A BC Buell goes South

[BC Brian]

When I woke up, the sun was shining into my room. Sweet.
I headed into Ottawa, with the intention of checking out the Parliament buildings. Traffic was light and moving pretty good…… until I hit Ottawa. Bumper to bumper, feet on the ground every 20 or 30 seconds. Awesome. I was watching for my exit to go downtown, and it seemed like every vehicle was taking the exit I wanted. I didn’t know government workers got up that early.
Sorry Capitol Hill. I’ll have to see you some other time.
As I got further out of town, the traffic got lighter. I hadn’t checked the route I wanted out of town, but I figured if I just kept on following the “West” signs I would eventually get where I wanted to go…. eventually.

I needed gas, so I got off the highway into a real cool little town. I filled up and asked the guy if I could get to North Bay if I just followed this road. He thought I could get a good part of the way, so away I went through rural Ontario.



I ended back on the highway after a while, but the freeway had ended somewhere back a ways, so I was on a good 2 lane highway…..still in rural Ontario.

I stopped for breakfast in some little town, and took a ride around town.



I carried on through small towns and past farm after farm, stopping for the frequent road construction





It’s a pretty nice part of the world, so I took my time looking around




It was pretty warm out, and by the time I got to Sudbury, the skies were looking a bit scary….



I rode on quite a bit of wet roads, but only got rained on few times, and then only briefly.

After Sudbury, the terrain changed to lots of small trees and rock. I have a feeling I will be seeing more of this in my near future.



I stopped at quite a few nice rest areas, and it was warm enough that the bugs weren’t too bad.

[SoSlow]

Hmm... for some reason there, your second picture (the one with the houses) reminds me of the town in Murder, She Wrote.

Just out of curiosity, how far east had you been in Canada before you took this trip?

[BC Brian]

Originally Posted by SoSlow

Hmm... for some reason there, your second picture (the one with the houses) reminds me of the town in Murder, She Wrote.

Just out of curiosity, how far east had you been in Canada before you took this trip?

Before this trip, the furthest East was Saskatoon. Now, I have been in every Province and Territory in Canada. (I was in Nunavut BEFORE it was Nunavut, but I am still counting it )

[BC Brian]

When I left it was another beautiful Ontario morning. The roads were great, traffic light, nice scenery…..
There are lots of scenic roadside stops beside rivers or along lakes.



I rode into Sault Ste Marie, took a wrong turn, got into a residential section, got turned around, found my way to the highway, found a mall, went into the mall for a look around, bought a couple things, back to my bike, chatted with some of people in the parking lot, and headed back on the highway.

That’s what I did in Sault Ste Marie. J

Lots of Precambrian Shield sticking up everywhere.



Then Lake Superior (Lake Superior is one Big Assed Lake)





I rode and I rode along the lake, stopping here and there, talking to locals or people travelling.










Gas stations can be few and far between in this area, so if you aren’t paying attention, you get the opportunity to use your spare gas cans. I was low on fuel and had no idea where the next gas station was, so I pulled into a pullout, and there was a young couple on bicycles having a break. There was a pullout right across the road with a big assed 5^th wheel. As I was putting gas in my bike, another guy on a bicycle rides from the RV over to first couple and starts talking with them. Then another fellow comes over and starts asking me the normal “where ya from?”, “where ya been?”, “where ya going?” type questions. Turns out they were riding across Canada to raise money for children in Ethiopia. As far as I could tell, the guys I talked to were riding the whole way, and the support vehicle team (Big Assed RV) would drive ahead, get on their bikes and ride back towards the riders, then ride with them to the RV, and do it all over again.
Chainreaction ride link HERE.

