Riding in a Sauna

We decided to leave Crystal Harbour really early to avoid the heat.  We never met that real sun blinding heat of the day stuff but even at 6.30 in the morning the heat was not good.  It was also combined with the damp morning air which made it like riding in a sauna.  Visor up to stop it steaming and hoping that traffic lights wouldn't stay red for more than a couple of seconds.

We had about 80 miles under our belt before we came across a lovely little diner for breakfast

We all saw this lovely little church just before we got to the diner and Paul went back and got a shot for the blog.  Even smaller congregation than Beeston Methodist I should think

We got our first glimpse of the good ol US of A today the other side of the lake

Tonight we are at a small town in Ontario called Kakabeka Falls.  The falls are the only thing that this place is remarkable for and they are worth the walk to go and have a look.  Even Wenlock and Mandeville went to see

The view of the falls from the other side is just as good and also down the valley

We managed to get back to the town just in time to hide from the downpour

This lasted about 15 mins and then dried up and the sun shone again.  Back to being in the sauna.

We are off on a 308 mile trip round the North shore of Lake Superior tomorrow.  Really looking forward to the ride and I think there are some mountainous bits.  It should be a bit cooler up there.  Leaving early and plan to stop a fair bit before we reach WaWa.  (what sort of a name for town is that?)  Something to do with Geese I am told.  I will report tomorrow.

Monday is Wash Day

Today was a day off and a day off means you have to wash your smalls.  All of a sudden the row of bikes, not to mention the van, were covered in items of clothing and washing lines.  Luckily we had a brilliant hot  sunny day and the quick dry stuff took no time at all.

Hard work over, we all started looking for some entertainment.  Jackie and Dave decided to hire a boat and go out fishing.  Dave being a bit older needed a little help to get in the boat but Jackie gladly helped him to board.

They came back empty handed (having promised us fish for the BBQ) but happy and full of stories about the one that got away.

Some went into "town" which is 3 gift shops and a cafe but it was so hot it was difficult to bother putting on all the bike gear to go the 2 miles up the road.  Gary and I, along with others, went for a swim in the lake.  Glad that Gary encouraged me in as it was lovely.

We all got together this evening for another BBQ with the lovely Dave and Paul manning the tools

The boys all sat together and Dave finished it off with a joke about shooting your wife.

290 miles tomorrow, but the heat is taking its toll.  We are planning to leave early in the morning and hopefully get some miles in before it gets too hot.  Our destination is Kakebeka Falls which looks lovely so by leaving early we should have plenty of time to go and have a look.

Welcome to Ontario

Today we've done another 400 odd miles through Manitoba and I've come to the conclusion that actually there really is nobody living here.  Leighton was Red Leader today and a good job too, he rides a bit faster than some of us which pushed us along and ate up some of the miles early this morning.  Those miles, yet again, were done on the roads with nobody else in sight.

It's been a hot, hot day which means bugs and more bugs, some as big as elephants.  All the fuel stations provide full service to car drivers but not to motorbikes so John took it upon himself to do the business

We had a long stop for lunch in a recommended diner in a place called Anola.  You couldn't miss it coz there was sod all else in Anola.  After a bit of a delay we all got our lunch and we were on our way.  Temperatures were rising all the time

We have had some good views again today though and came across this lake

Such a long hot day meant we had to stop in the afternoon for ice cream

As we crossed the Ontario border, we felt most welcome.  A sign every 20 yards stated what you are not allowed to do in Ontario.  It is against the law to use your phone, it is against the law not to wear your seat belt, it is against the law to drink and drive and something else and something else and something else.  Then to top it all off about 200 yds further along the road there is a nice police man in the layby with a camera.  Luckily we had been warned off by our guide the night before and also many on coming cars and trucks flashing their lights.  We were, therefore, being very good well behaved British Bikers.

Eventually arrived at our accommodation and were relieved to get off the bikes and in the showers.  We have a day off here tomorrow, not a lot to do but thats probably a good thing

The wall decorations are very odd though.  Why would you put this bit of your prize catch on the wall in the bar.  I think it was what someone else left behind.

Does anybody live in Manitoba?

