Matagami to Radisson - The James Bay Road in June

[MacDoc]

Still looking forward to it. Just returning from an Alaska Inside Passage cruise.
Damn would be incredible on a mcycle in some areas.
Going to do a cage version next year.

Juneau only has 100 miles of roads.....but



Skagway is accessible by road and this Texas rider in his late 60s was out exploring on his gorgeously set up Vstrom 650. Got some good ideas ( lots more pics ).



he could take a lovely train ride to this



some things need a boat tho
Misty Fjords and Glacier National Park



and yes glaciers really do boom when they calve



The Alaska Marine Highway system allows the adventurous to explore by mcycle through a combination of road and ferry and take the excursions into the more remote areas.

[MacDoc]

Heading out tomorrow at 6 am for a long ride to Matagami.

had a question about black flies etc I posted up here.

http://www.gtamotorcycle.com/vbforum...44#post1580744

answer in either spot . help us and others.

Black flies and mesh jackets and other biting critters

We are heading up to the James Bay Road this weekend and know there will be black flies big time.

I usually wear my mesh jacket in this kind of weather but I figure the ballistic might be smarter.

However I'm curious as to weather the black flies would crawl through the mesh?

any other tips for mcycling in black fly country as we will be doing more.

I have good coverage on the Burgman up front but figure they will be pulled into the backdraft and some end up on the jacket anyways.

Tips, tricks, thoughts......best way to clean em off the plastics......TIA

[MacDoc]

So far so good - left at 7 am - now 750 km north in Noranda stoking up on good Van Houtte latte and a cinnamon bun.

Nice spot in the sun.
Lovely ambience



and very cute wait staff



The weather is just superb - 20 degrees and champagne air.





Lots of deer and moose warnings and a couple of very fresh killed deer along the road up.
One ginormous kill zone - all red and gory that was clearly the demise of a moose.

Our first caribou sign as - well - thought - hey that's a funny looking deer.

[inferno]

looking good. be safe out there.

[MacDoc]

Cold and foggy this am. Wiating
What not to do in the north.

Have two extra gas cans - neither with fuel in them.
Start doing well above limit fun and games without checking distance to next fuel stop.
Limp in on fumes with both fuel warning lights on ....
one of the colder more stressful end to 1000k day....mirrors folded in - crouched in a tuck to nurse the fumes.
Had more left than I knew - 1.3 litres which is 30 km.
We normally fuel at every opportunity and we just plain forgot and there was no warning of a long stretch.
High speed too eats up the gas big time.....silly boys.

All worked out in the end - nice place to stay - great internet access - friendly bunch..
Heading out on the James Bay Road leg once the sun gets going.


La Belle Provence. :clap:

[MacDoc]

11 pm in Radisson and the sky to north is still light



Two very tired riders.

Sort of got the message how far north we are when the caribou ran along beside the road as I was riding.

And the end of the one road to James Bay from Radisson leads to the border of Nunavit!!

More pics soon - sleep first - then the trek home.

[MacDoc]

and a mere 4 hours later....dawn is well on the way

[MacDoc]

Bug bespattered and a bit stiff but good ride today down the James Bay Highway.

620k so a short day and even tho we got a late start some "ahem" even more spirited riding" got us into Matagami for supper time.

Burgman was not up to a few of the bad whoops in the road at those speeds
..retained stability but bottomed the shocks
...was quite content and enjoyable riding at 90-110.

Not a single critter siting tho... Pics soon

[Carmen]

You crazy old fart!

[oomis]

Nice to see some familiar sights - going back up to James Bay isn't on my radar screen this year, but perhaps next year or the year after I'll make my third trip up there...

[MacDoc]

40k from home taking a break at the Shed.

3362k in 4 days - straight north and back again.
I'd not likely do it again tho we enjoyed it....
road is kinda rough in some parts which takes away some of the cruising pleasure.
.any one doing it should take 6 days and do some of the Ottawa river area, 533 Matawa etc.
Also don't go up 11 but go over to 63 out of North Bay and then up 101 in Quebec.
Shorter to Rouyn-Noranda.
The Al Van Houtes in town is a must stop. Good coffee - decent food and cute barrista

We did Matagami direct both ways and that near on 1000km for anyone in the GTA....but it's hard to break up properly which is why I'd recommend do some of the Ottawa river area.

Radisson to the right of James Bay on the map - we went over to Chisasabi - another tale on it's own.



some perspective. Radisson is about the same latitude as Ketchikan Alaska



10 pm on the longest day of the year - last night at Matagami



you gotta love the bugs



But the sky is gorgeous




We would just park on the edge of the road ( on the pavement ) and most often there would be not a sound and no traffic for upwards of half and hour depending on time of day.
There were some official pull offs as well.



Burgman posing for the Burgie forum


some truly spectacular rapids and bridge





further up into the taiga - smaller trees and getting pretty barren



Met some serious road warriors in Matagami



hows this for an adventure - the places they've gotten to in the last 6 weeks are checked off.....boggles the mind...

[MacDoc]

Carmen

You crazy old fart!

no - I think the guy above would qualify and he was over 60 as well