skidooboy Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 with the nice summer like, fall weather the past several days, snobuny and i decided to head out on the bikes leaf watching, and visiting a few friends. i had a meeting in northern michigan so i decided to trailer the bikes to the meeting, and have buny ride shotgun till i was out. she headed to the gun range to research a new hand gun purchase, while i was in the meeting until about 12:30. after the meeting, we headed out for lunch, and got on the road heading north, destination sault ste marie with the truck, trailer and bikes. after sitting in gridlock for about an hour due to an accident on 75 north, we finally started making some time. arrived at the soo at about 515pm, dropped the truck and trailer at the casino rv lot, quick pack up, and gear on, and away we go. destination was for carolyn beach inn, in thessalon well before dark hopefully. well, the canadian side only had one lane open, and wouldnt ya know it, it was the first weekend of moose season so, the line was long. lost another hour in line there. exchanged a few bux, finally the exchange rate in our favor for the first time in 2 years. not by much but, every little bit helps. the colors between the soo and thessalon were nothing less than EPIC (from what we saw to echo bay). i wished we had about 45 minutes more light though. it got dark on us before bruce mines and we didnt get to see much past that. we arrived at carolyn beach motor inn about 800pm, and checked in. ran into town to get dinner at the Peppermill. i had one of the best open face hot beef sandwiches i have had in a long time there. headed back to the hotel, and nicole and alain from chez gaston were heading to ottawa for thanksgiving with family, and they were nice enough to drop the key for chez gaston at our hotel. had a nice albiet short visit with them, and they were on there way east, and were were on our way to bed. heres a few pics from the first day after unloading. more to follow...... ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeBouch Posted October 10, 2011 Share Posted October 10, 2011 sounds like a lot of fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidooboy Posted October 10, 2011 Author Share Posted October 10, 2011 saturday dawned alittle cloudy with the sun burning it all off very quickly. took a few morning photos, dried the bikes off from the morning dew, had breakfast at carolyn beach, and geared up for a long day on the bikes. the colors on 129 south of aubrey falls were absolutley stellar. stopped fuel fuel at tunnel lake trading post but, we only were able to pump a few gallons as he was out of premium. rode up to aubrey falls trading post, topped off there so we could make it to chapleau to get full on premium. the staff at aubrey falls said they would be there for fuel, and the little store would be open but, the resturant would not be open this winter. if you have a large group and call in advance they may set something up for a lunch but no promises. a nice man and his two daughters were eating lunch, and talking with lynne about our ride at aubrey falls. i didnt get to chat with him, as i was fueling up the bikes. we sat down had a coke and a great bowl of vegatable soup there. when we got up to pay, the man had paid for our lunch and ice cream, with out us knowing about it when he left. there is something to be said about the good folks of nothern ontario. and beleive me, i will be paying it forward too. back on the bikes, heading north on 129 to chapleau. the further north we got, the more the colors had maxed out, and a little past peak. plus that far north the red and oranges are few and far between but, the yellows and golds were nice. into chapleau for a quick drink, and towards wawa we went. hwy 101 has a bunch of new pavement, that was really nice. made it into wawa about 515pm or so. had pizza and dessert at north of 17 resturant. i love their pizza! after that, i didnt want to think about another 50 mile or so ride to dubreuliville. LOL! after getting off 17 and onto 519 to the "dub" we made quick work of the twisties. i think it was the fastest trip from 17 to town i had ever made. LOL! stopped at the quick mart and grabbed a drink for the evening, the stopped and saw luc at his new home. swung by big reg's to let them know we were in town. had a quick visit with him and his son while we unpacked the bikes. after that it was nappy time. 280 miles on the sportbikes in a day, and you are whipped. LOL! few more pics from saturday. one more day to go.... ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidooboy Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 after a restless night sleep from too much excitment the day before, i decided i needed to make up a workout i had missed on friday. donned my running gear, and ran a tour de' Dub. just a light couple mile run nothing big. LOL! training to go out west in january so, i can miss many workouts. LOL! most of the town was still sleeping, it was a crisp quiet fall morning. the colors, clean air and sunrise were all awesome. quick shower, packed up, cleaned chez gaston and locked it up before we left. down to big reg's to say good bye. had a another good albiet short visit with the whole fam damily. down to see luc at the quickie mart but he was not there as he said he would be. so off the wawa we went. another quick trip from dub to wawa. stopped to get fuel again so we could make it to the soo. my bike had started acting like it had a plugged pilot jet, and i tried a few things but couldnt get it to run clean below 5000 rpms. wondering if the low gas at tunnel lake may have played into