A Trip on the James Bay Road / Route de la Baie James

My friend Mike and I decided that this year the bike trip need a different destination, and so we decided to try the James Bay Road. All the pictures are posted at 2010 Summer - James Bay.

	Mike traveled from Kingston to Toronto on the Friday, and we headed north on the Saturday morning with a planned short day ending in North Bay. We decided to run up Hw 35 and have look at the Hawk Lake Log Chute, and that was cool. Got to North Bay, and checked into a little hotel called the Sunset Inn, and had a really great meal at their restaurant called The White Owl Bistro. The next morning, we headed to Tim Horton's for breakfast, and ended up pulling on the rain gear before we even hit the Highway.
From 2010 Summer-JamesBay
We swung North-East on 63 a short ways, and crossed the Ottawa River into Quebec, where we picked up Hw 101. By mid morning we were out of the rain, and had a great ride up 101, which is a really pretty road, with a few sweeper, but mostly it is about the scenery, not crazy ridding. It just swings up and down over hills that peak out well over 300 meters, and then drop back down into nice little farming valleys. It was very pretty. Sometime that afternoon, we left the river valley and continued north on 101, then a short way east on Hw 117,  and then Hw 109 to Madagami. Had a rest stop and a great look at the country including all of the mining infrastructure from a really cool observation tower - I think we were on Hw 109 near Lac Malartic when we saw that - but not completely sure.
From 2010 Summer-JamesBay
	We spent a quite night in Matagami, at the Hotel Matagami, which was clean with OK food. Early the next morning, we gassed up, including a small Jerry Can, and headed out for the run to Radission. We expected that we had to make it to Km 381 for gas, but when we stopped and checked in at the Info Center at  Km 6, we found out a new gas station was open somewhere around Km 232. Since we already had the Jerry Can, we gave that a pass and made the run to Km 381. As it turns our the big old BMW had tons of fuel, and the 2000 VFR made it - with 2 liters to spare. As we headed north, the country changed a lot. From just south of Matagami, wow, do things change. Just watching the true north arrive over that 700 km or so makes the trip well worth it.
From 2010 Summer-JamesBay
Our first night in Radisson, we did not do so good for a Motel. The next morning, we check out, and checked into the Auberge Radisson - Bingo! For sure, this is the place to stay! Off we went for the bay - another good reason to stay at the Augerge is to get the good map - basically back to the Chisasibi road, 84 km to the end of the pavement, 3 km on gravel, turn left, 10-11 km of gravel - and Bingo - James Bay! Very cool - for me, the key reason for the trip!
From 2010 Summer-JamesBay
	Back to Radisson, and it turns out we were in time for the bus tour of the power station - in French, but most of it you can figure out without being fluent. For instance, according to Hydro Quebec, of the three countries in North America (Quebec, Canada, the USA), only Quebec is truly green - because they generate all of their power with Hydro! Vive la Hydro Quebec!
From 2010 Summer-JamesBay
The next two days were more great riding. Back to Madagami for overnight, and then down Hw109 to Amos, Hw 111, Hw 396, Hw 397, and then a long stretch on Hw 117. We got off of Hw 117 at Grand Remos, and picked up Hw 105 down into Hull. It turns out that Hw 105 is a fun ride - very scenic and a few twisty bits that are fun riding.
We stayed over at a Holiday Inn in Hull - worth mentioning because it was very nice and had a great view.
From 2010 Summer-JamesBay
So the next day, off we go headed for Kingston, where Mike lives and the official end of the trip. It turned out we needed to stop In Kanata and have a new rear put on the VFR. I guess all the construction on Hw 117 finished on the Metzler Z6 just a little sooner than planned. Had a good ride down through Smith Falls after that. Then, a nice dinner and a pleasent evening. Up bright and early on Saturday, go visit some friends in Kingston, and head home. Boom - 3764 kilometers latter, I am home. What a great trip. I recommend it!