Nova Scotia or Bust!

[paulfj03]

Correction Mr Wagar. 25 years prior I was riding the east coast when 4cross was born. On an FJ 1200.

Ooops.

... Hard to keep track eh...

[paulfj03]

Day 6: July 25th. The ride From Parrsboro to Ellsworth, Me.

This ride was going to be a day ride that would get us close to Boston, our next destination. We would head out from the big cape towards Moncton, N. B. , then head for St. Jean on the north shore of the Bay of Fundy. St. Jean is situated on the mouth of the big St. Jean River which flows into the Bay of Fundy ... during low tide. During high tide, the river flow at the mouth reverses as the water level in the Bay rises higher than the river.  Hence, the St Jean is famous for its 'Reversing falls'. In its rivermouth some shallow parts flow down through some rapids (or 'falls').  When the tide changes, the water flows back up the river over the same shallow parts, or rapids.
It is actually neat to watch the river stop flowing, and then flow in the reverse direction.  Our ride would take us across the bridge in St Jean over these reversing 'falls.' 
From there we expected to ride a 2 lane road along the coast to St stephen, NB at the border with Maine.  We would cross there and then head south along the coast to Ellsworth; our next stayover.  

-----------------------------------------------------------

We got an early start again on the Thursday morning.  A familiar routine we were becoming accustommed to.  That morning was a bit more crispy than we expected.  The low temperature overnight went down to 11C.  It was warming up..., but it had a long way to go.  We headed over to the Owner's house/restaurant for a good breakfast before firing up the bikes.  After chatting it up and telling them how thankful we were and that we really enjoyed our stay, we got ready to settle up and head out of town.  But, as a nice thankyou/gesture, our last breakfast was on them. Really nice touch!





We headed back to the cabins and with final preparations we pulled out.  I had considered going into town to fuel up my bike, but we were sure I had lots to make it to the next stop along the way.  I happened to be the last and as I pulled around the pathway towards the parkinglot, I noticed how sluggish the front end of the bike was! Oh oh. I didnt check on that tire pressure. I pulled out onto the road on my way quite a bit behind them now.  My speed could only reach around 80-90kph, and in the corners I had to keep the bike upright which meant slowing right down.  The cold on the aluminum rim usually lowered the tire pressure back where I live and I was used to having to top up the tire pressures late in the riding seasons quite often.  I knew we didnt have to go that far to our fuel up and I was hoping that the tire would warm up nicely to help me out.

It was slow going.  JohnnyV showed up looking for me and the group was waiting along the roadside a couple miles ahead.  I knew it was pretty low when I went into a good wobble while braking on approach..., so I just hollered "flat tire" as I went by and kept on going.  GP hollered back..."ok! You lead!!  They all filed in behind me and we plugged on.  As we went through the small towns I kept a good eye out for service stations, or any place that might have air.  Finally, just outside one of those small villages there was an autobody shop. The name of the village was Maccan, N.S on Hwy 302 and the place was Phil Brown's Auto Body Shop right on the highway.  I pulled right up to the main garage door so that their air hose could reach.  All the other bikes pulled up nearby as well and we drew the attention of the guys there.  A fella had already come out to see what the problem was before I could get my helmet off.  Within a minute he had put the guage on to see what the pressure was. It was 14lbs. He topped it up and we both scanned it for a puncture, but we couldnt find one.  I was still hoping it was the valve, or the bead not sealed.  We had a great chat there and he rhymed off a list of bikes he had and a couple were yamahas.... so he was familiar with the FJ.  Figures, eh?  He wished us good luck on our trip and we set off at a proper pace.  

Just before St. Jean



A Canadain Tire in Amherst, N.S. would be our fuel up before Moncton, and St Jean,NB.  We were back in the groove now and we had only lost maybe 20 minutes (?).  It was along here somewhere that while I was listening to music, that my scala piped up saying "Rider B connected."  My wife was set up as rider 'A' , so I must have been able to pair with one of these riders! So I pressed "B' to connect to talk.
Sure enough, My G4 tuned into the guys' G9s and it was like a party line with laughing and joking going on! I joined in the conversation and surprised them.  Good times!!  Apparently, I had paired with 4cross, and I could talk to him and whoever else he was connected to. I was able to talk to all the guys with the G9s (4 other guys).  So that meant that my G4 was now a G5.... hahaha!