I talked to the young couple for a while after the Big Assed RV team and riders had left.
They were riding from Eastern Ontario to Vancouver, with no giant noble cause, no support team, carrying everything they needed on their bikes. They were a super nice couple on their first trip like this (they are avid hikers) and were camping wherever they ended up at the end of the day, not going super fast and just enjoying the experience. They did mention that next time they might do it by motorcycle, though. I told them I thought that was a great idea J

I headed off towards Thunder Bay, sometimes in hot weather, sometimes in rainy weather. Sometimes in hot and rainy weather. I got to a campsite just out of Thunder Bay, where I had a hard time getting checked in and my tent set as people I met wanted to chat about my travels. (I always ask about their travels, but most seem more interested in where I have been) J

[BOBaloo22]

Glad to see you're taking your time and still enjoying the trip, looks beautiful up there. I hope to ride to Canada in the next few years.
Stay safe,
Bob

[BC Brian]

I packed up camp before most people in the campsite were moving around. It was reasonably warm out, and the sun was shining, but, I have found that in this part of the world, that can change J

I by passed the city of Thunder Bay, and headed West. The road west is not an overly populated hwy, so there was little traffic, a few small towns, and just nice peaceful riding. I stopped here and there at rest stops gas stations and for a bit of breakfast. (for some reason, my pictures didn’t make it. crap!)

As I rode west, the clouds got heavier and darker ( no surprise) Usually, the black clouds are puffy and you can see they will just be showers. Today, the clouds did not look like that. I was looking at full on, not stopping, all day rain.
All right then.
But it was warm out, and I had my rain gear. No problem. I rode and rode, in the rain, and got to Dryden, in the rain. I was looking for a gas station, and the heavens opened up. What I had been riding through wasn`t rain. THIS was rain. It was raining so hard cars were pulling over, in front of me(I couldn’t see squat) I spied a Canadian Tire store, but couldn’t quite make out through the rain how to get into it, so I took a chance, pulled off the main road into what could have been the Canadian Tire parking lot (it wasn’t) I got turned around, zipped down the sidewalk (there was no one walking in this rain) into the Canadian Tire parking lot, put my cover on my tank bag (Dumbass) and went into the store, wearing my helmet, to get out of the weather. I wandered around the store, dripping all over, getting lots of sympathetic looks from everyone. Finally the rain let up a bit, I went out, found a gas station and got back on the road, happy that it was just raining normally now.

As I rode, I would occasionally hit patches of heavier rain, but thankfully not like it was in Dryden.

As I got closer to Manitoba, the rain actually stopped, the roads dried up, and it was pretty nice out (cloudy and warm, but not raining )

I got to the border, and now, as of right then, I have been in every province and territory in Canada



I stopped at the first town for gas and lunch. They had Bison Burger on the menu, and seeing as I was now in Manitoba…..

Bison Burger


I headed for Winnipeg, where I was staying with inmate SoSlow and Mrs SoSlow for a few days. I had met SoSlow on his BC adventure last year (see SoSlow’s RR HERE) and we had become good friends.

I got to Winnipeg a bit early and was planning on an oil change, so when I spotted a Harley dealer, I zipped in for oil and a filter.

Turns out they did not do Buell’s there. Didn’t carry filters, parts, nothing. Never had. Back in the day, when Harley dealer all became Buell dealers, they refused.
Huh?
But they were great. The other Harley dealer in town did Buell, so they called to make sure the other dealer had a filter, gave me great directions to get there. They treated men real well. As I was leaving I met a fellow in the parking lot who couldn’t believe I had ridden a Buell all the way from BC. So I told him where I had actually ridden and how I had ended up in Winnipeg and he was even more impressed. Turns out he has an xb9 his son has an xb12 of some sort, and if I couldn’t find a filter, he had one I could have.

Then licence plates say “friendly Manitoba”. I guess they mean it.

I found the other Harley shop, got the stuff I needed, turned the cutie behind the counter onto the Spanish school in Xela (she was just eye candy actually, the parts guy did all the work) and headed off to SoSlow’s house.


Inmates SoSLow and Bride of SoSlow



We stayed up way past my bedtime laughing and visiting.

[BC Brian]

We hung around SoSlow’s house for most of the morning, taking life easy and hanging out, then we headed off for the aircraft museum








It was a great museum, and unfortunately…………. Some of my pictures didn’t turn out….. oh oh…… that’s 2 twice now in the last little while. I will have to keep an eye on the camera……..

We Headed over to a local bike shop for a look around, and they were having a test ride day and a few stunts.



A pretty brave young lady





You might want to ask a few questions when buying a “demo” bike from a dealer






Then we headed back to SoSlows house, where I did an oil change…..in a garage…..with a proper oil bucket.



We hung around, visiting, and later in the day, the weather got going… and hail.

We don’t get hail like this at home much.






