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The trip I am taking started a year ago. It was a plan to do the North East of the US and up into Canada. I wanted a friend of mine to go with but the whole thing was scrapped for a big loop around Colorado with 2 friends. The Trip to Colorado was a hoot and the Nova Scotia trip Idea came around again earlier this year. I knew for sure I was going to be doing it alone so I went ahead and planned.
I chose my 2002 BMW F 650 Dakar for the trip. I had a big BMW but the Dakar got better gas milage. On a 8000 mile plus trip, the gas milage was going to be nice.
I needed to do some maintenence on the Dakar as I had almost 24,000 miles on it already. I tore into it doing what needed to be done. Greased everything and checked the valves. I replaced the water pump and a throttle cable that was broke. Tires were on order as well as some parts I wanted to take with. Things are starting to take shape and the trip should go off without a hitch. The bike is tore down in the shop for a month, doing what needs to be done and waiting for parts.
With one week till departure the bike is giving me fits. Its not running like i want it to and I trace it down to a censor that was not plugged in all the way. This bike is full of censors and all of them need to work right in order for the bike to run properly.
Packed and ready to go, I have to attend a 60th birthday party for my dad the night before departure.



Aug 12th

Well Hayden today is in W.J. Hayse State Park, Michigan. 520 miles today and it went much better than yesterday. Took off on Sat morning and had a blistering day across Ks and MO to Hannabal. Boy hood home of Mark Twain. Got a room as I wasnt doing so well. GOT very sick that evening from dehydration. Migrain, cramps, vomiting etc. I drank and drank all day yesterday but it did no good. I couldnt catch up with the loss of water. After about 4 hrs of pure hell I finally fell asleep. Got up about 5:30am Sun morning and headed out in the cooler morning air and felt much better but not a 100%. It looks to be another hot one.
Crossed the Mississippi and ran into a corn field. I picked Hwy 24 out of KC and still on it. Took it across Ill and into Indiana and Im still in the same corn field. Really!! I do believe its the same corn field across 2 states. Its never ending. I hit Michigan and guess what???? Yet more corn. I start remembering the old movies Childeren of the Corn and think, Ive got to get the hell out of here!!
Found a string of small lakes about an hr outside of Detroit and looks to be a good place to land for the evening. Im feeling better and realise that its 6:30 instead of 5:30 that the clock on my bike is telling me. I set up camp and go for a 2 mile run. All is good in Camp Tracy.

Sat 441 Miles
Sun 520 Miles

T

Hayden wrote:realise that its 6:30 instead of 5:30 that the clock on my bike is telling me.

Dang Germans (F650 GS Dakar) can't get anything to work right!!!

Glad to read that you are doing a bit better today than yesterday. Drink lots of liquids. Rubber side down.

Had same problems with dehydration on a trip through New Mexico, Arizona and Utah earlier this summer. Temperatures were hitting 103. Found out that Gatorade and V-8 Juice, along with water will keep your body properly hydrated. If you wait until you're thirsty to drink, it's too late.

Godspeed, T! I hope you get plenty of chances to blog your trip here in the forum--I'll be watching.

Hayden wrote: I set up camp and go for a 2 mile run.

kudos man....in this weather, thats a heck of a task, even without 1,000 miles in 48 hours!

4 mile Creek state Park. Buffalo NY

Well I didnt get as far as I wanted today but oh well. I entered canada through Detroit this Chilly morning with out much hassle. Took off down Hwy 3 along Lake Erie which was a bad choice. 50 mph all the way to Niagara Falls. It was crasy but kinda cool at the same time. Lots of farm land and big red barns just like Indiana and Ill. Its pick'N time in Ontario and there was vegie stands all along the hwy for miles and miles. Farmers out along the road with there tractor and hay trailer with anything you want fresh from the field. Mellons, peaches, tomatos, CORN, what ever.
Niagara falls was a spectical to say the least. Lots of people from many different countries with Asia having the biggest turn out. India a close second. AND OMG where in the world did ALL THE HOT!!! french chicks come from It was amazing. I was people watching more than I was looking at the falls.
Two hrs later and the sun setting fast I spent an hr waiting inline to cross into NY. What craziness. Grabbed the first State park I could along lake Ontario and set up camp. 344 miles today and I can hear the waves crash on the beach as I type this. Its going to be a chilly nite so thanks to mike for the new Sleeping Bag

T

AND OMG where in the world did ALL THE HOT!!! french chicks come from It was amazing. I was people watching more than I was looking at the falls.

Oh No! He's still suffering from massive dehydration...There are NO hot French chicks at Niagara Falls!??.... ..is there?

KC wrote:

AND OMG where in the world did ALL THE HOT!!! french chicks come from It was amazing. I was people watching more than I was looking at the falls.

Oh No! He's still suffering from massive dehydration...There are NO hot French chicks at Niagara Falls!??.... ..is there?

