Riding in Quebec
I live in Highgate, VT and have ridden locally since the mid to late 1980s. When getting back into the sport in 2000, I learned that Quebec had some sort of trail system. What I’ve found and grown to know is much more than “some sort of trail system”
I write the following in an effort to let the readers know what there is for ATV riding in Quebec and what it takes to enjoy the exceptional and varied opportunities not far from where many of us live.
Trails:
The Quebec trail system is a growing network of ATV-only, signed, maintained, and patrolled trails on both public and private lands. The trails are specifically for fat-tired 3 & 4 wheelers. Dirt bikes of all types are specifically prohibited. They are signed for direction and available services. Maintenance includes bridges and other trail improvements to allow easy travel by 2WD and 4WD machines and by users of all abilities.
During the warm months, the trails stretch across about 7,000 kilometers and in the winter the trail system becomes much, much larger as many more trails open up and, if memory serves me, approximately 10,000 kilometers of additional interconnecting trails open up.
Trails are organized into three categories. Four-season trails are open all year, except they close down for the spring thaw. This period may vary by club, but typically begins when the snow leaves in March and the trails open up on a firm date of May 15th, unless there are extraordinary conditions. Some clubs close their trails for hunting season. Summer-only trails are just that. They typically are in the northern reaches in the Laurentian Mountains on trails and roads used by snowmobiles in the winter. Winter-only trails typically open some time in December and remain open until the snow leaves. Winter is a very popular time to ride. In fact, there are more riders on the trails in the winter than the summer! When proper snow conditions exist, a team of 150+ trail groomers, identical to snowmobile trail groomers, provide a table-top smooth trail that measures 8-20 feet wide!!
Trails closest to NW Vermont:
These trails are the most familiar to me. The closest trailhead to northwest Vermont is located in Cowansville. Cowansville is located due north of the Enosburg/Richford area. It is about 30 minutes of drive time from the I-89 Highgate Springs crossing and even less from the Berkshire crossings. Trails here are the 4-season type and the trail info above applies. The trails are NOT closed during hunting season. The club that maintains the trails here is the Club 3&4 Roues de L’Estrie based out of Granby. Their trials go through the municipalities of Cowansville, St. Alphonse, Bromont, Granby and L’Ange-Gardien. In winter, the winter-only trails can take you, by trail all the way, to Quebec City and beyond. The Granby Club has about 60 miles of 4-season trails. This number is an estimate, but there is enough riding available to easily fill up a day. While there are numerous mud holes to play in, the riding is quite easy and non-technical. Difficult areas most always have an easy, alternate route around them. Gas, food and lodging is available right on the trail in each town.
A new club is slowly organizing that is to have 4-season trails just above Alburg, VT beginning at Missisquoi Bay through Clarenceville J, Noyan and over to Autoroute 15. I am not aware of the status of this club right now in May of 2003, but trails this close will be very welcome!!
Trail Management and Organization:
Trails are organized by a government sponsored (not financially, I think) group called the Federation Quebecoise Des Clubs Quads, or FQCQ. (514-252-3050) or http://www.fqcq.qc.ca/fqcq.asp?nav_id=696&lang_id=E (English) The federation is comprised of 134 clubs throughout Quebec, running 150 trail groomers. This organization is supported by tens of thousands of members and policed by about 600 volunteer trail patrollers. They report an annual economic impact (in the positive J) of ½ Billion dollars annually. Yes, that’s a “B”. Pass holders receive a quarterly magazine called Sentier Quad. This magazine is published by the FQCQ and has stories of trail rides, quad reviews and information on political activites. Or so I think. This is what I gather from the pictures. I don’t speak French. The FQCQ is compiling trail info using GPS systems and publishes a provincial map. Each local club also has a map of their trails with specific local information. Trail maps for the entire province and local clubs are available for free by contacting FQCQ.
Requirements: “What do I need to ride in Quebec?”
The FQCQ requires the following to ride on any club’s trails anywhere in the province.
·
Valid Provincial or State vehicle registration.
·
Liability insurance of $500,000CN
·
Helmet
·
Trail Pass. See additional info below.
·
Minimum Age=16 years old with drivers license.
·
Headlight on at all times
·
Riding double ONLY with approved equipment. See add’l info below.
·
Red rear running light AND brake light*
·
Left hand rear-view mirror*
·
Speedometer* Speed limit = 50kph or 30 mph
·
Stay on trail at all times
·
Tire chains are prohibited (not needed on packed trails)
The items marked with an * are indeed the law, but my experience has been that these items are overlooked if the trail patroller sees that you have your pass and registration and you are riding in a responsible manner on a designated trail. Ride without these at your own risk.