We were slabbing it now and Moncton came and we turned south towards St. Jean.  


We got off the big highway to ride a road parallel and it was a great choice.  This road was nice and hilly and not very straight with nice views.

[paulfj03]

Day 6 : July 25th continued


We were getting close to the time for a fuel up and I would have to top up my tire as well as I could barley feel the front end of the bike starting to stiffen up again.  The stop was a quick one, and we were on our way.  

4cross was leading the tour on this side road, and was doing a splendid job of it.  He and GP had the GPS's down quite well and rides like this made it easy to let them have their way with deciding which routes to take.  Heading southeast, we neared St. John (corrected spelling) and started to get nice views of the Bay when we crested the hilltops.  We could comment and discuss the views, the route, and joke and laugh as we rode, so, the ride was seeming alot shorter.  Missing a turn, or getting on the wrong road was easily corrected.




We rolled into St John and on highway #1 we headed right through the centre of the city.  From the highway, I could see the Digby ferry in the harbour and we followed roads that I was familiar with from staying there a few years prior.  We were lead over the bridge which spanned the 'reversing falls' and had to stay with the traffic flow, so it was a quick view.



Reversing Falls (Rapides Réversibles) @ Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada.


We crossed the bridge, turned right , then a quick left near the Moosehead Lager brewery. The laughing started when we were trying to get on the right highway to head to St. Stephen at the border.  We got a hundred yards down the onramp of highway 7 before we realized it was the wrong one. We just turned around and headed back to regroup.... Then we missed the on ramp of #1 and followed the highway around a bend and it put us right back into the city. The laughing and jabbing continued as we somehow got back on the highway headed back out of town looking for highway #1.

Another Fuel up



The highway was not as I remembered it a few years prior.... It was a 2 laner that has been straightend out and expanded to a 4 laner... So we were going to slab it to the border.  We stopped for lunch at a restaurant just outside St George, topped up our tanks, tires, and stomachs.  

Topping up our tires





St. Stephen wasnt far down the road and a local had given us directions to the best/quickest way through.  All the bikes were humming along nicely, and my tire seemed to stablize, so we made good time and enjoyed.

After crossing the border we headed south on highway #1 along the coast to enjoy the views. the traffic, however, did not want to agree with us.  Campers, motorhomes, etc., were hard to get around. Just outside of a small town, somewhere along route we pulled over to inspect Smokeys chain as it was making noises ..... it needed further adjustment and we decided it would be fine for the short jaunt left to Ellsworth. The ride took a bit longer than expected for the day, but we rolled in, found our hotel, walked over to the Walmart and Home Depot for an axel wrench for Smokey's Bandit, and a small compressor for me to use on the roadside if needed. It was a busy day. We tried to get in a good ride to make the last leg to Boston, tomorrow, as short as possible.  All went well.

[paulfj03]

I wanted to thank you for this trip write-up...It brings back such great memories!!!  I took the ferry over to PEI on my FJ...spent three days riding around, camping, enjoying the sights and taking in the warm hospitality of the locals there.  Great trip report!

Cap'n Ron. . .

I've read bits and pieces of you mentioning your trip, Cap'n.  I see the route on your signature map.  That would have been an EPIC/MONUMENTAL ride.  WOW!!! Have you ever done a writeup for it?  As I go along with this report, the memories come back clear as can be... its like its still happening. I just wish I had taken more pictures.

[ribbert]

I just wish I had taken more pictures.

I say this after every ride and reslolve to take more NEXT time. Never happens. When the riding's good I hate stopping.

Noel

[ribbert]

Day 6 : July 25th continued


........ and I would have to top up my tire as well as I could barley feel the front end of the bike starting to stiffen up again.  

Last week you reported finding it at 14 psi. while on your trip. Doesn't the possible consequences of that worry you?

Noel

[Capn Ron]

I wanted to thank you for this trip write-up...It brings back such great memories!!!  I took the ferry over to PEI on my FJ...spent three days riding around, camping, enjoying the sights and taking in the warm hospitality of the locals there.  Great trip report!

