East Coast Tour - Day 2

Monday, September 12, 2011 - Acadie Siding - 110 km

Had a really good sleep with the fly off the tent because it was a clear night. The full moon shone brightly meaning no lights were necessary to see in the dark. Awoke around 05:30 and got up in the moonlight and started breakfast of coffee, potatoes, and sausages. Packed up in the dark and hauled all the gear in several loads out to the logging road just as dawn was breaking. As I was loading up the bike a bear lumbered out of the woods into the road. It did not notice me at first, but I made my presence known as I packed up the rest of the gear onto the bike. It looked up with dis-interest and then began foraging along the side of th road. Did it not know that it was not supposed to eat the berries?! I slowly backed away until there was 50m between us, using my loaded bike to look large. The bear looked up now and again, but just continued foraging. Unfortunately it was blocking the way back to the main road so I could not do much but wait it out. Finally, after about ten minutes it mozied off into the woods. I gave another five, all the while talking very loudly about random thoughts. I rode down the road by the place I had seen it, all the while singing at the top of my lungs. My horrendous voice surely gave it second thoughts because I did not see the bear again. The final 30 km of the game preserve went by quickly as the road was mostly downhill and I had a gentle tailwind. Today was warmer than yesterday and I soon shed all layers and rode on in a t-shirt. A few clouds, but otherwise clear day. Very little traffic, maybe about 4 or 5 vehicles all morning until I reached civilization which was marked by the return of electrical poles. I stopped once to fill up my water bottles along a pretty river, which would have been a great place to camp had I come across it the day before. I continued on, to more and more houses, and finally a gas station, marking the end of the trip across the wild lands. I crossed the river at Renous and continued north east on the 118 until I came to a deserted church where I had lunch beside the broken steps. Continued on down a very pretty side road to the 126 where I headed south towards Rogersville. Traffic was much heavier along here, but almost everyone passed with care so was not too bad. Took a long break under a bridge by a river, and then found a park in Rogersville where I sit writing this on a picnic table under a sign informing me that loitering is prohibitted. I guess I should be moving on before they send out the bylaw officers. As I rode into town I saw another bear scamper across the road in front of me. I guess I should be careful tonight as bears are very common in this area. Another 5 km and I reached the 480 at Acadie Siding. Not much of a town, just a collection of houses along the road. I travelled down the 480 and traffic was thankfully much lighter. After a few more km I spied some ATV trails into the woods so I followed one, and after travelling quite a ways, found a suitable place to spend the night. This place is weird as the forest has been recently thinned, meaning there is tree debris everywhere. While looking for a spot I found many skulls and animal bones. Also saw some bear tracks. I finally found a section of forest without debris, and found a spot where I could just barely squeeze the tent in. Also found a small creek nearby which will be a good spot to cook supper later. I must be near a construction site or quarry because there is a continuous noise of banging dump truck tailgates and backup alarms heard in the distance.

A friendly bear in my way.

Brilliant morning on a deserted road.

Water stop.

Power poles... first sign of civilization.

Logging truck straightener thingies. They kind of look like my toy car accessories I had as a kid.

If I was fueled on pertroleum instead of bagels, I might have needed a pit stop here.

Lunch church.

The rest area where loitering is prohibitted. I loitered for about 15 minutes but escaped before the cops came.

Ok, I have seen two bears today at this point. That is enough for now thank you very much.

ATV track into the woods.

Skulls found near my campsite.

Camp 2.

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