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Then it was book it to Charlottetown before the predicted heavy weather hit. We had just been inside the house30 minutes when the sky turned dark and the thunder started and then amazingly heavy rain and wind. The power was off in minutes and then the 2 cm hail stones started. This storm only lasted 20 minutes, but was very powerful and many trees and branches were down.
We had put the bike covers on, but did not bother to clip them as we expected rain, but not a cyclone. We had to run outside to stop them from flying away and then clip them. The 90 seconds we were outside resulted in both of us being completely soaked to the skin. It is lucky Janice decided to buy our lobsters fresh cooked at the fish market so dinner was not ruined for the lack of power. We cooked the rest of the meal on the Bbq and cracked open a bottle of Moet to celebrate our 30 years of friendship. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1777/...015b41d2_b.jpgPEI-24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1777/...58de59cc_b.jpgPEI-26 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1774/...a64e4d23_b.jpgPEI-27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Ed is working the weekend and Janice was kind enough to tour us around historic and picturesque Charlottetown.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1794/...11636a5a_b.jpgPEI-28 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1799/...2796cc46_b.jpgPEI-29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1780/...cc117382_b.jpgPEI-30 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1793/...5785bb63_b.jpgPEI-31 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1771/...57e9e6fd_b.jpgPEI-32 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1840/...bf30d527_b.jpgPEI-33 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1773/...d1abe716_b.jpgPEI-34 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1814/...8317a8b7_b.jpgPEI-35 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The Acadian spirit is alive and well here with all the flags, banners, and homes painted in the Red/White, and Blue with the gold star.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/...c5063ec2_b.jpgFILE1877 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...476558b2_b.jpgFILE1835 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1873/...5c085941_b.jpgFILE1882 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1839/...1f49a308_b.jpgFILE1892 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/...b1053c7b_b.jpgFILE1896 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1843/...f6e02332_b.jpgFILE1914 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1837/...7a934fb9_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...ec2c45b8_b.jpgFILE1920 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We decided to stop for the day just after 4 and found a nice camp site on the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in the village of Belldune. This camp is on a cliff above the water, but with easy access to the beach. There was a dairy bar down the road and we opted for ice-cream for dinner! The sun was an amazing blood red globe at sunset. So nice to be back in our tent. It was 28-32 degrees all day, but after sunset it was nice and cool for sleeping. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/...de6f775e_b.jpgIMG_3336 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/...db4995c9_b.jpgIMG_3340 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1862/...5a124e18_b.jpgIMG_3341 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1880/...4bc3522f_b.jpgIMG_3344 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1838/...90bfdce6_b.jpgPEI-37 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We slept in and set out after 9 north again and still on the Acadian coastal drive (11). We stopped for fuel in Cambellton (.10$ a liter cheaper than Quebec). Got to love it in rural Canada where you can pump your gas and THEN pay for it!
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1870/...b219fd08_b.jpgFILE1923 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1876/...e4609a32_b.jpgFILE1929 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Then we rode across the bridge to Quebec, stopped at the tourist info for some maps, and then hit a local grill for a hearty breakfast. You know you are in Quebec when this is the ad on your place mat! https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1869/...c3466ddb_b.jpgFILE1938 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...9ac41d6e_b.jpgIMG_3347 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1857/...9e539a6c_b.jpgFILE1940 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
This is the gateway to the Gaspe Peninsula and we spent the rest of the day going east and north on the 132. This winds on and off the coast and thru small towns and First Nation villages.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1892/...81c07b75_b.jpgFILE1948 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1794/...4bdb2fef_b.jpgPEI-40 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...5acaec7c_b.jpgFILE1958 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We never really figured out what they meant by the "slippery for motorcycles for the next X km" signs. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1898/...0f488ff1_b.jpgFILE1980 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1871/...6a9e74fe_b.jpgIMG_3351 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1866/...386634a6_b.jpgIMG_3352 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...7ef60336_b.jpgIMG_3348 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1866/...cbabb888_b.jpgIMG_3349 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr There are a huge number of bikers mostly Harleys and an insane number of Can Ams. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...4615a602_b.jpgFILE1990 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1866/...1d9b9f9e_b.jpgFILE1995 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr A common sign here! https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...96e9273c_b.jpgIMG_3354 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We stopped in Perce for a view of the road arch and then around to Saint-George-de-Malbaie from where you can actually see the arch from the back side.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1795/...cea33d79_b.jpgPEI-39 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Our goal is to get close to the Forillon National Park. We managed to get just past Gaspe and to the Fort Ramsay Camp ground. The motel here like most in Quebec and for sure on the Gaspe are fully booked and this dive is 165$ per night! Camping is 25! https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/...e8b9a1f4_b.jpgIMG_3356 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...d0619c80_b.jpgIMG_3355 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We had been told by the camp office lady there was a place to get dinner “500” m back towards town. Well we arrived back to the ESSO where we had just bought gas 1.4 km back and asked for directions to the place that was actually 2 km from the camping. Oh well at least we had a good walk to justify the juicy Montreal smoked meat sandwiches we had at La Bannquise! https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1817/...ca690b39_z.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-14 at 19.58.25 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We had to get in the tent at dusk as the mosquitos were driving us crazy (Welcome back to Canada). |
We had a great night as it cooled off nicely and we packed up just as the sun was burning thru the clouds about 0830. We set off north and east again on the 132 thru the Forillon National park to the end of the Gaspe Peninsula and then finally made our turn WEST on the 132 at the Cap-des Rosiers lighthouse (tallest in Canada).
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/...c88e1f08_b.jpgFILE1998 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...eaacaa80_b.jpgFILE1999 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1834/...a3761b45_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1817/...65036e5c_b.jpgPEI-41 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
There were no services at all for the 50 km since we left until we hit L’Anse-au-Griffon, where there is a very nice cafe for a very hearty breakfast. The ride until the light house is thru dense forest, but after is much closer to the coast and winds thru villages until Cloridorm where the road is directly adjacent to the sea.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/...bf1caa2d_b.jpgFILE2028 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...8171e901_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1832/...223188c8_b.jpgFILE2072 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/...539a5b72_b.jpgFILE2087 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1881/...7bba278c_b.jpgFILE2100 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1884/...08b1d8e5_b.jpg |
We stopped again at La Marte to see the all red lighthouse.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1800/...e561d89d_b.jpgPEI-42 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The road continues to snake along the coast and we stopped for fuel and groceries in Matane. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...dc0e658e_b.jpgFILE2139 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1892/...cc7ae261_b.jpg |
Here we continued on the 132 to just before Metis-sur-Mer, where we took the secondary road east and then the gravel roads to get to the village of Padoue, where we had booked the only room left on bookings within 200 km.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1875/...7da75d87_b.jpgFILE2200 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1860/...c603f995_b.jpgFILE2206 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1877/...36bdabef_b.jpgFILE2211 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr This is at a nice Gite (B&B in Quebec) for a reasonable price. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1840/...3b482a2b_b.jpgPEI-44 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1833/...94ef7bca_b.jpgPEI-43 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1833/...716053dc_b.jpgPEI-45 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The forecast is for rain tonight and we don’t want to deal with that in the morning and then having a wet tent for a few days in Quebec City. Now QC is another massive problem as it is 99% booked and what is left downtown is 400-600$ per night. We finally found a place outside the city that is still very expensive, but has a free shuttle to the old city and with the forecast for rain we are not camping. |
Setting out from Padoue we made for the smaller coastal route along the St Lawrence on the 132 west (route of the navigators).
