So the plan today was to hop on the ferry, trip around Manatoulin Island and then head up to Massey and grab a campground. Well some of that happened. 

Got to the ferry late so I had to go in the standby line but luckily I got on. 

This is now the third ferry I've been on this trip and it is the largest. I guess because I was on the morning trip the bar was closed. Oh well next time.

Landed on the island and started to explore. Just a little information, Manatoulin island is the largest fresh water lake island in the world.

The clouds started clearing, the sun came out and the temperatures started going up. What could go wrong on such a beautiful day?

As I got closer to the west end of the island I noticed more  off road trails. Probably snowmobile trails but they looked driveable.

So following my gps the one road I went on ended at a gate with a no trespassing sign. Oh well turn around and try to catch at the other end.

Once at the other end the road ends down a bit. As I was driving along I noticed a very wide/old trail heading north. I checked on my phone a satellite view and it looked like good road/trail.

Looks good to me I thought and off I went.

Started out well with a few rough spots but nothing to difficult and then it got worse. I would ride along long sections of basic double track back road, dirt/gravel with grass between the tracks.

I can handle a few little rough spots if most of the trail is like this I thought. Well if it stayed like that I would have but it didn't.

About half way up there was a crossroad with a snowmobile trail. Checked out the trails to the north, east and west. Checked on Google maps which way seemd the best. I decided to push on north as that would take me back to the main road. I should have just turned around then and there but wanting a bit of a challenge and adventure always beats out common sense.

The road for the most part was fine two lane dirt trail. It's when the trail turns to rock that the problems occur. Some of the cracks in the rock are wide enough that the front wheel would drop down in to them and get stuck. Reverse would not help so I had to get the winch out.

Other places the rock incline was too much and the winch came out again.

So on I continued until I came upon the beaver pond. Now I had two choices, ride back the way I came (5.8 Km) or try to make it through the pond to the main road (1.7 Km).

So doing what any sane person would do I did the opposite and tried to make it through the pond. Well that didn't work well.

The bike sunk in and out comes the winch again. Not to pull it backwards to turn around and go back the way I came, no this was to pull forward further in to the pond.

And it went forward about another three feet. That's where the left head became submerged under the water and the the engine died. It would not start so I tried to winch once more but the battery was now dying so the winch would not work anymore.

So without much thought I started walking north to the main road. I get to the main road and flag down the first car I see. It goes by. I try the second car and it is an older couple who said they might tell someone I need help. I can't blame them. The third vehicle keeps on rolling.

So I sit down by the side of the road and wait.

One half hour later no other vehicle has passed. I check my cellphone and there is no signal. So I press the S.O.S. button on my inReach Explorer. Yes I always carry this with me just for this reason. I tell them the situation and they say they are sending help.

So as I'm still sitting on the side of the road I see a UTV coming down the road. As it gets closer I can see two guys riding in it.

When they get close enough I can see they are looking at me and they stop.

First they tell me I looked like a bear sitting at the side of the road from a distance then they ask why I am sitting on the side of the road.

I tell them that my bike is stuck in a beaver pond 1.7 Km south of the road.

Your bicycle?

No my motorcycle.

Do you have a tow rope? Yes I do

O.K. hop in. We'll get you out. I hope you have beer (jokingly).

Yes I do (seriously).

During our ride to the bike I learn the driver is Lindsay and the passenger is Tim. We bounce around and during this time the discussion comes around to me being crazier then they are for trying this trail on my Ural.

When we arrive at the pond they are quite impressed at the bike and how well prepared I was ( spare tire, winch, fuel, etc.).

So using the winch and and my 50 foot rope and shackles we hooked everything together and they pulled me out of the pond.

Once I was out of the pond I tried to start the bike but it wouldn't turn over.

So I opened my cooler and handed Lindsay and Tim two cold beers.

Holy shit you weren't kidding about the cold beer!

After a few sips we shorten the rope, pack up the winch and tow me to their property. Quite the bumpy ride out to the road.

Once we get to the property it is time to look at the damage.

The left side catalytic converter is gone.

The left side muffler is spun 180 degrees.

So I pull the muffler off. Now to start it. It won't turn over. Lindsay grabs some booster cables and we hook them up. The motor turns over but doesn't start.

I pull the plugs out of the left and right side and turn the motor over. Water and fuel spits out and after a few cranks I replace the plugs and try to start it again.

And it starts! The motor is up and running. I really can't believe it as this motor was under water.

At this point the Ontario Provincial Police show up from my S.O.S. call one hour earlier. I tell them everything is alright now and thank them and off they go.

So now I pack up the tools, strap the muffler to the sidecar and give Lindsay two of my cold beers for two of his warm ones.

I give the bike a test ride and realize the clutch will not disengage. I try adjusting it but that doesn't help. So now I have to ride with no clutch.

I thank them profusely and head towards the closest town with a motel. I have no problem riding without a clutch as long as I don't have to stop. Shifting without a clutch is easy (did it many years in a eighteen wheeler) once you find the sweet spots in the rpm. 

So now I'm riding with the left side cat and muffler off and it is loud. Very loud. Since the left side pipe has nothing on it and it ends in front of me this is why it is so loud.

I have to stop for gas in M'Chigeeng and take a rolling start to get going again. So one thing I noticed is that my front brake is really soft. Soft to the point were I have to pull the lever three times before there is any braking. I first think that there must be water in the brake line. How that would happen I don't know as there was no external brake fluid leaking.
I then look down at the front brake and it's shaking like a paint can getting mixed. That can't be good. There is no noticeable vibration on the bars so I think I must have a loose brake housing. I had a look at it when I stopped for gas but everything was solid. Something to look at tomorrow.

I really don't feel like camping after this ordeal. So off to Little Current for the night and grab a room at the Hawberry Motel.

Unload the bike, wash my boots in the bathtub, and change in to some non beaver pond clothes. Since it is now late for this small town there is only one small convience store open.

I grab some food and ask them if there is any motorcyle shops around. The woman gives me two names of shops in Espanola.

Back to the room, eat my food, drink a few brews and climb in to bed.

I will say it again, a huge big thanks to Lindsay and Tim. If it were not for them I might still be in that beaver pond for the night.

 Day ten video
(and the drowning of a Gopro)

 Day ten route

 Garmin stats for day ten 
(includes a little bit from day nine)