Be careful what you wish for: CRF250 Rally mini-adventure

In a recent post I was whining a little about the lack of funds/opportunities for adventure riding.

Well, Karma heard.

I had a window of opportunity to go back to the “near north”, around Sault Ste Marie, ON (a.k.a. “the Soo” for those of you “from away”) and this time take the Honda CRF250 Rally dual sport. I was stymied last fall on the Ninja 650 when a good chunk of my planned route turned out to be dirt. Now, a little dirt/gravel on the Ninja doesn’t bother me much – but this was about 80 km. Let’s just say it didn’t look like a fun challenge. I resolved revenge.

Fast forward to summer 2019 and determined to tackle the route on my Rally (a.k.a. the “Oreo” bike [https://eatsleepride.com/c/231670/the_oreo_bike https://eatsleepride.com/c/304101/2017_crf250_rally_the_oreo_bike_gets_stuffed). But how would the Rally be on an extended multi-day trip with baggage? Only one way to find out…

Due to previous commitment, I couldn’t set out until mid day which would challenge me to get from Fort Erie, ON to Tobermory ON in time to catch the last ferry run across to Manitoulin Island (have to be at the dock by 6:30-7:00 pm) and I wanted to hit some back roads north of Wiarton (I’d done the loop from Owen Sound to Wiarton recently on a day trip on the Ninja – route 1 on map - very nice ride).

As it would be almost dark by the time I reached Manitoulin Island, riding further north where (large) wildlife is likely to roam was not a prudent idea. I decided to book a campsite close to the ferry dock. I was looking forward to this because I have been wanting to try motorcycle camping for a while. I had been gathering items bit by bit since previous summer in anticipation of an opportunity - a lightweight small sleeping bag, tent and single burner stove and various odds and ends. As long as I can make a cup of tea in the morning, I’m good. Eating at diners, chip wagons etc while travelling is relatively cheap and saves lugging food and prep equipment. Motel accommodations can really rack up the coinage, so tenting it is a viable option for me.

Ergo, it was imperative to have the bike loaded and ready to go the night before.

So, Mr. Procrastination (me) finally got around to doing an oil change – nice to start a trip knowing you have fresh oil. Then got gassed up, including Rotopax can – noticed an oil drip under the lower engine cowl (a plastic cover that masquerades as a skid plate). Didn’t think much of it – just a left-over from the oil change. To be on the safe side after loading up at home I spread out some shop towels and resnugged the oil filter cover bolts on the side of the engine, just to be on the safe side. No drips in the morning, so didn’t worry.

Start route tracking using ESR app and off I set. Gas mileage really suffered on the first leg on the QEW – I can usually get 250km plus out of the 10.5 L tank – but with headwinds and high speed after 200kms I was getting concerned by the drop in the fuel gauge.

Beautiful weather!

After Burlington is a nice trip up Guelph Line to Fergus (little jog at Rockwood Conservation area), then joined Hwy 6 (stop in Arthur for gas). The Rally has 6 speed transmission and 6^th is overdrive, so at 90 km/h speeds with a load, a downshift is required to keep up speed going uphill. It’s just one of those things you accept when on a small displacement motorcycle. Keep movin’ on….

Take a left turn a Rockford in order to bypass Owen Sound.

No, not that Rockford (although I do hum the theme song… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d41cAOmcuxk)

At the stoplight to rejoin Hwy 6 after Owen Sound, I look down and see dripping oil from underneath the filter housing. A serious leak. Slight panic! What the heck is going on?

Checking the oil level, it seemed like there was still enough oil. Maybe I had overfilled the crankcase a bit? The Rally only takes 1.5L with filter change – so maybe some extra was pushing its way out under pressure. OK, keep an eye on it.

Keep movin’ on….

I continue to boogie up Hwy 6 and take the turn off for regional road 9 just north of Wiarton. I didn’t have time to go all the way out to Cape Croker lighthouse (next time!) – but worth the side trip (yes, a gravel road for the last couple kilometers).

I stopped in Lion’s Head because I couldn’t recall what it was like and also looking at the gas gauge… but no gas in town. This is not surprising and why it is essential to plan stops accordingly in the north or “near north”. But not seriously short yet, plus I have my gas can backup.

Checked the oil level again… it had dropped significantly. Uh oh!

Small towns – things close early and it was seriously close to 5 pm. Fortunately, there was a hardware store and it was still open. I picked up a couple litres of oil and some gooey sealant stuff (not stuff to put in crankcase – a gasket sealer).

At this point I’m thinking I didn’t check the filter cover gasket closely when I reassembled it. Due to me working in a hurry, some grit or the like left on the gasket or cover wasn’t allowing a good seal. Taking off the filter cover right then was not an option – I needed to get to the ferry.

All sorts of things start flooding through my mind – what are my options? It’s too late in the day to turn tail and head home. Besides, giving up the trip at first challenge is a little drastic. What else? How can I check and reseal the filter cover while on the road?

