Way out West - Canada to Central America

[Motojournalism]

My first big trip was from Montreal to the Maritime provinces.

Now it's time to see the rest!


I'm keeping this one simple. A few words with photos.

Canada's the warm-up, there's a long way to go yet...



So long Montreal, your're a fabulous city, I'll be back someday.







a final few hours with the city.













A somber progression in the Portuguese neighbourhood





A final night camped-out in the studio. Things are in storage and I now have no residence.



Ready to roll.


No more commute, no more rush. Not that I was ever one to rush...









A final morning at work just to wrap things up.





And I'm off. Homeless and unemployed, life is good

Takin' it easy on the freeway out of Montreal, jus' tryin' not to get killed...





Back on old familiar roads, back where I learned to ride a couple years ago.













Ice fishing huts, beached 'til winter's return.





A short hop via ferry to Ontario.






To the first night's stay with big "D" (I know you're on ADV somewhere...)

Bikes are swapped, maps are consulted, plans and dream trips are put on the table alongside the brews.




Big D on my horse with no name





And his ride feels like a bicycle compared to mine



It's well set-up for tall folk





And a homemade Indian feast is the highlight of the night.











Ohhhh yeahhhh...





Thanks guys, you rock. See you on the road...

[zaner32]

I've seen your pics on the Quebec dual sport website before. You have quite the eye to get amazing pictures from a camera. I'm subscribed!

[GB]

Great start! Love the pics

[Motojournalism]

With a late start after a bit of wrenching on the bike, and taking care of some paperwork, I'm off to boogie in Calabogie.
A bit of offroad and backroad mecca in Eastern Ontario. Grab the PDF article here and head on out there!







I don't arrive in the area till late afternoon so after a bit of puttering around, I look for a spot for stealth camping...





And find the most perfect spot imaginable.


















Off in the morning to explore





Good surface, lots of fun.













Taking it easy though, not much meat left on this tire.









I surprise an old woodsman after a water-crossing, he pops out of his trailer like a jack-in-the-box to see what's coming from the road that's washed out!




Right alongside the pond along an old railbed









And in to town for some breakfast. (love these old signs)




This regular was a dispatch rider during the war





And Al Capone had a hideout just around the corner





We're in canoe country alright.




Back to seek out the trail, it's dry steep and sandy.





And my bike lets me know about it.





I jumped on to this thanks to the direction of a friendly ATV rider:






Only to find miles of this in straight lines:





So I jumped back onto the hardtop, which turned out to be quite fun.





Had to turn back to check if my eyesight was failing





Into a deserted provincial campground for the night.



Here's the first few days, Montreal to Metcalfe, Griffeth, Parry Sound

[Motojournalism]

Hey thanks guys

I love this next bit...

[Motojournalism]

And I'm out of the campground before anyone's around.

Shhhh... Stealth...








Ontario rolls on







And on







And on





I have to adopt the ridiculous KLR racing tuck for a break from the wind noise on these long straights. But only when nobody is looking...

KLR650. Aerodynamic like a moose






I'm here to meet Rick, and after a bit of small-town detective work, find an address,food and a good sleep.






Rick drops a line in the morning, no bites though.









I do my thing too







Rick also rides a KLR. It dosen't take much convincing to get me up in his other ride though







About the size of an Austin Mini once you're in









Rick is the same flying his plane as he is in his boat. Totally natural, in control. No big deal.





He's been flying since he was kid. Rick tells me his dad would pass over the controls, and say "Keep on this heading!". Time would pass and he'd hear his dad snoring, fast asleep!





A long train loading up in Chapleau





Rick passes over the controls.






And after a tense moment, I relax and get the feel for it.

Whohoo! All that time playing Flight Simulator paid off








Much of northern Ontario is like a sponge





Rick spots another plane, and radios to see if he wants some air-to-air photos





I'm gonna need a longer lens, we can't fly much closer!











Rick buzzes his neighbours house on the final aproach. Man, the gravity in a small plane is disorienting when you're not used to it!

Leveling out and slowing down.





He dosen't need much room to land, just drops it, right next to his house.





Touchdown, super smooth.





and Rick fills in the logbook for the day.






Thanks Rick, that meant a lot for me to get up in a plane like that





My GPS top-speed now reads 240kmh, pretty good for a KLR.








My headset nut is finger-tight. It was banging around all afternoon yesterday. We fix that the old-fashioned way, with a hammer.







Gotta love the real Finnish sauna too

[DualSPRTfan]

looks great, good shots too, being an aviation buff and worked on my pilots license myself, I enjoyed the last part.

coming along for the ride.

[NB_CRF'er]

Great shots! Looking forward to this report.

[squonker]

Fantastic photos, and I like your choice of steed too!

[Roughshod]

Love the photos man! Refreshing camera angles. (come on now, there's art training in there somewhere) Drive safe and have a hoot!

[calrider]

A good eye, wonderful use of light. I'm in...

[Natnewt]

Knowing what a great photographer you are, this is going to be a great report. Can't wait to see more and maybe meet up with you on one of the rides eventually.

[East Coast Rider]

Wow! what great shots!!

[little foot]

me likey alot

[Pig-Pen]

Really enjoying this Anton. As always, GREAT photos...keep em coming