Those are some of the definitions of paradise found in dictionaries. However, according to my definition, paradise is where the splendors and magic of nature are one with the soul, a place where one can escape from daily problems and contemplate a diversity of plants and animals in their natural state.     The Lanaudière region in Québec offers such unique and paradisiacal diversity. This region in the Appalachian mountains offers a complete palette of rich colors, from the deep blue of a lake to the tender green of a young fir tree. This corner of paradise stimulates the senses and enriches the soul, I could say that time stands still there so that we can take advantage of nature’s best.      So, imagine yourself seated in front of a filet mignon and a bottle of red wine, while the fireplace warms your body and soul. You have just come back from your first ride of the day, and you think "Nothing can beat this magical moment!"       That is exactly what I went through recently when I was invited, by the folks of "Tourisme Lanaudière" and representatives of the Québec ministry of tourism, on a tour of the region. The objective of this tour was to help our readers discover this Quad oasis. So dress warmly, put your helmet on and lets head out.

Vroom! Vroom! Vroom!

     Cathy Beausoleil of "Tourisme Québec" sets the meeting point at the Tournesol Motel and Restaurant in Rawdon. I hop in my Pick-up and start off towards Rawdon which is a good 1 1/2 hour drive. I soon felt hungry, and the huge MacDonalds and Harveys signs along the road were tempting, but I had to resist as there was a welcoming diner organized.     I arrived at the meeting point, took my luggage into one of the 22 rooms and head for the restaurant which is accessible from inside the motel. A well stocked Table d’hôte is available, and I quickly made up my mind. Although the choices range from Escargots Bourguignonne to filet mignon, I decide on a good old Poutine… Of course not, that was a joke, I had the trout filet. I hit the sack early as we will be up at the crack of dawn for our first snowmobile ride.      As I am an ex-snowmobile enthusiast, I did not want to miss a ride in the magnificent Mont-Tremblant park. This unique area provides snowmobile trails, or rather highways of nice fresh snow. The Globe-Trotter travel agency had prepared the snowmobiles which were recent and well cared for. If you are from out of the region and wish to go for a Quad or snowmobile vacation, I recommend this agency which offers very affordable and unique packages.     After zigzagging through the trees and cruising the trails, it is time to return to base to get ready for the real thing, the first Quad ride.

It’s a cold one

   Since I had to test the Suzuki Eiger 400, I decided to use it for this ride. At dawn, the temperature was –17 Celsius, cold enough to shrink skin, believe me. I slip on my Reima winter wear, boots and gloves and am ready for the worst conditions.

A bit of advice

    A little bit of advice, if you ever rent a Quad for a winter ride, I strongly suggest you ask for heated handles, nothing worse than freezing hands to ruin a nice winter outing! At least, bring a supply of Hot Stuffs, the little envelopes that fit inside your mitts or boots and last up to 12 hours. Unlike snowmobiles, most Quads offer no wind protection whatsoever, which is why I mention this. Finally, try to select a good local dealer, you will find many listed in the magazine.

Lets Go  

    Someone takes my luggage and we hit the road to Berthierville, a 100 km. ride. The objective is to get to the Days Inn for a group dinner, relax and discuss our ride then go to bed, and return to Rawdon the following day. Although there has been little snow in the province last winter, Mother nature seems to have privileged this area. Trails carpeted with snow await us, and even tho it seems freezing, the conditions look so perfect that we forget that little detail. We let the engines heat up, and a FQCQ guide starts us towards Saint Charles Boromée, the day’s first stop.     The first stage contains several series of curves and many straight sections of trails, through magnificent forests of fir and lakes covered with a white carpet. The forest trail offers sporty riding conditions, or just cruising conditions for those who wish to take in the scenery. We stop at the first relay station and fill our lungs with fresh air having the unique scent of the forest.