it? rode by jones' powersports a few bikes were out front and i noticed gord's KTM out front but, i was more concerned with why my bike wasnt running right, and drove on by. in hindsight i should have stopped to say hi but, i didnt know if they were around on a sunday morning. come to find out gord sent lynne a facebook message asking if he had seen us ride by today. LOL! should have stopped. stopped for a picture break at old woman bay, and my batteries took a crap. i was trying to video the ride down the hill to the bay. didnt work like i planned. snagged some batteries from my flashlight to finish the trip. stopped at batchwana bay looking for lunch/dinner at the voyagers resturant there were lots of people in there but the sign on the door said closed, the hours stated they were open until two on sunday for the holiday weekend... it was only 130. we decided just to keep on truckin. stopped at the soo for dinner at north of 82, had a decent meal, ate too much, LOL! no line at the border going home. had a good conversation with the border guard about the bikes and touring on them. over to the casino, loaded up, tipped the fine man who watches the rv park for keeping an eye on the rig for us. and headed home. the last pic i took is the view from the truck after crossing the big mac. when i see this view, i know the trip is comming to an end. it is a bitter sweet view for me. each time i see this, i know we have had a great trip, and good vacation but, i always wonder how long it will be before i see it's arches again. thanks for listening. heres a few more pics of saturday and some from sunday. ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlakeBouch Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 unbelievable great commetary and those pics make me want to go buy a bike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ox Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 My bet is on the South bound and down being the issue with your motor. It just doesn't wunna go home! Had a truck like that back in another lifetime. Could make it home for a short weekend - no problem, but just when it was time to head back to the city, any number of things would go wrong. Battery blows up Front wheel bearings die Can't remember what all anymore... Hey - I didn't wunna go there any more than the truck, but dang, I didn't need to fix the truck AND hafta go back too! Before long I quit going there and stayed out in the sticks. So - just take the bike out for a spin and head N aggin and see how much better she runs then... . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
couchrocket500 Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Great story and pics skidooboy, thanks. Also find gas can be finiky these days, I try to buy only at high turnover stations but guess thats hard to do up North. Or like Ox says maybe your bike doesn't wana go home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FINNDIAN Posted October 13, 2011 Share Posted October 13, 2011 looks like it was a good quick trip. you really gotta trade those crotch rockets for something that doesn't make you take the same route all the time ya know. I was out at camp alone all weekend. Only came in for a few hours sunday morning to mill some more cedar, when I saw you guys go by. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidooboy Posted October 14, 2011 Author Share Posted October 14, 2011 i hear ya gord but, they are so much fun. especially at the track, and down to the smokie mountains. we love going to the dragon at deals gap. i should have called you when we were comming. i asked lynne if she wanted to ride the "short cut" from hawk to dub. LOL! you getting any of the new pro rmk's? i'd like to rent one of those for a day or two. ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Groomer Guy Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Nice ride report Ski, it was nice seing you guys.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbo Doo Posted November 25, 2011 Share Posted November 25, 2011 Great stuff guys Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Groomer Guy Posted December 7, 2011 Share Posted December 7, 2011 hey Ski, you should head out to the Toronto Bike show this weekend... bet yah your story would win you some free tickets. http://www.northernontario.travel/motorcycletouring/feature/44-general/274-win-free-tickets-to-the-toronto-motorcycle-show Pass this along to your bike friends I heard its a great show. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skidooboy Posted December 7, 2011 Author Share Posted December 7, 2011 nice find! unfortunately i am sick, and lynne is working this weekend so, we would not be able to attend. funny thing about that link.... it is a picture on hwy 17 at the overlook at agawa bay. been there saw that on the bikes several times, it is a favorite place to stop and take in the scenery. ski Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FINNDIAN Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I've taken a few snaps there myself. Too bad you can't make it ski. I'll be there Saturday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dweese Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I'll be a the show, wife wants to learn to ride thsi spring, so going to check out the CBR250s Firday night is ladies night, they get in for free, so incase your a cheap ass Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FINNDIAN Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Ya I'm a cheap ass, but are you callin me a lady ? LMAO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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