Today was dominated by ... the wet stuff. There was a huge Low pressure zone centred right over Portland Maine that was moving north ever so slowly. This brought lots of rain right into our path from Wilkin Maine, along highway 2 to Bangor and Highway 9 eventually to Calais Maine, where we crossed at St Stephens. The roads were all scenic 2 lane highways that meandered through classic north east towns and villages situated on a river by some falls to support the earliest industries. Some of the towns have found news ways to survive while others are barely hanging in there. You can tell by the quality of the streets and condition of stores on main street.
Once in Canada, we threw on some extra layers because the temp dropped to 15C and continued to trudge through the rain. Highway 1 to St John, through Sussex, to hwy 2 to Moncton. We are drying out at the Comfort Inn just outside Moncton.
Had lunch - clams at a home cooked restaurant just out side St Stephen, overlooking the sea. Jonathan reminisced that he sailed 20 miles past this point on a sailboat voyage back to Europe many years ago. An old timer wandered over to our table to announce that he remembers touring when he had his BSA. Wished I never sold it, but my wife reminded me I was getting old. We shared a few laughs and he went on his way.
With the cold, we had to stop in several locations for coffee or soup to warm up. Everywhere people were observing that "isn't it a bit wet to be out on a motorcycle???" Yes, but we are having fun ... sort of. It truly is a ton of fun touring on a bike. The rain and cold make the trip more challenging but frequent stops help fight hypothermia. The real bitch is fogging visors and rain drops that stick to the visor, reducing visibility to dangerously low levels. Combine that with transport trucks going way too fast, and crazy motorists who pass you at 60+ kph above the speed limit ... in the rain, and it gets really interesting. I had two events where the front tire slipped on tar road snakes, hidden under 2 inches of water that covered the truck ruts on worn sections of the highway. That brings you to attention quickly.
While we entered the maritimes, someone changed the clocks on us. Good thing we went to dinner early. Only did 563 km due to reduced speed on the wet roads. Tomorrow, we are off to the start of the Cabot trail.
Once in Canada, we threw on some extra layers because the temp dropped to 15C and continued to trudge through the rain. Highway 1 to St John, through Sussex, to hwy 2 to Moncton. We are drying out at the Comfort Inn just outside Moncton.
Had lunch - clams at a home cooked restaurant just out side St Stephen, overlooking the sea. Jonathan reminisced that he sailed 20 miles past this point on a sailboat voyage back to Europe many years ago. An old timer wandered over to our table to announce that he remembers touring when he had his BSA. Wished I never sold it, but my wife reminded me I was getting old. We shared a few laughs and he went on his way.
With the cold, we had to stop in several locations for coffee or soup to warm up. Everywhere people were observing that "isn't it a bit wet to be out on a motorcycle???" Yes, but we are having fun ... sort of. It truly is a ton of fun touring on a bike. The rain and cold make the trip more challenging but frequent stops help fight hypothermia. The real bitch is fogging visors and rain drops that stick to the visor, reducing visibility to dangerously low levels. Combine that with transport trucks going way too fast, and crazy motorists who pass you at 60+ kph above the speed limit ... in the rain, and it gets really interesting. I had two events where the front tire slipped on tar road snakes, hidden under 2 inches of water that covered the truck ruts on worn sections of the highway. That brings you to attention quickly.
While we entered the maritimes, someone changed the clocks on us. Good thing we went to dinner early. Only did 563 km due to reduced speed on the wet roads. Tomorrow, we are off to the start of the Cabot trail.
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