Unless T provides pictures, I think we will all just think he is hallucinating.

Oh yeah ... T, you suck!!!!! Tell us about hot French chicks, but provide NO pictures!!!!! Come on, man!

I tried man.....really I did. I was trying real hard to get this one girl. Probably mid 20s and I would say her sister which was 16-18. I kept getting busted when I pointed the camera thier way. Older sister knew exactly what I was trying to do and smilled sheepishly a couple of times. Is it too stalkerish to walk up to them and say "aaahhh your really beautiful and I will never see you again.........can I take your picture????" Guess I should have just talked to her.
Out the camp ground early this morning and road along the coast of Ontario for a while and picked up a nice Parkway for a while. Plowed through Rochester in rushour traffic. Grabbing a bite to eat and charging the laptop before I hit I 90 across NY. Heading to the Adirondack Mountains today and hope I get there quick with I 90 most of the way.
58 degrees this morning when I got up. The ride along the coast was mosty farm land and home to the BIG RED BARN. Small fishing villages had boats heading out into the lake for the day I assume. Saw many of them, big and small heading out. Also lots of Fruit farms along the coast here. Seems to be the place to grow just about anything. Im sure with the water so close, the rain fall must be pretty large for this area. A few Grape vinyards mixed in for good measure.

Dont know about updates from now on as I will try to get to Quebec boarder today. If I have service, I will get on and let ya know where Im at. Bike is running good so far and getting 60 to 65 mpg. Fully loaded like I am, Im totally surprised. Didnt think I would get this good a milage.

Have to email dad yet so catch ya all later.

T

I love the adventure!

Sounds like you're having a good time, but we'd really like to see the french chicks. I think it's Striking Viking on ADV that says you need a camera with the pivoting fold out display to sneak good babe pictures.
I bet there are walmarts and such up that way, I'd go ahead and get one if I were you and be ready for next time.

Great write T keep it coming. I saw a reality show on VH-1 we need to sign you up I think it is called the pick-up artist... We need pictures to fully enjoy your adventure so if you can please hook us up.

Keep the BMW between the ditches and rubber side down.

Daryl

Hayden wrote: Is it too stalkerish to walk up to them and say "aaahhh your really beautiful and I will never see you again.........can I take your picture????"

Guess I should have just talked to her.

58 degrees this morning when I got up. T

No.

Yes.

I think you are going to like that sleeping bag.


BTW, near 100 today in KC, with heat index around 110. 85 at 10:30 pm, low supposed to be around 77. Enjoy the cool breeze.

Oh I'm sooo jealous! Riding along the coast on a 58 degree morning sounds so wonderful right now. You picked a good time to get out of Kansas T!

Be safe...sounds like an awesome trip...can't wait for some pics!
What bike are you on?

Jeff. Im on my BMW F 650 Dakar. As of now 27K

Hey all just a quick update. I have tons to tell and lots of adventure to let you all know about but my access to internet is short till I get back to USA.

PEI and Nova Scotia. Just got done with the Cabbot Trail on Cape Brenton NS. Did 2 days in PEI that were cold and WET. 2 days before that were the Gaspie and Quebec which were also cold and wet. 4 days of solid rain. Monday and today are real nice and sunny but cool. Full leathers and rain gear on to keep warm. Heading down into main Nova Scotia and the east coast of NS down to Yarmonth in the next 2 days. I just checked the back tire and its toast. Need to change it tonight if possible. Im down to no rubber left. May end up doing that right here in the Info Station parking lot as soon as I get done here.
Its been fun so far and NS is much better than PEI. I was unimpressed with PI for some reason. Maybe the weather. Quebec was old school and lots of french speaking and all signs in French. New Brunswick, PI, NS is all english and much nicer people.
Bike is running ok but logged no milage in the rain as the speed sensor goes wacky in the rain. New one got to my house 3 days after I left.

MIKE. the bag saved my trip dude. I would have bailed if I couldnt have warmed up at night in the tent. I did get a cabin one night to dry things out but finally gave up trying to keep things dry. It was endless rain for 4 days and 45 to 50 degree temps. Thank you very big. I owe you one.

I will give you all a day to day update later as there is so much stuff that has happened. Some of it funny, some of it not. Adopted by a family from Ontario that felt bad for my cold wet ass. Gave me a free place to camp and fed me to boot. Soo cool!! Im now on thier christmas list

Catchya later.

Hayden

Thank god you posted. I was about to call your cell (or your dad) to try to ascertain whether you were alive, dead, or somehow transported to Gauntanamo.

Adopted by a family, huh? The joys of traveling alone or in a very small group is that you are more open and more approachable to others.

Get that tire changed ... no tread and wet roads probably isn't a good combo.

Glad to read that the sleeping bag is working out. Just don't let it get wet.

BANGOR Maine. Thats just fun to say. BANGOR!!!. I dont know why. Ok lets back up here since I have the laptop workin and do some catch up.

Aug 14.