I decided to keep topping up the oil and the next day, once north of Manitoulin Island, in Espanola there is a Canadian Tire. I would pick up some more oil, a drain pan, rags etc and work in the parking lot. I’d jettison the used pan and beg the auto service to take the old oil (they don’t usually) – if not, I’d carry it with me. It’d only be a litre or so. OK. Good. A plan of action.

Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. Keep movin’ on….

There is a gnarly twisty dirt section of the road up to Dyer’s Bay road – a section I had been anticipating getting re-acquainted with. Since I am still a novice when it comes to off-roading, I took it easy but it was still challenging (to me) and had some anus puckering moments. I wonder how dirt bikers could fly along at 80 km/h, rear wheel sliding and churning gravel and sand. I putt along at 45-50km/h. Getting comfortable with the bike not feeling connected to the road like it does on pavement takes some practice. I will persevere.

Adapt. Overcome. Keep movin’ on….

Made it to the ferry dock in Tobermory after gassing up and with enough time to grab a bite before sailing.

https://www.ontarioferries.com/en/reservations/?ferry=chi-cheemaun

When I ride, sometimes much to the chagrin of fellow riders, I don’t like to stop much. I ride and ride and ride. I hadn’t eaten since tea in the morning. Maybe I’m just too excited to be on a road trip… Anyway, I know that I do need to fuel myself – riding “hungry-angry” (hangry?) tends to ruin the experience.

I was worried that if the Rally was dripping oil some sharp-eyed dockside worker would deny me passage. So, after checking in and parking with other motorcycles (at the front of the line!) I surreptitiously wiped off the bottom of the engine and stuffed the rag in between the frame and the engine guard to catch any drips.

I should mention that the Tobermory area and Bruce Peninsula National Park (formerly Cyprus Lake Provincial Park) has a special place in my heart as it was a favourite place for family summer camping trips when I was growing up. It’s still a beautiful place but now it is pretty overrun, which unfortunately tends to ruin the experience now. Apart from the natural beauty of the area, it is the scuba-diving capital of Canada (or at least Ontario) as the Georgian Bay waters are very clear with many shipwrecks and underwater caves. The water is COLD until mid to late August. I always wanted to scuba dive but have fun snorkeling in the meantime.

As my food was arriving at my table (chicken wings – supper of champions!), another solo rider (I could tell from the boots and pants) at the next table invited me to join him. Turns out Harvey was from my neck of the woods, or close enough – the Port Dover area – so we knew the same roads. He was just on a tour – no real destination in mind, just stopping where he wound up at the end of the day. He was riding a Suzuki 650 V-Strom (“wee-strom” - which is a bike I’d like), but like me has a dirt bike (Honda 450) and a Goldwing when he and his wife travel. He was interested that I was on the dual sport Rally and asked how it was. So far, so great!

On the ferry, riders are responsible for tying down their bikes. I brought cinch strap tie-downs in anticipation but didn’t feel like digging them out of the saddle bag (figures!) and used the supplied ropes instead. Leave the bike in gear, lock the handlebars all the way to the left, use the sidestand. Tie off the right side from the handlebar with one rope. Then tie off the left side from the handlebar and the rear rack – try to compress the forks a bit. Good to go.

You aren’t allowed on the car deck during passage so take helmet, phone/tablet/book with you. The crossing takes about 1 ¾ hours. The lake was calm, so no worries about the bike shifting. Harvey and I chatted most of the way.

Tobermory “Little Tub harbour” you can see the ferry in the background… (bow up)

Harvey hadn’t made any accommodation reservations and usually stayed at the first motel near the ferry dock in South Baymouth. There is cell phone service – surprisingly – all the way across. Since he usually stays at cabins, I suggested South Bay Resort where I was camping – they have trailers and cabins. He called them and they had an opening. He was pleased. Serendipity.

The cool thing about the ferry is that motorcycles are the first on and first off – therefore you avoid a sloooow conga line of RVs and trailers on the highway after unloading. It was dusk and rapidly darkening when Harvey and I disembarked. The park was close by but we both missed the entrance (spotted it too late to safely turn off the highway – it’s always the way) and had to do a U-turn. After checking in – Harvey to his cabin – turn on the lights and he was done – I found my campsite at the water’s edge and proceeded to put up my tent by flashlight. Something you are supposed to avoid, if you can, according to experienced motorcycle trekkers.

Harvey stopped by and we sipped on some beverages we had brought with us and gabbed until dark. A campfire would have been nice but wasn’t worth the effort. Apparently, it was National Tequila Day and I celebrated appropriately (in moderation).

A great first day! Aside from the worrying oil leak. But I had a plan to deal with it.

Adapt. Overcome. Keep movin’ on….

Will I be able to continue my ride? What is the reason behind the mysterious oil leak on the Rally? Will giant mosquitoes kidnap me during the night? Stay tuned for more revelations on day 2 of my mini-adventure!

Cheers!