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1889/...f0b1620f_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-25 at 08.48.09 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1876/...98953386_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1839/...55faecd9_b.jpgFILE2233 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Canada has 2 official languages and most everything has both French and English, except interestingly in Quebec where labeling and signage is almost exclusively in French only. An example would be that in the 84 countries we have been to KFC or Kentucky Fried Chicken is the same everywhere, but here in Quebec it is PFK (Poulet Frit Kentuky). We made a pit stop in the village of Kamouraska to check out the views. The tide is several hundred meters out from the shore even this far up the river. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1838/...719c4142_b.jpgFILE2262 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1833/...eb9dd24b_b.jpgQuebec City by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/...b67f9d8b_b.jpgQuebec City-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr For lunch we stopped at one of the frequent chip shacks for some traditional poutine. It started to pour about 80 km from the city, but this lasted only about 20 min. We had stopped just before this to put on our rain jackets and so we did not do too badly. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1896/...3db0fa84_b.jpgFILE2248 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Arriving to the city there was a 10 km long stop and go for a construction zone. This is when you have to be on the highway, but we managed to get off and go around after half an hour (and we were still 3 km from the actual issue). This took us to the Pont Quebec, which brought us directly to our hotel.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/...9b4abdd8_b.jpgFILE2271 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We arrived just after 3 pm and got sorted and then hopped the city bus #25 that goes directly into the old city. We spent the afternoon and evening walking the old town and enjoying some good food and wine. We know now why it is packed here as the international comedy festival is on. This is a beautiful only city with a very European feel. The Chateau Frontenac is a landmark on the waterfront. It is situated near the Citidel and the plains of Abraham. We hopped the bus back after dinner and had a great night sleep. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1892/...f60a9a0a_b.jpgQuebec City-27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1845/...c5ffbeca_b.jpgQuebec City-28 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1820/...057efd69_b.jpgQuebec City-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1871/...c0c1bd81_b.jpgQuebec City-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1897/...c66277ae_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...9235b9e4_b.jpgQuebec City-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1836/...02b2c6e5_b.jpgQuebec City-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1900/...19509620_b.jpgQuebec City-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1811/...73c720dd_b.jpgQuebec City-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1864/...72a7d620_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...ce124acf_b.jpgQuebec City-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1875/...fcc327de_b.jpgQuebec City-16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1819/...87ce9f47_b.jpgQuebec City-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/...a0fd0fc8_b.jpgQuebec City-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1831/...627e86a5_b.jpgQuebec City-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1897/...5bc982f8_b.jpg |
The hotel has a free shuttle to the city in the morning and we got on at 11. This dropped us right at the heart of the old town beside the Chateau and we again spent the day enjoying the old town. Today we spent time in the “lower town” and on the Rue de Petit Champlain. Then we walked up the stairs to the Plain of Abraham.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1875/...d7d6a45c_b.jpgQuebec City-10 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1839/...9fd6e745_b.jpgQuebec City-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/...bdbe3159_b.jpgQuebec City-18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/...574238cb_b.jpgIMG_3367 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1844/...4f959f28_b.jpgIMG_3369 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We did go on the free tour of the “parliament house”, which was pretty interesting. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1881/...d50fd253_b.jpgQuebec City-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...e0b044df_b.jpg |
For an early dinner of the very Quebecois Cipaille. It was an early night for us and we were back on the shuttle at 6.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1813/...bb428cdb_b.jpgQuebec City-29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1880/...82d25b07_b.jpgQuebec City-30 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/...37d3157a_b.jpgQuebec City-31 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1839/...cfb98d09_b.jpgQuebec City-32 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Today the weather is supposed to turn to rain by 2 pm and we decided to find a place not too far away from QC. The riding is again on the secondary roads, but this time on the north side of the St. Lawrence on the 138 West. We headed out about 10 and got off the highway and onto the route de Roy.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1867/...96ce4de1_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1849/...e36e271c_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/...6464184c_b.jpgFILE2301 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...825b988e_b.jpg Just before Trois-Riveres we turned off towards Shawinigan for lunch. The rain did start just after 2 when we stopped for a menu de jour (hearty pea soup, a huge entree, coffee, and dessert for 11$) and we were so full we needed a nap. Anyone who has ridden in Canada can appreciate the dreaded metal wobbly bridges! https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1857/...4c6688ec_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1812/...44b3edb5_b.jpgFILE2308 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The Gite we booked was just another 25 km and we could check in at 3. This was in the village of Grande-Piles. It really started to rain in earnest about 30 minutes later. Luckily we were too full to need to go out for dinner and we tucked into our room. |
Today we have a biggish day 475 km to Rideau lake.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1876/...23b87190_z.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-25 at 08.53.19 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr This means first we have to get past Montreal. Initially we stuck to the back roads thru the small villages until we made it South west to the 40. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/...bb40525531.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-25 at 08.53.05 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1855/...0c5be349_b.jpgFILE2334 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1850/...3f37c213_b.jpgFILE2337 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We did have a bit of traffic to get past Montreal. You then hit the trans-Canada and continue onto Ottawa. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...1e9c269b_b.jpgFILE2353 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1855/...fb59ac85_b.jpgFILE2362 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1899/...d3f403f8_b.jpgCanada-22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr A reminder we are back in the first world! https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/...b4b24f64_b.jpgFILE2366 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr From there you get off onto the 7 south west to Smith Falls (where Sara’s mom grew up) and then onto Lombardy. Sara’s brothers cottage is here on the big Rideau lake. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...984d2f75_b.jpgFILE2368 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We had a few days here of R&R to visit with the family, play cards, and water ski.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...d155a983_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/...fdee7afc_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1850/...da12451a_b.jpgOntario-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Today we are going just 194 km to Rice Lake and the Elmhirst resort.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1866/...bb3f592b_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-25 at 08.55.16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We have been invited here by our friends Peter and Anne Elmhirst. We met them first at the sign for the national Park in Ushuaia in 2014 and then in St. Emillion France in 2015. https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/...3b334cd0_b.jpgthe end of the road 51 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7300/...c580cde1_b.jpgDSC00737 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...82b961e7_b.jpgFILE2399 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The voltage meter of the 650 has been reading 13.6-13.7 for the last few months, but today it was 13.2-13.4. This started about half way to rice lake and just after it had started torrentially raining. When stopped it was 13.9 ( must be the regulator and not the stator). Stressful hour, but we managed to arrive to our destination. (My stator had died in 2015 on the way to see Anne and Peter in 2015 BTW). https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1883/...7bca0c58_b.jpgFILE2401 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We were warmly welcomed to they home and treated royally. We had some nice meals, great conversation, and exceptional wine! Dan also swapped out the regulator and charge was 14.1!!!
