Trans Lab Trip

[DucDave]

Dave McBride, Bruce Tessier and I left on July 9th for a long planned traverse of Labrador, Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.





I'll try and put together a trip report later with pictures, but for now:

• Labrador is either brutally desolate or brutally industrialized. Iron Mining has picked up and the results are 'Company Towns' not really organized for 'tourists!
• Almost nothing that would bring me back
• You do it to say you did it
• If you plan to stop in Churchill Falls, make a reservation. Otherwise, plan to ride another 200 miles to Goosebay
• If you're looking to do this as an adventure, do it soon. In another few years it will all be paved
• We rode probably close to 600 miles on gravel, dirt and mud. It was dirty, but not that hard. We were often able to hit 70mph.
• I had a flat tire that made this an adventure and not just another ride. I learned a lot about plugging a cut. HINT - TIE A KNOT IN IT!
• We met some fantastic people
• The last stretch, from Port Hope Simpson to Red Bay where the pavement started, was the worst. Blew a fork seal here.
• Other than the flat (the tire options for the Multi are REALLY limited) and the fork seal, the Multi was awesome. Really confidence inspiring.
• Newfoundland is absolutly fantastic. Icebergs, fjords, really warm people, and enough beautiful scenery to keep you coming back. This was my second time to the Rock and I intend to go again. Next year maybe???
• Twin Peaks in Corner Brook is a fantastic shop. Got me on a new tire and help McBride sort out a couple rack issues with his bike.
• The ferrys are really nice. But the Berths are really tight!
• The ferry from Digby to St. John allowed us a night in Halifax and saved a couple hundred miles of New Brunswick riding!

If you have FaceBook, I've posted about 100 pics there.

[mycirus]

It was an awesome trip worth doing. I would do it again in a heartbeat!!!

[mycirus]

[mycirus]

[scottieducati]

Both Dave's were giddy about this trip for some time. Glad it went off without much of a hitch, and I'll be looking forward to the lowdown in person soon!

[nhbubba]

Too cool.

[Cheese]

Thanks for sharing! An awesome adventure I'm sure.

Unfortunately no place for an 848 or a 750. I need another bike!?!?

[whirld]

That is Sweet!!! I have been think about taking my Multi to Labrador.

[markbvt]

[*]Almost nothing that would bring me back[*]You do it to say you did it

Gotta disagree with you on that one. Ever since my first Trans-Lab trip in 2009, I've felt drawn back to the place. Labrador has a haunting, desolate beauty that really speaks to the antisocial bastard in me.

[*]The last stretch, from Port Hope Simpson to Red Bay where the pavement started, was the worst. Blew a fork seal here.

Yeah, that's what everyone seems to agree on. When it's not so potholed that you think the road's been recently shelled by naval gunfire, it's instead covered with the most insidious, loose, sketchy gravel. Usually with strong crosswinds blowing.

The pics imply you had good road conditions for most of the trip -- plenty of mostly-scraped-off hardpack. That definitely makes the ride more fun.

Glad your trip went well!

--mark

[DucDave]

If there weren't 74 other rides I still want to do ...and 14 places I'd go back to ride again soon, I'd do the Trans Lab again....!!!

[zombie]

Currently in goose bay, loving every bit of it and gotta agree with Mark ,this place is beautiful.

[mycirus]

Currently in goose bay, loving every bit of it and gotta agree with Mark ,this place is beautiful.

Awesome,

What direction are you heading? Keep us up to date.

[markbvt]

Enjoy the rest of your trip, Mick!

--mark

[The Snowman]

Typical Dave ride, lots of dirt roads.

Looks like fun.

[zombie]

Awesome,

What direction are you heading? Keep us up to date.

Currently in Port Sablanc and going to catch the ferry tomorrow.
If your into adventuring riding this is a must do and every mile for me has been great.
today's ride was incredible, Loved the ride from port hope simpson to red bay , the scenery was spectacular and completely breathtaking .
took loads of pictures and I'll do a ride report when I get back.

[Marc R]

Hey Dave,
looks like the Multi has some industrial side cases, not the Ducati touring luggage. Just curious if you never had the Ducati cases or needed something bigger/better?

[nhbubba]

The look like SW-MOTECH TraX ALU-BOX cases from here.
I haven't been looking at panniers or anything lately.. honest.

[DucDave]

Hey Dave,
looks like the Multi has some industrial side cases, not the Ducati touring luggage. Just curious if you never had the Ducati cases or needed something bigger/better?

I had the Ducati Paniers but really saw this trip as an opportunity to completelyh trash them. So, I sold them back to Seacoast and bought the Motech. They were great and the waterproof bags that come with them are the balls...!

[gamorg02]

how did the honda keep up? is it a 250?450?650?

[markbvt]

That would be an XR650L.

--mark

[Ken C]

Sounds like a great trip!

I rode Newfoundland back in 1986 on my CB900F. We went the easy way via Nova Scotia.

[DucDave]

Sounds like a great trip!

I rode Newfoundland back in 1986 on my CB900F. We went the easy way via Nova Scotia.

I love Newfoundland. I really don't get the beauty of Labrador but it was raining from Labrador City to Blanc Sablon and I spend most of my time plugging my tire so I may have missed it! But Newfoundland...the people, scenery, and roads....wonderful!!!

[markbvt]

I really don't get the beauty of Labrador but it was raining from Labrador City to Blanc Sablon and I spend most of my time plugging my tire so I may have missed it!

Oh. Yeah. Maybe some day you'll get a chance to go back in good weather. That definitely makes a difference!

--mark

[DucDave]

Actually, I have to admit, the Dempster Highway is intriguing....

[zombie]

Waiting to get on the ferry to N.S .
Newfoundland for me is like riding down the west coast of Ireland , same scenery and as cool as it is the trans-lab was infinitely better then again having sunny skies all the way may have something to do with it.
biggest issue was dust but even that was cool in a weird way.
Dave I did the dempster in 07 and am going back to Alaska next year , the dempster is spectacular.