Trans-Labrador motorcycle trip!

[Foilist]

Suppose, hypothetically, that somebody were planning to take a solo motorcycle camping trip across Labrador in August. Other than the most badass bug headnet that money can buy, what (if any) camping tools and gear would be important specific to that region?

 

[Dug2]

rain gear, and don't forget some basic tools along with tire repair kit for the moto.
seems there would be many things to have. how long you goin for?

 

[Wildewinds]

I'd say go here: http://www.advrider.com/

 

[Foilist]

I'd say go here: http://www.advrider.com/

Oh, I'm there regularly.:thumbup:

I've got the moto stuff mostly covered, I'm now more interested in what the WSS crowd has to say bout camping in a taiga-like environment, and what might be different from ordinary camping, if anything.I imagine this would be a 7-10 day trip.

 

[mqqn]

Hi Foilist -

I have not been in Labrador, but I did ride the northern Yukon Territory and up to Deadhorse AK on my motorcycle, and I tent camped at Coldfoot Camp two nights (up and back on the haul road), as well as a couple other places along the trip.

Take a couple of bottles of 100% DEET. Important. I used "Off 100% deet", but I also like Muskol. Use this and you will not need the skeeter net.

I would be hurting without my thermarest pad.

Heated handgrips would be well worth installing. :thumbup:

Good luck on your trip!

best regards -

mqqn

 

[Kismet]

Suppose, hypothetically, that somebody were planning to take a solo motorcycle camping trip across Labrador in August. Other than the most badass bug headnet that money can buy, what (if any) camping tools and gear would be important specific to that region?

While a lot of folks here are very well-informed, you might check on adventure rider's website, where such trips are a way of life.

Be safe.

 

[mqqn]

While a lot of folks here are very well-informed, you might check on adventure rider's website, where such trips are a way of life.

Be safe.

Hi Kismet -

I see where you are going there. I kinda assume that Foilist has already done some long distance riding. I also assume that he was not asking about cycle gear, rain gear, how to pack etc etc.

I would highly suggest doing at least a couple of weekender trips of about 350-450 miles to shake out bugs in your gear and packing methods, as well as the machine.

I do 1 long ride a year, and usually 1 or two weekender type rides.

Sometimes I camp, and sometimes I go hotels.

The items in my first post were things I specifically want with me when I am camping in Canada, or the northern great lakes regions for that matter.

I would also add that you need to be on your most alert on a trip, never trust your mirrors, and stop when you start feeling fatigued.

best regards -

mqqn

 

[PDE]

You might look into a PLB, it knocks out the need of some other gear and is there if you need it. Invaluable. What bike are you taking?

 

[PARKINGLOT]

What bike are you taking?

Dang....you beat me to it. I'd say be careful most of all, I hear the 389 is a nasty road.

 

[Turbomammoth]

Dang....you beat me to it. I'd say be careful most of all, I hear the 389 is a nasty road.

I heard that Labrador as a whole is a nasty road, more suited for 10 wheelers going 120km an hours an never looking back.

 

[Hassilov]

A putty knife, for scraping the bugs off your visor.

 

[PB Wilson]

I spent some time hiking through Labrador about twenty years ago. We drove East in Quebec for a loooooong time, hopped a train north and ended up in Labrador City. We hoisted our packs, hitchhiked and hiked out form town and spent a week or so off the beaten path. Beautiful area in summer, but the black flies could be atrocious! One day was so bad we simply spent it in the tent. I read the entire book, "The World According To Garp" in one go cuz I wasn't about to face those bloodthirsty critters on that day. Other days were better but they can be fierce at different times of the day. Lots of blood donated to invertebrates that week. And I've spent lots of time in New York's Adirondacks.

The road between Labrador City and Fermont in Quebec wasn't particularly bad from what I remember. It's a big trucking route from what I understood so maybe that stretch was taken care of better than others.

Have a great time. Bring DEET.

 

[Turbomammoth]

Have a great time. Bring DEET.

I'm partial to a flamethrower.

 

[mckrob]

I've driven the road several times, but never on a motor bike. I've seen lots of people on bikes making the trip, they are usually on big enduros, I've not seen a street bike on this hwy.