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...87313562_b.jpgOntario-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/...a500a9ca_b.jpgOntario-16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr For a treat today Peter took us on an hours flight over the region in one of his sea planes! Dan even got to fly the plane for much of the ride. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...2cff447a_b.jpgOntario-18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1896/...a5848b82_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1850/...4d162fd4_b.jpgOntario-21 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We then decided on a road trip to the Norman Hardie Winery for very good pizza and excellent CabSav. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1849/...8c30a5a2_b.jpgOntario-22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1895/...88ddde91_b.jpgOntario-23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We are supposed to be in Pickering tonight at Sara’s cousins home to meet up with he family again. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...d84ef6f7_b.jpgOntario-24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We set out for the 120 km to Pickering at 6 15 and stuck to the main roads to make time. This was on the 7 to the 115 to the dreaded 401. This is here an 8 lane highway with very high speed drivers. It was nice to have a family dinner and spend time with the kids. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1868/...372be663_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-25 at 08.56.30 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Today we have some time to lay low here and get caught upon some work as we are only going 39 km to Bowmanville.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1870/...d83a8136_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-25 at 09.01.26 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We have been invited to the home of Doug and Sharon Wildeboer. They have been kind enough to ask us to spend the evening with them to talk about planning their big bike trip.We had a great time with them and their family. Sharon cooked us a fantastic meal and Doug took us on a small evening ride to the ice cream shop. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1855/...01100d12_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1849/...420cbefa_b.jpgOntario-25 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Getting up in the morning we have just 107 km to Oakville to the home of an old friend from University. We again stuck to the highway and the 401, which near Toronto is a 14 lane nightmare. We hit some traffic on the DVP, but otherwise it was just dealing with Ontario speeders.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1898/...1c697e09_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-25 at 09.02.53 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1877/...4f5baec3_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...98a5f1bb_b.jpgFILE2433 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1884/...19229c30_b.jpgFILE2454 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr So great to see Cara and we always start back as if we saw each other yesterday and not 5 years ago. She lives near the lake and so we stuck close to home for some R&R for a few days. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...172a3c1c_b.jpgCanada-2 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...27440de1_b.jpg |
From Oakville it is just a 41 km to Toronto, where we will visit with Sara’s cousins Cynthia and Ben, our friends Paula and Barry, and her sister Emily and see a few more friends from University. We headed out on the Gardner east and then on the 427 to the 401. It is much faster to go around the city than thru it. We headed south on the Allen Expressway to Maplewood.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1860/...1b9d598e_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-30 at 20.44.11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...578eb30f_b.jpgFILE2463 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...ffbe7307_b.jpgCanada-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Then we had a 86 km ride out of the city to Alliston, on the 401, and the 400, all of which were stressful with he traffic and speeders. They really need average speed cameras here. Ontario drivers are too intense. We got off the highway and relaxed on the concession and side roads to get to Sara’s cousins Chris and Tanya.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1900/...1ee2e73c_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-30 at 20.44.47 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1871/...beb3c4eb_b.jpgFILE2467 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1867/...e56808e9_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...4f991823_b.jpgFILE2480 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We are here to try out the new smoker (ribs) and visit for a few days. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1864/...210dc0f4_b.jpgCanada-6 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1850/...ed0b7610_b.jpg |
We set out at 9 south towards Oakville again as we had dinner with Dan’s cousin. They had just moved out of their house today and so we are staying at Cara’s.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...118fe938_b.jpgCanada-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We went thru Hackley Valley and the small roads until Brampton and then hit the 427, which was mobbed with cars and only let up when we could go west away form the city. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/...413353866e.jpgScreen Shot 2018-08-30 at 20.47.05 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/...4e597f43_b.jpgFILE2483 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1850/...d6af236d_b.jpgFILE2486 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1896/...db0994ff_b.jpgFILE2492 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr It is 29 degrees and very humid today. It is also pretty windy. We have had too little sleep, too much food and alcohol in the last month and are worn out from the party. Nice to arrive back to Cara’s at 11 and have the entire day to relax. She was home at 4 and she was on fire to make Tinto de verano after reading my Camino posts. We had dinner plans this evening with Dan’s cousin Brad and his wife. They are the last of our old friends we need to see here before we head west. Great to reconnect and make plans for when they move near to us in the new year. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1868/...bafe3c0b_b.jpgIMG_3404 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We had planned to stay around for a few more days and maybe go to Point Peele the southern most point in Canada. Unfortunately we have had some sad news Dan’s Uncle in Whitehorse has passed away and his uncle in Calgary is gravely ill with cancer. Both were just diagnosed. We will try to get to Calgary sooner than planned.
