James Bay (Radisson, Quebec)
In July and August of 2001 I had a chance to take a trip I had long dreamed of doing, North to James Bay. Schedule required it be a short jaunt, just 5 days total.
At first I had assumed I would travel North through Ontario, somehow north of Kapuskasing and Hurst. Inspecting maps, however, I was pleasantly surprised to see that one can get much farther North on pavement by going up the East side of the bay, through Quebec. According to my maps, it should be possible to get almost all the way to the North end of the bay by heading for the town of Radisson, Quebec.
After some research, I learned that Radisson was populated as a support town for the huge James Bay Hydro project, and that the highway leading to it was privately constructed by Quebec Hydro. Some friends who’ve made the trip told me the hydro project was worth touring while there.
I also learned that the James Bay Highway, from Matagami to Radisson, has only one gas station along its almost 700 Km length, at a stop ominously titled “Kilometer 381”. I was pretty sure the Concours would be OK with that range, but decided to take spare gas along, somehow, as a safety precaution. There also appeared to be camp grounds and rest stops at regular intervals. I decided to make this a motorcycle camping trip to add to the adventure.
My motorcycle trip packing list gets refined every time I use it. For this trip, critical components included:
- Micro tent, small sleeping bag, thermarest micro matress.
- Multi-fuel stove capable of burning white gas, naptha, kerosene, or unleaded bike gas. I took a small amount of naptha with me, but liked the idea I could burn bike gas in an emergency.
- Spare gas. I found a 1-gallon jerry can that is squat and cubical in shape, rather than the traditional tall rectangles. It fits perfectly in an old bungee-down tail pack I have left over from a previous bike.
- Warm clothes (including electric vest) and rain gear (including waterproof socks and glove covers).
- Bug hat (thank goodness).
Here is my journal and photo album from the trip.
I stumbled across your blog and was so intrigued by your trip that I drove it myself this week, by car.
You’ll be pleased to know that a great distance of road has been recently repaved, leaving only a portion of the final 150 km in poorer condition (with car-bone shattering dip-cracks/not speed humps but might as well be). The speed limit is 100, and no one goes that slow!
As of August 14, I’d say 50 km was gravel (from road reconstruction) from km 381 north, but 2 days later on my return, that gravel stretch shrunk to 20 km, with a few other roadworks and paving slowdowns, even after 5 pm.
The road to Chisasibi is fully paved and in great condition, and the final 10 km to James Bay is quality gravel (the pickup trucks just whiz in by. My car, I took at a slow 45-50).
Chisasibi celebrated 50 treats on August 16. It appears to be a vibrant community with Rec centre, cultural centre, lovely homes with lawn (only gravel noted in Radisson). However, due to their holiday, everything was closed. My timing coincided with another family event and I couldn’t extend my stay.
Radisson celebrated 50 years the first week of August 2024. It is very clearly a workers’ town. With great difficulty, I found a nice path to a lookout, but there are no parks in town. Along the hydro dam roads there are lookouts, picnic tables and plaques. Long tours of plants one and two are possible if you time it right. I was willing to take a French tour but was advised, in case of evacuation, everyone must fully understand the directions and my school French wouldn’t pass their legal liability.
I only went to Quebec in 8th grade; never for a moto camping trip. I will have to include THIS trip to my bucket list! Thank for sharing, esp your packing list; always great to see what folks bring!
Safe travels & have fun making memories!
Great reading . Important that you mentioned the only gas station for 700 km . Dont know if i will get to Quebec but your list always helps
I would love to visit James Bay! Great info! Thanks for sharing!