So, it looks like we will be all caught on ride reports through today!
So, Blaster was undecided that he wanted to trek anywhere today. However, given the nice weather forecast (Looks like Hurricane Irene will be hitting NFLD in T-4 days?
), we decided to push forward.
I was able to scour the ridetherock.com forums and discern that gravel roads do exist. I plotted a nice 80KMs route which should have ended in the back door of Deer Lake. And then we ended in Marble Mountain instead...
It turns out that the roads are fairly well maintained (and somewhat marked) for the snow mobilers. While we only did one track, we passed by many more.
For the most part, the road was absolutely fabulous. We only passed a a handful of cars, and that wasn't until early afternoon. We've probably seen some of the most untouched parts of Gros Morne.
At some point, the route turns off the main road. It's considerably more rutted, and less used. About 3 clicks down the trail, we traverse down a very rocky, steep and loose. I was very, very happy to not need to activate TTRU despite some hairy moments. I was also thankful that hill was now behind us.
Not long down the trail, we run into this bridge:
Despite it's somewhat sketchy apperance, it walks quite solidly:
We end up walking each bike over, as the deep grooves would have been something to ride. Again, I am very thankful that we are over this bridge. Only another 7 KMs until our next turn and hopefully back to some decent roads.
And then comes this:
We do find an alternate route, a bit downstream:
Nothing left to do other than get some water in those fancy boots. I was able to find a path that never gets above my knees (and I have short legs). However, as the path has progressively gotten worse and not knowing if this was the last obstacle, we decide to fold.
Now there is nothing to do other than retreat. Walk the bikes back over the previous bridge, and the up the hill of terror. Blaster walks a nice line up the hill of terror. However, his bike had entirely different thoughts as it skipped all over..but it went up. I needed TTRU recovery. But all back to the main road and recalculate a route to TLH1. The nearest entrance point is Marble Moutain.
But after a quick stop at Tim Hortons for lunch, we decide to try our hands at the zip line. Marble Moutain Zip tours is the second largest zip in Canada.
This kit looks like it needs some humans..
The course, 9 zips total
An eager patron
As long as I am wearing a dunce helmet, mind as well act the part..
Rest of photos here: http://blaster11.smugmug.com/Other/S...ummer-2011-D12
So, Blaster was undecided that he wanted to trek anywhere today. However, given the nice weather forecast (Looks like Hurricane Irene will be hitting NFLD in T-4 days?
), we decided to push forward.I was able to scour the ridetherock.com forums and discern that gravel roads do exist. I plotted a nice 80KMs route which should have ended in the back door of Deer Lake. And then we ended in Marble Mountain instead...
It turns out that the roads are fairly well maintained (and somewhat marked) for the snow mobilers. While we only did one track, we passed by many more.For the most part, the road was absolutely fabulous. We only passed a a handful of cars, and that wasn't until early afternoon. We've probably seen some of the most untouched parts of Gros Morne.
At some point, the route turns off the main road. It's considerably more rutted, and less used. About 3 clicks down the trail, we traverse down a very rocky, steep and loose. I was very, very happy to not need to activate TTRU despite some hairy moments. I was also thankful that hill was now behind us.
Not long down the trail, we run into this bridge:
Despite it's somewhat sketchy apperance, it walks quite solidly:
We end up walking each bike over, as the deep grooves would have been something to ride. Again, I am very thankful that we are over this bridge. Only another 7 KMs until our next turn and hopefully back to some decent roads.
And then comes this:
We do find an alternate route, a bit downstream:
Nothing left to do other than get some water in those fancy boots. I was able to find a path that never gets above my knees (and I have short legs). However, as the path has progressively gotten worse and not knowing if this was the last obstacle, we decide to fold.
Now there is nothing to do other than retreat. Walk the bikes back over the previous bridge, and the up the hill of terror. Blaster walks a nice line up the hill of terror. However, his bike had entirely different thoughts as it skipped all over..but it went up. I needed TTRU recovery. But all back to the main road and recalculate a route to TLH1. The nearest entrance point is Marble Moutain.
But after a quick stop at Tim Hortons for lunch, we decide to try our hands at the zip line. Marble Moutain Zip tours is the second largest zip in Canada.
This kit looks like it needs some humans..
The course, 9 zips total
An eager patron
As long as I am wearing a dunce helmet, mind as well act the part..
Rest of photos here: http://blaster11.smugmug.com/Other/S...ummer-2011-D12