Today we are headed west! There are 2 options either ride to Tobermory and get the ferry to Manitoilin Island across lake Huron, or ride all the way around the lake. We will take the more scenic ferry route. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...d6a305c1_z.jpg |
https://youtu.be/CSXamq-gUbc
It is Thursday of the labor day long weekend and the only ferry reservation we can get is for 340 today. We also got the last room available on bookings for the entire of Manatoulin Island. We decided it would also be faster and easier to go west to Burlington and then north on the 6 this avoided the mayhem that is Toronto traffic (voted worst in NA). We set out from Oakville at 845 and at 15 degrees and finally got to Guelph by 10. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...70fa3a7f_b.jpgFILE2497 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...641cbfaa_b.jpg It is cold and windy again today. The 6 north is mostly 2 lane and with good flow except for the frequent stoppages for construction. You know you are in Canada when it is slightly cloudy day in late August and you wish you had your heated jacket on. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1842/...6c70551f_b.jpgFILE2499 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...492f4b91_b.jpgFILE2506 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...378f1f04_b.jpgFILE2511 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...465d7eb7_b.jpgFILE2517 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We stopped for gas in Owen Sound and then went straight to the ferry dock at 130. Here you are directed to the check in where they make you sign a paper that says you will follow directions to tie you bike down (so not Indonesia, but at least you do not have to worry about the boat sinking). From here you ride to the ticket booth 40$ per bike for the 2 hour trip. We had to check in before 240 for the 340 departure and so we had time for lunch.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1884/...7649d870_b.jpgFILE2524 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr There were about a dozen bikes also waiting to board. The ferry rear door opens like a big shark and you drive thru the jaws. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1858/...5b111e6a_b.jpgCanada-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1845/...8e9a80e6_b.jpgFILE2529 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1895/...1e903209_b.jpgFILE2541 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1871/...fa881205_b.jpgFILE2543 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr You are directed to the front of the ship, asked to park between the deck tie points, and told to use the ropes to secure your bike. We used our tie down as the ropes looked greasy. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...6c93d85a_b.jpgFILE2553 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/...41550557_b.jpgCanada-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...873d6fed_b.jpgCanada-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1842/...f19434bc_b.jpgIMG_3409 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The crossing is a pleasant 2 hours on Lake Huron with Dan singing Gordon Lightfoot’s Edmund Fitzgerald! We arrived at 530 to South Baymouth.
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The motel we booked is 30 km directly up the #6. There are several other bikers staying here.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1862/...f1c32729_b.jpgFILE2522 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr When we arrived after 6 the owner told us the town grocery was now closed and the next restaurant is 30 km up the road. Luckily Cara sent us off this morning with a bag of home made granola. We did walk 1.5 km into the village to see the “lighthouse” . https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/...2a31beae_b.jpgCanada-17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1884/...bbb1861d_b.jpgCanada-18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We woke to a much warmer day at 18 degrees and rode up to Little Current for breakfast.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1885/...84401b8a_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-01 at 18.54.14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The road is smooth, but mostly straight and with peek a boo view of the lake. You leave the island by a single lane swing bridge. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1867/...bffeef70_b.jpgFILE2634 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/...7186851e_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1899/...11a3eec9_b.jpgFILE2654 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We gassed up in Espanola and then headed west on the 17. The view is straight road and trees! It is again very windy today, but at least it is to our backs. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1856/...5eaa9e4e_b.jpgFILE2661 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/...f4025516_b.jpgFILE2668 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1895/...1a409629_b.jpgFILE2676 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1873/...51dd2342_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...527a6799_b.jpgFILE2710 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We made it as far at Sault Ste Marie by 3 and again used the Mcd wifi to find a place to stay. The weather is supposed to turn bag by midnight and we will likely wake up to rain for tomorrow. This is not a very nice town actually especially the downtown and we are glad we booked into a place nearer to the TransCanada. They are super friendly here and even have designated motorcycle parking under the covered entry and where the desk staff can “keep an eye on them”. Apparently there are a lot of thefts here in the city. The staff also first thing this morning put out clean rags on the bikes in case we wanted to use them. |
It was just sprinkling a bit as we left at 915 and gassed up just up the road. Looks like another day of hand warmers on high and thermal gear.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1860/...74ac533648.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-01 at 18.55.08 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1859/...eb48d834_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/...cfca7a57_b.jpgFILE2725 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1868/...1d7dff55_b.jpgFILE2728 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1856/...8226e8bd_b.jpg |
We stayed pretty dry and even stopped to check out the view in Agawa Bay on Lake Superior. Just off the coast here is where the Edmund Fitzgerald sank.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1876/...23ce8801_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1877/...95aa6c79_z.jpg https://youtu.be/9vST6hVRj2A https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...5f7be1c3_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1880/...25616c75_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1877/...d14e1d34_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1845/...fbc88a70_b.jpgFILE2762 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We only had our rain jackets of the over suits on. It was warmer today at 22 and the skies really cleared until we got about 80 km from Wawa. The sky was getting very black, but it was not raining until suddenly it was torrentially pouring.
Cars were pulling over to the side of the road and blocking the entry to the rest stop. We finally found a safe spot as it was impossible to see where we were going and there were cars all over place. We were soaked by the time we had our rain pants on and THEN it really started to pour. A car leaving the rest area pulled up beside us to say that just down this small road there was a shelter we could hide under and so we headed there. This was a small info board with a bus shelter like frame. There was another biker there hiding too. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/...f88697aa_b.jpgFILE2763 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...ece29e18_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1875/...87cc2132_b.jpgIMG_3434 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/...1cc0e0ae_b.jpgIMG_3432 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://youtu.be/R7ntA9i9lvQ The rain was amazing and then it got even worse. It was howling sideways at times and accompanied by thunder and lightening. We waited until it settled to a light shower after about an hour. We had just pulled out on the highway and then came upon a large accident with the police just setting out the cones. Luckily the rain had almost stopped as we had to sit there for while. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1869/...741ab8fb_b.jpgFILE2784 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1850/...688af1af_b.jpgFILE2788 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We then rode the 75 km to near to Wawa where there was the first gas in 150 km and a lineup as the next station is another 100 km west in White River.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/...e329b193_b.jpgFILE2796 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1885/...ef2531fb_b.jpgFILE2797 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We had planned to get more than half way to Thunder Bay today and we knew there were a few motels in Marathon. Ont. We rode as far as White River and our rain suits had dried out and so we stripped them off to air dry our suits for the last 100 km. We finally made it to Marathon at 330 cold and starved. We found a hotel in town that was clean and quiet. So glad they had endless hot water for us to warm up in. There was a bar/cafe 2 doors down and we had a great homestyle meal. |
It rained thru the night, but was just misty and very foggy when we packed up just after 9. We are headed west towards Calgary and are not sure where we will end up today.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1848/...814d744e_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-02 at 20.49.18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We gassed up in town and then rode west on the 17, which apparently curves along the north shore of lake superior, but we can see just what is in front of us and so can not tell. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/...86c454fe_b.jpgFILE2808 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1856/...c6c65a00_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1844/...7838bb23_b.jpg |
We still could not see much when we got to Thunder bay for gas and coffee after 306 km and turned inland. It was now intermittently drizzling and this continued to Upsala at 425 km and we gassed up here as well, since you never know when the next station will appear. There have been a few sketchy motels so far, but not much else.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1881/...9e987d59_b.jpgIMG_3437 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1884/...a9208b5f_b.jpgFILE2843 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1849/...51baf16f_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1879/...883777fe_b.jpg We decided to push on another 209 km to the next real town Dryden (634 km day) where there are a few more hotel options. 50 km from Upsala the rain stopped and the sky looked brighter. By the time we made it to Ignace we actually had blue sky above. This made the last 100 km so much easier to manage mentally. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1864/...ecb06990_b.jpgFILE2867 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1885/...8fe91f9e_b.jpg |
We are still on a mission to get to visit Dan’s aunts in Saskatoon and Calgary after the death of his uncle. Again we used the McD wifi to check out the options and settled on the Comfort Inn right next door. Conveniently there was a diner across the road as we again had not eaten all day.
