Beaver Tails Nordic Ski Club

It was a little chilly when we arrived at the parking lot at Le Sucrerie, my thoughts kept wandering back to that nice warm bed which I had left for this cold barren place. Looking round I did not see a single male brass monkey, that should have been a clue… Further observation I saw what looked like a scene from the “living dead”. Figures wrapped in every conceivable clothing shuffling round in small circles, casting furtive glances in my direction. WOW! Then I thought do the living dead feel the cold, after all they are dead yet they are alive? If anyone knows a “living dead” could they ask them and write to me on the Comment form below.
At the stroke of ten we set off, with a few stragglers rushing to catch up. Amazingly we were 27, all anxious to get the blood circulating to warm their hands, legs and in at least one case, buttocks, no names no back drill, “What happens in Rigaud stays in Rigaud” Soon we felt warm, although it was imprudent to stop for too long. Most of the ground was frozen, and I was reminded of the problems with Camel back water tubes in winter, it was going to be a dry old walk. The walk itself isnot too demanding, a broad path with occasional ups a downs, a lot nicer to do on skis in winter, still it was nice to be out instead of snuggling up in that warm bed, who am I kidding. Although the group spread out we still kept in contact and regrouped as appropriate, with a short food stop at Rang St George, the half way point. Tom V was delighted to find a FREE map of the walk in a small box at this stop, clearly it made his day.
The return loop is a little bit more demanding than the outbound with a few more hills to climb, but at least it kept you warm and there is a rewarding viewpoint. Not a day to admire the view for too long as signs of the “living dead ” started to reappear, so onward we went, finally popping out at Rang St George at the parking lot.
Now the vexing question, How far was it? How long did it take? What was the average speed?
There was a time when you went for a walk you set off mid morning and finished mid afternoon and that was good enough. But times have changed, so let’s call it 14kms in just over 3 hrs.
Finally the question of the week. Can the living dead feel the cold? Your comments welcomed below.