Quebec snowmobile Journey 2010 Day-3

The only mishap of the entire trip was when Stan took a quick right that Rick did not see in time. Rick's sled did not have carbide studs at the time so the sled hit some ice and spun.

Rick was safely thrown away from the sled. Rick had no real injuries but considering the nature of event, his reaction time was way off and wisely told Stan to head directly for our next hotel. We had to drop the side trip to Mont Valin which was intended to be the outdoor highlight of the trip. This was a major disappointment to both of us.

Once at the hotel, Stan observed that Rick did not even take out his Netbook PC after two hours in bed. The Netbook edits the pictures that you see here. THAT was a major change in habits so Stan realized that the need to quickly divert was very real.

The next day Rick was back in the saddle 100%, no problems.

A 70-something gentleman from Franconia, NH known as "Sagueney Bill" lives at the Jonquiere Holiday Inn and promotes snowmobiling in Quebec. Bill is also affiliated with the QuebecRider.com web site.

Bill will ride the trails with all comers but coordination through the web site is a wise move.

QuebecRider is also where many riders from all over the US and Canada form-up into travel Quebec in groups.

This hotel's primary winter trade services the long-distance snowmobile clientele. The cars are optional and seem to be in a minority.

Sagueney Bill (aka Bill McFarland) in the hotel lobby with his many fans. All members introduced themselves by their QuebecRider.com screen names which, to Rick, was strange as screen names are an obsolete vestige from the AOL-era. Rick uses his real name as is the norm on the more contemporary web sites such as Facebook and Linkedin. Oh well...

Note that all of the participants are... well... "experienced" like Rick. A number of luckier men had women as their long-distance riding companions. Not at all uncommon...

Participants included a retired farmer, a retired telephone company worker, a parking lot painter, a high-tech marketing executive, a former restaurant owner, and an equestrian tack-shop owner. Origins included New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

Even within the locked coral area, sleds are again locked together with cables.

Again, security is a major concern that is being well addressed by the hospitality industry.

The terrain in Jonquiere looked strangely similar to Las Vegas, just a lot colder.

The pictures below were taken by Jack and Sandi (aka RevCT1) on their trip to Mont Valin. This is the exact same trip that was so sorely missed by Rick and Stan on the previous day.

Jack has the beard and Sandy has her back to the camera. They are from Enfield, CT.

Mont Valin Pictures by Jack and Sandi
(aka RevCT1 on QuebecRider.com)

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