TLH2010: Return to the Trans-Lab and Newfoundland

[sevenpointsixtwo]

Drivers in Maine seem to be all about doing things for no particular reason... They are quick to pull out in traffic, slam on the brakes, or give a horn tap, but pretty short on common sense.

[ktjim]

Mark, Great report. Good to meet all you guys in Labrador. I'm shocked that of the three groups that went through about the same time, none of us got a picture of Cindy fueling our bikes.
Really sorry to hear of your lay down. Bummer to ride clean through all the "marbles" only to have a mishap on the asphalt. I worried about the same thing on the way home. Sounds like you got some good care in Maine though. Heal fast!

[worgoose]

Titto turned me on to your thread. Sorry to hear about your fall. But other then that it looked like a great trip. Good luck

[jdrocks]

Mark crossing the single lane bridge at the Riviere aux Pekans...



at that point, he had the Strom right side up.

sorry to read that you were injured. i was in the same area on Thursday that week.

best heal up, that trip west will be almost 14,000 miles.

thanks again for letting me tag along a couple times. i enjoyed the hospitality of you and crew.

[High Side]

Hope you heal up well soon. Remember bones heal and there are worse results in bike crashes than what you received. It sucks but if that happened at the first of your trip you would have missed the incredible Trans Lab experience. Our group went through what seems to be a couple of days before your own. Check out the link to our ongoing ride report below to see what you missed with the Gasp Bay Peninsula, you may want to visit next year once better. Thanks for a great ride report !!!

[markbvt]

I've been to Gaspé before. Great riding up there.

--mark

[C-Stain]

I've got to ask abou the tires on that Tiger 1050!

So, sorry for the Hijack..

I've got a buddy of mine who would love to find a set of those...could you PM me with the sizes your friend was running?

Thanks!

[markbvt]

Originally Posted by C-Stain

I've got to ask abou the tires on that Tiger 1050!

So, sorry for the Hijack..

I've got a buddy of mine who would love to find a set of those...could you PM me with the sizes your friend was running?

They're Pirelli MT60R's, 120/70-17 front and 160/60-17 rear. The Tiger's rear rim is designed for a 180, so the tire's profile was pretty flat, but it worked fine.

--mark

[Boondox]

Originally Posted by worgoose

Titto turned me on to your thread.

Spelling it like that might make Tito think you were casting aspersions on his manhood!

[NCD]

Another great report! Thanks for your help via PM. Good luck on a speedy recovery!

[sailer]

hey mark

hope ur paws heal up quickly

I nother great report ( well all the pre crash stuff)
you by far are favorite RR author.
the pics, end of day statis, and daily route maps are so cool

as well as always answering all my stupid questions that I PM you.

I plan on doing the same trip next year

thank you again for nother great RR

[markbvt]

Update: I only lasted 9 days till frustration and boredom overcame common sense and I went for a short ride. Got out the XR650L on Saturday, put a Throttle Rocker on the right grip, and rode to a friend's party 15 miles away and back. It worked out fine -- I could actually control the throttle and front brakes very well. The only problem was operating the clutch -- my left hand is still weak, and I can't use my middle finger, so I had to adopt more of a full-arm motion for pulling in the clutch lever.

But it was just too damn nice out on Saturday, and I was too pissed off at being cooped up inside. No, this won't be a regular occurrence -- I want to heal properly -- but mental health is important too.

--mark

[lakota]

Mark
It was great to meet you, Jason, Roman, and Martin up on the TLH.

Excellent ride report. Wish I had your talent with the camera.

Sorry to hear about your crash. Hope you heal quickly and are back on the road soonest.

Thanks again for your input on the ride across Vermont.

While there are lots of Alaska ride reports here i"ll tout mine (in my sig block) as having potential for helping you plan next year''s ride.

Ride safe

Marty

[Martincito]

Originally Posted by markbvt

Update: I only lasted 9 days till frustration and boredom overcame common sense and I went for a short ride. Got out the XR650L on Saturday, put a Throttle Rocker on the right grip, and rode to a friend's party 15 miles away and back. It worked out fine -- I could actually control the throttle and front brakes very well. The only problem was operating the clutch -- my left hand is still weak, and I can't use my middle finger, so I had to adopt more of a full-arm motion for pulling in the clutch lever.

But it was just too damn nice out on Saturday, and I was too pissed off at being cooped up inside. No, this won't be a regular occurrence -- I want to heal properly -- but mental health is important too.

--mark

Hi Mark,
I'm glad that you are healing and already starting to ride.
It was really a pleasure to ride with you, Jason and Roman.
We should do it again just to take a Cindy's picture instead of just buying a bunch of t-shirt and stickers

[markbvt]

Originally Posted by Martincito

Hi Mark,
I'm glad that you are healing and already starting to ride.
It was really a pleasure to ride with you, Jason and Roman.
We should do it again just to take a Cindy's picture instead of just buying a bunch of t-shirt and stickers

Haha, works for me!

I had my followup orthopedic appointment on Monday, and the doctor put a hard cast on my right arm, mainly to protect the pin sticking out the side of my hand. I only have to wear it for three weeks though. And I'll probably try to go for a ride tomorrow anyway.

--mark