Day 7 - Côte-Nord

What about that day, it was a washing day, there has to be. I took the time to chat with my 3 neighbors, very charming and interesting people. Besides, the one who came to talk to me, while I was having lunch, had a whole life experience, of the adventurer style. He even contributed to the cause! As for the others, well they are motorcycle enthusiasts, so obviously good people!! Yes, I know, I'm a little biased! Neighbor number 11 (we didn't even say our first names :)) is going to Kegaska on a trial bike!!!! Stupid!!!!! Too bad we didn't do it together, I would have liked to see that.

And yes, I did that too! I went to Kegaska. It started with lightening my suitcases but leaving just enough so that nothing could move. Then say goodbye to neighbor 12 who also had to go there in his motorhome courier (I can't find the right words) with his wife. We thought maybe we would meet.

So here I am, heading for the adventure to Kegaska. Must say that I had never done such a long gravel road on a motorcycle in one go, 40 km one way and the same thing on the way back. The beginning of the road looks like the one I saw on the 389 after the Manic 5. So I only stood on the 4th pegs engaged and I was driving quietly between 50 and 60 km/h. Then after 3 kms (at first glance because I don't really have my eyes on the odometer) the road changes. It is full of holes and the gravel becomes more dense and slippery. I therefore reduce my speed to 50 and less, I look at the terrain and then I venture there. There is always the option to turn around, but you have to at least try a little to get an idea. 5 km later, I tell myself that it's not that bad, it's a go! So I continue at a beginner's pace, yeah yeah, that's who I am and that's fine. You have to be aware of your limits. So I move on, relax 10 kms of facts, then 15, then 20… I remember my off-road course (looking into the distance and once the trajectory has been chosen, we go, period!) and that after all, it is his favorite environment on this bike. She was thought for that. So I continue, but after 25 or 30 km, I no longer feel my hand. So I stop and take the opportunity to take some pictures. That's when Neighbor 12 comes along! Seeing me parked, he slowed down, his wife waving at me. I give the good old thumbs up sign but he stops next to me and we talk for a few moments. I make him laugh a lot with my story of a hand that I no longer feel, then he leaves to stop 10 meters in front. I was about to leave and it intrigues me, I tell myself that I will let him take the lead, he surely drives faster than me. But Neighbor 12 gets out of his vehicle and starts looking at the wheels. So I go first, then move closer to talk to him, to see if I can help him. After inspection, a rock broke the valve of his drinking water tank. He will see if he can do something about it with the means at hand. I do offer him my "duck tape" (I didn't tell him it's pink) and my wire but he tells me it's okay that he'll work it out. So I apologize by telling him that I only have the minimum to repair my bike then I go first and go back to Kegaska. The dance resumes: the rear tire that slips and the front that wiggles, and the little apprehension that takes you by the guts when a turn comes along, especially when crossing a car or a pickup. But I repeat the thing to myself: trajectory, gaze ahead in the distance.

And finally… I arrive in Kegaska!!! I go to the end of Route 138 … after that it’s golf! I'm very proud, I take a break and let my right hand come back to life and some photos. Then neighbor 12 arrives, greets me and goes to the port of Kegaska. I went there afterwards too.

But it doesn't end there! You have to do the same 40 km in the opposite direction!!!! So I got back on the road, but the fact of having gone to increase my self-confidence. I'm capable. So standing on the pegs, I analyzed the terrain non-stop, chose my trajectory and let the bike dance under me. I said to him "go dance, have fun you know your job, but follow my trajectory. and it went better than on the way out. It's just trusting your bike, my Africa Twin is made for that. It's normal that it moves the same way and that its narrow 21-inch wheel moves. But overall it is very stable. I didn't stop, I was overtaken by a truck without its trailer which gives off a lot of dust, met a lot of cars… and only one thing was in my head: choose my path and follow it. I ended up having fun doing it! Good m, all the same very happy to have found the asphalt, because standing my stop on the pegs, when you're not used to it, it's something.

Then once I got home, I changed

Then I went to visit Kegaska and eat. I passed in front of the house where Giles Vigneault grew up.