With no less than 4 cameras snapping, we've got some data management to stay on.

Lakota (who is currently in the win for the RR section!)


Keith (who is looking to snap the top spot on the ADV front page)


We leave our humble abode for the main road in Radisson. Relais Outtfitter having recently been remodeled under new management is a quite a gem! During the height of caribou, it will be basecamp for 150 caribou hunters. We had reservations, but I am sure you could probably walk up and get a room during the summer quite easily. However, it's a gamble because there is not much competition elsewise!





Moto transport is NOT the most efficient way to traverse this beautiful land. We've seen helos up close, float planes and puddle jumpers. We not seen pontoon helos, but we see landing areas for them, so they probably show up too! In fact, there are a ridiculous amount of float plane bases and gravel runways serving this 700KMs of road.









But it looks like a GS driveshaft in the tail




flora


berries to feed the black bears


Big bears, more berries


Are you a fun guy? Fungi really.


Keith is going to need to stretch that back out...that gas can in a hour or two is going to be heavy (when he refuses to fuel at the only gas station we pass all day). He'll never make it a KTM rider




All this gas filling makes another GS sleepy. The Jesse cases did just fine, the jesse racks not so much.


Very artistic tail spin in the dirt


All smiles come off the TransTaiga!






You can't miss the transtaiga road, however, garmin doesn't have an accurate map. I highly recommend that you use tracks not routes for this road, lest your GPS spend most of the time "recalculating".

37F this am. Off to short trek to James Bay.

Originally Posted by macaroni

The day will begin and end at the same location, if luck is a lady. It was unclear when we set off this morning, if the sea plane float station at the turnaround would be open or not. None the less, we figured we had enough gas to get at least 2 of the 4 bikes back to the outfitter, and they could turn around re-fuel and back track.





Have you seen my GS?


It seems that everyone rides the inside of all the curves. The line of sight is quite remarkable, so there are only a handful of spots you would be surprised by another vehicle. Being about 3-4 lanes wide, Blaster decides to ride the best line which is a inside track. During some idle banter, he announces his plan to stay in the left should we meet unexpectantly another car. We only end up meeting 5 cars all day, so the plan seems feasible.

Until we get to blind turn with a speeding Hyrdo Quebec pickup truck. Those men can really haul down the road. So he sees Blaster on the inside track and darts wide around the turn. The truck gets into a "magical" drift (still speeding) for about 100 yards. It's really something right out of a Chevy commercial. Next thing I know, Keith is aiming for the right track and I am staying left. By the luck of god, the continues to drift the straightens out right before he goes between us. Whoop. That was fun.


Fortuitously, the 390 mile trek was no issue. But we needed 9.29 more miles due north to get to the 55th parallel.




On the way out to the fueling station, we follow a big red (think Clifford the dog color) pickup. The guy drives really calmly as not to lose us. After fueling, the guy heads back the 3KMs to base where we need to go to finish up settling the bill. Sure enough the road "T"s, he slings the truck and drifting he will go. I think they all drive that way up now. Guess you have to do something to pass the time.

Flora:






fauna:


Keith gave it the old college try when we got to the float base. They had an entire map covering a wall. Nary a road north for us to trek.









Nonetheless, we've now sorted that we can transport a GS on an Otter plane. Apparently, we would cube an otter out, before we'd max the weight. The only problem would be navigating the double-doors. We think you could fit 3 bikes and riders, maybe 4 in a plane. The plane into Schefferville would be $3200. Doesn't matter if it 1 or 4 bikes. Then you could ride the train tracks down to Esker to the Translab highway. Maybe next time





The Lac Pau float base is open Late May to 1st weekend in October, 24/7. Their contact for the base is:
418-579-0947
Caniapiscau@airsaguenay.com

If you remember from yesterday, Keith took out a very dumb quail bird. However, today he was a reformed man. There was a very sizable (300+) black bear that sauntered across the road. The bear was in excellent health, with a high-gloss coat and a mouse grey muzzle. Notice that Keith didn’t aim for the critter, rather came to a collected halt. Blaster ensured that his moto was in first gear, incase this chance encounter should end poorly. All in all, sorry we didn't have the gumption to break out a camera and get him on film.

Tomorrow, back to Radisson.

VTGS, you guys have been troopers camping! The days have been very doable weatherwise, but the nights have been cold and wet.

Where else can you drive your GS up to a float plane:


The reason for the float bases is the Caribou (AKA Reindeer) hunters.


A field dressed Caribou would be north of 300lbs


Everything comes in a can or barrel it seems


After paying for gas, Blaster does the 3KMs Lakota out of gas walk.

A few tidbits of info:

It's 44 miles from Radisson to the TransTaiga
It's 88 miles from Radisson to a very nice boat launch/picnic area/camping
It's 188 miles from Radisson to another very nice boat launch/picnic area/camping
It 204 miles from Radisson to the new outfitter for gas
It's 283 miles from Radisson to Mirage Outffiters

The start of the TransTaiga:


Long way to go and a short time to get there..


Only a handful of signs from the nexgt two days




Cree TeePee, these pepper the landscape. They are currently empty, but when the caribous migrate down in Dec/Jan they supposedly are filled to the brim


I think we saw more hyrdroeletric plants than cars. No shortage of crystal clear water up here:


Another Ruppert-looking bridge


We like traveling with Lakota. Every time his bike runs out of gas, we are assured that a gas station will magically appear just over the next rise, about 3KMs down the track Never fear, we have about 9.5 gallons between us to get him going again.

