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Virginia / James Bay / North Road / Quebec / Mt. Washington

August 6–20, 2009

I heard the quote something to the effect that you don't take a trip, the trip takes you. This time the trip really took me. I'd planned a trip that takes me way up north 2 miles short of the 54th parallel, open landscapes and remote roads. That part of the plan I got. I didn't get the time I wanted though, unexpected things happen and sometimes the worst time, sometimes you get a break. I got a break and had a great trip.

14 days and 4,000 miles, I traveled from Virginia to Ontario Canada, then up the James Bay Road to Radisson and the furthest point north, Longue Pointe. Coming back, I rode to Lac St. Jean and down the Fjord Road to Tadoussac. Then around Quebec city to ride up Mt Washington before heading back home.

I wrote up this ride report right when I got back home but somehow I didn't tell what really happened, or at least how I felt it happened. Here's take 2.

In December 2008, I found a spot, way up on the James Bay close to the Hudson Bay, a spot where roads go out to a point. On that point, boats and a couple of buildings. This Google Earth/Maps photo of large canoes is what I saw.

At that time I thought, "I will ride to this place someday". I'm not sure why I wanted to but as the people are asked why they climb mountains, "because it's there" seems somehow a good enough reason.

Longue Pointe

The other reason is because I want to do this on a single cylinder, dual sport motorcycle, and camp along the way. The roads will be more fun on this type of bike and 1,000 on this bike is like 2,000 on a big touring bike. More bang for the buck.

It's far enough north that the days are longer, bugs are bigger, crowds are few, temperatures are cooler and northern lights will illuminate an August evening sky.

So after a lot of planning, phone calls and emails, I got enough information, and time off work, to make this happen. I loaded up the bike and headed off to Canada. Was a light rain packing up the bike, I'm all set for that though. It rains up there too.

ridin

Pennsylvania

This is a bigger trip than I've taken on a bike. I got very settled and in the "zone" quickly along. First night's stop in Pennsylvania, on a lake. Excellent weather, local ice cream. Seems like a nice start.

lake

ice cream

My back had been bothering me. Pulled the lower left side a few weeks before the trip and was worried that it would sidetrack me. Last night, slept great and actually for the first time, woke up with no pain. Wow. Now I know what to do if my back acts up. Take a moto-camping trip. The morning camp consisted of cooked oatmeal, local figs and coffee. Loaded the gear and proceeded up a road that was very cool, this road had nice twisties that woke me up more than the first daily hit of java, wow!

Got on a part of the Slab that I actually enjoy, Pennsylvania north to Wilkes-Barr. This stretch rolls over mountain ridges and highlands that feel the wrath of winter hard enough, the trees never grow that tall. Whenever I experience these places, the feeling of wide open lands and remote areas is a great thrill. On my iPod, Jeff Beck wailed his guitar with impossible licks as I sped along. The single cylinder Kawasaki engine settling in around 5,000 RPMs, seems to like this speed, vibration dampens and just purrs along. Also puts me at about 69mph which doesn't seem to set off any radar units.

ride

New York

Cat tails and birch trees always remind me of the Adirondacks. The first sighting was a good indication that I was paralleling that fantastic northern area. I rode up i-81 in high speed though because today I would cross over into Canada, if they'll have me.

shadow

Crossing over the Thousand Islands bridge was great, I was getting very excited at this point. Canada was only minutes away.

THousand Islands

The Other Side

I've been in the "penalty box" before crossing borders. It's not fun. There are no guarantees. No money back policy. Not that I'm worried about it, but in the back of my mind I always think, they don't have to let me in.

border

But they did, I bring $ USD! First exit after border crossing, gift shops and currency exchange!

shop

Of course, never get currency exchanged at a place like this, go to a regular bank and just get some cash out.

bank

My host for the night, a fellow ADV rider Ted (ADVrider.com) graciously opened his home to me, met me on his bike and escorted me to his place. Dinner at the local pub, great company to boot.

rider

The next day Ted offered to ride with me to Ottawa. He took his camera and got a few shots of me on the bike. THis is good, otherwise from my photos it looks like my bike took the trip by itself.

I said bye to Ted and stopped briefly in Ottawa. Now the part of the trip I've been waiting for.

hotel

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