Comments for OB's motorcycle travels, projects, ideas

Comment on OB’s Home Page by OB Baldy

OB Baldy — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 02:47:11 +0000

@ Jo.

Done.

Comment on DAY 16 Will ‘o Bend, BC by Jo Maloney

Jo Maloney — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:06:52 +0000

Looking for the type of tent and bedrool you took along. Was the bedroll warm enough? Tent east to pitch ?

Comment on OB’s Home Page by Jo Maloney

Jo Maloney — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 14:05:15 +0000

Send me an e-mail if you would. alaskanvoyager@gmail.com. Like to chat about your trip, mine starts 5/21/11. Regards, Jo

Comment on Day 11 Tok, AK by Jo Maloney

Jo Maloney — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:28:54 +0000

Please contact, I live in Michigan and would like to chat about your Top of the World Hwy ride in particular and your Alaskan adventure in general. Regards, Jo

Comment on Labrador / Newfoundland trip – Summer 2011 by Phil

Phil — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 18:08:36 +0000

My name is PurplePeopleEater, and I approve of this route!

I’ve covered about 1/3 of this route either by bicycle, motorcycle, or both, and the rest is stuff that’s guaranteed to be awesome (the NFLD & Labrador bits). The return leg from MTL to Hamilton via Hwy 2 is among the most scenic and charming riding you’ll find in southern Ontario.

As I mentioned to Baldy, I’m in the process of working out a new contract with my current customer and won’t know for a while how much time & money I’ll have available to burn on fun stuff. Making best use of my summer is a top priority for everything I’m planning this year, though.

I don’t want to be presumptuous, but if I can get in on at least part of this trip I’d like to be involved.

Even if that ends up not working out from my end or yours, I think I’m gonna have to insist that we meet up in either Toronto or Montreal. BEERS ARE ON ME, BOYS!!!

Comment on Labrador / Newfoundland trip – Summer 2011 by OB Baldy

OB Baldy — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 06:28:08 +0000

Latest route, with the Cabot Trail inlcuded, that somehow got deleted.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=57685+Hidden+Timbers+Dr,+South+Lyon,+MI+48178&daddr=Cornwall,+Ontario,+Canada+to:Camping+Montagnais+Le+Tipi,+Tadoussac,+Quebec,+Canada+to:Labrador+City,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:Happy+Valley,+Happy+Valley-Goose+Bay,+NL,+Canada+to:L%27Anse-au-Loup,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:Blanc-Sablon,+Quebec,+Canada+to:St.+Barbe+Harbour,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:Snorri+Cabins,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:Notre+Dame+Provincial+Park,+ROUTE+1,+Lewisporte,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:Blackhead+Rd.+,+Highway+11,+St.+John%27s,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador+A1C+5H2,+Canada+(Cape+Spear+National+Historic+Site)+to:Trans-Canada+Hwy%2FNL-1+W+to:Channel-Port+aux+Basques,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:North+Sydney,+Nova+Scotia,+Canada+to:46.8622851,-60.5652299+to:Port+Hawkesbury,+Nova+Scotia,+Canada+to:Route+2,+Skowhegan,+Maine+04976+(Two+Rivers+Campground)+to:County+of+Monroe:+Webster+Park+Campgrounds,+Rochester,+NY+to:Niagara+Falls,+Ontario,+Canada+to:Hidden+Timbers+Dr,+South+Lyon,+MI&hl=en&geocode=FdEMiAId8iEE-ylzaM6QalYjiDFvPFQqk5ZvbQ%3BFawQrwId4I6L-ylV51mFyxnMTDEwFCPHKHsDBQ%3BFaOo4QIdLQzd-yHmltl2ngukWQ%3BFTvLJwMdX-EC_Cmh7fGadkv1TDFj0JRz1XxLMQ%3BFUyyLQMd-yhm_CmfM8br9Xp7TDFwfhk0rNwRvA%3BFYU4EgMd4Mmc_CmPQffT6QSBSzENeusFFvA31w%3BFZG4EAMdLjeY_CmVQNAi6aqBSzGV8xM1zZiHAg%3BFQ9MDQMdycyd_Ckp1bcukJiBSzEUUM5oXj46Uw%3BFUtWEwMdeKqw_CHXQXBsaBsYFg%3BFaZt7QIdOnq3_CkX6Fg0IwN3SzEvC4nQR_MUdw%3BFaoZ1QIdTOnc_CGKgkkW1vI6vQ%3BFeDL4AIdrk7F_A%3BFZPk1QIdU6Z5_CmP-gO-a6VlSzF43Y0DSWo2vg%3BFTEOwQId7J5o_CkvCMQ8A-9nSzE0zZ59uxcFvw%3BFc0PywIdE9lj_CmD2G1zWvtmSzGILjDr8UKPog%3BFf8TuAIdi7xX_CnjKJlD7uJcSzHrii7qOgSD1g%3BFVclqwIdY9LY-yHnm4P32JDl9A%3BFW2vkgIdxKdf-yFLQaLBAspkJCljWZuoT7TWiTEoQRMGYZEOxg%3BFZaYkQId1fpJ-ym3M-Yp6mPTiTGzqsW55FqXYQ%3BFQwOiAId3BsE-ykX_91lalYjiDHFEa1LA-fzAA&mra=dpe&mrcr=13&mrsp=14&sz=10&via=14&dirflg=ht&sll=46.682421,-60.68161&sspn=0.633115,1.234589&ie=UTF8&ll=41.705729,-71.894531&spn=43.806278,112.5&z=4