The new outfitter at KM204 is very nice looking. Uber slow connection so, I can't get all the photos to upload from the outfitter. Will try to finish up the RR tonight.

Being 4 days into 16 days, we figure this trip is on cruise control. So, let's add some chaos...where's that map of South America.

Yep, it time to start planning for the next big trip..



As always, start with the end in mind (Ushuaia)




Then, we'll start stringing together must dos'




And then where the one-way rental ends,,


Remember, there are dreamers and doers....time to dream a little dream for 2014!

Originally Posted by gastone

We tromped through Ottawa a warp speed, however, we are now conniving to take a long 3-4 weekend and coming back just to play here. Maybe RTE-Canada





The border crossing was easy:




The next (mandatory) stop was "Timmies'


I don't know how they do it, but the patrons are always a delight. Here we get some intel about the looong stretch on RT117. One guy assures us that gas will be no issue, and he was dead on.

Flower time:








All photos on the highway look the same





Routes following rivers are always nice


We do see a sign for a covered bridge, but we have no time to dally. But, after we wiz by the bridge we realize that is was no more that 750M off the main road and looked to be fabulously restored.

About 10 hours later, we see another sign for one. This time however, it's 4KM off the track down a dirt road, and needs a paint job. It was neat to ride through it though, the floor was somewhat bowed.





Actually a fun day all told!

otal miles to date: 1638

Back at the house yesterday, the Weimaraner was very concerned with our garage antics. After many hours of patiently waiting at our feet, she hastily walks out. A bit later she returns with this gem, and skips it much like a rock across the concrete floor...

Yep, that is one cute tortoise!


Yesterday, we left in a haste and I haven't had time to put up a map of the new track in Matagami. While not quite "epic" yet, it's been good fun.

Above Grand Ramouse to Val D' Or, RT 117 has many options for camping. Most camp sites appear to be free and most have beach access to the water. Be prepared to be able to go 120 miles between gas stops.

Trip lesson #1:
I also realize the errors of my way from yesterday. First, I didn't check the part numbers of the items when I assembled the kit (e.g the wrong gasket). Then I failed to get all the little bits such as a new oil filter which was needed after stator skunked all the oil, nor the really big-assed allan wrench. To finish off my trifecta of mistakes, I also didn't pack the 3 qts of engine oil, nor Loctite and gasket maker. All in all, the best laid plans of mice of men often go awry. However, if push really came to shove, I would also consider reaching out the "BMW anonymous" book for a place to wrench.

While today was long, there was extremely little stress to idol the day away. I think we might have only had 12 stops lights over the course of the day. We did pass a Zinc and a Lithuithium mining operation and two covered bridges.

More later...

Just a quick update!

Yesterday started out calm enough. We met at the WaWa in the center of Rt301. Except there are no less than 3 of those. Next time well take the guess work out of the rendezvous point and just meet at the big oak tree in the crook of the road

Anyhow, we happily galloped up to the our first stop, Millersville to Millersburg ferry. It's the oldest wooden ferry still in operation.



Then the ferry operator send us to his favorite haunt for lunch. The Red Rabbit. It sounds like a code name. And apparently our directions were so good, and we didn't find it.

The we departed on RT322 for the bridge. I'll let Lakota fill you in, as Blaster and I had a wee bit of a problem. After stopping for gas. Dorito muled-heeled on me. Refused to start. Pull the voltmeter out. 11.5V.

The stator has taken a turn for the dark side. KeithMcKenny cheerfully offers me a new battery to head for home. We are only 370 miles and 5 hrs before sundown, and 2V before the bike dies from lack of power.

What could possibly go wrong?

As the sun sets, I am tight in formation on Blasters tale. Eventually, he gets one of the better ideas and put his head lamp for camping on my windshield. Not much for making the road bright, but atleast it was a maker.

After an almost disastrous mistake stopping for a light at Breezewood, I realized the RPMs must stay above 4000.

Sun set around 2030 and we still had another 1.5 hrs and a gas stop to go. As we pulled in for gas, I stayed on and Blaster fueled me. Then I would circle the parking lot until he was done.

Finally we made it home.

Today, we trouble shot the problem. It needed a new, $1100 stator.



However, you know BMWs motto, we make good bikes and continue to improve them. I had bought a spare last year when BMW had 30% coupons.


New Design (Notice the BIG oil holes)


Old Design


We had some wins putting it together, it need a 14MM allen wrench, and somehow we had one that big. I had also bought the two special tools and the gasket. Yup, I bought a gasket for the OTHER side of the motor. Dispair.

Never worry, I live with MacGuyer!

Did you know you can make fancy gaskets?


[Note: Use a shell casing without a primer when hammering it!]


And Done...very nice!


Off to head the most due north. Hoping to make 1000 miles by Monday night and rendezvous with Lakota and Keith.

And a linky to Lakota's RR : http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=914100

They always say: start with the end in mind. With that, we begin this ride report with the track that leads to the holy grail (AKA the end of the Trans Taiga)

The Adventure begins 24 August and ends 08 September!

The Trans Taiga:


We begin our journey with some old wingmates:

Blaster11


Lakota


Dorito


And some new wingmates:
KeithMcKenney


Join us as we ride north and visit our Canadian brethren....mostly 'Rally style' hitting lots of interesting places along the way. If you want to know more about our scheming, here's our planning thread