Hello Mike! Ciao Elyssa! First of all we would like to say hello to our friends who accompanied us through beautiful British Columbia to the Alberta borders.
And now let’s start with our exciting adventure through the American country: from the West to the East, as far as New York. After covering 8500 km, crossing the States, we arrive in Vancouver, the first part of our journey is over.
According to our plans we had to arrive through Alaska, to the Straits of Bering then come back to New York. So, we must check our information about the condition of the roads leading to our destination. That’s why once we’ve reached Vancouver we ask about the conditions of the Trans Canadian Highway to the truckers that drive along it every day.
To our surprise we are unanimously dissuaded from going that way because of our inappropriate vehicles. In fact the freezing cold and the heavy vehicles turn the roadbed into a bad state, so that in Spring and Summer this wide thoroughfare is converted into a road yard in order to restore its conditions. Consequently, we have to give up our plan and after checking our Lambrettas, as we’ve already said, we cross beautiful British Columbia with our friend Mike and Elyssa. This mountainous state overlooks the Pacific Ocean and it’s almost totally covered with wild forests where tumultuous rivers flow.
We’ve left the mild coast climate and now we’re heading first north then east following the tracks openend by gold diggers during the latest centuries. Our road mostly uphill leads to three passes, over 1500 m high, which we must cross in three days.
Our Lambretta has always worked and has never given us problems. We must say though, to tell the truth, that Vespa GS (1960) is unbeatable on steep hills, moreover as we aren’t used to this climate we look more like stuffed owls than motor-scooter riders!
Here in Canada the drivers and the truckers are very mature. In fact they overtake with great care, especially on the most narrow roads. They paid great attention to our safety.
In order to make our Lambrettas visible, especially in tunnels and in the evening we put either on the backs of the scooters and on our crash helmets fluorescent bands.
Moreover, to compensate for the lack of efficience of our rear lights, we used small stroboscopical lamps, especially if we moved at night.
We cross different cities such as Savona, Bassano, Sorrento which remind us of our native country.
The immersion in nature is full. Wide forests, wild animals… The respect for the environment, the warmth of the Canadian make us appreciate this country which bases it economical power on a sensible use of its natural resources.
After climbing over the highest peaks, still covered with snow we cross first some high lands then great plains. The tableland in Alberta is characterized by the presence of a great number of farms and horse-breeding areas.
It’s famous for Calgary, an important winter sports area, and Drumeller known for its dinos; in fact we can’t miss here one of the best paleontological museum.
So far so good. We only have to substitute the 150 D’s gear cable. Anyway, it won’t take a long time and we won’t delay our tour (on average we cover 300 km in a day, which means 30.40 km/h).
If we said in the States the most popular vehicle after the car is the lawn-mover, in Canada, well…it’s is the canoe! In fact every Canadian has got a cottage in a forest and a canoe which he uses to go fishing.
At the moments we’re crossing Saskatchewan, a wide grain power: it’s twice as large as Italy. Wheat and crop fields stretch as far as the eye can see, while farms are as large as provinces. Here the farmers are generally well-off and they love spending the cold winter in Florida or at the Caribbean Sea.
We can easily cross this wide state thanks partly to the roads, which are in a good state, partly because of the traffic, which isn’t too heavy.
We must estimate our refuelling with great precision if we want to avoid driving along the most important road networks.
Our refuelling consist of a small can which we use whenever we have to face a long distance.
We can’t miss the Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. Here the last herd of buffalos which still live in these latitudes are protected.
Sightseers who prohibition and we enter the forest to see bears and buffalos.
The climate in this region is mild but in winter the temperature is usually about –30C. Foul weather!
To our surprise this area has been inhabited by Ukranian settlers for over a century. Every year in this period they celebrate their origins with dances and show which are typical of their culture.
We’ve decided to cross on our Lambrettas, Lake Manitoba just where it’s only 2 km large We’re not surprised when we are informed that the village situated in this point is called Narrows! Here the temperature is lower, in this region cold wind from the Pole strongly blow southwards.
