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North America, First and Second.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
We remembered to head 4 miles in the wrong direction to get fuel as the bikes didn’t have enough in them to get to the first petrol station in the correct direction...if that makes sense.
Once again with full tanks we headed off for another couple of hundred chilly miles.
The roadside display of lakes, hills and trees was as nice as ever although we are taking it for granted now. Which we know is a shame because soon it’ll be behind us.
But what’s around the next corner??
We stopped after 60 miles at an RV park campsite type place that had a sign for food and hot drinks out on the highway.
We found the amiable chap who was happy to stop whatever job he was doing to open the cafe to serve a couple of hot drinks. Being that he only had one tea bag we supplied our own from the ‘food bag’ as it’s known, in one of my Panniers.
It was nice chatting to him and warming up. After about 15 minutes the cyclist that we’d passed arrived. She was cold and hungry. Cold mainly because here clothes were still wet from riding in the previous days rain.
Hungry because she’s been camping along the way, no doubt in a wet tent, and had pretty much run out is supplies.
The hot plate was switched on and a big burger was prepared.
We are such lightweights!!!
Stories and humour. Hot drinks. A great way to spend three quarters of an hour or so.
The cyclist was from Deluth in Minnesota and was trying to cycle a lap of Lake Superior. She wasn’t sure if she was enjoying it or enduring it.
A feeling that we can sympathise with.
The rest of the day went by fairly quickly. It’s strange how sometimes 50 miles seems to take ages and another time it’s gone in no time.
Lunch, more fuel, another check in and the day was done. Milk and cereals purchased. Nothing on TV, really nothing. I couldn’t even find how to get the cable receiver and tele to link up.
Sleep.
Thursday arrived with the sun shining. I’d emailed Mark and Angie, the couple we met up with near Tulsa back in May, the day before to see when they were heading to Hawaii.
It turns out that they are there now. My request for them to send sunshine and warmth was successful.
We set off under blue skies with the temperature gauge well above 10 degrees at 12.5.
A good start to the day.
Our destination was to be Owen Sound. The route there was 150 miles to South Baymouth to catch a ferry across to Tobermory.
We were at the port nice and early and chatted to some other motorcyclists in the queue, which was nice.
The Chi-Cheemaun, that’s Big Canoe in the native language according to the internet, arrived in time and in short order was unloaded and reloaded.
We had to strap our own bikes and sign a disclaimer for any damage that may occur should they get damaged.
Seats off, straps out and unravelled, seats back on, strap bikes down. Job done.
Now the done thing is to get to the canteen for a chub up but as we’d had a decent plate of eggs and potatoes on the way to the ferry a cold drink sufficed.
Peter and Karin joined us, they were on a Kawasaki Versys 1000 and heading home after 5 days away.
In formation was exchanged as to routes that we may enjoy ahead and on getting their bike to Europe.....new adventures ahead.
Just another 68 miles and our day was done. We stopped much later than usual but even with a longer day I still failed badly on the photo front.
Today is hair cut day hopefully, plus a rest and a bit more planning no doubt. Also the dreaded C word is being bandied about for the next couple of nights.
That’s right, CAMPING!!! Well the weather is warmer and we are carrying all the gear.
I’ll let you know if talk becomes reality, but for now we are.....
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
Once again with full tanks we headed off for another couple of hundred chilly miles.
The roadside display of lakes, hills and trees was as nice as ever although we are taking it for granted now. Which we know is a shame because soon it’ll be behind us.
But what’s around the next corner??
We stopped after 60 miles at an RV park campsite type place that had a sign for food and hot drinks out on the highway.
We found the amiable chap who was happy to stop whatever job he was doing to open the cafe to serve a couple of hot drinks. Being that he only had one tea bag we supplied our own from the ‘food bag’ as it’s known, in one of my Panniers.
It was nice chatting to him and warming up. After about 15 minutes the cyclist that we’d passed arrived. She was cold and hungry. Cold mainly because here clothes were still wet from riding in the previous days rain.
Hungry because she’s been camping along the way, no doubt in a wet tent, and had pretty much run out is supplies.
The hot plate was switched on and a big burger was prepared.
We are such lightweights!!!
Stories and humour. Hot drinks. A great way to spend three quarters of an hour or so.
The cyclist was from Deluth in Minnesota and was trying to cycle a lap of Lake Superior. She wasn’t sure if she was enjoying it or enduring it.
A feeling that we can sympathise with.
The rest of the day went by fairly quickly. It’s strange how sometimes 50 miles seems to take ages and another time it’s gone in no time.
Lunch, more fuel, another check in and the day was done. Milk and cereals purchased. Nothing on TV, really nothing. I couldn’t even find how to get the cable receiver and tele to link up.
Sleep.
Thursday arrived with the sun shining. I’d emailed Mark and Angie, the couple we met up with near Tulsa back in May, the day before to see when they were heading to Hawaii.
