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Conclusion
The Quadtrek
Adventure
is a big success!!
From a dream to an accomplishment!!!
264 days, |
9400 miles |
(15160 kms) |
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2 quads, |
one couple, |
no support team |
From Canada to Cabo San Lucas and back
to Arizona
crossing Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona,
Baja norte (Mex.) and Baja sur (Mex.)!
No one had ever done it before!
Thanks to all of you who supported us directly or indirectly,
financially or otherwise, for trusting us and for hepling us making our
dream and the dream of many ATVers a reality.
Our success proves that with will, determination (and some craziness...)
the unthinkable becomes possible.
May 20th, 2008.
After a long but trouble free truck ride back home (no problems
whatsoever at customs)we are back to our home in Québec, Canada.
It's a great feeling to see our families and friends again but, we can't
help but feel sad realizing our great Adventure is over.
Our bodies are in Québec but our head and heart are still
out there in one of the extrordinary places we've seen.
We will never forget all the wonderful and generous people we've met,
who were willing to help as much as they could as well as all our "web
friends" who encouraged us so much to turn this web site into our nicest
souvenir albun.
Despite the fear, the insecurity, the anguish, the unknown, our
determination and our tenacity led us to live the wonder, the amazement,
the joys, the surprises, and to live the intensity of this Adventure.
Quadtrek has been an unforgettable experience for Minnie as well !!
To learn more about Minnie
and to find out how the
delivering of the puppies went,
click here!
France's comment:
When I look at the pictures on our web site, I can't help but think:
"Hey! We were there! It's almost unbelievably beautiful!" The diversity
in scenery and environment, day after day, was most definitely what I
liked the most about the journey. I must admit, I found some parts
of the ride a little tougher than I expected. It just makes me even
prouder when I think: "I did it!"
Marc's comment:
If
I had a chance to do it all again, I would'nt hesitate one second! I would
make a couple of mods to our equipment ( mostly to the tent and
tires...) and I would leave, most probably for a more remote
destination.
We took up the challenge of coming back as a couple by going through a
lot of mutual adaptations and compromises but our happiness and our
mutual thirst for adventure and travels, for the joy of
discovering, motivated us to keep on going and let this dream become a
reality.
Yeah !
The best part is:
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When you think: "Yesssss!!! We di it!"
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Bof... |
The
worst part is: |
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5 seconds later, when you realize... It's over...
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For stats lovers, here are a few interesting numbers:
264 days
restaurants |
$5879 |
grocery |
$4112 |
fuel |
$2950 |
camping / motel |
$3755 |
misc. expenses |
$3208 |
total |
$19904 |
Polaris
Industries - Canada
Polaris Industries - USA
9405 milles
15,169 kilometres |
total distance travelled on the quads |
10% |
paved road |
16m/us.gal or 15 lts/100kms |
fuel consumption (approx.) |
588 Us.gal / 2,222 lts |
of fuel (approx.) |
$0.94 a liter
$3.56 a Us
gal. |
the most money paid for fuel:
at Truxton, Arizona - october 17th, 2007. |
$0.67 a liter
$2.53 a Us gal |
the smallest amount paid for
fuel:
in Mexico from nov. 2007 to march, 2008. |
1 Us gal. |
3.78 lts |
1 Imperial gal. |
4.54 lts |
0 |
number of drive belts we had to replace. |
40 |
number of tires we had to replace. |
15 |
number of flats. |
800 lbs/360 kgs |
Polaris Sportsman 800 X2 dry weight. |
545 lbs/ 245 kgs |
weight of the equipment carried by the quad with
"the kitchen" (including 4 X 2.5 gals. jerry cans of gas and 3
gals. of water) |
1345 lbs/610 kgs |
total weight for this quad (NOT INCLUDING the
driver) |
460 lbs/210 kgs |
weight of the equipment carried by the quad
pulling the trailer (including 3 X 2.5 gals. jerry cans of gas
and 4.5 gals of water) |
1260 lbs/570 kgs |
total weight of the quad pulling the trailer
(NOT INCLUDING the driver) |
720 lbs/325 kgs |
trailer total weight (including 3 X 2.5 gals.
jerry cans of gas) |
1980 lbs/900 kgs |
quad/trailer combination total weight |
7550 miles/ 12175 kms |
distance travelled by both the quads on the
trailer behind the truck
(From our home to the trip's starting point and from Kingman Az
back home) |
The most unexpected:
The support and help we got from people.
The nicest surprise:
Minnie!
The most ATV friendly place:
Southern Utah.
The most ATV unfriendly place:
Northern Utah.
Stuff we did'nt use:
Bear spray (good thing...)
Water filter (no need...)
Fishing rod (no time...)
Riding boots (too hot, no need, no time...)
What we used the most:
Our sandals!
The phrase Minnie heard the most often:
"Come on Minnie, we're leaving!"
The phrase France heard most often:
"Come on Honey! It's easier than it looks, no problems..."
The phrase Marc heard most often:
"We need to work on the web site..."
Just for laughs ! |
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So what's next??
Conferences?
Many people said they were interested in learning more
about our Adventure and it will be a pleasure for us to share our
experiences in upcoming conferences.
Dates and places to be determined... We'll keep you
posted.
A book?? A DVD?? And possibly more... (we have
many ideas).
We'll keep you posted...
Our love for a nomad life travelling through different areas and
countries is far from being satisfied. Yes, we have many projects but no
decision is made yet. Based on what we learned through this experience,
we are ready (in our heads...) to leave again for new horizons. Will
there be another trip? Most probably! Only 3 things are left to be
determined: Where, when and how...
We'll take some time and study our options in order to make the right
choices.
We'll let you know...
...See you again shortly...
Thank you for travelling with Quadtrek!
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50C |
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122F |
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40C |
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104F |
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30C |
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86F |
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20C |
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68F |
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10C |
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50F |
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0C |
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32F |
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-5C |
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23F |
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-10C |
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14F |
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The coldest place of
the ride:
Lost Creek Canyon, Utah.
09-25-07
elev. 6925pi |
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The windiest: Lake Powell, Az. |
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Number of days of solid rain:
2 |
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Number of days we had rain showers: 6 |
After riding for over 9400 miles, we
can say we rode on some of the nicest and easiest terrain...
as well as on some of the nastiest...
What we missed the most while in Mexico?
For France: A thick, juicy steak!
For Marc: A sweet and tasty dessert!
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L'ARTICLE LE PLUS
"ROBUSTE" DU VOYAGE:
THE ''TOUGHEST'' ITEM : |
Our 12V fridge: For having
worked almost non-stop for 264 days in all kinds of conditions (sand,
wind, sun, cold, hot, rain...), having been dropped right off the
quad once or twice and having been shaken to near death for over
9400 miles, it truly surprised us everyday and got us saying:
"It still works!! It's amazing! "
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Nous sommes fiers de vous présenter nos partenaires.
Ils nous ont fourni un soutien important afin de nous aider à réaliser cette aventure.
MERCI À TOUS
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We are proud to introduce you to our partners.
Their precious collaboration helped us live this fabulous adventure.
THANKS TO ALL. |
Polaris Industries -
Canada
Polaris Industries - USA
Cellutron
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