Comment on Labrador / Newfoundland trip – Summer 2011 by OB Baldy

OB Baldy — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 03:10:42 +0000

Latest route (as at 10/28/2010)
5134 miles. Includes the new Trans Labrador Highway Phase 3 (Dirt highway), the Viking Ruins at L’and aux Meadows on the tip of NewFoundland, and Cape Spear – the most Eastern Point of the North American Continent, and the Cabot Trail in Nova Scotia, and Niagara Falls in Ontario.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=57685+Hidden+Timbers+Dr,+South+Lyon,+MI+48178&daddr=Cornwall,+Ontario,+Canada+to:Camping+Montagnais+Le+Tipi,+Tadoussac,+Quebec,+Canada+to:Labrador+City,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:Happy+Valley,+Happy+Valley-Goose+Bay,+NL,+Canada+to:L%27Anse-au-Loup,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:Blanc-Sablon,+Quebec,+Canada+to:St.+Barbe+Harbour,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:Snorri+Cabins,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:Notre+Dame+Provincial+Park,+ROUTE+1,+Lewisporte,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:Blackhead+Rd.+,+Highway+11,+St.+John%27s,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador+A1C+5H2,+Canada+(Cape+Spear+National+Historic+Site)+to:Trans-Canada+Hwy%2FNL-1+W+to:Channel-Port+aux+Basques,+Newfoundland+and+Labrador,+Canada+to:North+Sydney,+Nova+Scotia,+Canada+to:Port+Hawkesbury,+Nova+Scotia,+Canada+to:Route+2,+Skowhegan,+Maine+04976+(Two+Rivers+Campground)+to:County+of+Monroe:+Webster+Park+Campgrounds,+Rochester,+NY+to:Niagara+Falls,+Ontario,+Canada+to:Hidden+Timbers+Dr,+South+Lyon,+MI&hl=en&geocode=FdEMiAId8iEE-ylzaM6QalYjiDFvPFQqk5ZvbQ%3BFawQrwId4I6L-ylV51mFyxnMTDEwFCPHKHsDBQ%3BFVvy3gIdyKfY-yHmltl2ngukWQ%3BFTvLJwMdX-EC_Cmh7fGadkv1TDFj0JRz1XxLMQ%3BFUyyLQMd-yhm_CmfM8br9Xp7TDFwfhk0rNwRvA%3BFYU4EgMd4Mmc_CmPQffT6QSBSzENeusFFvA31w%3BFZG4EAMdLjeY_CmVQNAi6aqBSzGV8xM1zZiHAg%3BFQ9MDQMdycyd_Ckp1bcukJiBSzEUUM5oXj46Uw%3BFUtWEwMdeKqw_CHXQXBsaBsYFg%3BFaZt7QIdOnq3_CkX6Fg0IwN3SzEvC4nQR_MUdw%3BFaoZ1QIdTOnc_CGKgkkW1vI6vQ%3BFeDL4AIdrk7F_A%3BFZPk1QIdU6Z5_CmP-gO-a6VlSzF43Y0DSWo2vg%3BFTEOwQId7J5o_CkvCMQ8A-9nSzE0zZ59uxcFvw%3BFf8TuAIdi7xX_CnjKJlD7uJcSzHrii7qOgSD1g%3BFVclqwIdY9LY-yHnm4P32JDl9A%3BFW2vkgIdxKdf-yFLQaLBAspkJCljWZuoT7TWiTEoQRMGYZEOxg%3BFeSRkQIdubBJ-ym3M-Yp6mPTiTGzqsW55FqXYQ%3BFQwOiAId3BsE-ykX_91lalYjiDHFEa1LA-fzAA&mra=ls&dirflg=ht&sll=43.125043,-77.657547&sspn=0.336778,0.617294&ie=UTF8&ll=47.100045,-67.5&spn=20.116547,39.506836&z=5