Cap'n Ron. . .

I've read bits and pieces of you mentioning your trip, Cap'n.  I see the route on your signature map.  That would have been an EPIC/MONUMENTAL ride.  WOW!!! Have you ever done a writeup for it?  As I go along with this report, the memories come back clear as can be... its like its still happening. I just wish I had taken more pictures.

It started as just a ride to see my dad on his birthday in NY...and turned into an epic journey!  Following your writeup...and the Alaska 2013 writeup...I've been thinking about documenting my journey here...  I took a lot of pictures, but there are never enough...It would be fun to re-live it through the FJ community if folks would be interested...

Cap'n Ron. . .

[The General]

I wanted to thank you for this trip write-up...It brings back such great memories!!!  I took the ferry over to PEI on my FJ...spent three days riding around, camping, enjoying the sights and taking in the warm hospitality of the locals there.  Great trip report!

Cap'n Ron. . .

I've read bits and pieces of you mentioning your trip, Cap'n.  I see the route on your signature map.  That would have been an EPIC/MONUMENTAL ride.  WOW!!! Have you ever done a writeup for it?  As I go along with this report, the memories come back clear as can be... its like its still happening. I just wish I had taken more pictures.

It started as just a ride to see my dad on his birthday in NY...and turned into an epic journey!  Following your writeup...and the Alaska 2013 writeup...I've been thinking about documenting my journey here...  I took a lot of pictures, but there are never enough...It would be fun to re-live it through the FJ community if folks would be interested...

Cap'n Ron. . .

Bring it on Cap`n. I love all these documentaries. Even more interesting when we live so far away - Part of the X factor that makes this campfire so special.  The fact it`s born from a family obligation makes it even more pertinent. imho

[paulfj03]

I wanted to thank you for this trip write-up...It brings back such great memories!!!  I took the ferry over to PEI on my FJ...spent three days riding around, camping, enjoying the sights and taking in the warm hospitality of the locals there.  Great trip report!

Cap'n Ron. . .

I've read bits and pieces of you mentioning your trip, Cap'n.  I see the route on your signature map.  That would have been an EPIC/MONUMENTAL ride.  WOW!!! Have you ever done a writeup for it?  As I go along with this report, the memories come back clear as can be... its like its still happening. I just wish I had taken more pictures.

It started as just a ride to see my dad on his birthday in NY...and turned into an epic journey!  Following your writeup...and the Alaska 2013 writeup...I've been thinking about documenting my journey here...  I took a lot of pictures, but there are never enough...It would be fun to re-live it through the FJ community if folks would be interested...

Cap'n Ron. . .

Bring it on Cap`n. I love all these documentaries. Even more interesting when we live so far away - Part of the X factor that makes this campfire so special.  The fact it`s born from a family obligation makes it even more pertinent. imho

+1 for sure there!!

Cap'n, you may enjoy working at it as much as we will enjoy reading it!

[paulfj03]

I just wish I had taken more pictures.

I say this after every ride and reslolve to take more NEXT time. Never happens. When the riding's good I hate stopping.

Noel

Exactly!

[Capn Ron]

+1 for sure there!!

Cap'n, you may enjoy working at it as much as we will enjoy reading it!

Thanks for the encouragement Paul!  I started a thread in the Trip and Travel Reports section called "Your dad only turns 80 once..."

It'll be a fun ride!   

Cap'n Ron. . .

[paulfj03]

Day 7: Friday July 27, 2013  The Last Leg to Boston

This ride is a memorable one for me as I hadnt ever had to worry about the FJ, or any of my air cooled bikes, overheating. We had to
ride through downtown Boston in the slow stop and go traffic on a hot muggy day and the FJ was VERY warm!  I was sure I was going to overheat it and cause bad things to happen, ........but she handled it.

The ride was going to be half coastal route and half slabbing to make good time and make the day on the bikes as relaxed as can be.
The maps showed us that the ride should be just over 4 hours on the road.  Although, We would hug the coast again for a while before getting onto the interstate heading into Boston. We would cross 2 really cool looking bridges on the way; the Penobscot Narrows Bridge and the Leonard P. Zakim-Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge right in the big city.

