Smib Trans Lab 2011

[Dorito]

An impressive iceberg arrived in Newfoundland’s Goose Cove in mid-July. “Icebergs float in from Greenland,” said the photographer, Gene Patey. This one briefly blocked the town’s harbor before breaking apart and melting, “but the fishermen took their chances.”

[markbvt]

Originally Posted by jdrocks

why all the carnage? road looks typical of many TLH sections and should be easy on that bike with the TKCs. the TLH is in much better shape than most of the big gravel roads across the north. wrecked less than 150 miles into the gravel, reminds me of markbvt's friend who also wrecked on the first day riding the same bike, but coming from the other direction.

Yeah, at first I didn't notice that this crew was going in the opposite direction, just that both crashes seemed to occur about the same distance into the gravel, and I started to wonder if there's an F800GS-eating hole in the road.

Funny thing about the TLH -- it's always unpredictable. I had an awesomely fun ride on it pretty much the whole way on my XR650L with TKC-80s, and a fairly white-knuckle ride on my Wee-Strom with TKC-80s, but didn't crash either time. My friend on an F800GS with TKCs crashed a short distance in (we all suspected fork overcompression -- instead of riding through a mud hole, his front end augured in and sent him over the handlebars). Wes Siler from Hell for Leather crashed his F800GS on the Trans-Lab. And now this guy above... maybe the TLH just doesn't like F800GSes.

The most important thing to remember about the TLH is to never let your attention wander. You have to be focused on your riding at all times and keep your eyes well ahead to pick your line. And if you don't already know how to read the road surface ahead, you will quickly learn.

--mark

[BluenoseGuy]

I did the TLH last month on a Wee with TKC's. I encountered everything from dry to cold, gusty winds and driving rain. I didn't have any dirt experience prior to this ride. I'll second what Mark said. You have to give 100% of your attention 100% of the time to reading the road ahead and picking your line, which is constantly changing. After a while, I was able to interpret what the slight colour changes in the road surface were telling me. When you hit a section with one of the demon graders, there's usually a line through that hasn't been churned up. It may be narrow but it's there.

I had a great trip and hope to get back before too much more gets paved.

[GSA_PILOT]

Originally Posted by markbvt

The most important thing to remember about the TLH is to never let your attention wander. You have to be focused on your riding at all times and keep your eyes well ahead to pick your line. And if you don't already know how to read the road surface ahead, you will quickly learn.

--mark

Good advice Mark

[willys]

I hope there are some ice cubes left to see when we're there....damn that thing is impressive!!!

[skibum69]

I've just been foiled for the second time trying to ride the TLH again and the new section, I'm determined to ride it on my way to CroMag in September.

A couple of friends just rode it clockwise on their way to the 3rd annual "Skibum Soiree" and had a great ride from what I've heard so far

[inmate-n00b]

Tips for loose gravel

[willys]

I was just checking the Great Auk Hunt Spot....he started out from Goose Bay and had to turn back and now is inside a shop....hope he is safe.

[GSA_PILOT]

Originally Posted by willys

I was just checking the Great Auk Hunt Spot....he started out from Goose Bay and had to turn back and now is inside a shop....hope he is safe.

Can you re post the link? love the drama.

[willys]

http://thegreataukhunt.blogspot.com/

[willys]

Seems he's OK and on the move again.....hope he makes it out of Goosebay today....

[Hulked Up]

It seems like Chris is taking some nice detours that the rest of us won't have time to. His blog post this morning sounded like everything was normal, except for dodging the bear.

[SquintyMcK]

I'm heading out for the Trans-Labrador on Sunday Morning!!!!

http://dodgingthedarwins.blogspot.com/

[Dorito]

Well, despite the months of gravel roads weekend excurisions, the multiple training classes and the ensuring the kit is good to go, I've now decided to change my attack on the TLH based on all the carnage...

Here's the new strat: Robot Chicken - Giraffe in Quicksand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_Z3lmidmrY

[willys]

Can't upload it ...it's blocked to us Canadians