The 650 is making a wailing noise at idle and is running loudly. There is also a loud clacking of the chain in low gears. Dan tightened the chain, but what the whaling noise is we are not sure. It is otherwise running perfectly. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1899/...8fc4773f_b.jpgIMG_3438 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We have decided to go to Winnipeg tomorrow in 351 km as there is a BMW certified service centre (for whatever that is worth) there. It is the holiday weekend and so we booked 2 nights near BMW. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/...fe605eb8_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-03 at 19.41.12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We finally woke to sunshine and even better when we started the 650 it sounded completely normal! The oil level good and the chain clack is better. We will still go to Winnipeg and see how the day goes. The ride today was warm at 24 degrees and this is the first day without the hand warmers on for the 5 days across Ontario. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...c5493131_b.jpgFILE2888 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1860/...05b40dc5_b.jpgFILE2893 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/...45a47440_b.jpgFILE2898 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1866/...f815377a_b.jpg |
Just after the “border” to Manitoba we came across the marker for the longitudinal centre of Canada. This drive is so straight it can be mind numbingly boring on the transCanada. We arrived to the city and to the hotel near to BMW in late afternoon and finally had lunch there after 3. We tucked in for a relaxing evening.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...3d6df922_b.jpgFILE2932 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1855/...de9f52d8_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1876/...dd5fddc9_b.jpgCanada-20 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...f6ef257f_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/...c9ee46a3_b.jpgCanada-23 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
It is sunny out again today, but when we stepped outside in shorts and t shirt and were battered by a freezing wind we retreated to put on jeans and get warmly dressed up. There is not much to do here in “Winterpeg”, but we did take the bus down to the Forks. This is the meeting of the Red and Assinaboine rivers and is a National Historic site. We then walked along the Red river into the Exchange district.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...984eb786_b.jpgCanada-24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...81eacfc2_b.jpgCanada-25 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr This is an area of old Winnipeg known for its intact early 20th century collection of warehouses, financial institutions, and early terra cotta clad skyscrapers. There is a maze of interconnecting tunnels below ground so people do not have to go outside in winter when it is minus 40. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1872/...df7642a6_b.jpgCanada-26 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Setting out this morning it was another gusty windy cold day. It started out at 12 degrees and was only 14 by noon. We had to wear our rain suits to cut the wind and so wished we had our heated gear with us. We headed west again the 16/#1 and planed to make it to Yorkton in 454 km, but only made it 351 km to Russell.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...ab810e4f_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-08 at 18.26.37 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1880/...eba4543e_b.jpgFILE2961 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1879/...63c739d5_b.jpgFILE2964 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1888/...76277cdc_b.jpgFILE2970 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We made it 188 km and gassed up and then met Butch a local who bought us a coffee at Tim’s. He is a super friendly guy who has ridden various bikes in all the USA and Mexican states. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/...6ee9861b_b.jpgCanada-27 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...e5e0e87c_b.jpgCanada-28 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/...646d4c70_b.jpgFILE2974 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1849/...206e50f1_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1842/...5533c0ea_b.jpgCanada-30 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1865/...437b2b38_b.jpgFILE2989 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1870/...c95721ac_b.jpgFILE2997 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr It is getting even more windy today and in fact at 3 when we stopped for lunch in Russel we had had enough of the buffeting and the noise. The Motel here was clean and reasonable. We settled in for a quiet night. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1849/...905e4088_b.jpgFILE2998 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1892/...c107cf70_b.jpgFILE3006 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We are not going direct to Calgary as we are taking a slight detour to visit Dan’s aunt and uncle north of Muenster. Waking up today we put on some long under wear, but it was already 14 at 9 am. In fact it was 21 by 11 and we had to strip off some layers.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1898/...daac915e_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-13 at 23.39.22 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1895/...a2383ce9_b.jpgCanada-32 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1894/...293ab700_b.jpgFILE3018 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1859/...b43fe53c_b.jpgFILE3022 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/...356ba5f6_b.jpgCanada-31 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1871/...65c5cd03_b.jpgFILE3025 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
There are a lot of signs in many towns that proudly advertise the Olympic Gold medal winners NHL players from these small Manitoba and Saskatchewan towns. 17 km after Russell we hit the next provincial border.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1859/...14257d95_b.jpgFILE3033 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We stopped in Yorkton for gas and to pick up some beers. You never know in the small Canadian towns along the rural highways if there will be a liquor outlet or not. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...0eb9e4af_b.jpgFILE3041 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr The road is straight, but a bit more scenic today with the farms and lakes. There are the iconic grain silos prominently situated along the way. We stopped in Foam Lake at the Husky (so Canadiana) for lunch, and then at Lake Lenore for gas and after pushed onto Rick and Mariette’s. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1896/...f062dbac_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1844/...1fd77975_b.jpgFILE3057 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1842/...7f24b3c7_b.jpg You have to love that there are often not real addresses in rural Sask. Our instructions were “take the highway to Muenster, turn north on the 368 , and then ride 40 miles. We are on the west side of the road with two rows of spruce trees and there are hay bales across the road.” And there they were ( we did have to call from the Coop 2 km up the road actually :). |
