A jewel in Ontario

This morning was cold and wet. I had to wear my rain suit pretty much the whole way home to keep warm. I gotta get me some better gloves for this kind of weather.

Home. It’s my last day. The weather somewhat mirrors my mood: I’m a little sad at the prospect of ending my journey. I do my best to enjoy what’s left of it.

Breakfast this early, in this area, is tough to find. I had to backtrack to the intersection of Highway 60 and Route 35, not too far back. At the place where I fuelled up the evening before, they at least served coffee, and the very hospitable attendant made me a breakfast bagel to go with it. It was one of the best breakfasts I’ve had in a long while. Fried egg, bacon, lettuce, and tomato in a cheese bagel: simple, delicious, quick, and perfect for my mood this morning. I definitely recommend the place: it doesn’t look like much, but the service is generous, courteous, and impeccable, and the food is wonderful.

I finally make my way to Algonquin Park again, this time in daylight, but overcast, and with an intermittent, very light rain. Highway 60 is smooth, and the ride is great: the road has nice swooping curves, some hills, and cuts through rock many times. The landscape varies between mostly forests, some lakes, rivers and valleys, always changing, always beautiful. At this time in September, I was able to see some fall colours. It’s pretty much all natural the whole way through the Park; it’s refreshing not to see any advertisements in the decor. A wonderful, peaceful ride on a motorcycle; definitely on my top 10 list. I’ll have to come back when it’s nice and sunny and warm.

About three quarters of the way East, I reach the Visitor Centre. My time is getting short, but I want to stop and have a look. It’s a museum dedicated to the Park. The exhibits present the fauna, the flora, and the human influence. Today, I’m particularly interested in the history of Highway 60; not much is mentioned about it, however. At least, I learned that it’s been around since 1937.

I had coffee and cookies at the cafeteria. I watched the short movie in the auditorium, and enjoyed the majestic view from the balcony. I must spend more time in this place next time.

I planned to take the back roads home, possibly through Perth, if I have time, since that itinerary would take me through a section of Calabogie Road, and then Route 511, both great roads for motorcycles, and finish my tour with them.

From Highway 60 outside the Park, I turn onto Route 66 which is part of Opeongo Road. Not long after the turn, I see workers patching the road with those tar snakes we see all the time. I find their job curious, since I’ve never seen how its done; I slow down a bit to have a quick look, then move on to this much quieter road than the 60.

It just so happens, despite its condition, it’s actually a fun road to ride too! A few twisties in places, and at one point, where a decent curve climbs up a hill, I feel my stomach rise with the bike’s inertia, and I voice out an amused “Woah!” as I can’t see the other side of the hill for a bit longer than I expected. I totally enjoyed that! I make a U-turn to go back, take a picture, and ride it a second time.

My route takes me on sections of Opeongo Road. I find this name interesting. I saw it first the time I came to ride Calabogie Road not long ago; it was in Renfrew: it must be a long road through the back country. I recall some site talking about how it’s also a great route to enjoy on a motorcycle. Some parts of it are fun. That region has a particular landscape, and you can see some farms peppered here and there.

I follow Opeongo Road all the way to Highway 41. The signs often don’t mention the Opeongo Road by name, but by Route numbers: 66, 512, 64. At the end of the 64, I turn left on the 41. It’s a better maintained road, wider, and very straight. A little too straight. Very long. Hey, was it supposed to be this long? I thought it changed into the 132 not long after the turn. Dang! I stop to check the map on my phone, and confirmed that I went the wrong way. Too late now to go back; I was so far this way on the 41, I was almost back at Highway 60! I’d be home much too late if I went back, so I kept going on the 41, and turned right, back onto the 60, toward Ottawa. Oh well.

A quick pause in Renfrew for a bite, savour a last stop at a Timmies, then I’m back on the road. As I get on highway 17, I start to feel like I’m home. I’ve been on this road many, many times. I better be extra careful, though, since familiarity in this situation can actually cause accidents: did you know that most accidents happen within 10 miles of home? Familiarity makes drivers less attentive.

Ah, the good old 417. I can smell home now. Kanata, the Green Belt, Nepean, Downtown, and soon St-Laurent Boulevard. I look forward to having a good hot shower, and a nice cup of coffee before I head back out to teach my Aikido classes. I keep my awareness up, however, as I don’t want to mess up so close to home. Thankfully, I arrive safe and sound, a bit sad, but elated; somewhat tired, but reinvigorated.

4,858km. Unbelievable. Unreal. An experience I will gladly repeat, anytime.

Here are some lessons I’ve learned:

• Always know where the ignition key is.
• Always put the kickstand down when stopped.
• Practice making U-turns.
• The Bonneville T120 is a fast bugger! It’s also really powerful and heavy.
• Allow for more time at stops and visits.
• Take a more leisurely pace, take the time to explore.
• Meet all kinds of people, start conversations and listen to their stories.
• Don’t believe what you read or what people tell you; you must experience it yourself.

I’d like to thank Cristal B. who inspired me to start riding. I’d also like to thank Gabriel R. and Chantal B., from work, who have inspired me to go motorcycle touring, and explore some of the regions I visited. I’m also grateful as well to all the people I met working in those wonderful places, who made my journey so much more enriching. To my family and friends, I love you; you inspired me follow my dreams, and to write this journal, which I will cherish for the rest of my life.

I hope my story has inspired you in some way. Perhaps, it inspired you to learn to ride a motorcycle; or, maybe, to explore some of the places I visited. You may dream to travel to places you’ve never been, explore our great country, and get to know its people. Better yet, perhaps, it inspires you to just let go, point in any direction, and go where your heart takes you.