Leg: Carlstadt, New Jersey to Montréal, Québec
Distance: 348 miles (560 kilometers)
Time Elapsed: 7hr 4min
Average Speed: 49 mph/79 kph
Day One of my route through Canada and the northeast portion of the USA on my BMW R1200GS motorcycle from September 11, 2015 through September 21, 2015. advcafe.com
The first day of the journey was pretty straightforward and consisted of riding straight up I-87 to Montréal, Québec and setting up camp for the night.
I had everything packed up on Thursday night. Friday morning, I loaded everything up on the bike and went to my job at Pantone. Working a half day, I left from work Friday afternoon during lunch. The plan was to get to the campsite before dark. Google Maps predicted 5 1/2 hours but that always needs to be padded and doesn’t account for any gas or rest stops.
PACKING UP AND HEADING OFF
Packing everything into the panniers of my BMW R1200GS. advcafe.com
The weather was perfect and my co-workers wished me safe travels.
Pantone Web Village wishing me bon voyage. advcafe.comCanada, here I come!!! advcafe.comMaking my way out of New Jersey. advcafe.comMaking my way out of New Jersey. advcafe.com
HEADING UP I-87
Making my way out of New Jersey. There’s that damn Target semi again. advcafe.comPassing fellow motorcyclists on I-87. advcafe.comHmmm… some music would be nice right about now. advcafe.comI left on September 11. American flags were at half mast. advcafe.comFirst “signs” of Montréal. advcafe.comRiding over the Thaddeus Kosciusko Bridge on I-87. advcafe.comPassing by my old high school haunting ground. advcafe.comThe scenery is definitely getting prettier. advcafe.comDowntown Schroon Lake, NY. advcafe.comSchroon Lake, NY. advcafe.comSplat! Bugs starting to hit my visor and the GoPro. advcafe.com
OH, CANADA!
The US-Canadian border. advcafe.com.The US-Canadian border, photographed with my DSLR. advcafe.com.Crossing over into Canada. advcafe.com.Crossing over into Canada. advcafe.com.Now riding on St-Bernard-de-Lacolle: Highway 15 in Canada. advcafe.com
REACHING THE NIGHT’S CAMPSITE
I reached my campsite after 8:00pm and had to set up by flashlight. No big deal as I’ve done it several times before and (shameless plug), my REI tent is a breeze to set up. I didn’t take any pictures once I set up. I was starving and immediately went for the Pocket Rocket and JetBoil and cooked up some “yummy” dehydrated rich and beans.
Arriving at the KOA/Montréal South, unfortunately after dark. I got there at 7:58pm, right before the office closed at 8:00pm. advcafe.comMy campsite for the night. advcafe.comCooking dinner by the glow of a chem-light. Man, it’s dark out here. advcafe.com
That’s it for Day One. I basically hauled ass to Montréal. Now the real adventure begins. Day Two’s trip consists of breaking camp and going from Montréal to the north of Québec to camp in SEPAQ’s Parc National de la Jacques-Cartier. This is one BEAUTIFUL piece of scenary. In fact, I’ll be there for Day Two AND Day Three. Stay tuned.
