Riding the..
Route of the Baleines & the Gulf of St Lawrence
Trip Six --- WI, MI, ON, QC, NB
Sault St Marie, Quebec City, Lac St. Jean, Gaspe', Pence
7.23 - 31.15
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BIKE MILES: 4325 GPS MILES: 4266 TOTAL YEAR: 26794
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Day : 1 Date : 7.23 Thursday
Str Cty : Home Str Mls. : 12115 miles
End Cty : Sault Ste Marie, ON End Mls : 12598
Dly Mls : 449 Tot Mls : 449 miles
Time. : 7:15 hrs Notes : exhausted to bed but awake at 3:30 so up at 5:00 for coffee and packing. Left in great sunshine and rode to Mischlers to get my tire repair kits off my RT. I continued on north 151 to Fon du Lac / 41 north thru the Fox River Valley and Green Bay. Gassed in Marionette for $2.84 and went on to its twin sister, Menominee, where gas was $2.13 - got beat. 41 went north and I stayed on the lake on 2 to 117 north, then 28 (Parfait at McDs) to I 75 to Sault Ste Marie, ON.. Nice day all day, but my stomach did not do as well, having to stop at every other bathroom. No lunch and free oatmeal and an apple for dinner. Will not go out to eat and hope for recovery. Exhausted.!
Day : 2 Date : 7.24 Friday
Str Cty : Sault Ste Marie Str Mls. : 12598
End Cty : Pembroke, ON End Mls : 12998
Dly Mls : 405 Tot Mls : 854 miles
Time. : 7 hours Notes : butt and traffic
Left about 8:30 and was surprised how long it takes here to ride 400 miles..7+ hours. The speed is 90kph/57mph and most are two lane roads with 28 bypasses per 128 miles... Stop and go..fast and slow! The first hours were in the low 60s and mid 80s by post noon. Along the way I saw a built out Dodge ram 250 high top, long van..I finally got the French Canadians to stop, I got a tour of the interior which they built out themselves...nicely finished and very functional with good size interior. Arrived in Pembroke at 4:00, 1/2 hour ahead of the gps. The ride thru the forests with few communities between SSM and North Bay and then many more small towns along the road and border with Quebec. Had a salad at a local good restaurant, but poor Canadian salad. Rode the town of small houses that were built against the terrible weather here...nothing upscale I could see. The seat hurt all morning binding my clothes and irritating my crotch ..raised the front and it was more comfortable but immediately started to get the pain between my clavicles. Put front of seat back down and will try again in the am.
Day : 3 Date : 7.25 Saturday
Str Cty : Pembroke, ON Str Mls. : 12998
End Cty : Metabetchouan, QB End Mls : 13469
Dly Mls : 471 Tot Mls : 1325 miles
Time. : 8 hours Notes : seat much better
Much improved day... Left Pembroke at 8:30 and rode east to a bridge to cross the Ottawa River into Quebec. Rode the rural roads 128, passed next to the provincial park, until I hit I 50 north of Ottawa to avoid the city. 50 took me to north of Montreal, again avoiding the city. On the way I drove thru the Laurentian Mountains and near Tremblant where I skied in the 60s. There I could not resist Hortons and had early dinner of parfait and 2 donuts. Caught 640/40 to I 55 north at Trois Riveriers and rode 200 miles along the Saint Maurice River, stopping in La Tush (tooosch as pronounced by a local). This part of the trip is a ride worth searching for, thousands of Motos were going both ways. The forest is untouched, the river is beautiful and very usable for recreation and work for 100+ miles, and the road twists and dives for fun. The roads passed lakes, rivers and forest. Arrived at Lac Saint Jean at Metabetchouan, a beautiful huge lake about 30 by 45 miles. More people in France speak more and better English than in Quebec...I ran into several problems in speaking interactions. Salad for dinner. I started with treated butt and loose pants. I sat very far forward and had no pain.. No butt pain like yesterday, but only late in day mild clavicle ache and skin touchiness after 8 hours. Have been unable to get more than average 45 mpg regardless of how conservatively I drive, low shifting and below 65 mph.
Day : 4 Date : 7.26 - Sunday
Str Cty : Metabetchouan, QB Str Mls. : 13469
End Cty : Baie-Comeau, QB End Mls : 13705
Dly Mls : 235 Tot Mls : 1560 miles
Time. : 4:30 Notes : rain all day. Beautiful ride.