Enough Talk

    We are still quite a ways from our first destination, it is time to leave, and, since the guides have decided to drive preventively, I knew it would be a longer ride before getting there. I’m sorry to say that when I am by myself, it takes a lot less time!!! Of course, there were novice riders with us, so we had to ride at their pace so that they could enjoy the day. Undue pressure on a novice rider can affect his concentration, don’t try to push someone to go faster if they haven’t yet developed enough confidence in themselves or their Quad. A Quad is not a toy, and when far from civilization, a small accident can transform a fun ride into a nightmare. The ideal solution is to have a guide along, preferably one with references, and member of the FQCQ (Quebec federation of Quad Clubs). One guide up front and one at the rear to watch and moderate the reckless riders is ideal.     The fresh air and exercise soon have us feeling hungry, and, just as my stomach was reminding me of this fact, we arrive at our first destination, "La Chaumière Bifteck" restaurant in Saint-Charles-Boromée. This restaurant is inviting, clean and prepares the best steaks around, just what the doctor ordered to get me up for the last part of the trip. A good filet mignon with salad and baked potato prepared by an expert chef is worth many pleasures.

I can't wait to get there  

The forest thins out, and is replaced by vast fields which offer no protection against the cold winds, and at –17 with the wind right in your face, the wind chill factor is around –40, and it starts to creep into the few unprotected areas of my body. My Eiger 400 did not have heated handles, and it was really time for the ride to end, because I was starting to hurt. The territory is becoming familiar, and I see the Hotel ahead, and I am not freezing anymore, because this welcome sight and the knowledge that the day is over gave me a good jolt of Adrenaline.



Good night

    The Berthierville Days Inn has 60 rooms and courteously offers padlocks for the Quads. A charming hostess welcomes us and leads us to our rooms. I have one hour to kill before diner, so I take advantage of the whirlpool and soak in a hot bath, relaxing each muscle of my weary body, until I felt weak as a baby. The snowmobile ride the preceding evening coupled with the day’s Quad ride took their toll. My watch indicated it was time to leave, and, as I climbed out of the bath, I felt like I had been hit by a truck.

I crave breast  

    A chicken breast that is! And, what better than a tender, juicy breast served by the legendary St-Hubert BBQ. I cross the street to join the group. Everyone looks fine, the food smells great, we open a nice bottle of white wine and relax. The St-Hubert chain of restaurants is legendary in Québec, and no matter which one you visit, you can be assured of the best chicken breast around.    I return to my room and relax in front of the tube in my robe. In the lobby, souvenirs of Gilles and Jacques Villeneuve are for sale next to an exhibition of rare mementos reminiscent of their glorious careers.      Brutal as a police siren, the alarm wakes me at 6h00 next morning. The windows are iced over, indicating another cold day. I pour a coffee, hop into the shower and come out ready for the last day. A continental breakfast served in the hotel dining room supplies the fuel needed to start me on my way.

Ferrari

    Before leaving for Rawdon, we head for the Gilles Villeneuve museum in Berthierville, to remember his feats behind the wheel of an F-1 racer. Inside the museum, or more appropriately, temple, are collected many rare objects having belonged to the legendary pilot. Whether the body of the last Ferrari raced by Gilles, or the first BAR driven by son Jacques, you will feel the magic exuding from the exhibits. You can also see the pick up or the snowmobile used by Gilles during his snowmobile Grand Prix races, and a number of trophies he accumulated over the years. If you are a F-1 afficionado, this little detour is a must.

Last leg

  On with the helmets, and we’re on our way back to the "Tournesol" in Rawdon. I am stimulated by the idea of riding all day again, you can’t keep a man from his passion. The return trip is via a different trail, and we stop in Lavaltrie for a pizza lunch break at "La Victorienne" restaurant. I forgot to mention a minor good behavior point : Wherever you go, refrain from coating the walls and furniture with the juicy mud covering your suit and boots. Check with the restaurateur if he will let you in, and remove as much filth as possible from your person before entering and remove your boots. This way, Quad riders will retain their privileges in the many restaurants and stops along the trails we ride.

Riding in style


    The folks of "Tourisme Québec" and "Tourisme Lanaudière" really provided us with an extraordinary experience. A ride where you are housed and fed, besides seeing the nicest scenery in the province is a magical experience. Although I clock over 10,000 klicks a year on Quads, this was a first for me. Truly, this region can be considered a Quad Oasis, or better, a Quad Paradise, this is why I wanted to share this experience with you. This ride gave me a taste for discovering other areas of the province, because I learned that there are many places where the sport can be practiced with style.