It turns out that they are there now. My request for them to send sunshine and warmth was successful.
We set off under blue skies with the temperature gauge well above 10 degrees at 12.5.
A good start to the day.
Our destination was to be Owen Sound. The route there was 150 miles to South Baymouth to catch a ferry across to Tobermory.
We were at the port nice and early and chatted to some other motorcyclists in the queue, which was nice.
The Chi-Cheemaun, that’s Big Canoe in the native language according to the internet, arrived in time and in short order was unloaded and reloaded.
We had to strap our own bikes and sign a disclaimer for any damage that may occur should they get damaged.
Seats off, straps out and unravelled, seats back on, strap bikes down. Job done.
Now the done thing is to get to the canteen for a chub up but as we’d had a decent plate of eggs and potatoes on the way to the ferry a cold drink sufficed.
Peter and Karin joined us, they were on a Kawasaki Versys 1000 and heading home after 5 days away.
In formation was exchanged as to routes that we may enjoy ahead and on getting their bike to Europe.....new adventures ahead.
Just another 68 miles and our day was done. We stopped much later than usual but even with a longer day I still failed badly on the photo front.
Today is hair cut day hopefully, plus a rest and a bit more planning no doubt. Also the dreaded C word is being bandied about for the next couple of nights.
That’s right, CAMPING!!! Well the weather is warmer and we are carrying all the gear.
I’ll let you know if talk becomes reality, but for now we are.....
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
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OnHellas
- Posts: 2610
- Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 2:12 pm
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Re: North America, First and Second.
As I said, a pathetic attempt at photographically documenting our journey.
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DavidS
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Re: North America, First and Second.
You were just behind us. We were in Owen Sound on 7th and 8th..
I looked up Lake Superior...it is truly huge so cycling round it is crazy. 350 miles long and the water would cover the whole of north and south america to a foot depth. We had a few minutes at the east end when we went to Sault Ste, Marie.
Weather is looking really good for a while now. We’re up in Mont Tremblant at the moment and it’s glorious.
Your experiences mirror the great reception and friendliness of the Canadians, pretty much without fail. But finding decent coffee on the road is really hard and I haven’t had a cup of tea since 2nd September - they think Earl Grey is what we drink.
But Franglais in Quebec is mostly useless. It’s a different form of French and the Province is even more French than France.
Thanks for keeping up the reports.
I looked up Lake Superior...it is truly huge so cycling round it is crazy. 350 miles long and the water would cover the whole of north and south america to a foot depth. We had a few minutes at the east end when we went to Sault Ste, Marie.
Weather is looking really good for a while now. We’re up in Mont Tremblant at the moment and it’s glorious.
Your experiences mirror the great reception and friendliness of the Canadians, pretty much without fail. But finding decent coffee on the road is really hard and I haven’t had a cup of tea since 2nd September - they think Earl Grey is what we drink.
But Franglais in Quebec is mostly useless. It’s a different form of French and the Province is even more French than France.
Thanks for keeping up the reports.
2023 Husqvarna Norden 901
2014 KTM 690 ENDURO R
2014 KTM 690 ENDURO R
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OnHellas
- Posts: 2610
- Joined: Sat Oct 18, 2014 2:12 pm
- Location: By the sea, Kent, UK
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Re: North America, First and Second.
Our day off of the bikes in Owen Sound worked out just fine. Bill’s Barbers was spot on. The chap had been working out of the same shop since 1971. He was a good barber, had good conversation and the regulars that we met in there really seem to like him.
He was enthusiastic and encouraging regarding our journey. My hair looks better too.
Sarah’s haircut went well. Well I’m the respect that the woman didn’t cut much off so managed not to make a hair disaster.
She is looking forward to getting back to Justine for a “I know what to do with your hair” kind of haircut.
We sat out the torrential rain in a cafe, picked up some supplies on the way back to the motel and gave the bikes a check over in the afternoon.
Niagara Falls was next. Setting the TomTom shortest route doesn’t always get you what you really would have liked. Going through rather than around Hamilton was one of those times.
The C word.....yep, for the first time since New Zealand we checked in to a campsite and set up. It would be nights 79 and 80 in the tent on our travels.
It was actually quite nice getting the stuff out, remembering the order of how things went. No arguments, no dramas.
Shame that I didn’t sleep very well the first night.....must have been the pent up excitement for the visit to the Falls.
We bought the “Falls Adventure Pass” which gave us all the bus journeys that we would need plus entrance to the main Falls attractions.
The Falls are a Wow! plain and simple. This was another First and Second moment. Well, sort of, I’d seen the Falls before but from the US side.
We went in to the tunnels behind the Falls, the boat trip to the base of the Falls, watched the “how the Falls were formed” interactive movie theatre thing, you get wet in there too, but called off the next to the rapids walk as it lashed down with rain.
