Day 1: And we’re off to Nova Scotia!

The big day is finally here! The panniers are packed, the tank is full, and the Africa Twin is raring to go. This motorcycle trip to Nova Scotia isn't just a simple cruise on the asphalt: it's a personal challenge I'm taking on to support multiple sclerosis (MS) research. Every single kilometer ridden is dedicated to those who fight this disease every day. Get comfortable, because I'm taking you along for this first chapter!

Today was all about making headway. Breaking my usual habit of avoiding major highways, I took Highway 20 all the way to Rimouski. Suffice it to say, it wasn't the most thrilling route: just a long ribbon of asphalt unfolding endlessly beneath the wheels.

Still, I did get a great surprise between Drummondville and Quebec City. The old service area has been completely demolished to make way for an ultra-modern facility. It finally offers full accessibility for people with reduced mobility—a massive improvement over other stations—along with electric vehicle charging stations and a dog park. A true success! On the other hand, the rest of the network hasn't budged: the other rest stops still show the same old dilapidation and wear of time.

Leaving Highway 20, I set course for Rimouski, riding past the magnificent Bic National Park. I took the opportunity to grab a quick break at the rest area right across from it before heading to a gas station a bit further down the road. And it was about time, too: I filled up after burning through 22.8 liters out of a 24.8-liter tank, all for a total of 536 km. Not bad at all!

I then left Rimouski behind and headed toward Amqui. In my mind, that name always conjured up images of a tiny village, but it's actually a vibrant, well-established town.

On the flip side, the road to get there perfectly illustrates the lack of maintenance on Quebec's highway system. Several sections are downright dangerous. The pavement is scarred with deep cracks that could easily trap a front tire, which can throw off the bike's balance and cause a loss of traction. Fortunately, at the handlebars of my Africa Twin—with its off-road friendly 21-inch front wheel—it's highly manageable as long as you stay alert. I still spend my time weaving around them; it’s much safer that way!

For those who have never explored it, I highly recommend the Matapédia Valley, between Amqui and Matapédia. In my opinion, it is the most beautiful section to do on a motorcycle. You ride right alongside the river through a gorgeous sequence of twisties. You even spot fly fishermen in action right in the middle of the water. A unique experience that would make it the perfect trip for you, Marc, if you happen to be reading this post!

Anyway, I safely arrived at my destination after a journey of about 720 km and 8.5 hours of riding. I'll let you do the math on my average speed! :)

Beyond the numbers and the fatigue of this first big day, I’m keeping my eyes locked on the main goal of this adventure. If this story inspires you or if you want to cheer me on in this ride for a cause, please consider making a donation. Every bit counts immensely toward advancing MS research(https://msspwcms.donordrive.com/participants/arreter-la-sp-ca-roule-2026)

Tomorrow, I cross over into New Brunswick. Stay tuned!