It was really great and worth modifying my trip and come to Lac St Jean. Woke to rain and waited it out, still leaving about 8 in sunshine. The area looks like Acadia and is farming land. 30 miles down the road it started to sprinkle and I continued in the cold (starting in the low 70s but going down to mid 50s along the St Lawrence). Rode to Saguenay where I experienced a plethora of stop lites, only exceeded by the number of Hortons in Canada (whether measured by per capita or per square mile). Went thru great farm land to Saguenay and to the end of Lac St Jean and the start of the Saguenay River. Took 172 south down the forested valley and then into the mountains- dramatically beautiful and exceeding the conditions of the Icefield Road, even in the rain. At the bottom of Hwy 172 SE, I turned on Hwy 138 east and up the St. Lawerence Seaway/Gulf. I quit riding after 235 miles at 1:00 in Baie-Comeau at a nice Comfort Inn with temps in the mid 50s. I was freezing and wet on the periphery.
Tonite I have come to the best room I've had on this trip from last nite's worst room.
Day : 5 Date : 7.27 - Monday
Str Cty : Baie-Comeau, QC Str Mls. : 13705
End Cty : Sept-iles, QC End Mls : 14316
Dly Mls : 1082 k/ 639 miles Tot Mls : 2199 miles/ over 24K
Time. : 10 hours Notes : awoke to rain & fog
Will wait til mid morning to decide whether to stay or travel east. Things got wet in my right pannier. Decided to go since the rain stopped and was only 40% pers in 55 degree temps. I left at 9 and rode to Sept-iles on Hwy 138 and reserved a room at the Comfort Inn there. Then I had a 240 mile ride to Pointe Parent- Natashquan and 240 miles back before sundown...made it! Temps hovered around 61 degrees so I wore all my clothes all day. Rode thru forests and along the gulf to Sept-iles and continued in that terrain for 200 miles when the trees became smaller and very close together..the ground looked like Dolly Sods (WV) tundra with moss and small plants. Finally, all the trees disappeared and only the mosey ground and ponds covered the terrain while side rivers rushed to the Gulf. I worried about gas and found what I needed 100 miles before and after the end point, so I was secure with that. The last town is a First Nation village of Pointe Parent and has 1200 inhabitants. It is at this place that 138 goes from Tarmac to gravel, so I turned around. I met some Indians who were digging a hole to hold a skinned pine tree with a little pine foliage on the top 2 feet.They explained this was the flag of the village. I passed a burn area 12miles long. Rode like hell the last 240 to get in before dark. A fox was the only animal I saw. I remembered an excellent seafood meal here 14 yrs ago so I sought out Chez Omer's place and had the local garlic seafood platter on rice. Extra tired....
Day : 6 Date : 7.28. Tuesday
Str Cty : Sept-iles Str Mls. : 14316
End Cty : Cap Chat, QC End Mls : 14805
Dly Mls : 189 Tot Mls : 2388
Time. : 3:30 riding Notes : ferry to Matane
Awoke only to find rain and a clock which was 45 minutes slow....decided to try weather elsewhere so I hustled out of Comfort Inn and rode 150 miles to Baie-Comeau ferry terminal for the ferry trip to Matane and the Gaspe', arriving in time for the 11:00 crossing. I saw a cow and a bull moose along the road, both murdered in the nite as they were not here yesterday when I passed this way. Ran thru sunshine, rain, and wind, but always cold (61) on the way. Talked to other bikers about trips west. No tiedowns were necessary and the boat left on time and docked 2 hrs later. Right now Marnie is at the funeral for Bob Gibson who passed last Thursday - I sent my condolences, but could not ride that far to get to the funeral. I started to read The Pact by Picoult but discovered I had read it after reading two page..gave to seat mates.
I figured out the intermediate Death Star, some call purgatory, while riding today and in relation to Bob's death. A deceased person, and particularly his SPIRIT, stays in this interstage place while anyone in the world who knew the deceased remembers them. When the last person who remembers or knew the person dies, the deceased is free to move out of the intermediate state of death to a place they wish to permanently reside. Actually, the part of the deceased which goes thru this procedure is the Spirit... Of the person..
Off the boat I gassed and drove 50 miles on Hwy 132, finding the Motel NANOOK where Paul and I stayed in 07 with Jan and his brother. The lady vaguely remembered us. $6 for breakfast after 89$ for room. On the way I passed some beautiful saffron fields. Changed clothes today and cleaned my bike while planning Seafood again tonite for dinner. Fog is coming in but it passed and the sun set over the Gulf of St Lawerence....
