Better get this going while I have a moment. The day after tomorrow Tonk and I will be headed North just North for a two week Trans Labrador Highway-Newfoundland loop, and tomorrow is going to be a busy day.... Still have some loose ends to tie up, getting my bike inspected, exchanging some cash, loading the bike, among other things. Tonk is meeting me here at my house on Wednesday at 8 AM, he is always punctual, and we'll be jumping on the turnpike for a few hours, getting off around Bangor on Rt. 11, which is a nice two lane, and heading for Fort Kent where we'll cross into New Brunswick. I originally wanted to cow path it north but time concerns, and Tonks voice of reason---"We can ride those routes anytime....", led to the slab start of our adventure. Ive been reading a lot of Ride Reports lately, of this and many other routes, and would like to thank everyone who takes the time and energy to post up. This is my first, and I'll try to post a few updates along the way, and do a more complete report when we get home. I'm sure Tonk will chime in also. I have done all the usual pre-trip stuff to my bike, sprockets, chain, tires, oil, checked bearings, hoses and fuel lines etc. Hoping for a mechanically uneventful trip, although I know whatever happens will all be part of the adventure. I'm going to post up a few teasers from my NFLD trip in '12, just to get us going. I did that trip solo, 3000 miles in 16 days, 150 miles of the rail bed, lots of other gravel, amazing sights, and even more amazing people. The ferry at North Sydney Port au Port peninsula Rail trail headed toward Gaf Topsails Silent Witness Memorial, Gander Bay de Verde Headed down into St Vincents/St Stephans on the Avalon Peninsula. Note the Burin Peninsula on the horizon. On the way home in Nova Scotia. Love these signs! Did I mention the rail bed was a difficult ride? Um, time to find some pavement..... OK, I'm off to bed, lots to accomplish tomorrow, Wednesday morning is coming fast.
Put in a good day yesterday, 384 miles for me, more for Rob as he met me at my house. Route 11 was outstanding, the Aroostook County section was the best, great views, light traffic, and a quick intense storm just for fun. Gas station guy , Kris turned us on to a great camp site in Fort Kent near the old Block House. Here are a few pictures, more later. Me and Tonk before hitting the road. Logging operation, in "The County". The campsite. Only ones there. Beautiful morning. Off to Quebec.
Jeez Rob, got enough stuff on your bike!!? Looking forward to hearing more about the trip. Wish I could've gone with you guys
It was great meeting the both of you in Sherman yesterday. I wish both of you a safe trip. If you are coming back this way (Caribou) maybe we could have lunch or something - my treat. Would love to hear of the ride first hand.
Nice meeting and chatting with you also Daryl. We just made Lab City! Pics coming.....Thanks for the offer, we'll make that happen.
After leaving Ft. Kent, we crossed the boarder and rode north west to Riviere du Loop Quebec to catch the ferry across the St Lawrence. Got there early so were first on the boat, and near first off. Continued north east along the north shore to Bae Comeau, which is quite a hopping place, lots of afternoon traffic.... We jammed it up Rt 389 to Manic 5 and just made it before dark. It had to be a "Spirited ride" or we would have been in the dark.... Tonk knew of a free camp site overlooking the dam, which was totally amazing, lit up at night and all. 351 miles for the day, which after two boat rides, (crossing the Saquenay River as well), took all day. Carried on to Lab City today, started raining shortly after arriving so wimped and got a room. The gravel is less than it was, but still demands max attention. Lots of big truck traffic, which blinds you right out for a few seconds, nerve wracking... Rob lead most of the day and would sometimes disappear in front of me. Crossing the St Lawrence. Crossing the Saquenay. At the start of 389 north to Manicougan Cinque Dusk shot of the dam from camp. Camp rocked!!!! The amazing view this morning. More later....... Aired down at the Manic 5 service station before hitting the gravel, and the air just kept coming out. Ended up replacing the valve and all was well with the world.
Its been a great few days of riding. Great weather (so far :) and we're meeting a lot of great people. We're heading out to dinner with Andrew in a few. We met him today in Relais Gabriel and have crossed paths several times. He's out from Minnesota and has an impressive route planned for the next 3 weeks on a 1200GS. I'll try to add some pic's when I get a chance. Oh, and Chris, it's not that much stuff..... I'm just not good a packing
Rode Rt 510 over from just this side of Goose Bay today. What a road! Nice weather, pay attention, and wick it up.... Can't get the pictures to upload though, stay tuned.......... Goose to PHS gas stop. Going down into PHS More coming.
Rob discovered this site last Year by accident. When I saw the pics of the dam lit up at night, I had to see it! And its free. Haven't paid for camping yet. It got down to 34* by morning, beautiful sunrise and a great ride to Lab City, and no bugs!
Holed up at the Northern Lights Motel in Lance au Clair on the coast of Labrador. Had to clean things up a bit, laundry, shower, beer, etc... Found another free camp site last night, at a rest area next to the St Lewis River, just south of Port Hope Simpson. Finished the last of the gravel in Labrador today, pavement starts in Red Bay, and they're working on the road north of there big time readying it for black top. The road work here is industrial strength, huge equipment, zillions of tons of stone and gravel, built up very high off the surrounding terrain. If a quarry is needed, one is created next to the road, and there are many. Although there is right around 500 miles of gravel left on the Trans Lab, They are paving fast, and the locals tell us the intention is for the entire road to be paved. This generally seems to run behind schedule though, and the remoteness and scenery will keep this an interesting area to tour, and many times we have commented how much more difficult it must have been.... We road the coast road into Quebec to the end tonight to Vieux Fort and what an amazing road. The coastal topography is hilly, and mostly "barrens", dipping down to small port towns in several places, and endining at the dock next to the herring plant in Vieux Fort. Three local guys came out of a nondescript building after hearing our motors and chatted for a while, telling us how to get up to the high point above town for the best view. We're taking the ferry over to Newfoundland tomorrow morning. Crossing the St Lewis River just before camping last night. Ted and Daryl showed up at camp just before dark. We had seen them motor by the other way earlier, and were heading home to their home town of St Marys. They were lamenting with us the pace of the paving.
At the St Lewis River Ditto On the way back from Vieux Fort Thelma entertains us at some construction.
Obligatory Lab sign shot Rob Andrew from Minnesota Descending in the barrens. The Apollo heading over to Nfld.
Great report, and great photos! I wish I'd have known about the possibility of camping around Manic 5 when I went through a month ago. I camped my first night at Manic 2 and then made it to Lab City for the next night. Cheers!
And that Welcome to Labrador sign... I'd really wanted a photo of that, but I was trying to do it while riding, one-handedly. And what happened was that as I approached the sign and picked up the camera with my left hand in order to shoot it, there was a welcoming committee right there behind and under the sign. A police car with radar! (What a nice welcome!) I ended up quickly dropping the camera (on a lanyard) and continuing on without a photo. I think that really stinks. I mean, really. Gee, I wonder how that works... if you're speeding in Quebec does he actually have the right to stop you in Labrador, especially if you've slowed down to the legal limit by the time you get to the sign?
Great pics guys, looks like a mighty fine time. 34 degrees, wow I'm sure it does keep the bugs away. Lowest so far in Caribou was 47 degrees. This is obviously the best time to ride that loop though. Keep safe, looking forward to more.