It's fairly isolated in places, so you would want to plan to take some extra fuel, a sat phone (no mobile phone coverage for 400-500km) or SPOT, and it's not uncommon to go through two tires on the journey. It's 1100km from Baie Comeau to Goosebay, with Lab City about half way. You can "wilderness" camp just about anywhere you want along the way, there are no organised camp grounds on this part of the hwy. Black flies and mosquitoes are pretty thick, and there are bears, so bear spray/bangers wouldn't hurt. Lots of moose too.

Here are a couple of photos from our last trip across. Don't let this photo fool you, this is one one of the few paved stretches (I would guess it's 75% gravel, it is paved from Baie Comeau to Manic Cinq Dam, southern most ~200km).

Quebec / Labrador border:

One of our camp sites enroute:

Lake Melville from the ferry:

The highway is now open from Goosebay to Labrador's southern shore, you can drive all the way to Blanc-Seblon (~600km), this stretch is one of the most scenic parts of the drive in Labrador.

If you do do the trip I would recommend doing a loop, taking the ferry from Blanc-Seblon to St Barbe on the island of Newfoundland, and spend a few days on the island. L'anse-aux-Meadows, Gros Morne Park, Terra Nova are just a few of the places well worth seeing.

just after sunset in Gros Morne:

The mouth of St John's harbour:

You can then take a ferry from either Argentia or Port-aux Basques to Nova Scotia, and don't forget to stop at the Grohmann Knives factory in Pictou!

Here is the loop I would recommend with Quebec City as your start/endpoint, ~5745km in all:

 

[Foilist]

Hi folks,

I'm not unfamiliar with long motorcycle trips, and I mostly camp while doing them. I have never done a trip somewhere this remote, though. I am a regular reader of ADVrider (I'm AlanCT there), but I thought I'd post over here too for more info specific about camping in a taiga-like area.

The bike I would take is an '05 Russian Ural with sidecar. It has WWII roots and is made for roads like that. It is a rugged, old-tech machine. Although mine has given me no trouble, the Ural is not exactly known for it's reliability. It is simple to work on though. My other bike, a "modern" Kawasaki Concours, is utterly unsuitable for such roads. I lot of this scheme hinges upon having enough confidence in the Ural. Plan B is taking the Kaw to Nova Scotia, sticking to pavement, and dispensing with the the hardcore stuff.

PLB's are pretty expensive, but I am considering renting a sat phone. Also, maybe some bear spray and one of those hand-held airhorns for bear (in addition to proper bear camping procedures, of course).

I would be taking the clockwise loop through Labraodor as suggested above.

For cutlery, I'd want to take my SDS Nessmuk; something traditional just seems right.

Good stuff, keep it coming!

 

[x39]

Foilist, I have a good friend who is a Ural rider. He told me there is a Ural rider's group that does the Labrador trip every year. I'll see if I can come up with a link.

 

[Foilist]

Foilist, I have a good friend who is a Ural rider. He told me there is a Ural rider's group that does the Labrador trip every year. I'll see if I can come up with a link.

That would probably be CURD, the Canadian Ural riders' club. They call it the Tundra Run.

 

[mqqn]

Hi folks,

I'm not unfamiliar with long motorcycle trips, and I mostly camp while doing them. I have never done a trip somewhere this remote, though. I am a regular reader of ADVrider (I'm AlanCT there), but I thought I'd post over here too for more info specific about camping in a taiga-like area.

The bike I would take is an '05 Russian Ural with sidecar. It has WWII roots and is made for roads like that. It is a rugged, old-tech machine. Although mine has given me no trouble, the Ural is not exactly known for it's reliability. It is simple to work on though. My other bike, a "modern" Kawasaki Concours, is utterly unsuitable for such roads. I lot of this scheme hinges upon having enough confidence in the Ural. Plan B is taking the Kaw to Nova Scotia, sticking to pavement, and dispensing with the the hardcore stuff.

PLB's are pretty expensive, but I am considering renting a sat phone. Also, maybe some bear spray and one of those hand-held airhorns for bear (in addition to proper bear camping procedures, of course).

I would be taking the clockwise loop through Labraodor as suggested above.

For cutlery, I'd want to take my SDS Nessmuk; something traditional just seems right.

Good stuff, keep it coming!

Hi Foillist -

I rode my Concours (older version) to Deadhorse, up the haul road and back.

best regards

mqqn

 

[x39]

That would probably be CURD, the Canadian Ural riders' club. They call it the Tundra Run.

Yep, that's them. If you decide to go for it and are passing through Maine I'd be happy to give you my contact info in case you need assistance along the way.