It’s always nice to be back home even after what turned out to be a great ride. Were it not for what is happening south of the border this year’s trip would likely have had me on Mahmotò going somewhere in the USA. Instead I decided to return to Newfoundland and visit some of the outports which I had not had the opportunity and time to do on previous journeys to ‘’The Rock’’. I am very glad I did. As I have done in years past I have compiled a list of things that you may find interesting; well being a bit of a nerd when it comes to this stuff here goes. Here is a picture taken when I arrived home from Lévis two days ago that provides some information.
The temperature was 34.5 degrees when I arrived home at 1:30 on July 16 after a trip of 7,615 kilometres; that is the seventh longest trip of the 14 Retirement Rides so far. I was away for 23 days during which time I rode Mahmotò in 5 provinces (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland) My longest segment was 508 kilometres on Sunday June 29th from Port-aux-Basques to Burlington, about 25 kilometres from Baie Verte Newfoundland.
I stayed in 16 different hotels, motels, or B&Bs and was generally pleased with my choice of accommodations; I would even be prepared to recommend some.
The weather was generally good with temperatures ranging from a low of 12 degrees to a high of 34.5. In Newfoundland there were stretches where the fog, more like mist really, was so thick that it was difficult to make out anything beyond the ditches along the highway. This probably explains why I didn’t see more moose, only one small one, if you can describe any moose as small, in a ditch along the Trans Canada Highway.
Mahmotò, my trusty BMW R1200RT l, performed flawlessly and used up 386 litres of gas at a rate of 5.07 litres per 100 kilometres. I could not see myself doing any serious motorcycle touring on anything other than a BMW. My bike is made for and is meant to effortlessly and comfortably tour day after day.
As you have followed these posts you have read about some highlights of Retirement Rides 2025. As a reminder I will list a few here:
Cabot Trail
Crossing from North Sydney to Port-aux-Basques with the 2025 Saint John’s Canada Games flame
Twilingate (where I dropped my motorcycle)
St John’s (excellent restaurants, Water Street, waterfront)
Fortress Louisbourg
Lighthouses and CCG vessels
Miguasha National Park (fossils) where I met up with Jane for the remainder of the trip.
Percé (views of Rocher Percé and two excellent dinners)
The whole route around the Gaspé Peninsula, especially sections between Gaspé and Matane and between Matane and Grand Métis that hug the shore of the Gulf and then the St Lawrence River.
Jardins de Métis/Reford Gardens
My enjoyment of this year’s Retirement Rides on Mahmotò could not have happened without the contributions of hosts, housekeepers, waiters and waitresses, bartenders, gas station attendants, official and non official guides, and many others who helped me enjoy what I was so blessed and fortunate to experience.
It has been a pleasure sharing this journey with you. Please let me know what you think of this trip and this blog. All comments are welcomed.
Take care!
PS
Here are a few pictures taken along the route. There are many more!
The famous blue poppy at Reford Gardens
Rocher Percé from our room,
The shoreline of Baie des chaleurs at Miguasha National Park
Fortress Louisbourg,
Louisbourg lighthouse,
Percé again, cause you can’t get enough of it.
South Head, Nova Scotia,
Mainland, Newfoundland
Best ever breakfast sandwich, St John’s
Tuna Tataki, St John’s, again!
Needs no explanation; you just have to stop here,
Lupins, lupins, lupins everywhere in Newfoundland,
Cabot Trail
Seafood dinner in Antigonish,
Twilingate
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