Here is the final mileage for the trip with 1000+ miles of dirt/gravel

1200GSA tires
Front

Rear

F798 tires
Front

Rear


Overall I am very pleased with the tires I chose, I probably beat them a bit harder than I should have considering I needed them to last but it was a good test of gravel/off road and high speed asphalt. I would use this combination again if going on a similar trip. TKC fronts and K60 Scouts on back in case you were wondering.

Finally arriving home picture...actually we both have a lot of mixed emotions about getting home. Its good to be home, but I would rather be somewhere else. The sites we saw and the things we experienced and the people we met were awesome! The people were great everywhere except along the I-95 corridor/urban areas...imagine that! Every trip I take like this helps me refocus what I am working for and hopefully makes me a better person. Some day I will escape the rat race!!!!!


I am working on my SPOT adventures page at present so when it is complete, with pictures, I will let you all know. Also in the coming weeks I will be downloading the GPS tracks and making them available to anyone who wants them, I will post when they are ready for dissemination.

Just like the sun sets on the ocean at Meat Cove, this Ride Report is coming to a close. We've got some housekeeping to add to the front pages (e.g. cleaned up routes, suggestions, highlights, etc), but for the most part this should be winding down.

I will say the only thing I hate more than I-95 in the Northeast, is the New Jersey Turnpike. I will remember to avoid both at all costs in the future, as they were just.pain.ful today with the labor day traffic. Nonetheless, everyone got home safe and sound. Thanks for following (especially all you lurkers--We know you are out there!)

Here are some mental stats:

5878 Miles covered
22 days duration
6 Team Turtle Recovery Units (TTRU) events occured
5 Nights camping/3 free hotel nights using points/14 paid hotel nights
4 SMIBs completed the Translab
3 Natural Disasters at home (Buffalo Stampede, Earthquake, and Hurricane Irene)
2 Riding Days in the Rain
1 year until the next epic journey begins!

I had a glorious day today. Blaster not so much, which is strangely intriguing since he was was the route master for the day. I figured since we were crowding the Harleys for tarmac, the roads were the best scenery in the area. The area of White Moutains is very beautiful, and I would consider looking further into a White Moutain area trip only, with the glimmer of hope there are some nice dual sport areas.

For Blaster, who was in the "homing" mode, the roads ate too much time up. We spent nearly 12 solid hours in the saddle, and ended up mileage wise the same distance from home.

We did get a very nice impromtu tour of the hurrican Irene damage. And boy she unleash some fury. While the White Moutains got 20 inches of rain, vs the 13 inches in Maryland, the hilly terrain did focus the monsoon. Here's the only photo we took, but there was much more. It even closed 2 stretches of Interstate I-91!

As we leave St John's I look out the window and see these two spying Dorito. This is photographic evidence that indeed Orange is the coolest color. (I refuse to document the other 1million times they might have been closer to the white bike)




We got to the ferry a bit early, and happen upon this fellow inmate. His name is Thomas and I believe his moniker is TDP (his initials). Had a fascinating lunch, some post dinner, bfast and lunch the next day with him. He left us in Meat Cove though..




Here's another smiling lurker inmate:


Anyhow, the ferry left Argentia on the mark, and arrived 14 hrs later across Cabot Straight with no drama. Honestly, we slept quite soundly.

Interesting Islands (3X taller than wide)


Buoy Repair Vessel (and some Buoys on dock)




Nothing like a 800 person, a few semi-trucks, 30 morotbikes and lots of cars ferry wake


The "he made bail and got off the rock (Newfoundland) alive smile":


Even the bike escapes the shackles




Cabot trail scenery hugging the coastline


Turn off Cabot trail to Meat Cove marked by red roof church:


Scenery into Meat Cove








Mr TicTac goes for a quick dip:


In Cod we trust


For those that haven't been to Meat Cove since 21 Aug 2010, they got hit by a huge storm and it ruined 2 of the 3 bridges, but the beach is now 2/3rds larger.

View from tent spot:


Beach:

For Comparison: Sept 2010:


2011 Photos:






Quick clip:


Campsites on hill:


The folks next to us have seen a seal and a pilot whale from their site (and some binoculars). We are tracking home right on schedule, and stay tuned for updates on Sushi Night Extraordinare!

So as promised we found a little Sushi place and treated ourselves....the Salmon was fresh! Anyone up for a little Sushi this coming weekend?

We'll we've been tracking Hurrican Irene for a week now, and thought the best to bunker down as she passes over. Turns out, it is about 80F and sunny here today! Might be nicest day we've had yet...Oh well, had a nice walk down Water Street and maybe some raw fish for dinner.

Interesting pub:


Thank god no need to see this place from the inside..it does look a bit like Gotham though.




Wall art:


Statues:

For those that might be interested in doing this in the future, here is the coordinates for the trail start:
Latitude : 48.17764 Longitude : -53.66559

The memorial is located at:
Latitude : 48.18461 Longitude : -53.66318

Also, I forgot to add these yesterday:

Signage:




Memorial:

Tail section:

In October 1953 the bomber (one of the largest military aircraft ever) was on its way to the US from the Azores. It was navigating by sight, and flying low to avoid radar detection. It was supposed to come in over the coast of Maine as a test of the US air defence network.

Leaving Gander



Had a nice ride along the coast today.












This was a rather unique name for a park...especially a state-sanctioned one: Dildo Run


The closest we are going to get to seeing a whale...

Just a little update on the tires, we chose a TKC for the front and a Heideneau Scout for the rear of both bikes. We have done quite a bit more offroad than just a simple blast through the TLH and the tires are holding up well. All this mileage has been done in two weeks.
Mileage in Kilometers

Mileage in Miles

R1200GSA tires
Rear



Front



F698GS tires
Rear



Front



This is the second set of Heidi's on the F650. I would consider it true 50/50 tire.The first set was 90% pavement and has about 6500 miles on it and about 40% tread left. This set was fresh when we left, and should easily make it home another 1500 miles or so. The only gripe I have is (and it not a really fair one for a 50/50 tire), is do N.O.T get that tire into mud.

Heading to Twillingate today.