We were happy to have the time to visit with these guys who have really followed our journey. Rick is a gourmet cook and we had home made smoked white fish and salmon fish, Fish and Chips made from their own potatoes and White fish he caught. We also enjoyed quite a bit of his red wine.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1860/...c7253f4b_b.jpgCanada-33 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr This morning it is a bit chilly and windy, but it settled down by noon and we hitched up the boat and made for the lake nearby. Dan and Sara both had a pike on the line with the first casts, but after this we just had a few nibbles. We had a lovely afternoon out on the water. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1864/...bea804e1_b.jpgCanada-34 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1843/...95ea71fa_b.jpgCanada-35 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1876/...06ae5973_b.jpgCanada-36 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1894/...9d3ed759_b.jpgCanada-37 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Rick cooked us up some huge prime rib steaks for dinner tonight. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...768b683a_b.jpgCanada-38 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1845/...d8bf3e89_b.jpgCanada-39 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1897/...096e4a95_b.jpgCanada-40 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We woke to a rain storm, but on the satellite it was going to pass by noon. When we set out at 1130 it was already pretty much stopped raining. The oil light on the 650 was briefly flashing on start up yesterday, but the dip stick level was good?!. Today after 2 days sitting the light was on for longer. We rode over to the Coop and rechecked the oil and at a flatter location it was low and we added 250 cc. The light was still flashing very briefly on at start up only.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1845/...823bd479_b.jpgFILE3064 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We continued north and then west on the 41 for the 378 km to Kindersley. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/...24dd6b4e_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-08 at 18.29.58 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1851/...e8050591_b.jpgFILE3068 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr It was warmer today at 16, but the cloud cover continued until 4 pm. We stopped south of Saskatoon for gas and to check the oil again and it was apparently good. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1898/...f5096750_b.jpgFILE3082 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We stopped for a snack in Rosetown at 4 and this was when the sun was finally out and it was now 26. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1897/...e01cedee_b.jpgFILE3086 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1869/...6014bd1a_b.jpgFILE3096 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We had 85 km to Kindersley. Checking the oil again it was still an issue and in the end we added another 250 cc. There are a few hotels here and we checked into one on the main drag. The bike is running better, but the oil thing is stressful. It is burning a bit for sure with the huge mileage and I think we got fooled by the level of the dip stick. We are wondering if the guys in Malaysia did not reinstall the oil pan/gasket properly after it was repaired. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1841/...fa06d68d_b.jpgFILE3099 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
This morning it is 10 degrees and after warming the bike we topped it up with another 250 ccc and the oil light is no longer flashing at start up. That said we had also put 250 cc in the 800 and were happy there was a Walmart just up the road to get another liter. We have 1200 km to go and as long as we keep the oil topped up we are sure we can make it home. But today it is just 321 km to Brooks Alberta.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...5f5bfb02_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-09 at 19.31.54 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We continued west on the 7 to the Alberta border after 63 km and it changes to the 9. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/...c2f39d3e_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1847/...951e7f4c_b.jpgCanada-41 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We then turned south on the 36 just before Hanna. It hits the TransCanada just 10 km west of Brooks. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1883/...e0f67e7e_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1873/...33738f63_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1867/...565f004c_b.jpg |
We got there at 3 after 321 km. There are a lot of hotel choices here. but we settled on a small motel with a kitchenette. They are calling for snow later this week, but it is still 4-5 degrees at night now.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1920/...7966460b_b.jpgIMG_3461 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...6f0bf25a_b.jpgIMG_3462 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We rode north to the 544 and then east to the Dinosaur Provincial park. This is an active dig site for Tyrell archaeologists. It is a chilly 9 degrees this afternoon and we are happy to head back to the motel and snuggle in for the rest of the day. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1842/...b129d9aa_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-19 at 14.34.34 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/...073e63cc_b.jpgCanada-46 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1862/...98ab9436_b.jpgCanada-44 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1850/...e4d08cc7_b.jpgCanada-43 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...c5349783_b.jpgCanada-45 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We had a nice late start today so it would warm up a bit and was 11 when we left for Calgary at 10.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1895/...22bb9c3c_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-12 at 11.08.17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We got on the TransCanada west until Gleichen and then veered south towards High River. There are several First nations settlements, but no where for lunch and so we diverted back to the highway at Strathmore on the #1 to hit the Husky Station for a hearty meal. We then rode south off the 1 on the 24 to arrived to Kevin and Lisa by 130. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1865/...e665c9d4_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1878/...217f709f_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...a926371d_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1899/...2662cf9f_b.jpg We had a great evening with them and Carrie as well. The guys regaled us with the trials and tribulation of their second attempt to get to Mongolia. Last year their group of 5 dropped to 2 by the time we met them on the way to Almaty. Kevin had a need on collision in Greece, they were denied Iran Visas and had to reroute across the Caspian to Turkmenistan, Kevin’s brothers bike was having several issues and he and another guy retreated to the EU from Baku, the 1 day sea crossing of the Caspian turned into a 3 day nightmare and they had 2 days on their Turkmen visa left when they arrived, the other Kevin lost his passport and TVIP in the desert in Turkmenistan and was kept captive in an Ashgabat hotel for 6 weeks and was finally deported without his bike 6 weeks later, then Kevin broke his fibula in Kyrgyzstan and had to dump his bike at KTM in Almaty where we finally met them. This year there was a nightmare of bike repairs including shipping of cylinders to Canada for repair. This delayed their departure 2 weeks from Almaty. Then a week later the engine was seized on the side of the road in Russia and they trailered it to a garage and left it there. Poor Carrie was then on his own to get to Vladivostok and without time or a travel companion to ride in Mongolia. His bike left on a sea can for Vancouver this week. We are feeling pretty lucky that we all made it on our planned route with all 4 bikes. |
It was 6 degrees when we left Kevin this morning for the short ride to Dan’s childhood haunt Peter’s drive in for burgers and milkshakes when it is 8 degrees?! Trevor was working nearby and joined us and then set us up at his place for the evening. For dinner we all met at a local Uzbek restaurant for dinner.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/...b2d48cc8_z.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-12 at 11.10.29 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1876/...b56c7d1f_b.jpgPeters by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1856/...b8309b50_b.jpgIMG_3467 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We have a detour from our trip for the next 2 days we are flying to Vancouver for and event and then arriving back to Calgary. It is a good thing as snow is forecast for the weekend and it is supposed to warm up Monday for our last 700 km!!! It was a quick 90 min to Vancouver. The rental car for 2 days was cheaper than a taxi to Sara’s dad’s and back! https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1941/...fc5fcebb_b.jpgCanada-7 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
The flight back is another quick 90 min and Trevor picked us up. We headed into the city for a bit of a walk along the river and then went to pick up Guðmundur.
