Sometimes it just isn’t in the cards to finish a ride, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get back on the road a few years later.
Like many, when I vacation by motorcycle, I look forward to spending time with good friends, having the opportunity to make new friends, and enjoying the scenery and the experiences that will ensure lasting memories.
Mojo memorialized our last trip to the Gaspé Peninsula with a published article of our exploits (“Cruz’n the Gaspé,” Jan/Feb 2016). On that ride, three of us rode counterclockwise, stopping at Matane to cut across the peninsula to New Brunswick. This time with my long-time friend Bob, who was also on the first Gaspé ride, we would be covering the section of the Gaspé we didn’t get to see.
Bob’s hometown is Wolfville, on the eastern edge of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. I reside an hour away in Dartmouth; we started in Stewiacke on Highway 102. It was a chilly 8 C morning on Mastodon Ridge and unseasonably cool for June 26, but given it was pouring rain the day before, we’d take cool over wet.
I was riding the newer-model (at the time) motorcycle I had on our last trip, a 2010 Vulcan 900 Classic LT, which still serves me well. This time Bob had the newest ride – a 2016 Triumph Thunderbird LT. The 1,700 cc beast of a machine is built for comfort and touring. Once we refuelled, we were off and heading to Amherst via the 102, then connecting to the Trans-Canada Hwy 104 at Truro.
We bypassed the Cobequid Pass toll section of Hwy 104 for our preferred Route 4 around Folly Mountain. While Route 4 is slightly longer, you don’t feel as if you’re losing time riding along this smooth and well-maintained road. Hitting Amherst, we zipped straight to the New Brunswick border and onto Hwy 2.
Through New Brunswick
We eventually made our way to Blackville on Hwy 8. Seeing a deer standing roadside contemplating its next move cautioned us for the need to be extra vigilant, especially first thing in the day and as evening approached. Blackville is a sparsely populated community, but well equipped to support the numerous salmon anglers that frequent the area in season. With the spring salmon run over, we seemed to be the only guests at the motel.
The sun had been up for hours by the time we hit the road at 7 a.m. Quickly reaching Renous, we cut west across the province on Hwy 108, a road we dubbed the “nightmare road,” as we headed to Plaster Rock. This road was one grade above impassable in our opinion. Its primary use is by 18-wheelers hauling lumber across the province, and it’s better left to them. As Bob said to me when we arrived in Plaster Rock, “That’s two hours and 12 bucks in gas we’ll never get back.”
The Not-So-Grand Falls
The falls in Grand Falls were not so “grand,” as the torrent of water that usually passes through the gorge was being diverted to the generating station. Grand Falls claims six million litres of water – nine-tenths the volume of Niagara Falls – flows over the falls every second in the spring. Now only a trickle remained for sightseers. We could, however, see evidence of the power of the water by the silky-smooth rocks below the dam. Even dry, these falls were still impressive, though.
We cruised along the secondary road 144 to Edmundston, making our way to Rivière-du-Loup and then northeast to Matane, where we settled for our second night, staying only minutes from the Matane ferry dock. The sunset over the St. Lawrence was breathtaking, and Hwy 132, which had taken us here, was pristine.
Reservations are suggested for the Matane-Godbout ferry, but as the reservation systems were down when we called, they told us to just show up early. The benefit of an early arrival was the opportunity to chat with a fellow rider. He was on a three-wheeled Can-Am Spyder. Our new friend spoke French and no English, and we spoke only a little French, but we managed to learn about each other’s travel plans with hand gestures and broken vocabulary.
Tie-Downs. What Tie-Downs?
Highways 132 on the south side and 138 on the north are truly a pleasure to ride; bends and curves invite you to gently lean into them. Bob and I agreed that riding these roads gave us the experience we long for as riders.
We visited Baie-Comeau, birthplace of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, and took in a sampling of the Quebec hospitality and culture. It was here that we engaged in some wonderful conversation with owner of the Galerie d’art, Elsa Boisjoly, and we checked out her shop full of amazing antiques and magnificent artwork. After exploring the offerings and a highly engaging conversation, Bob and I bought a couple of souvenirs. One purchase I made was an old K-tel record album (Daffy Dances with Chubby Checker) for my eldest daughter. I should have considered how I was going to get it home before buying it. I managed to secure it wrapped in cardboard and placed between my makeshift toolbox trunk and the backrest. Main Street, Baie-Comeau, whet our appetites to experience more of Quebec.
After crossing the Saguenay River on a picturesque, 15-minute free ferry crossing, we reached La Malbaie, where the 2018 G7 was held. What an impressive hotel and casino this is. No wonder it was chosen as the sight to gather the world’s G7 leaders. We couldn’t help but inquire of some of the staff if they encountered Mr. Trump during the summit, but they didn’t have much to say about that.
We rolled into our night’s destination of Baie-Saint-Paul – a wonderful community of friendly people with numerous microbreweries, restaurants and shops to visit. After a succulent plate of ribs and locally brewed beer, it was the specialty gelato from a neighbouring shop that put the final special touch on the meal.
The Alberta Connection
Another early rise, it was off to Quebec City and the only rain on our trip – a 30-minute thundershower that had us scrambling to put on our rain gear. We crept up on a Harley with Alberta plates. We rode as a trio for quite a while and coincidently all pulled into a Tim Hortons for a needed break. Scott Hall was the rider’s name, and we learned he was making his way to Bob’s hometown of Wolfville to meet his wife the next afternoon. We committed to getting together when we retuned home.
The sun was back out in full force as we crossed the St. Lawrence to Lévis and made our way east out of Quebec, backtracking our way down the 144 to St. Leonard, which was our destination for night four. The following morning we made a point to cross the Saint John River at Hartland, N.B., through the world’s longest wooden covered bridge.
Continuing our way southeast to Sussex, then stopping at Penobsquis on the 114 for our final night. The owners of the Pinecone Motel were two of the most genuine and sincerest hosts we had ever encountered. Sarah, our hostess, prepared the most scrumptious breakfast, which was included in our room price.
We motored along the 114 through Fundy National Park, which was a true joy to ride. We stopped at the Alma General Store to take in the sight of fishing boats resting on the ocean bed during low tide. It’s a picture you see in many New Brunswick tourist brochures and calendars.
As the road signs beckoned us, we elected to take the curvy, picturesque route along the coast on the 915, which looped back to 114 at Riverside-Albert. As we headed into Hopewell Rocks, a young moose ventured onto the road. Favourably, our bikes were loud enough to entice it off the road and back into the forest with no harm done. Low tide is surely the time to go to Hopewell Rocks and walk on the ocean floor. This marvel of nature is a must-stop if you are ever on the New Brunswick side of the Bay of Fundy.
During the trip we kept in touch with Scott, and true to our commitment, upon our return home, Bob invited us all to his house in Wolfville for an amazing barbecue dinner, and we enjoyed the company of our new Albertan friends.
It was a great end to a memorable motorcycle vacation.
