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2006 Club excursions to Le P'tit Train du Nord - 94 km of paved skating paradise in heart of the Laurentians!
July 22, 2006 - Mont Laurier
The hot steamy weather from last weekend had finally broken, and the conditions for this trip were ideal - a high of 23, overcast and no rain! A team of 11 departed from Ottawa at 7:30 and enjoyed the scenery to Mont Laurier through Hwys 307 and 309. We were all set and ready to skate at 10:30 and teamed into two groups, a 70K team and a 100Km team.
Mont Laurier is at the far north-western end of the P'tit Train du Nord, and features the 200Km marker at the very end of the trail. The Mont Laurier section of the trail provides much more of a wilderness tour with few towns and teriffic scenery. The first water stop is out 40Km, so we all brought plenty of water for the trip.
After 30 Km, it was time for break and provide a chance to try out many of the different snacks people brought. We had a wide variety of interesting treats including the standard power bars and fruit snacks, and also, Mandarines, Pistachios, Bananas, Gummy Bears, but the overall favourite seemed to be the Tropical Trail Mix!
Well, the Trail Mix was soon topped by the Strawberries and Ice cream at Lac-Sagauy, at the ecstasy they provided the stomach (or so I was told ;-)
The outbound leg is the toughest, as you can see from the hill profile on the right, its pretty much uphill all the way. This turns into a terrific advantage on the way back,
from about Km 170 to 185, is a 15 Km downhill stretch and is one most fun routes one can enjoy on skates. After we got back several carried on to get their picture at the 200 KM marker (we departed from the 199 marker) then we all enjoyed a terrific dinner at Place Mont-Laurier.
See you on August 12th for our next trip!
Le P'tit T"RAIN" du Nord -- June 10, 2006
Even though the club officially postponed the trip to Le P'tit Train du Nord for a week, 7 incredibly dedicated skaters, Gary, Robin, Mike, Jim, Melissa, Kim and Hugh, ignored the dismal forecast of rain and were determined to have a great day!
Arriving at Labelle, there as a very light mist, and we felt this would be a nice cooling mist for the ride. With photo's taken we took off and split into two groups, one destined for 66Km the other 44Km. Here's Jim as we headed into la Macaza.
The path was reasonable dry and we enjoyed the conversation, camaraderie and the incredible scenery. The path from Labelle follows the picturesque Petit Riviere Rouge, and there many spectacular views. The photo on the right is Kim and Robin on the path crossing the bridge over the river.
After 30K it was time for a break and here is Kim enjoying a seat a the picnic table (or should I say a bench ;-)
As we arrived at L'Annonciation (at least Kim can pronouce that ;-) we checked out the restaurants for a future starting point and Robin took in the art work at the visitor stop.
Well this was about the time the skies grew darker and the rain began. We decided to cut the 60 km and head back. Shortly after, the rain was coming down so hard the water on the path caused water rooster tails on the skates as high as our knees! But after we got used to the rain, it was no problem, and we skated back on the rain. Robin enjoyed a huge wind block ;-)
As the first pack arrived back, Hugh had everyone's coats in his pack so he took off in the car to find the others in case they were chilled from the dampness. Before long his cell phone rang, it was the second pack who were in and looking for their coats! We dried off then enjoyed a great meal at the Labelle train station and reminisced about how the others who postponed had missed such a "life" experience.
See the photo gallery here.
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