Requirement: Trail Pass
A trail pass is required to ride in Quebec. This pass is good for any FQCQ trail in the province. A single day pass is available for $25CN. A pass offering unlimited usage from Nov. 1st to October 31st sells for (in 2003) for $100CN. This pass costs $60CN (in 2003) if purchased during or after May. Passes are available at many local merchants and from club officers. We purchase our passes from Mr. Bruce Ditchham at his place of business, GDB Inc. in Bedford. His number is 450-248-3135. Bruce is one of the directors of the Granby club and speaks English well. If Bruce is not available, the Honda dealer in Bedford sells passes. Gondelier Honda (450-248-3977) is found on Highway 202 entering the village of Bedford from the west. The gas station Depanneur Bedford, on Highway 235 north, just out of the village of Bedford, also sells passes. Also, Motosport G & L Enr. (450-248-3600) sells passes and is located on Highway 202 in Stanbridge Station. Stanbridge Station is the first little “village” after Pike River. I recommend calling ahead or attending one of the organized group rides to get your pass.
Trail patrollers will be on the trails to check for your pass. This pass is primarily what they are interested in. A day pass is just paperwork you need to display to the patroller. Until they see the paperwork, they are very interested in you because you aren’t displaying the sticker. Fair enough. But, with the sticker, they will simply make sure they get a good look at it and wave you on. Each day pass purchase requires stopping and filling out a form. With your season sticker you go to the trail head and go. Riders who think they may go up more than once may want to consider a season pass.
Double riding:
Riding double is allowed in Quebec. Actually, it is rare to see a utility machine in Quebec without equipment for a passenger. To ride double, you must have a molded plastic rear seat and footrests for the passenger. The rear seats are the ones that you can get at your local dealer that say “not for passenger”. They must have a padded seat specifically for the passenger and armrests. A box with backrest for the driver is not acceptable. Passenger footpegs are typically made by installing rear fender guards and mounting accessory footpegs. Footpegs are available specifically for this purpose. I’ve put on hundreds of miles with this set-up on a full-size quad with both children and adults with success.
Public Perception:
Through extensive efforts on the FQCQ and local level, the ATV groups have managed the seemingly impossible task of improving the public’s perception of ATV enthusiasts. Quebec’s ATV industry is marketed as a tourism activity. My personal experiences riding the Granby trails, around Sherbrooke and just south of Montreal all indicate that Joe Public has come to accept and appreciate the ATVs. As soon as you cross the border, drivers wave and toot from the road. Police officers give an approving nod as you cross public highways. People wave as you cross by or through their back yards. Businesses specifically welcome you with signs on the trails, signs by the roads and with ATV icons in their windows. Trails lead right through parking lots and down sidewalks where required. Going to a restaurant for lunch? Park in the parking lot without fear! Too muddy to eat inside? Go through the drive-thru at Burger King! The trail maps are loaded with advertisements for local businesses who support the club. Overall, in my words, in Quebec you are not automatically a criminal or miscreant just for enjoying this sport. Personally, I have a much more enjoyable experience riding in Quebec than I do on the illegal trails here at home.
This great riding environment didn’t come easy.
Into taking chances? Don’t do it in Quebec. There are VERY hefty fines for breaking the rules. Break one and they will nail you for everything they can get you for. The trail patrollers all have radios and cell phones and work very closely with the RCMP. I’ve observed this personally. It impresses me how when the ATVers have trails to use, how they stay off the roads, and other improper locations.
More info and pictures:
http://www.quadnet2.com/ is the nerve center for Quad activities and updates in Quebec. Unfortunately it is in French, except for in the message boards, or forums, there is an English section. Also in the forums is a photos section. You may not be able to read what they are saying, but people frequently post a link to pictures of their rides. This is a good way to get a glimpse of what the trails are like. From the main page of this site, you can get good club and contact information by clicking on “Clubs Quad” and then selecting the tourist region you are interested in. Then there will be a list of the local clubs for that region. Click on the individual clubs for specific information. “Cartes Sentier” is French for trail map.
What about NCAA and VASA?:
Great riding opportunities are just across the border. I will continue to explore Quebec and what they have to offer. In every visit to the great white north, I return with a renewed confidence that with time and effort and self-policing, a trail network similar to theirs is possible here in Vermont.
People with specific questions can contact me, Brian Douglas at bdouglas@crossconsultingengineers.com
