Jatz's travels

[F5 Dave]

Great pics but understand about the experience thing. End of week I'm setting off, ten of us to do East cape etc. 6 days at a time with a year in between, about the sixth and we always seem to cover new ground, still more of NZ to see.

WhatsApp means you can see where others are and don't have to wait which is tiresome. Makes the evenings more entertaining. But we set off with a group tour mentality. .

[JATZ]

Thanks for the latest posts. Always enjoy your travel tales and photos.

Thanks for taking the time to read it

Travelling with someone is a dark art. You're either very flexible and it's easy to get on with someone, or you have to gel pretty damn well for it to work.

As for rushing things, just look at visitors to NZ, hey, how do I see the country in 1-2 weeks... uh, yeah, not going to happen.

Awesome pics tho, especially the sunset

Yeah...I was very lucky last time I went to Canada with a complete stranger. It worked out great and we're still friends. Could've gone horribly wrong though.
I probably need to work on my time management skills a bit too, leaving camp a little bit earlier would probably help

I wanna see you go to Prudhoe bay and cry like itchy boots did!��
Oh and blowing up your undies! Hahaha!

Go back a few pages.... I went to Prudhoe in 2019 B.C. Didn't cry though The undie thing in Chicken was a new one, never saw that, however I'm pretty certain my crusty jocks would've looked cool heading skywards.
It was good watching her traveling through some of the same ground we covered, brought back some good memories.

Great pics but understand about the experience thing. End of week I'm setting off, ten of us to do East cape etc. 6 days at a time with a year in between, about the sixth and we always seem to cover new ground, still more of NZ to see.

WhatsApp means you can see where others are and don't have to wait which is tiresome. Makes the evenings more entertaining. But we set off with a group tour mentality. .

Enjoy the trip and may the weather gods be kind to you

[F5 Dave]

Thanks, they were, surprisingly. Actually they must have been having a bit of a chuckle. Last leg New Plymouth to wgtn. Poured down night before and forecast dreadful rain. Suited up waiting for deluge sweating away all day, looking at the horizon, any time now. . . Nothing. Dry roads except when we crossed through Fordel but no rain on us.

Fantastic ride though.

Look forward to your next write up.

[JATZ]

Walkin the mile.... Walkin the green mile....

Sent from my SM-G996W using Tapatalk

[F5 Dave]

Oh, go on then!

[caseye]

WHAT!??? off again??? Well doen that man, looking forward to the pics and running commentary's.

[JATZ]

Right.... I'll try this for the 3rd time

So you may have guessed I jumped on a plane ? Well I took off north again, like a Godwit and headed back to Canada to get re-acquainted with the V-strom.
Despite booking tickets months ago, my preferred seats were already taken. So what's a man to do ? Upgrade of course Goddam.... the food just tastes better, the wine was flowing and the bed just made the 14+ hr flight a breeze.



Customs was a walk in the park and before long I was spewed out onto the streets of Vancouver.
First order of business was go and get robbed by ICBC ( Insurance )so I could legally ride the bike. Then off to my digs for the night. It'd been organized by the first place I'd booked, who were having some "Industrial action". It sounded like it wouldn't be a pleasant place to stay. The new place even had a roof top garden so I could stroll around with my coffee in the morning, it even stopped raining



Then it was back to the airport for my domestic flight. I have no idea why check in closes 2 hrs before the flight, but that's how they roll. It made for a long wait with nothing much to do. then an uncomfortable 4 hr + jaunt over to Tronno where I finaly got to the Air BnB just after 10. It'd been a long day
Next morning (today) I was off to pick up the bike. Doug from KMM Powersports had kindly offered to go and pick it up from Wiarton where it'd spent the winter (Theirs... Our summer) He'd been sourcing some parts to give the suspension a new lease on life, and lets be honest, suspension is one area where Suzuki has cut production costs Nothing over the top, but certainly an improvement on stock. And made sure it was all checked and ready to go when I arrived I was glad he'd picked it up as it meant I didn't have to try and go get it, and Storage Steve is down in the US and wont be back for weeks. I still haven't met the total stranger off the internet yet, he was away when it was dropped off too, but I trusted him with my bike
Any way. after breakfast



A smoked meat sammie from the deli next door ( Been looking forward to that since last year ) Pulling the bike out of the shop...



and gassbagging to Doug, it was time to hit the road.
Back to the Air BnB to clean out 1 funky smelling pannier, Then it was time to go for a ride...... Back down to Niagara falls, to see if they were still flowing.

They were....





I gave the boat ride a miss this time too. it was still pretty busy



But nothing like last year.
A couple of quick snaps of ... The Police station



and some other random giant building.



it was time to do battle with rush hour traffic on the motorway

I'd best post this now, before it disappears again.
Heading East again tomorrow. I've given myself 8 days to get Blanc Sablon hopefully I'll find some interesting things to take pics of ? Maybe even some stuff from the drone.