It is necessary for us who come from the Mediteranean Sea to travel well wrapped up. The wind frequently seems to overhelm our scooters.
Our Lambrettas work perfectly. That’s why we forget to service them. Consequently some fuel oil in the A’s back hub make us forget to release the brake. The latter is not useful whilst going a long way but it marked itself felt on downhill roads or when going past towns and villages: in this case we must wear our boots.
The State Ontario is about three times larger than Italy and it has got 6.000.000 inhabitants. It’s the second widest state in Canada, after Quebec. At the moment we’re crossing its southern part, which is very mountainous and still covered with forests; then having reached Thunder Bay (by Lake Superior) we’re heading North East following the Trans Canadian n. 11.
The first explorers, trappers and gold diggers settled in this area: its inhabitants’ attitude still remind us of that of the first settlers. They say hello by ancient gestures as their ancestors greeted those strangers who rode there looking for some land to till or trying their fortune!
Maybe motor-scooter and motorbikers riders still represent those strangers.
Mixing with people is easy: to our surprise a lot of them are still linked to Europe and have a celar memory of it.
And now let’s cross the widest track of moist woodland on earth. Behind us is Geraldton with its goldmines: in front of us is a long road which is similar to a ribbon and where the petrol stations are too distant if we consider our vehicles. That’s why we must ask for some fuel to the Indians living in villages near here if we want to go on with our journey.
The solitude of this land is broken by big trailer trucks carrying wood, foodstuff and fuel.
Their presence reassure us we can seek their help in case of need.
Most drivers are Pakistan, we’re scarcely able to see them through the dark windows of their cabs. They’re fair when thay overtake us.
They cover many miles a day providing links in a country where distances are great.
In the evening they meet in big car parks which are reserved for them and they discuss about their working day. Then at dawn they leave again.
Whilst going a long way we’re ended up in a big chasm opened by the rain which had fallen in the previous days. To tell the truth we were’t paying attention to what we were doing as we were distracted by a thousand beautiful things surrounding us.
Our scooters, after a jump of a few meters, fell heavily together with our luggage which took another direction.
Let’s estimate the damages. Fortunately they come down to some dents and the breaking of a brake lever we’re very frightened!
Choosin one’s luggage is one of the most delicate operations for those who set our on a journey on their scooters. This operation is even much more delicate when the vehicles are not very powerful so that they may not carry very heavy cases. We’ve taken only what is absolutely necessary our luggage is quite light. We set our bags on both our scooters sides as near as possible to the ground.
What remained was fixed through straps on strong carriers which we had assembled and fixed to our scooters without altering or drilling the bodies.
Fortunately we have some spare parts and the most common tools and extractors to carry our a repair. We’ve even got irreplaceable wire and some stricky tape which are very useful in an emergency. We have got some waterproof covers which we use to protect us from the could in case of need. When they’re folded up they take up the same room as a paket of cigarettes. Within reach is our waterproof and to tell the truth indestructible Olumpus which we use to immortalize the most interesting landscape and the most exciting moments.
Cochrane is the point of departure of trappers and gold diggers. From there, according to the road signs we can reach Hudson Bay on the famous Polar Express, crossing the Canadian Shield, a long tract of woodland famous for its rivers and lakes. In these regions fire is considered the worst enemy: we must be very very careful; near the devasted woods, roads signs report the dates of the lates fires as a warning.
We must leave our Lambretta as we’ve decided to cross this region confortably sitting in a carriage
aboard the Polar Express. It’s the only train on earth we’re informed that makes request stops. According to our plans we will have a 2 day rest in Moosonee. It’s a part of uncontaminated and proteced "oasis" which is linked to the rest of this area by a railway.
We’ve substituded a bearing, of the 150’s front whee which was samaged by water infiltrations whilst crossing a long ford.
And now let’s head Soth-east!
