"Going To See The Elephant" / "Aller pour voir l'elephant" (or so the app says.)

[Explorer]

Leaving South Florida on the ST-L tomorrow morning for Valcourt. I am old so I go slow and stop to EXPLORE along the way. Including NS the trip will be 5 1/2 months. I hope!
See you there,
Roger

[Mick N]

Ryde on, Brother, Ryde on!

[Ranman42]

Nothing wrong with that. I hope to see the day when I can travel at leisure. Keep safe.
Take in all the sights.

Ryde on!!

[Explorer]

6 PM last night (first day), stuck in first gear for last 30 miles. At "Daytona Fun Machines" in Daytona Beach when they opened this morning. Mark Torrey the Service Manager got his men right on it. Two very small parts of the linkage needed to be replaced. They were not in stock. Mark phoned BRP. They agreed to over night the parts to him, so he pulled them off a new RS and used them to get me back on the road today. All under factory warranty. Great Dealership. Great Service Manager. Great Customer Service.
The destination is nice, but the experiences, and the people along the way, are the most enjoyable.
On To Valcourt "To See The Elephant".
Roger

[HayRog]

Glad you got sorted.
Hope the rest of your journey is full of good events only.

[Explorer]

Visited Claude Ste-Marie Sport the BRP dealer in Saint-Hubert (Montreal, Quebec) unannounced Tuesday. The Service Manager (Director du service) Martin Belzil put a mechanic (also Martin) on my ST-L immediately. In 1 1/2 hours, they changed the oil and filters, toped off the brake and cooling fluids, checked the belt tension and air pressure and replaced a spring clip in the right mirror that had slipped out of place. AND GAVE ME A NEW BALL CAP. Great Director du service. Great dealer. Great Customer Service.
That afternoon I walked around Old Montreal admiring the old buildings. I had a great Fish and Chips dinner and talked with some students on a school trip from Newfoundland. They were surprised that I had not only visited their hometown, but had read "Death on the Ice", a book they are required to read in school.
Thanks to Martin Belzil for the excellent and fast service.
Now on "To See The Elephant".
Roger

[Explorer]

Great ride today! If you are in the Quebec City area before or after Homecoming, take a couple of hours to ride the loop around the perimeter of Ile D'Orleans. I think you will really enjoy it. It is farm land, with lots of road side stands that sell strawberries, apples, potatoes, etc. in season. The views of the river and far shore are constant. The thing that I enjoyed most, were the numerous stone houses, with very steep roofs, with ski jump curves, at the bottom. It was the best ride of the trip so far.
On to Valcourt "To See The Elephant".
Roger

[BilltheDiver]

Please continue updating us on your experiences! It is great to live them through your eyes. From a fellow Floridian.

[Explorer]

RANDOME OBSERVATIONS
1. The people in Canada are very friendly and helpful.
2. In Montreal everyone could speak English.
3. In Quebec City most people can speak English.
4. I love old stone buildings. There are many in Old Montreal, and even more in Old Quebec. They have done a good job of preserving and retrofitting the old buildings for modern uses.
5. No problems with my ST-L except as listed above, and no problem getting fast service from dealers. (It helps to be polite, and not act entitled.)
6. The potholes in NY and Canada will pop your mirrors lose frequently. (Just pop them back in.)
7. People are still wearing heavy coats most days. (Of course they all say this is an unusually chilly spring.)
8. It is a big deal if the sun comes out. Young women put on shorts and some men take off their (own) shirts.
9. Credit card works for EVERYTHING except; one large grocery, and one parking lot.
10.Parking Pay Stations will show instructions in English, after you push the English button.
11.EVERY Chinese person is currently on a bus tour of Quebec.
12.The heat in my room can not be set above 25C / 77F. In Florida we call that winter.
13. I think the people who bring the most warm layers to Valcourt will have the most fun.
14.Thank God for GPS and heated grips.
15.Stop and turn lights are a little confusing. (Pay close attention.)
16.Canadiens will tell you what a bargain you are getting because of the exchange rate. Not true! Even taking the exchange rate into account, I find their prices high and after adding 15% tax, we are not getting a bargain. (But it is no big deal.)

Except for the cold, I AM HAVING A GREAT TIME, and I hope you do too.
Roger

[pegasus1300]

Explorer thank you for your reports.These and the service items are what draw me too forums like this. Thank you Thank you Thank you. Keep them coming.

I notice that in your original you said you expected to be gone 5+ months,is that right?

[Explorer]

Yes 5 1/2 months. I am too cheap to buy gas. I push the Spyder.
Roger

[Stemariesport]

Thank you, all our pleasure !

Visited Claude Ste-Marie Sport the BRP dealer in Saint-Hubert (Montreal, Quebec) unannounced Tuesday. The Service Manager (Director du service) Martin Belzil put a mechanic (also Martin) on my ST-L immediately. In 1 1/2 hours, they changed the oil and filters, toped off the brake and cooling fluids, checked the belt tension and air pressure and replaced a spring clip in the right mirror that had slipped out of place. AND GAVE ME A NEW BALL CAP. Great Director du service. Great dealer. Great Customer Service.
That afternoon I walked around Old Montreal admiring the old buildings. I had a great Fish and Chips dinner and talked with some students on a school trip from Newfoundland. They were surprised that I had not only visited their hometown, but had read "Death on the Ice", a book they are required to read in school.
Thanks to Martin Belzil for the excellent and fast service.
Now on "To See The Elephant".
Roger