I am pretty glad I wasn’t out riding in this…….

[SoSlow]

It was great to see you, Brian - thanks for taking some time out of your trip to stop by and hang out with us!!

[harley1550]

Enjoyin the heck out of following your adventure, Brian. Great job! Hey those SoSlow folks aren't too bad themselves, eh? That's the extent of my 'Canadian'! Keep enjoying and be safe.

[bride_of_so_slow]

Thanks for the laughs and the stories! It was great to meet you in person finally, and I'm glad that you had time to visit.

Next time - less rain. We didn't plan to show you large hail either.

Safe riding!

[BC Brian]

Originally Posted by SoSlow

It was great to see you, Brian - thanks for taking some time out of your trip to stop by and hang out with us!!

Thanks SoSlow
I had a great time in Winnipeg with you guys
Thanks for having me and treating me like family


No internet for the Past couple of days

Stay tuned for updates........if I find wifi :)

[BC Brian]

Winnipeg has a pretty active group of ADV riders, who get together socially or for tech days. SoSlow had arranged for a bunch of them to get together for Sunday brunch, I go to meet a number of the Winnipeg inmates.



We BSed, ate, BSed more, ate more, the we sat around BSing and eating. It was lots of fun and great to meet such a good group of inmates.

After brunch, SoSLow, Bride of SoSlow and I went to check out some of the shopping that I don’t get in BC. I LIKE Cabelas……….

We wandered around there for quite a while, I bought a few things I probably don’t need, then headed home for supper and more great conversation.

[BC Brian]

SoSlow is a civilian employee of the Canadian Airforce, and this morning we headed over to his work to meet a few of his co-workers. I got to meet some nice people and got a bit of a tour of the base. I am still not sure EXACTLY what he does, but I got to go through some doors with “Authorized Personnel Only” and “Secure Area” signs on them. I was informed if I went in there by myself it might not be so good J

I didn’t take any pictures J

SoSLow had given me good directions for finding the highway, so I headed out, immediately took a wrong turn, and finally found the highway. There were lots of side streets with cool looking elm trees lining the streets.



It was cold, but it was wet, so I headed the highway full of hopes that it would warm up as the day progressed. As I got out of town and onto the prairie, the wind picked up. Really picked up!!
Now it was cold wet AND windy.

Perfect.

I stopped a few times to try and warm up.



I stopped in Brandon for gas, and was seriously temped to get a room for the night (It was 10AM)

When I got to the Saskatchewan border, the rain had slowed, but the wind was really howling now

Note the flags


By Regina the wind had died to a dull roar and the sun had come out. It had turned into a half decent day after all. A good friend of mine, who I hadn’t been out to see in quite a few years, lived South West of Saskatoon. He had a new place, and gave me directions, which I was actually able to follow.

I showed up at Mike and Patty’s just in time for supper and a stiff drink J

[BC Brian]

My friends live in Ardath, a very small town, and Mike has a deer farm about 3 miles away. We went for a drive around the area to see the sights.




There is a whole lot of flat in Saskatchewan



Some cool old barns





We went for lunch, then headed out to the farm to check on the new fawns.

Elk




Part of the herd



Old homestead buildings



Foxes watching the deer (they don’t bother the fawns)


Fawn



Elk calves



More of the herd



Young bucks



Always alert



We went back to the house to visit and watch the hockey game.

Their little lap dog decided my lap was good enough for sitting on.



We visited late into the night, catching up, talking about old times and old friends.

[BC Brian]

When I left, the weather looked like it could go either way. High clouds with light patches. It was relatively warm, but I put on my rain gear…… just in case. I headed out on rural highways, zig zagging north west towards the Yellowhead Highway.
It would rain a bit, then clear up, then threaten to rain. The sky was looking ominous near Lloydminster.


I have ridden in Alberta before, and have seen similar skies before, and usually skies like that mean there is going to be some pretty heavy rain in my future. Fortunately the clouds went North and I only caught the tail end of the rain.

They have some interesting rules on “Oversize” truck loads here, so I got to see things I don’t usually get to.

Here they had flagmen at the intersections


This house took up both lanes, but they were travelling at 70 kmh (I am not sure I would want to pull a whole house at 70 kmh)



I rolled into Hinton AB about supper time and called it a day.