Northern Ontario Adventure, with bears and moose

I left my home this morning with all my "improvements" intact, on the longest journey this old butt has ever attempted. I'm heading in the opposite direction to my destination in order to rendezvous with a good friend who purchased a Vstrom this spring.


On the road on a 550 km ride to the first stop.


First fuel stop 4.5 hours on the bike. I am taking a route that I did non-stop on a bicycle in my younger years. Way back then I did 550 km non-stop on a race bike unsupported in 18.5 hours. This time it took me 1.5 hours to go through Toronto through hundreds of traffic lights.


I discovered I could sit back with the throttle lock engaged and rest my back on the bed roll I strapped on behind me. Slight balance changes looked after the turns. Opposite to what happens when you stick your hand out an airplane window, sticking an arm out causes the bike to turn in the opposite direction. I'm going to have to ponder the physics of that one...


Eastern Ontario scenery.


After 7.5 hours riding, I'm at my friends place in Kanata.


Beer drinking time.

[Bibio]

enjoy

top tip, when you full up with fuel put your tank bag on the riders seat that way you wont forget it.

[Shawthing]

Oh look an ABS equiped SV.
We dont get those in the UK.

Where are you going next,
North Bay, Sudbury or a little excursion into Quebec state?

[Geodude]

Nice one Terry, enjoy yourself

[pookie]

the bike looks fantastic.. pretty much ready for anything. That would have been a crazy ride on the push bike

[ophic]

Originally Posted by Bibio

enjoy

top tip, when you full up with fuel put your tank bag on the riders seat that way you wont forget it.

you take it off? I just move mine to the side.

Originally Posted by Shawthing

Oh look an ABS equiped SV.
We dont get those in the UK.

Where are you going next,
North Bay, Sudbury or a little excursion into Quebec state?

Is that correct, no ABS on SV's? That was one of the deciding points for me. When I was shopping, I turned down an older bike with 500 kms total on the clock because of no ABS.

We're leaving today for Sault Ste Marie which is aproximately 750 kms and half way to Thunder Bay. It should take about the same time that the first leg took. I'm completely astounded at the development of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). 75 kms of built up area, with badly timed, lengthy traffic lights.

Originally Posted by pookie

the bike looks fantastic.. pretty much ready for anything. That would have been a crazy ride on the push bike

The non-stop ride actually took three attempts. The first time I made 170 miles until my gas tank ran dry. I completed it the next day.

On the second attempt, I started during a heat wave. I always started around 20:00 and rode through the night. I couldn't source water from 2:00 on and dehydrated in the 25+ C heat. I became heat exhausted and finally quit 260 miles down the road, mid-afternoon very ill. I was given a ride to my destination.

On the third attempt, I was drinking beer in Ottawa after a 312 mile non-stop ride at 16:30 the next day. I suffered some long term nerve damage in my feet, hands and groin. It took several years to heal.

Those rides, as the one yesterday, were on the Kings Highway #7. I'm suspecting that will be the last time I do the entire trip on that road. Of course there's much faster ways on high speed divided roadways all the way.

Back in the crazy days, with two young children at home, my wife suffered some stress. I never understood what her issue was until I matured. The risks I took were phenomenal. I have some horror stories on some very close calls. Or in our logistics business, a near miss.

After a night of eating and drinking, my friend and I departed Kanata (Ottawa) for points west. The plan was to make Sault Ste. Marie before dark. The GPS reported the distance as 767 kms.


The Vstromboski, or whatever it's called trailed behind. Interestingly, it's a 1000cc engine and consistently burned one liter/100km more. Heavier, draggier machine I guess, with the added pumping losses of the larger displacement. With his larger tank, we had roughly the same range. Approximately 400 kms to worrisome time.


Some Eastern Ontario scenery, rapidly turning overcast.


Yup, gray and raining for 500 kms.


Lots of wetness.


Currently residing at the Bates Motel in the Soo, drying out and warming up. The day was hovering around 15C. Tomorrow, 716 kms to Thunder Bay. Then I depart for Oshkosh WI for the world's biggest airshow and aviation convention, via homebuilt airplane of course.

[Bibio]

i think i would commit suicide if i had to ride roads like that for 700+km