Moosonee area is quote near Montreal and Toronto: it’s a holiday resort so it’s quite populated. It has got wonderful cottages and it looks like Switzerland.
We seem demodes yppies who ride at full speed toward Toronto on our scooters covered with bags and cases.
We must cover a few kilometres to reach New York; we’re sure we’ll arrive in Toronto by the end of the day.
Let’s step on the gas following the downhill road that leads to the famous Niagara Falls.
Whilst travelling a storm broke out: it lasted 2 days.
We’re crossing Toronto: it’s a modern tidy city; we’re informed by its inhabitants that is is also very safe. Our point of arrival is the Niagara Falls. We think they’re one of those attractions on earth that tourists mustn’t miss.
Finally we’re in front of them: we’re speechless as this great body of water falling from quite a great height (50m) is wonderful.
The Canadian side offers a grandiose view: what a wanderful sight!
The Niagara Falls are famous for the waterfalls themselves which are visited every year by thousands of tourists. What’s more it’s the "way in" to Central Canada, crossed by those coming from New York.
We’ve left Niagara falls after taking some photos and after visiting its Museum. And now let’s turn into a road which runs along the river St. Laurence and crosses a wonderful natural area leading to the States Eire, situated in Canada, and Buffalo are linked by a bridge.
Our journey and our holidays through this wonderful hospitable country, which has made our adventure exciting, are going to be over.
Feeling homesik for those days which we’ve spent there we look for the last time towards Beautiful Canada: we’re behaving as if we were leaving our hometown.
A few minutes later some suspicious curious American Customs Officiers ask for our papers. They’re astonished when they hear we’re coming from British Columbia. After muttering they give us our passports back.
Whilst leaving the custom we notice that those officers, standing our fo their positions, with their hands ou their hips, are staring at us: well there’s nothing strange with our equipment!
It’s very dangerous to get onto a several-lane freeway but crossing Buffalo was not a better alternative.
After taking the n. 20 – East leading to Albany we enter New York State.
This freeway crosses the offshoot of the Apalachians, its woods, villages, farms.
Darkness begins to fall and we’re without headlights; we realize that we’ve run out of lamps so, as it’s impossible to go on in the darkness, all we have to do is wait for someone to help us. We hadn’t been waiting for a longtime when a car-driver offered to lead us to the next village which is 45 km far.
There, he says, we’ll find an accomodation.
So let’s follow him, better let’s follow the headlights of his car!
Travelling often with our headlights on, and the vibrations due to the roadbed have caused a drastic reduction of our scooters brights: that’s why we’ve briefly run out of light.
Little by little we’re getting near New York.
In Modena, a town situted 100 km north of the Big Apple, a scooters meeting is held.
It’s organized every year by the Chequered Demons who are from New York.
We’ve decided to take part in it with our 2 Lambrettas; there are about 70 scooters and Lambrettas, the members’ hospitality is great and we’re really enjoing ourselves dancing, drinking beer and listening to music.
Here we met Gene and Mike again who saw us leaving from New York and starting our transamerican "adventure".
It’s in New York that the 2nd part of our journey through the American continent – from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean – is over.
In a few day’s time our Lambrettas will be placed in a container to Italy; these old vehicle after 15.500 km across Northern America have come back to the spot from where they left without suffering mechanical damage. Thanks to them we had an exciting, unforgettable experience. Moreover, they made us appreciate their qualities.
Next year we’re going to set our on a new journey. Our scooters will be carefully controlled to see how far this journey has warn them out.
Then they will be properly reassemblead by our experienced mechanic.
Next year we will visit Australia from the South to the North; from wintry Melbourne to the dry desert of Gibson, to tropical Darvin. From there we’ll go to Perth and them we’ll go back to Melbourne.
Special thanks to Mike and Gene from Scooters Originali. Mike and Elyssa from Vespa Club Canada in Vancouver, the Indian chef of Waywayseecappo, the Chequered Demons & Co., Bruno and Carlo.