Beginning of the return journey

arreterlaspcaroule
Jul 8
3 min read

After two days touring hydroelectric power plants and traveling the James Bay Highway, it was time to leave Radisson and head back home.

So I set off leisurely from the James Bay motel to take the only alternative route other than the plane: the Billy Diamond Highway.

Since I only had 241 km to go, and let's face it, I still have some of my front tire trouble in mind, I took it super relaxed! The first 160 kilometers were on the unsurfaced part of the road, and given its condition, the 100 km per hour limit was not reached, not even close. Not to mention the many stops to enjoy the scenery and take pictures. In fact, everything that was not possible on the way there given the weather (the rain) and the time (the time of Robert-Bourassa's visit), well I did it under a beautiful sun. Tell yourself that each time, I minimally checked the hardness of my front tire!

You're going to tell me that a road is just a road and that tundra, whether here or in Labrador, is the same thing... well no! Each landscape is different and the grandeur of nature always reminds us how insignificant we are. Immersed as we are in our city lives, chasing time and our obligations, we forget that we are only passing grains of sand on a wonderful planet that will still exist long after us!

I also took the opportunity to stop, deliberately this time, at the rest area opposite where I had to repair my front wheel. There was a James Bay tuck parked and it was easy to hear the noise of the brush cutters at work. I ventured there because I wanted to see what was under the teepee in the center of the place and there was plenty of room for me to park and then leave without disturbing anyone. And of course, what often happens when a guy on a motorcycle loaded like a mule parks somewhere happened: the brush cutters stopped and the two guys came to meet me!

For a solitary person like me in city life in general, this kind of encounter during my motorcycle adventures is always fascinating! I completely forgot to ask their first names, as they did mine, but it was a real pleasure to talk to them. Both are former miners whose mine has closed and who now do this maintenance work at the various stops in James Bay. And believe me, there are a lot of them and the territory is vast! Both coming from Matagami, they do a great job in the great outdoors and have no regrets about no longer working in the mine! We discussed many topics, including the incivility of the 20% of people who litter everything versus the 80% who respect their space, photo to prove it!

If you ever come to read this, guys, since one of you has noted my blog site, thank you very much for this pleasant moment that enriches the journey!

After being thoroughly eaten by mosquitoes and black flies, I hit the road again, and they got back to work. The rest of the day went as it had begun: a leisurely ride, stopping at every interesting opportunity.

I'm posting random photos.

Tomorrow, there's quite a bit of driving ahead (560 or 570 km, I think) and probably some rain... so the report might be monotonous! :D