So I leave 4 Mile Creek Camp ground before they open so its a free night stay. Its on to the Adirondack mountains farther up NY. I take off down Hwy 18 along Lake Ontario to Rochester then hit the Toll road 90. Sooooo im kickin along 90 and a few people have waved and Im just cruising along. I look over as another car goes to pass and its full of girls. Highschool age I would say. They all wave franticly. Yea Hi how ya doin. The 2 girls in the back whip out cameras and take pictures. They speed on. Here comes another car full of girls. They do the same. Wave and take pictures. Then another and another. 4 car loads of girls who wave and take pictures. OK this is getting kinda nuts. Im I really that much of a spectical???? Then comes mom and dad with more girls in the back. Hummmmm. Moms with the camera this time and takes a pic. Waves and the tail gate party is over. Although Im feeling kinda cool at this point.
Rome NY comes up quick as I am hittin 80 in some spots and miles are clickin away.
Jump on 28 out of Rome up into the Adirondacks mountains. Its very simular to the Ozarks with rivers and lakes going by and great views. I stop along Long Lake about half way through the day to take a break. I meet a guy from Baltimore who is with the Yankee Beemers club. We talk for a while and soon we have a little group of 6 chatting it up. Jim hooks me up with a map the Yankee guys made up of good roads in Vermont. Thanks dude!!. We part ways and I watch a couple of Float planes take off the lake and head on.
I head all the way up to Malone NY which is the last town before the border. Its late and end up going back into the ADK to Meacham Lake and camp. 426 miles today

Aug 15th

Malone to Qubec. 296 miles

Up the early this morning and head across the border on a lonely country road up above Malone. Farmland all around and the border building is a shack. ALTHOUGH the HOT chick sitting in the shack is really something to look at. Tall, dark brown hair, mmmmmmmmm. She grills me for info. Where you going? where you been? got any guns, knives, drugs etc.... No but I sure wouldnt mind you searching me though. Long silence..............Ok that comment didnt go over well. I didnt even get a smile. Guess 7:30 am is too earlly for flirting.
Welcome to the land of French. Everything is in french. Speed of course is in Km but all road signs in French. I become a quick study. Ok Sortie is exit. Nord is North, SUD is South etc etc. I go out around Montreal and on to Quebec. I go through lots of farm land with........yep you guessed it CORN!!!! every where.
Quebec comes late in the day and I find my way with a little help from locals who dont want to speak english, to the OLD part of town. I look for a bit from the bike and head back across the sound to a campground I saw on 132 when I blew into town. I camp for the night and hit down town the next morning.

Quebec City to St. Ann De Monts. 300 miles.

So I have to change money over and want to hit the city before rush hr traffic. Im up at 6:30, pack and on my way. I finally find a place to do money exchange and go to park the bike for the day. I get kicked out of no less than 3 parking lots. I finally get a guy to stop and talk to me. He says Im in one of the most Beaurocratic (SP) areas of the country and they dont like motorcycles. I hit one more parking garage before its a long walk for T to see the sites. Score!! she lets me park for the day.
I start walking around and from talking to some Ontario people in the campground last night I find out that Quebec is the oldest city in Canada. They still have buildings and churches from the early 1600s. WOW is all I can say. DO NOT MISS THIS if you come this way some time in your life. It is a fabulous and very interesting place. I tour the whole down town area and check out all I can before it starts to rain. Which is funny as I have this song stuck in my head all morning. It was a group from Vermont that I saw at Wakarusa this year. The group was Crooked Still and its thier last song on the CD called Wind and Rain. OHHH I hope that isnt a sign. It turns out to be a big sign of what is to come.
I head out of Quebec around 1pm and its raining. I ride up 20 and hit 132 along the Gaspie. Rain for 300 miles and its Cold as all get out. About 8 I call it quits as I guess Im not going to ride out of it. I see some cabins along the road and I check them out. No one around so I head down the road. I come to the next town and find Nanook Motel. I go inside and the ask for a room. Dude knows very little english. Between hand signals and trying to interput what each of us is saying I find out that the cabins down the road are his. He hooks me up. $50. I head back to the cabins with key in hand. I just get settled and the Wind hits. I mean the WIND HITS. 50 plus mph and it goes all night. The little cabin shakes and creeks though the night and I sleep little as Im worried about the bike being blown over. I put it between the cabins for shelter but still worry. I fall asleep to the news of more miners lost in the rescue efforts in Utah. Man what a crappy way to go. Miles deep in a cave, that has to be the worst. I do some cave diving with a group in Missouri. Deep dark, cold caves under water. I have an Idea what they are going through. What a lonely way to die. But at the moment Im just hoping that my cabin doesnt go off the 100"cliff into the St Lawrence sound a few feet off the back of this place. I hope tomorrow bring better weather. Geeeeesh I wish I could get this song out of my head.

I have to get a move on.I do have to ride today you know!!! More later.