[JATZ]

Time for a catch up I think...
Sorry for the pic quality, the first few are from the helmet cam and the quality is somewhat lacking I'm a little disappointed with the sena 10C. Comms are good but the C.... not so much.
So I left T'ronno, avoiding the motorways.



and rode through just about every suburb it seems. It wasn't all bad, the sights and smells made it bearable



I'd had a spot in Bowmanville saved on google for a while, and it was time to go have a look. I wasn't sure what to expect, but....
It was pretty cool/spooky/derelict. There was 1 building where I could've climbed through a window, but chicken'd out.







The place had a strange feel to it, felt like I was being watched, but then again not. Kinda hard to put my finger on it. I knew it was all good though, George had my back



It's called Camp 30. Was a prisoner of war camp during WW2. Some light reading for those interested
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowmanville_POW_camp
It's been bought by developers now, who are going to develop it, except for 1 building, owned by the council who want to restore it. good luck to them I say... I've pulled down buildings in better nick because it's un economic to repair.
So, I had a plan in place after that.... go to this place where there was a store, pick up some food and head to another place to pitch the tent beside a lake. Until I got chatting to a guy outside the gate He suggested a ride along the shore... just go down to the boat ramp, turn left and go. His instructions were a bit more detailed, but that's all I heard So I got to the ramp and turned left, past some expensive looking houses right on the lake, some apple orchards and some cool roads, and .... got sick of riding in a place called Trenton. There's an Airforce base there.
Spotted a grill and a motel and called it quits for the day.
Next morning I picked a spot on the gps and set sail, through more back roads, past clusters of houses, which got me thinking The groups of houses are all fairly close to the road, Why ? All facing the road, Why ?, shurly it'd be better to position them for the sun ? No front fences ? and the lawns are all immaculate. I guess that's just how they roll here.
Anyway. I kept going, through more little hamlets, villages, towns. Not really stopping to take pics. It was pretty cool though.
This thing pulled out in front of me at some stage..... I reckon I could've made it....



But he was driving a bit erratically.
Anyway.... I made it to place called Saint Jerome and called it quits for the day. Grabbed a room, cause it was supposed to rain and I'm getting soft

[JATZ]

So during my time in St Jerome, I realized if I kept taking little back roads I'd never get anywhere fast, so a plan was hatched to just jump on the m/way and make up some miles
The plan worked.... so once again, no pics.
Head down, arse up, only stopping for gas and food. I completely avoided Montreal and Quebec city. managing to skirt round the outside. I did think about stopping at the camp we stayed at last time on Ile dOrleans but it was still way to early. So I carried on along the coast through more villages, they're so cute Apparently it was a festival/holiday thing, celebrated by Quebecians. One of the towns, the traffic was backed up, a poor guy doing his best to direct traffic, people all over the place and a real festival atmosphere. It was this little place. Baie Saint Paul.



I didn't stop till I was way out of town.
So I carried on, through more small French villages, up hill, down dale.... stopping only to grab some food. I should've stocked up in Ontario



I worked it out though. Used some imagination mixed in with a smattering of schoolboy French. Then made my way to a camp I'd booked the previous night, just west of Saint Simeon. Nice spot with some friendly neighbors, although language was a bit of an issue again





I packed up next morning intending to knock out some more k's, after stopping at a spot where you can see whales from the shore. I paid my money and went in for a look. There's a light house and an interpretive centre, a fog horn building, which was pretty cool. then I walked down to see some whales, and took up a spot on a rock along with lots of other hopefuls



I will sit on a rock by the sea for hours... but with a fishing rod. I lasted about half an hour and had to gap it. The guy with the microphone droning on in French about something and the lack of whales made me want to crack on.
So I got to the Tadoussac ferry



Notice how smokey it is in the background ? and boarded, love these free ferry's
can you spot Wally ? (the V-strom)



And headed for Baie Comeau, through yet more cute little villages, winding my way over hills, through forests and down into little valleys.... Lots of bikes on the road, lots and lots. Masses of Spyders too
I rolled into town and while gassing up thought I'd ask a local, with the help of Google translate about the state of the 389 Nord, knowing there'd been some fires around.
"Closed" he said, but couldn't be sure, go to the info center, they may know.
OH !! A quick google and it wasn't looking good.... So I rode back to the Info center and the lovely young lady told me it was open, they were letting cars through in convoy. Oh Happy days In celebration I bought a fridge magnet and a pin for George, got a free sticker too
So I made my way to the turn off to be greeted by this...



Shit !!
I was pondering it when a car came through, so I flagged him down and asked what the deal was. He couldn't explain in English so drew me a map of a workaround on a business card and away I went
Turns out it was just some long major roadworks, like building a whole new road I got through it and had some of the best riding so far in Canada. lots of corners, lots of hills, lots of trees and lakes. I had to stop and let George out for a look....



I eventually made it to some accommodation I'd booked. They had gas and a diner, what's not to like and called it quits for the day

[JATZ]

In the morning I made my way to a little place that used to be called Manic 5, it's now called something like Daniel Johnson Dam. I prefer Manic 5, it just seems way cooler, and after looking at the structure, fits better



George had to get in on the act too



I wandered into the Interpretive center and had a gander. A tour was out as it took 2 hrs. All the boards and info they had was in French so that didn't work. But they gave me a little booklet I skim read, and had to hand back. I got some intel on the viewing area (pic 1 above), back the way I'd come. Un signposted. And found out I couldn't fly the drone, security were pretty hot on that Shame, as it was a cracking morning. I didn't spend to long hanging about as I still had a wee way to go. The road turned to gravel/sand from then on, so I aired down and enjoyed the day...