Another friend of the group, who is from the Niagara region, lives and works in Boston.  He was awaiting our arrival and was going to take us to a couple nice spots for a beer and some nice seafood. "Chef Van O" had reservvations for us at the Atlantic Fish Company on Boylston.  A very nice spot and I was looking forward to seafood.  We had some rooms reserved for us at the Sheraton Hotel downtown on Dalton which was 2 blocks away.
What a great time it turned out to be!

[paulfj03]

Day 7: Friday July 27, 2013  The Last Leg to Boston cont'd

In Ellsworth we awoke to more rain. Flyboy had pulled the Bandit around to adjust its chain under the canopy of the front door of the hotel. I had picked up a can of slime that I was hoping would stop, or slow down the air leak in my front tire. But I had bought the one that does not fit inside the spokes of the rim.  Awww NUTS!  I would have to exchange it for the one with the hose to attach to the valve.  Silly me.  But not today, .....We had some riding  to do, and I could just top it up at fuel stops.  With the chain adjusted,  and all our rainsuits on, we headed out in the pouring rain.

We only had to drive maybe a half hour to an hour before it started to clear up.  It took a while, but we started to dry off nicely.  We had to cross a couple of bridges as we crossed the Penobscot River.  One of them was the Penobscot Narrows Bridge.  Its design is really cool in that the lanes for traffic were on the oustide, and the pillars and suspension cables were on the inside. I had not seen that type of bridge before.

Penobscot Narrows Bridge




We trudged along and we would ride through more rain on and off

[paulfj03]

Stops and Fuel ups along the way


Still a wet ride


Finally, dry roads


Just before the rest stop and fuel up here, the fuel filter in the 900 had filled up and clogged.  We pulled over as the bike was starved of fuel again.  It only took 5 mins to pull it and install another one. We were getting quick at that task.  With it in, the 900 fired up nice and happy, and we twisted the throttle to get back onto the Interstate.

GP's "Shoie Dooie" was quite evident here.  That is not his haircut.  That's his helmet head.... LOL


Getting ready to rock'n roll... again...


But first, the 'men in black' return after pushing Zigzag as his starter was acting up.

[paulfj03]

Lunch and a break was in Brunswick, before our last fuelup.  We turned onto the main drag (south, if I remember right) and rode a block or 2 and saw a place called The Big Top Delicatessen (pretty sure).  We cruised up a bit to a parking space and pulled in. The rain had paused for a bit and it was getting very humid and warm.  We walked back up to The Big Top and it was around the lunch time rush hour so the lineup was long.  We didnt have to wait long, though, and a nice hot philly cheesesteak filled the void for me nicely. Our gear was still wet and we chuckled at our black and blue hands with the dye on them from the gloves.  That was actually a good spot; crowded, but good. After a good rest we headed back out to the bikes and decided to get right on the Interstate and get to Boston.  The sun was peeking through then and the roads were drying up... so, we made much better time.

I remember riding in up high on the skyways... It was I 93,  and we were hitting the stop and go traffic.  
Then we crossed another one of those cool looking bridges; The Leonard P. Zakim-Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge .  NeatO!  




By this time flyboy and I looked at each other and we were both thinking the same thing: The FJs were getting hot.  He pointed to his engine telling me it was getting hot. Any movement helped... and we were hoping it was enough.  Finally, we got off the interstate and onto the streets of downtown.  We were lucky to be connected by our scalas because we couldnt stick that close together. 4cross had the GPS and was following it to the Sheraton hotel on Dalton St. We were going around in circles and because of the traffic we were getting split up.  Eventually he disappeared around corners but was still giving me directions... lol.  It worked well as it was like he was dragging a carrot on a long string behind to get me to follow. My Fj stalled a couple times here and there and I had to keep trying the starter to get it to turn over to restart. The starter would have been very hot too.
 
Eventually, we made it to the same spot all together..phew!! I was nervous of damage been done to the engine... but,... nope,... it wouldn't miss a beat.



Nice underground parking for the night