I don't think I have been anywhere with so much space and so few people to fill it.  I have ridden something like 360 miles through Manitoba today and I've seen about 4 houses, 10 cars and a dozen people.  Some of this Province is really beautiful, the picture below is of the lake just outside Flin Flon at 6.30 this morning

The roads are those classic never ending roads that just flow into the distance and for hours this morning there was nobody on it except for Gary, myself and John and Marion

Andy, Tony, Dave, Jackie and Paul left a little later than us but did a stop off at Dawson Lake for a look see

Some of the roads were a bit like being on a roller coaster.  Nice new tarmac and you would come over the brow of a hill to see 4 miles in front of you into a dip and up the other side.  At one point I did actually raise my arms and scream because I just couldn't resist it.  The following shots are from Johns HeadCam of Gary and I riding

Miles and miles of it, what a brilliant day.  It was hard work though and needed a few breaks

We arrived in Russell early afternoon to find a lovely motel with very handy parking

and a nice front patio to share with the neighbours

We do have to make sure we check the bikes over at the end of the day and clean then up a little bit.  The dead dragonflies smell awful if you leave them to burn the next day

Dirt and Water

Today we rode 260 miles from Waskesiu Lake through to Flin Flon.  We are now pretty much as far North as we can go, there is a lot of Canada above us but theres not much there except for the arctic circle.  Todays ride included about 50km of dirt and gravel tracks.  The Triumphs with road tyres held out well, glad we took the routes that weren't quite as affected by the rains. 

Was very apprehensive before hand but it was quite good fun really.

The sun has shone for most of the day, the mozzies are out everywhere and the other bugs are absolutely huge.  Don't think I've ever seen quite so many dragonflies and boy do they hurt when they hit you at 60mph and make a right mess of your visor.

We stopped at a real outback place for lunch on the ride, just happened to be called Garrys .... so here is Gary at Garrys

Apart from hunting and fishing this is about the only entertainment for about 80 miles.  The bar looked really lively and the only guy at the place wanted to share his bear and moose stories (a bit like "I caught a fish and it was THIS big")

Took a picture of the moose on the wall just in case we don't get to see one with its body still attached

We got told that the road ahead was flooded, weren't really sure what to believe everyone here is interested in finding out what we are doing and then telling us the best an worst of the weather and road conditions.  It was true though, a few miles further up the road the the lake had just joined up over the road.  Highways maintenance were in situ with stop/go boards and thought it was so entertaining they went and got their camera to take photos of us going through.  I don't have a photo but am promised one from Craig which I will post tomorrow.

After getting a bit lost around Flin Flon on arrival we found the hotel (and the bar) for our daily briefing

It was time for our weekly team meal which we were all ready for

which of course ended with a joke from Dave.  Tonight we got two for the price of one - The Frog - and the promised Moth Balls.

We lost another hour today, the clocks have gone forward again.  As I am writing this there is a great thunderstorm going on outside.  Hopefully it will clear up by the morning, we have an early departure, breakfast on route to Russel, a 425 mile day.

Stop Press!!!! Leightons Photos

I had to put in an extra post to include these photos taken by Leighton.  He has a brilliant camera that allows him to take panoramic photos and these give you a real idea of what we saw across the Rockies and at Lake Louise

Meeting New Friends

Today was our first day off and it was lovely to be able to stay in bed a bit and eat breakfast slowly chatting with friends.  Gary and I then went for a walk around the lake and the village.  The little book store has this replica of Grey Owls cabin (he was a writer)..

This is the lake itself, the area is a holiday resort and there are lots of families here.  By this afternoon they were all out on push bikes and actually swimming in the lake which looked freezing

When Paul came out this morning dressed like Indiana we did think he was off on a Bear Hunt

We have been in contact with some guys from the Canadian Legion Riders, the equivalent over here of the Royal British Legion Riders of which Gary, myself and Ian are members.  Kevin and Trevor rode 3hrs or so from North Battleford to spend the afternoon with us which was brilliant and it was great to meet them and share some stories

Kevin and Trevor arriving

Checking out the Brits bikes

Many stories and experiences were shared over a good lunch

Trevor got caught out with a Jalapeno in his drink which we did think was a bit funny and had to lead to a posed photo to catch the moment

Saying goodbye to some new friends, planning to keep in touch and try and set up a proper twinning situation between the UK Riders branch and the Canadian one.  I know Kevin and Trevor are following the blog, so thanks to you both for riding all the way out here to meet us, for a great afternoon and the badges and stickers for our bikes.

Happy riding.

Trevor   you be careful with that pot on your head!!  The police will be looking out for you.