Comment on DAY 16 Will ‘o Bend, BC by Graham Charnock

Graham Charnock — Tue, 13 Apr 2010 17:35:41 +0000

[quote]Jaryd had added additional layers as well, something like 2 pairs of T-shirts, under a fleece jacket, under a pullover, under his thermal riding jacket under his extra outer waterproof jacket on the top, with a long fleece balaclava under his full helmet, plus winter riding gloves, and then on the bottom, two pairs of socks under his waterproof shin-high riding boots, and thermal long underpants under his waterproof riding pants with its own thermal layer. In addition, we had our electric hand warmers switched on to provide some warmth to the hands.[/quote]

I thought for sure after writing that paragraph that your son was gonna say “I have to go to the bathroom”

I am really enjoying the red about your travels and adventures. Glad I clicked on your profile on the Max Suk website.

Cheers, Graham
A.K.A. BANDIT666

Comment on Day 19-21 – Mike’s solo ride home pictures by OB Baldy

OB Baldy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:55:21 +0000

Hi Grig and Nik

Tires.
It really depends on the roads you plan to ride. If you are going to do much the same kind of trip as this, with only about 1000 miles/ 1600 kms of dirt roads and mainly normal asphalt/tarred roads, then I would NOT take another set of tires like we did on this trip. I would run a semi-knobby 50% on/off-road tire on the front like the Continental TKC80 or Cheng Shin C858 and a 30% on/off-road tire like the Kenda K270 rear tire, which can last maybe 7000-8000miles if you don’t ride too hard. Changing the ties on the side of the road is NOT fun for me, so I would try to avoid it again.

Average gas consumption was quite heavy because we were VERY over-loaded. We took much too much stuff (extra tires, etc)
I think we averaged about 45-50 MPG which is 5.2 L /100 KM. (US gallon = 3.78 litres)

You should take spare gas cans with you on this trip only for safety on the Dempster Highway, where there are sections that are approx 250 miles without gas stations. Otherwise, plan to stop every couple of hours of riding to fill up. If you ride these roads between May and September, you won’t have a problem with gas.

I will say if you want to know some camp sites along this same road, you should get a decent GPS with up to date POI (Points of Interest) database in it, and search for campgrounds along the way. We never planned any specific stops or knew exactly where we were going to sleep except for the first night. When you get up to the Alcan Highway, you should take with you a very good campsite book called “Traveler’s Guide to Alaskan Camping: Alaska and Yukon Camping with RV or Tent”
This is a fantastic book and you can buy it at Amazon.com. It is better than the more famous “Milepost” book for finding nice campsites and it tells you all about the roads in North Western Canada and Alaska and the camping facilities, etc, etc.

Parts.
Take the usual…spare tubes for the tires, tire changing equipment, chain links and tools, spare cables, light bulbs, spark plug, electric tester, KLR650 workshop manual, 1 can of oil, spare electric wire, toe rope if you have to pull one of the bikes, spare nuts and bolts, air pump, etc, etc.

Best time.
I would not leave too early. You can still have snow and cold in May, and there is LOTS of road construction in the early summer months. I would leave towards the end of summer, maybe late August is best time. It can be snowing again in late September/October. Be prepared for LOTS of mosquitoes! Bring caps with mesh screen to wear when you stop, and long sleeve shirts and lots of DEET mosquito repellant. Bring bear spray for the big bears! Take precautions like not leaving toiletries and food, fruit, etc in your tent if you’re sleeping in bear country.

Have fun!

Comment on Day 19-21 – Mike’s solo ride home pictures by Grig-Nik

Grig-Nik — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 12:38:53 +0000

Hi,

The pictures and the comets under every picture of Your trip are very nice and giving so much information and navigation for people like me who are planning to take this trip also.

I have several questions.
Can you tel me more about your experience with the tires. Is it Ok to have 2x pairs, for road and for of road tires?
What was your average gas/100km? Did you need somewhere additional gas tanks?
If it is possible, can you send me the adr or GPS coordinates of the campings and motels which your would recommended.
We ere two Grigor and Nikolay. We are from Bulgaria, EU. We have KLR 650 like you. Can you recommend what kind of part would be good to have as a reserve?
Last my question is about the wheather. Which time between 01-May until 31-Aug is the best for the same trip.

Thank you in advance.

Grig & Nik