend.

My Best Buddy

That, folks, wraps up another year on the Darkside.  If you have any interest in an adventure, snowmobiling, saddlebag riding, contact Craig Willour at 810-629-1299, and he will be glad to discuss the details. 

I now introduce you to the Team Darkside Riders in order as they appear on the trail...

Club Photographer (How he sucked his way to the front I never know) Jamie Elfstrom

Side Show Ron Nicks

Action Dan Vanden Brink

To our friend Sled Head Pete, Pete the Greek, back in Frederick MI, THANK YOU for following the Darkside Adventures Team and promoting us on your social media.  If any body is passing thru Frederick, stop in and see Pete. Bring him a coney or 6 and he will be a friend for life. Thanks Pete!

And finally, TomCat. Tom Hughes we met back on our Michigan to Alaska ride in 2010.  He follows us via the GPS Spot Tracker we carry, and most times knows where we are before we do.  Sorry I couldn't take all your calls and FaceTime calls, but these guys work me to the bone each night writing this blog. TomCat will be 80 this year he tells me (if you can believe a word he says) and we love him dearly and miss him more.  Thanks for going on the ride with us TomCat! Love ya buddy1