Author Topic: Quota heading north (Read 4284 times)

nick949 · « **on:** May 19, 2018, 01:26:35 PM »

All packed and ready for tomorrow morning . Unusually I'm taking the new bike (2000 Guzzi Quota) as I'll be riding with a friend on a Super Tenere. I'm not sure I trust these modern bikes but I guess I'll just have to live dangerously for once. Here's the route - it's not new to me, but Phil's never been up that way before. https://goo.gl/maps/QAjaMBLt1uG2

Nick

JohninVT · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2018, 01:43:26 PM »

How are the locals in Chisasabi? I've read that the Cree are somewhat less than friendly with outsiders.

rodekyll · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2018, 01:56:06 PM »

That's a serious north. It looks like some long distances between gas stops.

nick949 · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2018, 02:07:43 PM »

Quote from: JohninVT on May 19, 2018, 01:43:26 PM

How are the locals in Chisasabi? I've read that the Cree are somewhat less than friendly with outsiders.

That has never been my experience and I have been in remote Cree communities countless times both for work and touring. You may be referring to one ADV ride report I read where a fellow from somewhere in New England got intimidated when a local he met at Longue Point (on the shore of James Bay) started talking about his expensive bike. I think the poor lad mistook a casual opening conversation gambit for a potential threat.

I'm fairly sure the Cree fellow was just starting a conversation as I had exactly the same question when I was at the same place on my very shiny, massive Royal Star Tour Deluxe a couple of years earlier. It started a very enjoyable and relaxing conversation with a van full of locals who were just checking on their gear.

On another trip my friend Norm and I stopped in at the Cree village of Nemaska for fuel and a meal. We could hardly gulp a mouthful of chips for people coming up, sitting down at our table and starting to chat.

It's good not to take our anxieties with us when we travel. Difficult, I know - but the further 'out' you are, the more open and unreserved people tend to be and it is easy to misinterpret intensions. I always work from the assumption that there are assholes everywhere, but it has nothing to do with colour, religion, ethnicity or location. And fortunately, they are very few in number and you are no more likely to meet them in Chisasibi than anywhere else.
Nick

nick949 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2018, 02:09:11 PM »

Quote from: rodekyll on May 19, 2018, 01:56:06 PM

That's a serious north. It looks like some long distances between gas stops.

JohninVT · « **Reply #5 on:** May 19, 2018, 02:28:48 PM »

Quote from: nick949 on May 19, 2018, 02:07:43 PM

That has never been my experience and I have been in remote Cree communities countless times both for work and touring. You may be referring to one ADV ride report I read where a fellow from somewhere in New England got intimidated when a local he met at Longue Point (on the shore of James Bay) started talking about his expensive bike. I think the poor lad mistook a casual opening conversation gambit for a potential threat.

I'm fairly sure the Cree fellow was just starting a conversation as I had exactly the same question when I was at the same place on my very shiny, massive Royal Star Tour Deluxe a couple of years earlier. It started a very enjoyable and relaxing conversation with a van full of locals who were just checking on their gear.

On another trip my friend Norm and I stopped in at the Cree village of Nemaska for fuel and a meal. We could hardly gulp a mouthful of chips for people coming up, sitting down at our table and starting to chat.

It's good not to take our anxieties with us when we travel. Difficult, I know - but the further 'out' you are, the more open and unreserved people tend to be and it is easy to misinterpret intensions. I always work from the assumption that there are assholes everywhere, but it has nothing to do with colour, religion, ethnicity or location. And fortunately, they are very few in number and you are no more likely to meet them in Chisasibi than anywhere
Nick

That's been my experience traveling as well. I've never(knock on wood) had a bad encounter with anyone while on a trip. ADVrider is full of trip reports from Wall Street types who can be kind of arrogant. I thought I'd ask since I've read a bunch of trip reports on the Trans Taiga and many riders have mentioned that they thought the Cree were unfriendly. Good to know that's not the case. Have fun!

Perazzimx14 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 19, 2018, 03:48:30 PM »

Quote from: nick949 on May 19, 2018, 01:26:35 PM

All packed and ready for tomorrow morning . Unusually I'm taking the new bike (2000 Guzzi Quota) as I'll be riding with a friend on a Super Tenere. I'm not sure I trust these modern bikes but I guess I'll just have to live dangerously for once. Here's the route - it's not new to me, but Phil's never been up that way before. https://goo.gl/maps/QAjaMBLt1uG2

Nick

I hope you have better sucess than I on a Quota. It buffets to the point where your head felt like it was in a paint shaker. The wind noise sounded like an ambulance siren was in you helmet turned up to 11. The fuel mileage was erratic. 35mpg fill up then 45mpg the next. This would happen grinding out slab back to back fillups ir riding tisties all day. There was no predicting fuel mileage.

On a positive not the bike was physically comfortable and handeled really well.

I wish you luck

Peter949 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 19, 2018, 03:55:57 PM »

Hi Nick,

Enjoy your James Bay road trip with Phil ... and hopefully we can all read about it in your next book!

Spuddy · « **Reply #8 on:** May 19, 2018, 04:06:08 PM »

Good luck and have fun.

Are you running standard gearing?

Spud

nick949 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2018, 04:33:27 PM »

Perazzimx14: I've added side deflectors and an ugly great sheet of plastic of unknown provenience which curbs the head rattling. The James Bay Road is so full of gigantic frost heaves that travelling above 55mph is very unwise so it isn't really an issue.

Peter: Thanks - although it's still darn cold at Radisson. We're likely to freeze

Spuddy: As far as I know, standard gearing. I spend most of my time riding in 4th. It doesn't want 5th much below 75mph. I like the tall gearing - makes for a very relaxing ride.

nick949 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2018, 04:54:00 PM »

You gotta love the north. Luxury accommodation at Relais Routier (Km 381 north of Matagami). Empty roads, great bike, perfect weather.

twowings · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2018, 04:56:12 PM »

Beautiful rig, Nick! Wishing you lots of miles and smiles...waiting for the sure-to-be-excellent video of the trip!!

Green1000S · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2018, 07:28:40 PM »

Awesome, more awesome to do it with Quota.
Have fun and keep those pesky meat-eating black flies off your face.

Have you been on Trans Taiga yet? Its on my bucket list....

Now.... we want pictures too!

Lauri

nick949 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2018, 08:23:52 PM »

Quote from: Green1000S on May 21, 2018, 07:28:40 PM

Awesome, more awesome to do it with Quota.
Have fun and keep those pesky meat-eating black flies off your face.

Have you been on Trans Taiga yet? Its on my bucket list....

Now.... we want pictures too!

Lauri

Absolutely no flies. To early in the season. Still plenty of snow and below freezing at night. Pictures to follow on my return.

Yep...took the Eldo on the Trans Taiga

https://youtu.be/TxeNNqAsvYc

smdl · « **Reply #14 on:** May 22, 2018, 10:52:48 AM »

Enjoy it, Nick! Wish I could have joined you!

Cheers,
Shaun

nick949 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 22, 2018, 12:33:24 PM »

James Bay at Chisasibi. Yes...it is as cold as it looks.

nick949 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 23, 2018, 07:46:42 PM »

Green1000S · « **Reply #17 on:** May 24, 2018, 05:41:31 PM »

"Cool" pictures

nick949 · « **Reply #18 on:** May 24, 2018, 08:00:52 PM »

Eastmain River Bridge

In La Verendrye Park

Back home. 5 days, 1962 miles, no issues.

Furthest point: James Bay coast at Chisasibi, Quebec. https://goo.gl/maps/JzDARUmutTx

Nick

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Author Topic: Quota heading north (Read 4284 times)

twowings