It was pretty cool riding. I flicked onto "what's ahead" on the Zumo, and it said the next fuel was 270+ k's away and I still had 300+ k's to go. I thought I could make it, but it'd be tight. Fuel anxiety kicked in at that point.... but thankfully there was a leeedle spot Garmin hadn't heard of. I topped up at Relais Gabriel and headed further Nord.
Then the road became niiiice smooth winding seal, followed by rough seal, followed by new seal.... all the way to Fire Lake. There's some sort of mine there then sandy/gravely twisty road.





It would've been nice but you couldn't relax at all, at one point I hit a graded sandy patch on a corner.... couldn't slow down much, culvert and large drop looming, front end tucking under..... but I gripped the seat tightly, had a weee dab and got out of it .... then snicked the bike down a gear or 2
So I made it to Mount Wright, a MASSIVE !! mine. I don't know what they mine up here but by god it's a big operation



Mountains of tailings... Then into Labrador
Almost missed the sign



It was hidden behind this...



Anyhooo. I rolled into Labrador City, Grabbed a room in a place with free WiFi and settled in.
Better get some shuteye... I think tomorrows going to be a big day

[Moi]

I'm enjoying your new adventure, the Maritime Provinces are on the wish list - fingers crossed!

Glad you have George with you, he'll keep you out of trouble...

[BMWST?]

So I made it to Mount Wright, a MASSIVE !! mine. I don't know what they mine up here but by god it's a big operation

Iron Ore. Mount Wright is now a 200m deep open cast mine

[F5 Dave]

There are plenty of translation apps that read what your phone camera tells you back in English. Magic I believe.

[JATZ]

I'm enjoying your new adventure, the Maritime Provinces are on the wish list - fingers crossed!

Glad you have George with you, he'll keep you out of trouble...

You won't regret it. It's a pretty cool place.

Iron Ore. Mount Wright is now a 200m deep open cast mine

Thanks.... I knew someone would save me the trouble of googling it myself

There are plenty of translation apps that read what your phone camera tells you back in English. Magic I believe.

Yeah, I got google translate, but sometimes it's better to not know, then you can plead ignorance.

[JATZ]

Firstly... HAPPY CANADA DAY readers
Secondly, I guess I'd best catch youse fella's up.

So I left Lab city, heading further along the Trans Lab. Nothing much to report there, there's not a lot to see besides trees, lakes, hills and a road stretching out in front of you...



Or behind in this case.
I made it to Churchill falls



and this bridge which is/are always interesting to ride on



after a couplahundy k's and had to fill up. It's the only place on the 520+ k leg to Goose bay. Interesting gas station/grocery store. They had a very well stocked liquor store in there too. Friendly people Apparently it's a "Company town". The only way you can live there is if you work for the hydro electric company. You can't even retire there after working for the company. They make sure you are all set up with somewhere else to live a couple of years before retirement.



I had a cup of coffee and got cracking Nothing much to report on the next couple of hundred K's. I got into Goose Bay/Happy Valley and eventually found a place to stay. Pretty boring really There's a military museum there which might've been worth a gander, but they didn't open 'till 10, by which stage I wanted to gone.
The next leg was 407 k's between gas stops. I knew I should be alright so long as I wasn't racing along. A steady 90/95 k's and I should be right. I filled up the rotopax though, just in case
Once again... nothing really to report. Trees, lakes and a shining ribbon of tarmac stretching out before me...



There was a little bit of rain, but I didn't bother with the wet weather gloves. I think I only saw about 8 or 9 other cars in the first 100 or so K's. There's not a lot of traffic.
I eventually started getting a wee bit peckish, so pulled over for a muesli bar, and I even lucked out by finding an orange in the pannier... yum Just standing around, nibbling away and giving the bike a quick visual.... thinking, strange I hadn't seen any wildlife. Just the moose and bear back on the 389 Nord.
Nek Minit.... As i peer up the road what should come strolling out of the trees.... ?
Mr Bear



He was a wee way away, possibly 150 m I wasn't sure if I got the shot as the sun was behind me and I couldn't see the screen very well. Even though he was some distance away, it's still somewhat unsettling, knowing that creature, if he was sneaky and had a mind to, could come over and rip your face off and there's nothing you could do to stop it
I hurriedly finished my orange and made tracks... Once again, nothing more to report...
I got to the gas station at Port Hope Simpson, after 407 k's, showing my range as still another 26 k's. and put put 17.5 l in the 20 l tank. I had heaps left Went into town and found somewhere to stay, settled in and wen't for a snuffle around the place.











Had a "Heart Attack" ( thats what it's called on the menu) for tea



which I couldn't finish, and that was a small and had to go for another walk before calling it a day