Day 20-Labrador City to Baie- Comeau-June 2013

Woke up to a bright sunny morning, we were packed and waiting for Don’s taxi to take him to the airport. He would be flying to Montreal to meet Heather and her friend while I would continue on alone…so sad…. After bidding each other a safe journey, we parted co and I stopped at McD for breakfast waiting for CTC to open where I purchased batteries for my non working SPOT TRACKER…….after all Spot had taken the renewal premium 210.00 from my account…..thought I had stopped the renewal,….guess not. With new batts…no luck its DEAD…..crap I could need the emergency feature. I have 594 k to ride to Baie Comeau……only one service station between here and Baie Comeau with 1/2 that distance gravel.

On the way to Quebec by 830am. Entering La Belle Province …..O no the pavement at the Iron Ore Plant turns to gravel………………………………………………………………………………………….Look at the tailings in the background….a lake is on the other side of the tracks and is red in colour……the gravel road is hard packed and I make it to the 1/2 way point where i fill up with fuel…YIKES $ 1.77 a litre. I have breakfast here or lunch…its 12.15 pm when I leave….I had travel before filling up for 3/4 hr on the best pavement yet…..just down the road I am back on gravel……..NOT AGAIN………I am only a few K down the road and going about 60k……I see a slight ridge just ahead and as I am looking at it, I ride directly to it…..a truck had just gone by in the opposite direction and the cloud of dust was clearing so I slowed to about 40….not good enough hitting the ridge I instantly loose control…..I try to ride the bike down to hold it from somersaulting like Don’s but I to get ejected but I am almost down when I land on toes and hands….I am up immediately and facing my bike which spun and is facing in the direction from which we rode,,,,,2 young men following me in a pickup come running to see if I am ok….I say yes except I fear that my ankle my be broken,,,I think the right pannier hit me…it is lying out on the road not far from the bike. I ask for help to lift the bike as it is leaking fuel…they get me to sit on the guard rail while they pick it up and set about reattaching the pannier…….they need some direction from me…the latch that holds it on is bent….they go to their truck and fetch pliers and a hammer…..we get it partially fixed so I can continue……after assuring them I am ok….they leave with me having checked my bike over and I follow at a distance…..now driving at no more than 40k or less…..pulling over to let all others pass in clouds of dust………Finally, I arrive at my destination and look for a motel…….I am a sight as I am a dust blob…lol…….shower and go to dinner….stumble through some French and English and end up with  du soup au jour et poulet dinner….lol

My right wrist and ankle are sprained….ankle bone slightly swollen……On pavement now….so will stay upright…..taking it easy…..I should be home in 2 to3 days……..The scenery was great….mountains, raging rapids, lakes and twisty roads.      tonights spot Small but clean.   Huge dam along the way…..

Till tomorrow……