Day : 7 Date : 7.29 Wednesday
Str Cty : Cap Chat, QC Str Mls. : 14508
End Cty : Edmundston, NB End Mls : 14984
Dly Mls : 479 Tot Mls : 2867 miles
Time. : 9 hrs Notes : hard ride..around Gaspe
Up at 5 and exercised, showered and dressed for 6:30 breakfast and 7 am start. The first 300 miles were extremely tedious and straining..because of all the lookouts, twisting roads and holiday traffic. The first 100 miles were on the north shore where every little indented bay has a harbor and a community along the road and beach backed by cliffs. Then the terrain turns to hills-bluffs and riding thru pine forests. As I turned to the end to Gaspe and Perce the sea scape had more definition and rocks like the famous one here. The boats go thru at high tide and people walk thru at low tide. Beyond that the coast was slow, boring and exhausting. Once I arrived in Campbellston I turned south driving very fast to pass thru forests and villages on my way to the 17 freeway which will get me to Ottawa and Pembrook tomorrow in 550 miles. Got a great rate at Comfort Inn in Edmondston. Ate my way thru the day: chocolate, Horton donuts, diet coke, a beer and salads... Gassed and ready for am.
Day : 8 Date : 7.30 Thursday
Str Cty : Edmondston Str Mls. : 14984
End Cty : North Bay, ON End Mls : 15663
Dly Mls : 681 / 1097 km Tot Mls : 3549 miles
Time. : 10 hrs Notes : fast in traffic and rain
Thought I left at 7:00 maritime time in the fog...In 20 miles my eastern time caught up with me and it was 6am going northwest on 85. In 100 miles I turned west toward Quebec, Montreal, and Ottawa on 20 expressway. Thru this area I rode 130 km or 80 mph. Before Montreal it sprinkled and in the city it downpoured with no place to get protection. Finally, after 50% soaked I geared up, but 45 minutes later the sun was out. I arrived at Pembrook at 2:30 and got great help from Emile to cancel-reedup for North Bay HIx, 2:30 and 250 k further. Passed everything on the road in both freeway and passing lanes and was passed less than 5 times. As I approached the city the wind had built to a strong headwind, throwing me all over. Ate oatmeal and apples in for dinner.
Day : 9 Date : 7.31 Friday
Str Cty : North Bay Str Mls. : 15663
End Cty : Home / Madison End Mls : 16440
Dly Mls : 717 / 1154 km Tot Mls : 4266 miles / 6865 km
Time. : 11:30 Notes : tired.. 1877 miles /3days
Planned for early leaving to get gas and drive...first lite I was at the gas station and left 6:15 eastern time. 11.5 hours home.. Nice morning with little traffic except around Sudbury, but a 75 mph blocker helped me make time. Rode as quickly as possible over the 56 mph speed limit (mostly 70 for me). Got to the border in 3.5 hours and an hour delay getting thru the border. I was so pissed I forgot to cancel my Sault St. Marie, MI reservation and did not do it until I got to Romona's birthday party. They have a cancellation number. Rode quickly in mild traffic to north of Green Bay. There I ran fast and the traffic was crazy heavy thru the construction and all the way to Fond du Lac, and I drove 75-80 mph the rest of the way to Sun Prairie. No one passed me today..however, I overtook a few. Showed up at Romona and Jane's party unexpectedly. Tom fell and broke six ribs and hip..at UW and Paul is with him. Seat was a problem everyday with the front going soft and sitting on the front of my crotch.. The last two days I lifted the front and got some relief, but by noon I was again fighting a lack of support in the front of the seat.. Sent a note and will follow up Monday.
Subject: Jay..hope all is well...still have problems here...
Rode another 3000 to Quebec.. When cold in the morning very comfortable ..but when the weather warms and sit for a hour the front collapses... And then I am painfully sitting on the front part of my crotch... We must raise the front and make it stiff so I can't compress it flat...if you notice in the picture, the front is flattened after my 500 miles today and at least one inch below where it was when I sent the last pictures with the seat...
I shall be home in 3 days 1500 miles and send you the seat next Monday.. Will call ahead to talk to you thanks..
Pictures are taken in the front lowered position
These pictures taken in the front up position:Difference - Front lower to upper:
and rode another 2500 miles home.
A least 1 1/2 inches higher in upper front position..
When I put the seat in the front upper position I got some relief for a half day (300 miles) before it collapsed and I was sitting on my junk...not as painful as after 1 hour in the lower position, but irritating of my upper leg and crotch. We need to raise the front at least 1 5/8 inches with stiff, non- compressing material so that I don't sink in the front and I slide forward to the front of my crotch. Then, I can keep the seat in the lower position and still have decent ground touch. Hope this explains my problems... Which I never had with my other seats. Thanks Rick
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