The day started with breakfast in the before mentioned restaurant where the receptionist of the motel served as the waiter, too. He told us that he spent 7 years working 10 to 12h a day in Radisson, but this being his last season returning home at the end of the year.
We fueled up at the Esso station next door for the ride to Chisasibi and the shore of the James Bay.
From Wikipedia
James Bay (French: Baie James, Cree: Wînipekw)
is a large body of water on the southern end of Hudson Bay in Canada. Both
bodies of water extend from the Arctic Ocean, of which James Bay is the
southernmost part. It borders the provinces of Quebec and Ontario; islands
within the bay (the largest of which is Akimiski Island) are part of Nunavut.
The James Bay watershed is the site of several major hydroelectric projects,
and is also a destination for river-based recreation. Several communities are
located near or alongside James Bay, including a number of Aboriginal
communities such as the Kashechewan First Nation and nine communities
affiliated with the Crees of northern Quebec.
Easy on the throttle we cruised towards the intersection to Chisasibi and I noticed that something was wrong, my dashboard showed 32mpg where I should yield around 40 mpg even with regular gas since premium grade isn't always available in this area. We read in other ride reports about the same phenomena - not sure how you stretch fuel, but someone was making an extra buck here.
About two-thirds to the shore two moose were standing in the middle of the road starring at us, I tried to get closer with the GoPro running, but they trotted into the woods where it was impossible to spot them.
After a little unplanned detour we arrive to the shore and put our feet in the Arctic Ocean; objective #2, after the North Road - accomplished!
While taking in the views of the Bay Bruce from the local Cree community approached us, happy to chat and answer some of the questions we had.
The boats beached here are primarily used for hunting or harvesting as Bruce called it. Canada Geese this time of the year and the trucks we saw along the road here and there were all hunters, or harvesters, on the look out. I made sure not to stick my neck out too much on the way back, just in case.
The Canoes are very impressive, built by "Nor-West Canoes" - www.nor-west.ca
The "Chisasibi" Model
- Length: 26 feet
- Beam: 84 inches
- Depth: 36 inchws
- Weight: 800 pounds
- Capacity: 6500 pounds
- Recommended motor: 50 to 100HP
I want one of those!
Since neither of us had the desire to spend more time in Radisson, we decided to go for the Trans Taiga, which meant to get fuel in Radisson again.
On the way we made a stop a the village of Chisasibi to get some fire starter, snacks and maybe a souvenir. In the shopping center we were greeted by some of the local Cree elders occupying some benches, killing time. When telling them that I came up here from "Boston" the subject changed to hockey and one of them proudly showed his "Boston Bruins Watch" - he must have a tough time up there; the rest were in favor of "Toronto Maple Leaves". The friendliness of the people, offering help anytime we stopped or just wandered around was a welcome change to the Radisson community.
Back to Radisson to the gas station on the other side of the motel to fill up the bikes and gas cans with premium this time. The extra fuel capacity of my GS Adventure should take me all the way to the "Mirage Outfitter" on the Trans Taiga, but just in case.
At the intersection to the Trans Taiga we stopped to lower the tire pressure on
the bikes to get ready for the dirt.
There were three trash container and we wondered why the trash is spread around it, are people too lazy to dump it properly? Some droppings around the area were either from someone with serious bowel movement or our furry friends.
Ironically someone sprayed "Al's lunch box" on one of them and the trash car driver who arrived confirmed that Black Bears feed here frequently. He pointed out the claw marks and what a bear
did to the new lid he installed two days ago. They spread the trash in a quarter mile radius and he wasn't happy at all about another clean up being added to his itinerary.
We had to leave and take on the first 201km to Pontois River Bridge where we would spend the night. The road conditions were good and we handled the gravel pretty well.
We made camp, collected firewood, George filtered water from the river and another dry frozen ration was prepared.
Sitting around a campfire never gets old.
I noticed some bear paw prints on the trash container and made sure I stored all food close to George's tent, although his snoring would probably keep the largest predators away.
If all went to plan, we should reach the end of the Trans Taiga Road tomorrow; the furthest away from a town you can get to by road in North America.
Odometer
reading
Today:
328.9 miles
Total:
1561.1 miles
Great stuff Thomas, really enjoy reading, keep the rubber side up.
ReplyDeleteWalt