You might remember him as the rider from Iceland that we knew on line, but met randomly on the way to Ushguli Georgia and then again in Ulan Ude Russia. He saw our post about Peter’s drive in with Trevor and messaged us that he will arrive today to Calgary on his way back from Alaska. He is shipping his bike from there to Frankfurt on Tuesday. We had a nice dinner out and heard all about his trip. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1904/...ac9acac6_b.jpgCalgary by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1949/...455c5eff_b.jpgCalgary-3 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1919/...b7bd64bf_b.jpgCalgary-4 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr We have check out the forecast today and as we are trying to “thread the needle” to get thru the Rockies with the best conditions it looks like tomorrow is the day. This means today we will ride to see a few folks even thought it is 3 degrees and drizzling. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/...f66b5df9_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-18 at 20.20.24 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We set out west on the #1 first to Bowness to see Dan’s Aunt Annamieka . We had learned that his Uncle was very sick when we were in Toronto and decided to speed out trip to try and see him. He unfortunately passed away just after we left Toronto towards Calgary. We were sad to miss him, but still happy to be able to visit with the family.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1875/...d4e121b8_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-18 at 20.09.55 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1880/...7c5f0330_b.jpgFILE3285 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr It is now 2 degrees and we rode further west to the #22 and then south to Bragg Creek and west again to Pridis. On the way here it was 1.5 degrees!! We arrived to the home of Blaine and Lenka who had a nice wood fire stove stoked up for us. Blaine we first met in Banos Ecuador in 2013 and then again in Ushuaia in 2014. He has been to SA and even Ushuaia several times and the last in 2017 with Lenka. It was so nice to finally meet her. She even knows Orvar as they were on the Stahlratte together in 2013. She prepared us a very delicious lunch and Blaine talked with “word gusts” up to 15 words per second. Actually we had a great time hearing telling and listening to each others stories. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1842/...d10fb873_b.jpgFILE3292 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1848/...82a2c381_b.jpgFILE3298 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1861/...fec74fbd_b.jpgIMG_3489 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
It is now 430 pm and about 2 degrees. We have a back track to the 22 and then the Springbank road to the home of Dan’s aunt and uncle Ruth and Gordon. They warmly welcomed us with an open garage to park the bike and a delicious meal. We had a lovely evening to visit them.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1862/...a7abe28c_z.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-18 at 20.20.49 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1899/...5ca8ef54_b.jpgFILE3431 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1904/...06280995_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1923/...c5c72893_b.jpgCalgary-5 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
Looking at the weather, the highway cams, and pavement thermometers along our route today look like it will be optimal as predicted. This is a 24 hour window of warmer weather.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1856/...51d7a9af_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-18 at 20.22.55 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Setting out from Springbank it was 6 degrees, but it warmed up to 8 by the time we got to the Banff National Park. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1845/...ec52a9cb_b.jpgFILE3449 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/...0e0a4d87_b.jpgFILE3467 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1898/...a3dc553c_b.jpgFILE3469 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1891/...6e9d9235_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1893/...f6490e56_b.jpgFILE3522 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1900/...4b268b9d_b.jpgFILE3528 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1898/...8e67cbfa_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1879/...54e2e193_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1852/...5c3f7e41_b.jpg |
At the Alberta 93 we “connected the lines” when we passed under the Icefields Parkway overpass.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1871/...bf875979_b.jpgFILE3578 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1966/...b72620ea_b.jpgCanada-8 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1979/...86080047_b.jpgCanada-11 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1965/...633793f6_b.jpgCanada-9 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1910/...90744cf4_b.jpgCanada-12 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1911/...61b5e684_b.jpgCanada-13 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr Happy Dance!!! https://youtu.be/vDo3pvKop5M |
It was a bit colder between Banff and lake Louise down to 4, but when we got stopped for 30 min for blasting near 15 km from Field it was 3.5 and we had to do some jumping jacks. In total we had 4 traffic delayed for construction of the twinning of the highway and today this cost us over an hour.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1875/...873b53d1_b.jpgFILE3586 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1863/...5c1c64cf_b.jpgFILE3591 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1844/...ce6253cc_b.jpgFILE3598 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1864/...74c2d54e_b.jpgFILE3603 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1866/...e30fb034_b.jpgFILE3610 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1846/...a76bd38c_b.jpgFILE3612 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1889/...016bfed0_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1936/...5153cef6_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1956/...7d3871b1_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1943/...405c5e43_b.jpgCanada-17 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We made it to Golden to the Husky for lunch and it was 12 degrees. We are now on the down hill in the rockies with temps 10-12 all the way to Revelstoke.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1937/...5371f0f6_b.jpgIMG_1074 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1895/...f27d6205_b.jpgFILE3634 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1874/...4c2dc2ff_b.jpgFILE3654 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1854/...9a836654_b.jpgFILE3660 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1887/...240c64d7_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1871/...193e6f84_b.jpgFILE3673 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr In Revi we found a decent place and it is 600 m from our favorite bar with a great steak dinner. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1928/...5dff2b35_b.jpgCanada-18 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
We are finally on the last day of our epic adventure. We have 248 km to go to Kamloops and we will take the scenic route via Armstrong.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1884/...e1ba9803_b.jpgScreen Shot 2018-09-18 at 20.26.39 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1850/...b49e89f4_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1843/...4d3f476e_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1850/...6f48fbd1_b.jpgFILE3713 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1883/...e239d2fd_b.jpg The last 211 km! https://youtu.be/8T72bC_zpKA |
We headed west on the #1 to Sicamous and then south on the 97 A to just past Armstrong.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1882/...a5f82059_b.jpg From there we went on the 97 North to just past Monte Creek, where we did a small detour on Duck Range Road. https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1890/...b97f42ee_b.jpgFILE3756 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1853/...2e91013d_b.jpgFILE3765 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr |
This is where we started from on June 22. 2012 and we wanted to “end here” and get some photos. This is where we stored our old Dodge truck for the last 18 months and where we will store the bikes in our barn later this week after their oil change.
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8177/...32751146_b.jpgAnd so it begins by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8319/...6c9b40b1_b.jpgDaniel bike odometer start by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1964/...88ebe5fb_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1964/...133116ea_b.jpgIMG_1105 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1922/...ff0f8031_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1957/...2d28cb7b_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1868/...2d526a60_b.jpg https://youtu.be/WcbCAoAqk-w |
From here we headed into the city to an amazing welcome home at Dan’s parents.
