Full report is over at ADVrider.com. This is ashorter version.

In December 2008, I found a spot, way up on the James Bay close to the Hudson Bay, a spot where roads go out to a point. On that point, boats and a couple of buildings. This Google Earth/Maps photo of large canoes is what I saw.

At that time I thought, "I will ride to this place someday". I'm not sure why I wanted to but when people are asked why they climb mountains, "because it's there" seems somehow a good enough reason.



I heard the quote something to the effect that you don't take a trip, the trip takes you. This time the trip really took me. I'd planned a trip that takes me way up north 2 miles short of the 54th parallel, open landscapes and remote roads. That part of the plan I got. I didn't get the time I wanted though, unexpected things happen and sometimes the worst time, sometimes you get a break. I got the unexpected but I got a break as well and had a great trip.

14 days and 4,000 miles, I traveled from Virginia to Ontario Canada, then up the James Bay Road to Radisson and the furthest point north, Longue Pointe. Coming back, I rode to Lac St. Jean and down the Fjord Road to Tadoussac. Then around Quebec city to ride up Mt Washington before heading back home.

I wanted to do this on a single cylinder, dual sport motorcycle, and camp along the way. The roads will be more fun on this type of bike and 1,000 on this bike is like 2,000 on a big touring bike. More bang for the buck.

It's far enough north that the days are longer, bugs are bigger, crowds are few, temperatures are cooler and northern lights will illuminate an August evening sky.

So after a lot of planning, phone calls and emails, I got enough information, and time off work, to make this happen. I loaded up the bike with camping gear, a tarp, extra fuel.



On the first day I left northern Virginia in a steady rain, I'm all set for that though. It rains up there too.



More to come...