Kelsow does Gaspé (again, photo HEAVY)

[kelsow]

Day 1:
I LOVE riding in Gaspésie. It's so picturesque around every corner but it pays to get off the beaten path and find yourself "lost" from time to time. I left Matane at

8:00 or so in the am after arriving late the night before.


I have a thing for bridges, lighthouses and windmills and Gaspé has many of these. My first stop was a windmill farm where I spent about an hour taking pix and just enjoying riding on the twisty roads.











Soon after I took a dirt road that my gps software said was a loop. It wasn't. I road along for about an hour to find out I had to turn around.













Half way back I met Gilles riding his dirtbike. He said he'd show me the way out to the road as he didn't think I could follow him up the mountain. Well I guess I missed the turn off and blindly followed him up the mountain. This dirt road/path went straight up with little margin for error. If I stopped I would have to turn around as I wouldn't be able to get going again, it was that steep. We were rewarded with a beautiful view of the mountains and valleys.






It was time for me to get back on track so Gilles and I said bon voyage and went on our way.






I love the red lighthouses that still spot the coastline. So bright and colourful and perfect for picture taking.










A little farther down the road.








I took one dirt road that was off the beaten path and I didn't even know what was at the end. The sign said something about a Marconi Monument.


I never did find it but what I did find was another great lighthouse, with a fox.





It was sunning itself on the deck of the house.





It came right up to me it seemed tame but I still had memories of the bear in NL. I didn't pet him.







The black flies were the worst I have ever had to deal with at this little place. Worst of the trip by far so I didn't stay too long.


I was getting tired and thought I'd find a camping area. I stopped somewhere near L'Anse-a-Valleau. It was a great spot with showers and a sink to do laundry. They even sold beer so I had and 4 bottles of Rickard's Red. It was the first drink I had since I left the lads in NL. I was parched. After a meal fit for a king, Mr. Noodle with beef jerky I read a book and poked the fire.






Day 2:
The day started cloudy but soon turned hazy with a little shower or two. The lighthouse at Phare de Cap-des-Rosiers is beautiful, especially when you get there before they charge you for admission. hehehe. Buddy looked pissed.






The section of road around Forillon National Park is fantastic. I only took video here so no pix. Good thing I stopped as I lost my sleeping bag, again. Not sure how that happened as I thought it was secure. Note to self...


There is a spit of land at Le Commune-de-Douglastown that would make a perfect camping spot.


No services but who cares? It's beautiful. You can actually ride on the rail line from one end to the other. As I rode along, birds flew out of the bushes across my path. I don't know what they were but they were very colourful, budgie like.








The next big point of interest is Percé. I have been here before so I didn't bother with too many pix for this report.




From here I simply rode for ever, as it seemed.




















The weather wasn't looking great for the next day so I treated myself to lodging at a cabin at Bonaventure Lodge. For 65 bux I had a shower, soft bed and for the first time in what seemed for ever, a pillow. Ahhhhh.




I had a very nice romantic dinner for one including wine, and a salad. Decadence!



Day 3:
I figured I was close to Atlantic Motoplex so I decided to see if I could get some new rubber for the beast. I rode for 3 hours in the pouring rain not being able to see too much and the roads were quite slippy. I knew my tires were getting bad but when they start to hydroplane in the wet, it's time. I wanted to test ride a GSA1200
but the rain never stopped pounding down. They managed to fit a new set of Heidenau tires. Look em up, they're fantastic. So far my new favourite tire, and not too expensive ether. ($225 for the set before tax and install) I didn't want my trip to end but the weather wasn't cooperating. I decided to ride around Advocate and hope for better weather. It didn't rain and even got bright but the sun never came out. I meandered around Apple River trying out the new sneakers and taking pix.




GasBurner and I rode around here last year and it's amazing. A must see kind of place.














I found another cottage in Advocate for cheap. I believe they were converted fish huts or something. Very basic with electricity, wood stove and hot water. Perfect. A bottle of wine, a good book and it was soon sleepy time.















Day 4:
The weather was looking like crap so I booked it home for noon.

[fredgreen]

Great pix, love your taste in saddlebags.

[spanker]

Really nice compositions, had to have had a fast lens with all the critical depth of field shots. The fox is such a beautiful animal. Keep up the great photography.

[C-Stain]

Kelsow,

Once again, beautiful shots. Thanks for sharing.

And thanks again for your help last week. Owe you one.

[TwilightZone]

Nice photographs... great ride.

[MZcountryboy]

Awesome photos, I love to tour the Gaspesie as well - winter or summer.......

[enduro0125]

You have a real talent.

Nice pictures.

[kelsow]

Here is the video (finally) It's a long one.

Gaspe 2011 from Dualsport.ca on Vimeo.

[2twisted]

Thanks for taking us along, great pictures !!

[FAW3]

God, I love Gaspe'. Great photos!

Seems every mile along the coast highway you have another unbelivable view.

It really catches your attention to pass by a spot like Alma and see a harbour with boats floating at lunch...then at dinner there is no water for 1/2 a mile or walk the beach early and hear whales blowing offshore in the fog.

Thankfully I've missed the flys in CAN, but found them in Maine...but I was ready for them: I bought a face/hat bug net. Packs to nothing, weighs nothing...but pop on a hat, pop the netting on and your good.

[Cannonshot]

Fantastic photos! You've got a great eye. Beautiful scenery.

[PinkPillion]

Very nice! The reds the yellows the blues--awesome.