A mightily disappointing and overpriced lunch was had at The Hard Rock Cafe. Another First and Second. There probably won’t be a Second and Third......
On arrival back at the campsite we decided to sit in one of the wooden shelters as it was raining again. We still got Mozzied though!!
Thoughts of staying a third night were ignored and instead we’d emailed Karin and Peter, the Versys couple from the ferry, to take them up on their offer to stay at their place.
A leisurely pack up, partly in the hope that everything would dry out, was in order as we only had 140 or so miles to ride and most of it would be in Toronto’s expressway. Thankfully the traffic kept moving and we soon found ourselves back on our preferred single carriageway roads.
A quick hotdog for lunch and the last 30 miles saw us arrive about when we’d thought we would.
The first thing that struck us was the two double garages. Garage envy was instant.
The house is set on a lake shore. Afternoon drinking tea and chatting soon turned in to gone midnight. The home cooked meal was a delight, as was a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast to set us up for the day.
I know that we didn’t follow all of Peters route suggestions in our way to Calabogie, what a great place name, but we got to ride a good proportion of them. The small highway 71 and 65 were a joy.
Thanks Karin, thanks Peter.
Our map has been updated, tomorrow’s destination decided. Halifax is getting closer. About 950 miles. We are looking forward to getting there but know that it’s a long way. We’re not there yet. It’s not time to relax.
I should also mention some of the scenery from today. We get a bit blasé about it sometimes. Some of the lakes we passed were like mirrors. Their reflections of trees with leaves turning colour letting us know that Autumn is here.
We are looking forward to the gradual change in foliage colour over the next few weeks.....as long as it doesn’t rain to much or get to cold of course.
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
He was enthusiastic and encouraging regarding our journey. My hair looks better too.
Sarah’s haircut went well. Well I’m the respect that the woman didn’t cut much off so managed not to make a hair disaster.
She is looking forward to getting back to Justine for a “I know what to do with your hair” kind of haircut.
We sat out the torrential rain in a cafe, picked up some supplies on the way back to the motel and gave the bikes a check over in the afternoon.
Niagara Falls was next. Setting the TomTom shortest route doesn’t always get you what you really would have liked. Going through rather than around Hamilton was one of those times.
The C word.....yep, for the first time since New Zealand we checked in to a campsite and set up. It would be nights 79 and 80 in the tent on our travels.
It was actually quite nice getting the stuff out, remembering the order of how things went. No arguments, no dramas.
Shame that I didn’t sleep very well the first night.....must have been the pent up excitement for the visit to the Falls.
We bought the “Falls Adventure Pass” which gave us all the bus journeys that we would need plus entrance to the main Falls attractions.
The Falls are a Wow! plain and simple. This was another First and Second moment. Well, sort of, I’d seen the Falls before but from the US side.
We went in to the tunnels behind the Falls, the boat trip to the base of the Falls, watched the “how the Falls were formed” interactive movie theatre thing, you get wet in there too, but called off the next to the rapids walk as it lashed down with rain.
A mightily disappointing and overpriced lunch was had at The Hard Rock Cafe. Another First and Second. There probably won’t be a Second and Third......
On arrival back at the campsite we decided to sit in one of the wooden shelters as it was raining again. We still got Mozzied though!!
Thoughts of staying a third night were ignored and instead we’d emailed Karin and Peter, the Versys couple from the ferry, to take them up on their offer to stay at their place.
A leisurely pack up, partly in the hope that everything would dry out, was in order as we only had 140 or so miles to ride and most of it would be in Toronto’s expressway. Thankfully the traffic kept moving and we soon found ourselves back on our preferred single carriageway roads.
A quick hotdog for lunch and the last 30 miles saw us arrive about when we’d thought we would.
The first thing that struck us was the two double garages. Garage envy was instant.
The house is set on a lake shore. Afternoon drinking tea and chatting soon turned in to gone midnight. The home cooked meal was a delight, as was a good nights sleep and a hearty breakfast to set us up for the day.
I know that we didn’t follow all of Peters route suggestions in our way to Calabogie, what a great place name, but we got to ride a good proportion of them. The small highway 71 and 65 were a joy.
Thanks Karin, thanks Peter.
Our map has been updated, tomorrow’s destination decided. Halifax is getting closer. About 950 miles. We are looking forward to getting there but know that it’s a long way. We’re not there yet. It’s not time to relax.
I should also mention some of the scenery from today. We get a bit blasé about it sometimes. Some of the lakes we passed were like mirrors. Their reflections of trees with leaves turning colour letting us know that Autumn is here.
We are looking forward to the gradual change in foliage colour over the next few weeks.....as long as it doesn’t rain to much or get to cold of course.
Two happy people, two happy bikes.
-
OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
Views. Or lack of, from behind the Falls.
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OnHellas
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Re: North America, First and Second.
Limestone scum apparently, not....you know. Not in the brochures though, funny that.
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