Moto Trek'n to New York via the Trans Labrador Hwy

[moto-treks]

It's a 4+ hour ferry ride from Port aux Basques, Newfoundland to North Sydney, Nova Scotia. Good thing I grabbed my laptop after strapping the Beast down



as it gave me some time to start my RR.

This ferry is not like the ones in Washington. There are cabins for rent, game rooms, gift shops, a restaurant and bar, movies, some guy singing country music, an exercise room and even Wi-Fi.

The night before, I had decided to skip riding the 200 miles needed to get to the ferry terminal. Instead, I was going to get a late start and spend the night at Port aux Basques, catching the ferry the next morning. However, about 5AM I woke up and after about 30 minutes realized I wasn't going back to sleep. When I left Rocky Harbor it must have been in the high thirties becasue I had to crank up my electic vest and grips just to stay warm. But, it wasn't raining and the road was paved, so, making the trip in 3 hours to catch the ferry would not be a problem.

Pulling up to the ferry termial at 10:20AM I was told that the ferry was delayed by 2 hours. Oh well, the early ride was great, with little traffic, no moose sightings, no rain and by the time I reached the terminal, my right index finder had finaly thawed.

But, this trip didn't start at the Newfoundland ferry terminal. It started 12 days ago when I left Spokane to head for Albany to visit with my daughter. I thought about making a side trip to Nova Scotia, but then I remembered that the Trans Labrador Hwy was in the area. A quick look at google maps confirmed that it was indeed, on the way. In addition, Phase III from Goose Bay to the Cartwright junction, had been completed this year so I could ride all the way across Labrador without needing the ferry system.

To Albany by way of Labrador City (the start of the Trans Lab) east to Goose Bay, down to Blanc-Sablon, across to Newfoundland, down to Nova Scotia and then to New York - that's the plan

[Throttlemeister]

At it again already, good on you

I think I am still closer, if you like damns I would overnight in Churchill Falls and do the free tour, do some free laundry(buy soap) set in the sauna and take a swim in the indoor pool.

Remember to try and stay on New Foundland for at least 4 weeks, loads to see

[moto-treks]

Originally Posted by Throttlemeister

At it again already, good on you

Yup, I figured I could get one more trip in before the snow start to fly

[drrags]

On the road again, yay!

[Abenteuerfahrer]

Always love TLH assaults....

Pretty cool now and I guess you're getting some of hurricane/tropical/t-storms IGOR coming your way....rains by the gallons?? Ride safe...take your time.

[GB]

[moto-treks]

Guess I should start from the begninning....

About 2 weeks ago I got my normal early start when I pulled out of the AAA office in Spokane at 1PM with a map of the Canadian Atlantic Provinces . I had asked for a map of Labrador and Newfoundland and after looking at the map I asked, "where's Labrador?" Oh" the lady says, "its right here", pointing to the map. What she was pointing at was a small south eastern corner of Labrador. I told that Labrador was much larger than that and she said, "Yeah, I think its out of proportion." Well, there's only one road in Labrador that runs west to east so I wasn't too worried. I had previous loaded the Canada Provinces into my GPS, so I figured I could at least get pointed in the right direction.

That night, I made it to eastern Montana and after failing to find a state park in the area, I settled on a KOA campground. Having not been at a KOA, I was a little surprised when I was told about the live entertainment till 10PM, a pool and hot tub, showers, and even a well defined yard to park and put up my tent.



Wow, camping has changed a bit.

The following day was spent heading east in the rain and cold. Not much to talk about in eastern Montana or North Dakota. I'm sure the areas are nice, but I needed to get to Saint Catharines by Saturday to get new TKCs mounted on the Beast. That night I ended up west of Fargo in some small town hotel - sure glad I had some tequila with me

Another day and another campground later and I was at Baldone1's house The following day, I had new tires on the Beast. Balsone1 took me to visited Niagara Falls as well as a few fine gentlemen establishments in the area. Yeah, Baldone1 knows his way around the roads of Saint Catharines! He had me totally lost most of the time as we rode from attraction to attraction.

The next day, we took off towards Montreal. Baldone1 showed me the best roads of the area, and we ended up at the pub in Brokeville before heading back to the hotel and being told we were too loud while talking in the parking lot. What's up with that? it was only 4AM and I couldn't see any other cars in the area . What had we done, woke up the front desk person?

Badone1 took me to within 20 km of Montreal before deciding to head home. I made it past Quebec and camped at Mont St-Anne Provincial Park. As I lay in my tent listening to the rain, I was glad I was within striking distance of, Blanc-Sablon, the kick-off point of the Trans Labrador Hwy. Well, not exactly the Trans Labrador, but the start of 580 km of gravel road that would take me to Labrador City, the start of the Trans Labrador Hwy.

[moto-treks]

Originally Posted by drrags

On the road again, yay!

Yup, You should have the 800 ready for another trip by now too How about the WBCDR?

[moto-treks]

Originally Posted by Abenteuerfahrer

Always love TLH assaults....

Pretty cool now and I guess you're getting some of hurricane/tropical/t-storms IGOR coming your way....rains by the gallons?? Ride safe...take your time.

It's a great road and yes, it was cold..... but I can't get ahead of the story

[drrags]

Originally Posted by moto-treks

Yup, You should have the 800 ready for another trip by now too How about the WBCDR?

Yeah man, my bike's ready, I'm ready, but my wallet is not ready. I'll settle for living vicariously through you

No pics of the Baldone and the settings he brought you to?

[moto-treks]

Originally Posted by drrags

Yeah man, my bike's ready, I'm ready, but my wallet is not ready. I'll settle for living vicariously through you

No worries, by the time get home the WBCDR will be snowed in

Originally Posted by drrags

No pics of the Baldone and the settings he brought you to?

I didn't really start taking pictures until after Quebec. But, just think of Guatemala without the bathing suits and you'll get an idea oh, and I wasn't on the stage

[moto-treks]

I woke up early to a nice sunny day, rode 360 km to Baie-Comeau and was greeted by this at the start of hwy 389



It's going to be a fun day!

Early that day, I'd had my first ferry crossing of the trip too

[Coots]

Jeff,

Another trip I will have to live through you. Stuck again in Spoklahoma working. I gotta figure your method out. Also let Wendy know if she needs anything just ring me. Hope you are doing well and I assume you are getting plans rolling on Mongolia??? Stay safe.

Shane

[moto-treks]

Originally Posted by Coots

Jeff,
I gotta figure your method out...

1) Pack bike
2) Point in desired direction
3) Twist right hand

[Ladybug0048]

Oh goody, another Moto-Treks adventure to follow.