James Bay trip---off for this year=snow in north

Decided to call ride to James Bay off for this year---snow. As I have ridden it before, it can wait for next year. 2018 plan to ride to 49 states again.

Move to new house and organizing been slow---but garage organized.

New Bike Honda CB300 F, now set up for use---Hepco & Becker Luggage rack, C-Bow bags, front mud flap, Go Cruise, new Top Box with hole for dog's head done---Top Box Bestem for $40 is light/fits rack= great for money. Bike revs high, 6000rpm at 60mph, but revs do not seem to hurt Hondas. Performance about that of 600 SilverWing. I am now with NO Buffeting!! By dumb luck, Puig model specific wind shield, backed up with Slipstreamer C-30 mounted to bars---Slipstreamer mounting brackets a little MIckey Mouse for me....but with some fixing are working.

New bike, 2017 model, cost me $4000 plus tax on trade deal, accessories built price up to what a TU250 would have cost bare.

Aging rider---complete control of gas/clutch/rear brake=wonderful!! Lite weight much easier to handle than Silver
Wing.

Performance great, comparing it to previous TU250, at 10 more HP.

A little rain this AM---do miss the dry feet thing of scooters .

Insurance, took some shopping around, as many companies rate CB as sportsbike

Sorry to hear that your plans have been spoiled, Mr Grinsel, but relieved that you finally came to your senses and postponed the James Bay ride. Not only is it 'colder than a well diggers ass" up in those parts now, but the sun sets about 4:15PM this time of year too.

Of course you also missed becoming the, 'the crazy old man on a motorbike who rode of into the freezing mist and was never seen again', local legend too. Those Cree and Quebecois folks would have been talking about that for years to come. "Every November when the moon is full and the wind stops howling you can hear the sputterin & rattle of his motorbike off in the distance..."

But then that fellow from Spain, JAF Fernandez, did ride his well prepared Vespa to Nordkapp in the middle of winter; https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=X-d1JHphPXQ

I prefer you here than saying I knew about that old crank riding up there and never coming back.
As far as a consensus with Cosmic_Jumper as to your senility recovery, I always have doubts concerning any of us qualifying for senior discounts!!!! (Yes, I qualify).

I remember being young and riding with jeans and a T-shirt in March. Nowadays I wear a jacket and hat just to check the mail box.

Good video on Fernandez. Reminded me of Ed and Rachel riding a couple C90's to Alaska around that same time a year ago.

I rode to North Cap Norway, early spring, still snow on the ground---just a ride, if you are rider.

Given that you've previously ridden to Raddisson, and have had to scratch this year's return trip. Why not challenge yourself to a ride to Goose Bay, Labrador. Or better yet, ride the complete "loop" from Baie Comeau, QB to Goose Bay, then south to Red Bay for the ferry over to Newfoundland, east to Argentia or down to Port au Basques for the overnight ferry to Nova Scotia.

That'd be quite the tale to tell

After I do 49 states,again, actually started Nov 26, got TN/GA/NC out of way, do FL/SC in early Dec, will ride to James Bay---then since AK, requires some parts of Canada, maybe will do all Canada Prov in summer 2018. Riding is the thing. New bike works fine....no head buffeting! and of course much lighter....chain maybe pain in butt, but expect 40,000 miles out of chain/sprocket set....replacement still cheaper than SilverWing belt. Replacement chain will be standard- roller/master link----tires, Kenda, as I had them on GS500E Suzuki and liked the feel.

John, I Really have to admire your independence and "adventuresome" spirit. And that dog couldn't be a better friend. Seems like you're all set. The 300 is all you need to go anywhere. If you're not a clutch popper, the chain should go 40,000. Though your long-term trip is stalled for a bit, I know you will be grocery-getting on those new two wheels at every opportunity.

As a rule, I do not drive cars, bike is for all transportation/mobility/hauling...try never to buy anything I cannot haul home on bike.

Stay safe John, discretion is the better part of valour !

John, what's your strategy for fuel on James Bay Rd? I've been thinking and planning for that as a summer trip myself but thought the distance between stations was a little far for comfort. How much extra should one take?

I'd love to hear about your travels and meet up for some riding if you're around NC/SC/TN again.

Simple --buy 2 gallon can--fill it as you start the road---use if necessary---gas station about 2/3 up road as I recall---gas at gas station, ride to end of road, fill bike tank and can at Radisson, probably can make gas station on way back---fill bike at gas station on way down, use gas in can if necessary until back where there are gas stations. I throw can away when I no longer need it