https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1886/...ba9ce350_b.jpgIMG_1096 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1931/...62e158f5_b.jpg https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1976/...239ec9ee_b.jpg |
OVER VIEW 2017-2018
Serbia This time we spent more than a few hours here in this country. The roads are in pretty good shape and the riding is nice especially along the Danube. The food is meaty, but good. Bulgaria Fantastic riding to be had here especially if you have some local knowledge. We were lucky enough to have Assen from Bumot motorcycle luggage guide us here for 4 amazing days. Friendly people and really great food! Addicted to the Schopka salad Turkey We started out with a bad taste when the border insurance guy tried to rip us off for 300 Euros, but it was all up hill from there. Turkish people are very friendly and if you stop your bike for more than 60 seconds you will certainly be offered tea by someone. Very hospitable. There is some nice riding here, but because of our time line we could not spend anytime on the west coast or the southern part and this is where many of the ancient sites are located. We will be back. Georgia The drivers here are angry and aggressive and all of us could not wait to get off the road every day. Out of their cars they are very nice actually, but behind the wheel watch out. Fantastic mountain riding and scenery despite the mud! Armenia We did not know what to expect and were pleasantly surprised. There some nice riding here, but we spent most of our time in the north and dealing with visas. The riding in the south is scenic. Yerevan is a very nice and cosmopolitan capital with a lot to see. Iran The people here are what makes it so special. They are the most hospitable and welcoming people we have met so far. They are so keen to meet and speak with you and quick to tell you that the Iranian people are not the regime. The riding is long straight 4 lane roads for 400+ km a day, but you are here to meet people of a unique culture anyway. We had a mandatory guide, which was good and bad, but we managed to make it work for us in the end. Drivers here are totally oblivious to anyone around them. They just drive where they want. Disappointed by the trash and general cleanliness level. Turkmenistan This is a strange country for sure. Very difficult to access and cut off from the rest of the world. It is a bit Orwellian here with the grand boulevards and the massive and ornate buildings lining them. The people for the most part were very friendly and the women wear the most stunning colourful traditional outfits. Uzbekistan There are some nice spots on the silk road, but the riding is not scenic and hot. We felt the population control here and the police state nature. The black market and lack of benzene made things a bit more challenging. We had the strange stalkers for 3 days and were not sure if they were criminals or government agents? Mostly courteous drivers and very clean country. Tajikistan Surprisingly nice here. Clean and well maintained. The drivers here are again normal. There is a larger police presence here, but we were not hassled too much. The Pamir was everything we expected and more. Kyrgyzstan We did not know what to expect here and were very pleasantly surprised. There is some great off road riding and the night we spent at Song-Kul lake was epic. 20% of the drivers are aggressive and dangerous. Despite rumours we were never pulled over by police. Kazakhstan This is a huge country and there is almost nothing between the south at Almaty and the north at Astana. Astana itself is a very strange Disney like Capital. We had been told the police here were the worst, but in 5 days they never even gave us a second look. Russia We were so happy to find the people here are warm and friendly unlike the brash and loud Moscovites you meet when they are abroad. The roads and full of truck traffic and construction. It was nice to be back in a first world country (clean bathrooms and TAP). Mongolia This was the total package with a completely unique culture and surroundings. A physical and mental challenge at times. This was EPIC for sure. We had very high expectations of Mongolia and it did not disappoint. China You will love and you will hate China and the “Chinese Way”. Drivers are distracted disrespectful and dangerous. The pollution is INSANE! The rigidity of though and rules is extremely frustrating. Having a guide is always a major challenge. But the culture is ancient and fascinating. Tibet was a special frustration and fantastic adventure at the same time. Laos We did not get enough time in Laos. The riding is fantastic the people friendly and there is no traffic. Vietnam We did not bring the bikes because of the cost and guiding required. There are way too many people and scooters and the place is covered in trash. Cambodia Very friendly smiley people, great food, and incredible ruins. There is not much for riding, but the drivers are courteous. There is a terrible garbage issue here. Thailand Ahhh back to the first world. Civilized driving and no garbage! We made the mistake here of not going back to the north of Thailand, which we loved so much the last time we were here, but we are “Asiaed” out. Malaysia Was a real surprise and as we had no expectations it was a good one. This is a very culturally diverse nation where people seem to be very tolerant of race and religion. We are here at the edge of the rainy season and it is still wet and hot some of the time. New Zealand So nice to be in the first and western world again. This is the most like Canada of any country we have been. We had to deal with the massive sticker shock of course. The riding here is no adventure as even the off road routes open to the public are tame. The scenery here is very nice, but not as spectacular as much of what we have experienced already. The speed limits are almost alway 100 even when the conditions say it should be less. Kiwi’s in general are speeders and tailgaters! Australia PAIN in the ass! We had been told that the hassle was not worth it and they were so right. Outside of Victoria, NSW, and Queenstown there is NOTHING! It is hot and wet or hot and dry here. The bureaucracy of Oz customers is unrivalled. Australians are comparatively not very friendly. Despite this we have quiet a few very friendly Australian friends. We have also run into a lot of racial intolerance, which gets worse as you get to the NT. WOW! Timor Leste Nice to be back to a bit of an adventure. Small country but varied riding. Indonesia Great riding on Flores and Sulewesi, but the ferries are a real drag and dangerous 2 sank in the 2 weeks we were there. Covered in garbage unfortunately. Friendly people. Brunei Weird little country with not a lot going on. |
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Hi Sara and Dan,
Thanks for your very interesting and inspiring articles and beautiful pictures on the HUB. I enjoyed it very much and hope to hear more from you in the future. (I can not see you going to a 9 to 5 job after a trip like yours :smiliex: ) |
:clap::clap::clap::thumbup1::thumbup1::thumbup1: WOW. What a world wide trip this has been for you guys and all of us viewers. I'm sad to see it end. The fact that you can come home to a home in the woods makes it even more fantastic.
Thanks again. |
Just read the last page...
Now i will have to go to the first page and start reading... looks like you had wonderfull time though.. Mike |
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Yes it is a bit surreal and we are still in adjusting mode! We are taking a 6 month break from talking about what is the next adventure! St Patrick's day over green beer we will open that box! Cheers S&D |
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Well we have a shed and woods!! Will be living in the city for a while trying to sort out our 5 year plan! Cheers. Sara |
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Blog and photos will get better it was a bit rough for the first while!! ;) Hope you enjoy the RR. |
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I know it is 4 years later now, but if you lost 7 stators already, did you discover why they are going bad? |
Stators
Hi
There are several reasons. We actually in the end had 5 on each of the bikes. We are not alone in this. I know several other RTW riders with the same vintage bikes. Stock stator dies usually 50-60,000 km. After market ones last a bit longer. So 5 stators is about right for 260,000 km. 1.high ambient temperatures 2. Header location 3. Pre early 2010 model year GS the holes in the back of the generator for cooling the stator are too small. They changed this design flaw. I think I posted a photo of this at one point in the RR. Cheers Sara |
nice! Please contact us
Please contact us, we look forward to your reply, Raul +593989405064
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7550/...0b158cdb_b.jpgFILE2597 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7628/...dbb6a399_b.jpgCorsica-16 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7547/...21fb22c6_b.jpgFILE2618 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7573/...015e2291_b.jpgFILE2621 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7171/...477fea7c_b.jpgCorsica-15 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7717/...f225ab23_b.jpgCorsica-14 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7540/...519b1a33_b.jpgFILE2657 by Sara & Daniel Pedersen, on Flickr[/QUOTE] |
HU Ecuador
Hi Raul
I sent you an email from the Link on your PM. Sorry we can not attend the HU Ecuador this September! We are in Canada. Sara |
Welcome to the BIG SKY of Montana! We followed the old west trail to Ennis. This might be the perfect town for Daniel they have auto parts and ice cream in one location. We spent the day swimming and sunning at the lake. We wondered into a dive bar and were surprised to find the most delicious best rib eye ever.
Markomojo.com |
Sounds like our kind of place for sure! Cheers! Sara
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